It may be small, but it’s just the beginning of something big.
Tucked away on NSW’s mid-north coast, there’s a new hideaway waiting for those who crave a slower kind of escape. Fall into the gentle rhythm of rural life at Tiny Mile – the recently opened riverside cottage where country charm is elevated by life’s little (and not so little) luxuries.
The location
Open a detailed map of NSW and you’ll easily spot the picturesque mid-north coast. It’s a region known for its quiet pace, laid-back lifestyle and untouched natural beauty, with both the beach and the bush at its fingertips. But zoom in a little closer and you’ll find Old Bar, a sleepy coastal town 40 minutes north of Forster.
The opening of Tiny Mile marks the first chapter of What’s Beyond the Mile.
It’s often overlooked by travellers, who unknowingly zoom past its exit on the Pacific Highway with their sights set on places like Newcastle (two hours south) or Port Macquarie (an hour north). It’s a happy accident for Old Bar though, which remains cocooned in the same unhurried and easy-going rhythm it’s always known.
It’s this quiet magic that lends itself to Tiny Mile, an all-new stay just a short drive out of town. Nestled on 40 hectares of private farmland, the peaceful property is framed by towering trees and opens onto its own secluded bend of Berady Creek.
The experience
The hideaway is named after the mile-long drive up to the property.
In line with the rise of wellness tourism, Tiny Mile has been designed with the quiet traveller in mind. Ideal for couples or those going solo, the one-bedroom retreat is all about unwinding and reconnecting – whether with nature, your partner or yourself.
Owner Sherinah Peck has carefully curated Tiny Mile to strike the right balance between country living and contemporary style, blending modern amenities with rural simplicity.
This philosophy is evident throughout the space – its rustic exterior, timber floorboards and industrial fixtures softened by an earthen palette, soft linens and paintings by local artist, Monique Fodor.
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AI Prompt
Industrial fixtures are softened by an earthen palette.
The kitchenette is equipped with a fridge, gas cooktop and coffee machine.
The riverside retreat has one king-size bedroom, perfect for couples and solo travellers.
It’s an ethos that has been effortlessly interwoven into the fabric of life here. Mod-cons like an automatic projector screen, fireplace, luxury Sans Ceuticals products and a fully equipped kitchenette complete with a coffee machine keep modern travellers happy. But it’s the outdoor amenities that steal the show, inviting guests to slow down, switch off and fully immerse in the landscape.
A covered balcony becomes the perfect perch for slow mornings with a brew, while the fire pit, sunken outdoor bath and custom-built western red cedar sauna create a string of cosy rituals – all with uninterrupted river views. Guests also have unlimited access to canoes and fishing poles for lazy afternoons on the creek.
The vision
Tiny Mile sits on a private bend of Berady Creek.
While the opening of Tiny Mile marks a beautiful beginning, it’s only the first chapter of a broader vision. ‘What’s Beyond the Mile’ is an all-new destination experience launched by owner Sherinah Peck. The dream? A luxurious riverfront farmhouse set on the same peaceful patch of farmland.
According to Peck, both the recently opened cottage and developing destination project are named after the mile-long drive up to the property, an experience unto itself. And while quietly working on What’s Beyond the Mile in the background, she decided to give guests a taste of what’s to come with Tiny Mile.
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The sunken outdoor bath was made using a repurposed water trough.
Relax in steamy bliss with Tiny Mile's custom-built western red cedar sauna.
The outdoor fire pit is perfect for roasting marshmellows by the river.
It’s an exciting time for not only Old Bar, but this sleepy stretch of the mid-north coast. While its laid-back lifestyle is enticing, tourism ventures remain modest – especially on a luxury level. So while it may be tiny, the future of this riverside retreat is anything but.
The details
Reservations for Tiny Mile are open now and can be made via its website. The property can be found just a short drive inland from the town of Old Bar, with the exact address provided upon booking.
Though its location promises privacy and seclusion, everyday essentials and regional drawcards are still conveniently close. Prices vary depending on check-in dates and length of visit, with exclusive rates for extended stays.
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Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to check out places like Scotland and North America, her favourite place to explore will always be her homeland.
The Southern Highlands earns its title as Australia’s top country town in the cooler months, and it’s worth every minute of the 90-minute drive from Sydney.
Many Sydneysiders head to the Southern Highlands in spring for the tulips. It’s one of the most stunning spring carnivals in Australia. But the ones in the know come to Bowral in winter.
The first thing you notice at this time of year is the quality of the light. It catches the tangled limbs of the gums and tints the fields, farms and forests a pretty shade of Granny Smith green. And then, a world-class art museum, an impressive network of walking trails, great shops, cosy restaurants and bars and luxury accommodation take centre stage, making Bowral a place you want to linger as the mercury drops.
Just 90 minutes south of Sydney, a Bowral winter getaway is the coolcation city folk desperately need. Here are eight reasons to pack a good coat and head for the Southern Highlands.
1. Check in
Check in to the gorgeous Ardour Milton Park Bowral. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Ardour Milton Park Bowral rises like a hologram in the hazy green light as you turn onto Horderns Road. A $10 million refurbishment of the grand 1910 estate was completed in early 2026, and the beautifully restored hotel now includes 44 guest rooms washed in sage green, cobalt blue and dusty blush. The dining room at Horderns Restaurant continues with a botanical theme – earthy banquettes, floral touches throughout – and a menu that moves with the seasons.
After enjoying slow-braised Cowra lamb and a second glass of red, move to the Polo Bar, which has a fireplace and views across the estate gardens. Build a grazing board from the dedicated Charcuterie Room and take it outside while the light lasts. If the sky clouds over, use this as your cue to enjoy a next-level spa experience at Èliva.
2. Hunt for treasure
Find vintage treasures in Dirty Janes. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Winter is the perfect season to lose an afternoon inside Dirty Janes Bowral. Over 1600 square metres of covered space houses 90 individual sellers of everything from mid-century furniture to industrial lighting, antique silverware, vintage clothing and objects whose previous lives you can only imagine. Enjoy a bit of off-the-cuff banter with your fellow fossickers in between searching for that must-have military jacket or vintage silk scarf.
Around the corner, find the Instagram-famous front door of FoundAntiques, though the real finds are deeper inside. Bring cash, wear comfortable shoes and leave some room in the boot.
3. Slow down in a beautiful gallery
Learn about an Aussie legend at The Bradman Museum. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Ngununggula – meaning ’belonging’ in the language of the Gundungurra First Nations people – is the region’s first dedicated regional gallery, housed inside the sustainably transformed old dairy building at historic Retford Park. The onsite White Cottage Gallery and restored grounds of the former Fairfax estate reward a slow wander. Find a spot to sit in the courtyard filled with rivulets of winter light and enjoy the plaintive call of a currawong carrying across the heritage-listed grounds. It’s one of the best things to do in Bowral.
Add Bowral Honey Farm for a hands-on harvest experience, then continue into town to the Milk Factory Gallery to admire eclectic works by local artists in a converted industrial space. The Bradman Museum also knocks it out of the park. Australia’s largest dedicated cricket museum sits beside the heritage-listed Bradman Oval, where a young Sir Donald Bradman first picked up a bat.
4. A taste of France
Enjoy a taste of France at Lucette.
For a taste of France without the airfare, husband-and-wife team Julien and Romy Besnard – of long-loved Franquette Crêperie – have opened Lucette, a French cafe-bistro with Paris-born chef Guillaume Dubois at the helm. Dubois brings serious pedigree from Michelin-starred kitchens in France and Sydney’s former two-hatted Monopole, and it shows. Start your day with pastries for breakfast and bookend it with boeuf bourguignon for dinner. The chocolate mousse, freckled with Guerande Salt, is the kind of dish that will make you feel smug about the decision to drive south. Join the Sydneysiders dressed in charcoal coats, boots and black tights who’ve already worked this out; the whole scene is worthy of splicing it into an Instagram reel.
Francophiles should also be across Julien’s Bowral Brasserie – led by Frenchman Julien Viel, who also found his way to the Southern Highlands and stayed.
5. Indulge in a tipple
Spend time amongst the local vines. (Credit: Destination NSW)
The drive to Centennial Vineyards passes through a beautiful woodland idyll, the countryside a fuzz of green all around. Inside the Barrel Room, a tasting flight of cool-climate pinot noir, chardonnay and reserve shiraz viognier flaunts how well the Southern Highlands does winter.
This is a region that takes its cool-climate wines seriously, and the pinot noir is one of the stars – a gentle, easy-drinking style with red cherry aromas. Follow your tutored cellar door tasting with another glass of wine in the Terrace Bar, which overlooks the vineyard and manicured grounds.
6. Blend your own gin
Pop into Millsheds Distillery & Bar. (Credit: Mattia Panunzio)
Millsheds Distillery & Bar is somewhat of a local secret. The award-winning small-batch operation produces gin, vodka and liqueurs using Australian botanicals and has picked up silver medals at both the London Spirits Competition and International Wine & Spirit Competition. Beyond the tasting paddle, the hands-on blending masterclass – where you design and leave with two bottles of your own custom gin – is the experience to book, while the terrace bar that wraps around the courtyard is a fine place to settle in afterwards.
7. Go for a walk at dawn
Switch your phone off sleep mode and set your alarm to early. Mt Gibraltar rises to 864 metres just east of Bowral’s main street and offers the best views in town. You will pass a raggle-taggle bunch of hikers on the way up to the summit, all making the same quiet pilgrimage into the crisp high-altitude air. On a clear morning, the bony ridges of the ranges come into sharp relief against the light. The return loop takes roughly 90 minutes. A flat white in Bowral tastes considerably better after completing one of the scenic walking trails.
8. Cosy up by the fireplace
Get cosy in the Berida Hotel’s whiskey bar.
A cosy bar is the perfect complement to winter in Bowral, and there are a few worth committing to. Aspinalls Whisky Bar & Lounge at the Berida Hotel is built for long, languorous evenings. Take a seat beside the fireplace laden with gnarled logs and work your way through a few whiskies and bar bites like Rangers Valley beef tartare, or salt cod and potato croquettes.
At Hickory’s within Peppers Craigieburn, well-dressed waiters in denim and leather move quietly between tables, and the cosy fireplace in the adjoining guest lounge attracts an Escape to the Country crowd.
