AUSTRALIANTRAVELLER.COM 123
LetaLOCALshowyouaround
theirtownforanINSIDER’S
GUIDEto all the best bits.
BARBARA AND WARWICK WAINBERG are
Southern Highlands farmers who adore this corner
of New South Wales. In 2009, they fell in love
with a grand, abandoned bank in the town of
Mittagong. The historic two-storey building,
constructed in 1892, was due for demolition until
they saved the Victorian-Romanesque-styled
property, embarking on a painstaking, seven-year
restoration project. Now you can stay in their
labour of love, the charming Old Bank Boutique
Hotel, opened last September. Here they show
you how to make the most of your time in town.THE NITTY GRITTY:
WHERE EXACTLY: 90 minutes south-west of Sydney
POPULATION: Around 8000
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: A quaint, 19th-century town
set among the bucolic countryside of the Southern
Highlands, surrounded by vineyards.
WHY GO? Mittagong is the gateway to the Southern
Highlands, with access to vineyards and towns such
as Bowral, all just a short drive away.Mittagong
ONE
FINE
DAY
Mark’s hit list
9am:A country breakfast
GuestsintheOLD BANK HOTEL’s elegant dining
room are treated to a hearty, country breakfast
with fresh orangejuice from the orchard and eggs
from farm chickens( 1 ).oldbankhotel.com.au
10am:Gofor a stroll
We always recommendgoingfor a short stroll to
nearbyLAKEALEXANDRA,tofeed the ducks and
enjoythe sceneryof thisprettylittle lake nestled
below Mount Alexandra in the heart of town( 2 ).
11am:Stepback in time
Next door to us,theMITTAGONG ANTIQUES
CENTREis brimmingwith treasures( 3 ). It’s one of
the best antiques stores in the region, which is
sayingsomething.mittagongantiquescentre.com.au
1pm:Timefor lunch
ONESTACUCINAin Bowral, five minutes away,is
one of the best Italian restaurants in the Highlands
( 4 ).Open for lunch Thursdayto Saturday,it serves
exceptional, authentic food.onestacucina.com.au
2pm:Scenicdrive
After lunch, take a drive upto the lookouts on top
ofMOUNTGIBRALTAR,which affords views of
both Mittagongand Bowral.You cangaze across
the Highlands and to Sydneyon a clear day.
3pm:Antiques galore
Head to the beautiful newprecinct in Bowral
called TheAcre to visit the stunning, new-look
DIRTY JANE’Svintage and antiques centre, and its
neighbouringcafes and nursery( 5 ).dirtyjanes.com
5pm:Aglass or two
The Highlands boasts so manygreat, cold-climate
wineries;one of our favourites isBENDOOLEY
ESTAT E( 6 ).The iconicBERKELOUW BOOKBARN
is there as well as a cellar door,restaurant and
lovelygardens.bendooleyestate.com.au
7pm:Dinner at Josh’s
We love Josh’s Cafe in Berrima, 15 minutes away,
for dinner from Thursdayto Saturday.The cuisine
is Mediterranean inspired and never fails toplease.
Bedtime:Make your escape
Back at the Old Bank Hotel, enjoya complimentary
port from the wine cellar(housed in the old vault)
in front of our logfires before retiringupstairs to
a sumptuous suite ( 7 ).oldbankhotel.com.au6
1 & 73245PHOTOGRAPHY: NEIL FENELON (ONESTA CUCINA)
CULTURE | Towns