From the vault
The Southern Highlands is renowned for its stunning country properties, iconic landmarks and classic cars. Every issue of Highlife features stories on vintage classics, and beautiful homes and gardens. Here are a few of our favourites from over the years.
Bowral to Bundanoon
Drive Series
April/May 2026
Highlife’s chief photographer TONY SHEFFIELD revisits his favourite tours of the Southern Highlands. None take more than an hour without stops. Enjoy the ride.
Mittagong to Berrima
Drive Series
June/July 2026
The perfect drive in our series for showing visitors a snapshot of the Southern Highlands, complete with fabulous lookouts, historic buildings, picturesque back roads, plus two cellar doors.
Berrima to Bullio
Drive Series
Aug/Sept 2026
For the third drive in our series, we travel from historic Berrima out to the hand-cut Bullio Tunnel and Wollondilly Lookout, then back to a Mittagong winery.
Face to Face
People
Various Issues
Talented locals play a big part in every Highlife, and over the years these have included plenty of famous faces, many of whom have given us a great insight into their lives. Here are some favourite photos of 30 well-known people with Highlands connections.
Pepper Tree Creek
Gardens
Jun/July 2025
Gardens never stand still, including ones as impressive as the hillside garden at Pepper Tree Creek in East Kangaloon. Kathy and George Sartorel, who bought the property in 2019, tell FRANCES SIMONS how they have taken their tiered and varied garden to the next level.
Thenford Lodge
Gardens
Apr/May 2023
When former politician John Sharp bought a luxury Exeter estate in 2017 its landscaped gardens were part of the attraction, but they’ve proven to be just a launching pad for his grand vision. FRANCES SIMONS visits Thenford Lodge, one of the Highlands’ most remarkable gardens.
Harper’s Mansion
Gardens
Oct/Nov 2023
Over 40 years, a beautiful garden has grown up around Berrima’s Harper’s Mansion, adding much to the appeal of the National Trust property. November is the best month to enjoy its heritage roses, but attractions also include heirloom camellias and a hedge maze. FRANCES SIMONS visits a garden loved by visitors and nurtured by volunteers.
The Copes Garden, Burradoo
Gardens
Oct/Nov 2022
Tim and Patricia Copes, former owners of the traditional Highlands garden Prittlewell, took a remarkable gardening turn when they bought a bog-prone block in Burradoo. They show FRANCES SIMONS how working with the site and using grasses – including artificial grass – has led to a stunning prairie style garden.
Collette Dinnigan, Bowral
Homes
Dec/Jan 2026
An 1886 house in a rambling five acre garden instantly appealed to Collette Dinnigan, who has since transformed her Bowral property into a welcoming country retreat. Collette tells MELISSA PENN about renovation and design tricks she used to create her enchanting home and garden.
Catalina, Burradoo
Homes
Feb/Mar 2022
Contemporary, fresh and beautifully designed – Catalina in Burradoo ticked all the boxes when Andrew Parker saw it for sale in 2019. He’s since upped its environmental credentials, and put his own touch on its interiors. He shows MELISSA PENN a practical home with a party spirit.
Moss Vale Station
Then and Now
Oct/Nov 2024
The first steam locomotive to bring passengers to Moss Vale rolled into the fledgling township in 1867. More than 150 years later, when ‘The Picnic Train’ approaches Moss Vale, its distinctive steam whistle blows loudly announcing the arrival of rail enthusiasts and families on a nostalgic journey to the Southern Highlands.
Robertson Hotel 100th
Then and Now
Dec/Jan 2025
Dancing to the strains of a jazz trio in the ballroom, guests at the opening festivities of the Hotel Robertson in November 1924 were treated to a lavish introduction to what was claimed to be ‘the premier country hotel in the Commonwealth’ as it celebrated its Centenary. After several name changes over the decades, this icon of the Southern Highlands was reborn as a stylish country retreat, The Robertson Hotel, in 2014.
Bundanoon main street
Then and Now
Apr/May 2024
The main street of Bundanoon has changed little over 100 years: a string of shops and cafes facing the railway that brought droves of holidaymakers and honeymooners during its tourist heyday between the wars. In recent years, the town has seen an upturn in tourism and has blossomed as a most desirable place to live.
Corbett Gardens
Then and Now
Aug/Sep 2025
In September each year, Corbett Gardens in Bowral is transformed from a peaceful park into the centrepiece of the Tulip Time Flower Festival, when over 50,000 visitors view the 80,000 tulips and thousands of annuals that burst into bloom over the three weeks of festivities.
Berrima Gaol
Then and Now
Feb/Mar 2026
When it closed in 2020, Berrima Gaol was the oldest operational correctional facility in Australia. For more than 180 years, the formidable gaol had loomed large over the township and was once the most feared place of incarceration in the state. With redevelopment plans for the historic Berrima Gaol building making news, LINDA EMERY looks back at its history.
1924 Bentley 3 Litre
Classic Car
Dec / Jan 2024
The 3 Litre epitomises W.O. Bentley’s vision for a great car. Produced from 1921 to 1929, it brought an enjoyable driving experience and an air of racing pedigree, amassing two 24 Hours of Le Mans wins in 1924 and 1927. SAM CHARLWOOD talks to Barrie Young about his 1924 Bentley 3 Litre.
1946 Buick Special Series 8/40
Classic Car
Feb/Mar 2022
Once the domain of upwardly mobile businessmen and politicians, the Buick Special made a name in the US via clever advertising and flash ornamentation. SAM CHARLWOOD talks to Geoff Dowe about his 1946 Buick Special Series 8/40.
1959 Skoda Octavia
Classic Car
Dec / Jan 2026
The Octavia first appeared in Skoda’s line-up in 1959. It was the eighth model launched by Skoda following the Second World War, and the eighth to feature independent suspension on all four wheels. SAM CHARLWOOD introduces us to Tracy Nickl and his delightful 1959 Skoda Octavia.
1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
Classic Car
Dec/Jan 2022
Hollywood superstars and the world’s elite helped popularise the coveted Mercedes-Benz 300 SL. Today, a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster is considered the Holy Grail of classic cars. SAM CHARLSWOOD talks to Karin Johnston about this delightful 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 Roadster.
1954 FJ Holden
Classic Car
Apr/May 2018
Holdens were part of daily life for Australian families for decades, and today many are treasured as classic cars. More than 169,000 FJs were built from 1953 to 1956, establishing it as Australia’s most popular car. Here JAMES COCKINGTON talks to John Glennon about his classic 1954 FJ Holden.
Subscribe to our newsletter.
Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates.