My Stories
Share your story, and tell the world why you love the Southern Highlands. Whether you are a born and bred local, a new resident of the region, or a visitor who just loves returning to this beautiful area, you all have stories to tell. Share your story, your photo, your You Tube video, and the most popular story will win a Pamper Package fit for a King or Queen at Gibraltar Hotel, Bowral. Make sure you get all of your friends to vote for your story. Enter Now!
*The Promotion ends on 31 May 2012 and the winner will be drawn on 1 June 2012, as per the Terms and Conditions.
Want to Upload Your Story? CLICK HERE and fill in the details.
Vote and WIN
Simply vote for your favourite My Southern Highland story and you'll go in the draw to win a $50 gift hamper of local goodies. Vote on your favourite story below!
Wendy's Story
I had heard about Bowral, perhaps for years, perhaps for decades.
The images conjured up by others were almost magical; spring flowers and autumn splendor, misty mountains and birdsong, grand country houses and cottage gardens, broad acres of pasture and forests, and a quaintness that belongs usually to a more gentile time.
But I had never been. Not until a working visit to Canberra offered up the chance to take out time for me. Checking maps and timetables, a plan unfolded. Three days of bliss along the way - Bowral here I come.
I reveled in that first visit. Up Mt Gibraltar to view the magnificent expanse of this precious part of Australia, back to the fireside at my historic cottage, out to the old cheese factory at Robertson where I bought a heritage ball gown, then to a local steak house for a fantastic meal.
I spent hours meandering through an antiques fair till I found the perfect memoir of my stay - an Edwardian ring, and sat beneath the huge shady trees and imagined the cricket at the Bradman oval. I stared over the breath-taking drop at Fitzroy Falls and pottered through the whimsical items in the stores down Bong Bong Street. Now there's a treat - the name just trips off my tongue, and delights the child in me. What a curious name.
Only one thing was missing - a companion to share these pleasures with.
But now I have found him and in a few weeks I will bring him to share these delights and more. He has never been. He too has heard about it for years, perhaps decades.
We will re-trace my steps, hand-in-hand, savouring the beauty and the romance. We will also visit Berrima and Burrawang (there just wasn't enough time last time) and wander through gardens I didn't get to see before. We will make new memories in this beautiful place and no doubt we will vow to return again soon.
Kate's Story
We love to drive and the Southern Highlands offers great scenery, friendly stop overs and time to relax and enjoy country life.
Eleanor's Story
One of the most memorable day trips I've ever had with my little family was to the Southern Highlands. We had planned to go berry picking at Montrose Berry Farm but when we arrived they told us that all the berries had been destroyed in a hail storm a few days earlier! A quick google search revealed a local market at Burrawang on the same day (Easter Saturday) so off we went and stumbled across the loveliest pub with a great view (see photo). What a lovely unexpected day!
Kimberlee's Story
I grew up in Mittagong/Bowral and my parents moved to Murwillumbah when I was 15. We have a school reunion coming up on the 17 June, next month at Bowral and would love to win this prize, as to incorporate it with the reunion. How wonderful it would be to go back and see my old school friends, whilst being pampered and being treated like a King & Queen.
Catherine's Story
Two years ago my husband and I attended a weekend course in Bowral and fell in love with the Highlands. To feel the tension release from our shoulders as we drove from Sydney to the warm and friendly townships was so new and refreshing. We knew then we would love to move to the area but didnt know how we would find work or afford a home.
Six months after the birth of our first child we were more eager than ever to escape the hustle and bustle of Sydney's inner west to move to a place where you could sit with nature and feel inner peace, a place where our daughter could play in the great outdoors away from the chaos of traffic.
Serendity struck when my husband saw his dream job advertised at a local school and, within a week, he had been offered the job and the opportunity for our young family to make a fresh start. We packed up our home and said goodbye to family and friends for a new and exciting adventure.
Five months later we haven't looked back. We have so much to explore! On bike, on foot, in our 4WD.
But the best part of our story is that within weeks of moving we discovered we are pregnant with our second child. After three years of trying and setbacks for our first child we believe the tree change made all the difference in the world to our health and our state of mind. We cannot wait to have our second baby in the Highlands and have our very own freerange family.
Erin's Story
My first Southern Highlands experience was as a child on a horse riding camp in Joadja many years ago. Since then, returning is a perpetual tradition. Nothing compares to the hertiage, culture, hospitality of the people, climate suited to romance & beauty of the mist on the picturesque landscapes.
Jill's Story
We run a range of tours and food related workshops in the Southern Highlands visiting farms, great restaurants and wineries. We are constantly amazed by the variety of products grown here and by the people we meet. At our recent Gelato Workshop we had a Russian couple bring along some buffalo milk from their dairy buffalo which was made into buffalo and chocolate nugget gelato. Not only was this unusual but it was delicious! We also had local olive oil which was made into olive oil sorbet. That is why I love running FoodPath - lots of variety and surprises along the way!
Rebecca's Story
As a librarian and lover of all things books - I love the Southern Highlands Booktrail - new stories for my beautiful girls to be found around every corner.
lyn's Story
Like bees to a honeypot, locals and not so locals flock to Burrawang Hotel for a lunch in the Southern Highlands country on any sunny Sunday (or other day). Ive enjoyed my motorcycle journey many times to this out of the way gem - I recommend it for those seeking the absolute best of the Southern Highlands.
amanda's Story
Leighton Gardens at Moss Vale is my favourite place to meet and catch up with friends. It is peaceful and scenic with plenty of nearby local cafes that cater for every budget and taste.
Finding this place was like discovering Utopia!
Stuart's Story
Stuart from the Gibraltar Country Club pro shop:
I love MY SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS because of its proximity to Sydney, Canberra and Wollongong
Sue's Story
I LOVE ITS HISTORIC VILLAGES,
ADORE ITS GOURMET DELIGHTS,
ITS SOOTHING BEAUTY,
WARM HOSPITALITY,
FRESH CRISP DAYS ...
AND ROMANTIC NIGHTS!
Donna 's Story
Donna McIntosh - Events Manager Gibraltar Hotel Bowral:
I love My Southern Highlands because of the safe environment, family friendly atmosphere, beautiful scenery with lots of attractions to see and do.
Cassie's Story
Cassie is the Wedding Coordinator at Gibraltar Hotel Bowral NSW:
I love My Southern Highlands for the picturesque surroundings and it is the perfect region for a wedding.
Lena's Story
Can a girl really appreciate cricket? Well, funnily enough, I'm by no means a cricket fan but on our first visit to the Southern Highlands and to the Bradman Museum, I left having some sort of appreciation of the sport. Bowral is the home of a true legend. Beautiful places to visit, some of the best cafe's and not to mention the gorgeous people who always greet us with a smile on each visit. It's my home away from home!
Trixie's Story
The Southern Highlands is truly one of nature's wonders. A place where you can run into friends in the street, and where people wave to you from cars. A place where people help each other and are happy to do so. A place where you can enjoy food & wine to rival the country's best. A place where you can breath clean air and a place where you can hear laughter. The Southern Highlands is a place where young and old live together and harmoniously. A beautiful place with beautiful people, and if you haven't visited YOU MUST!
Laura's Story
I was married in Sutton Forest on a beautiful autumn day last year. The russet leaves and native birds provided the backdrop to our outdoor wedding ceremony. We danced our bridal waltz in the sepia tones of the setting sun and enjoyed wonderful Southern Highlands food and wine at our reception.
Margaret's Story
Hearing concerts in the Bowral Autumn Music Festival, movies at the Empire and visiting family - what's not to love about the Southern Highlands?!
