THE HIT LIST

HIGHLIGHTS FROM MITTAGONG INSIDERS.

CROWD FAVOURITES

Lake Alexandra Reserve Paved walking tracks, barbecue and picnic areas, and a playground make this small local lake a popular leisure spot. Queen Street. Mount Gibraltar Reserve The Mittagong end of this state heritage-listed reserve includes a number of walking tracks and two lookout points. Oxley Drive. Sturt Craft Centre One of Australia’s leading contemporary craft institutions, Sturt is located in pretttty gardens next to Frensham School. Take a course, shop for homewares or lunch at the café. Cnr Range Road and Waverley Parade. (02) 4860 2083; sturt.nsw.edu.au

SHOPPING

Cotswold Furniture Although they’ve recently moved operations to Sydney, you can still shop at the warehouse showroom. 211 Old Hume Highway. 1800 677 047; cotswoldfurniture.com.au Lydie du Bray Antiques A treasure trove of antiques and collectables, with themed rooms and plenty for the garden. 117 Old Hume Highway, Braemar. (02) 4872 2844; lydiedubrayantiques.com.au Hunters and Collectors Antiques This colourful and eclectic shop offffers a large array of antiques and quirky collectables. 8 Bowral Road. (02) 4872 1661; huntersandcollectorsantiques.com.au

Pete’s Shed and Mrs Along with a good selection of fashion, recycled furniture and homewares, this boutique offffers furniture-painting workshops in a shed out the back. 16a Bowral Road. 0417 293 168; petesshedandmrs.com Albertines of Mittagong You can’t miss the pink-painted facade of this antique emporium, which is another must-stop. 120 Main Street. 0474 592 413. ACCOMMODATION The Old Bank Boutique Hotel Built in the 1880s to house a bank, this historic building is now a recently renovated boutique hotel. 83 Main Street. (02) 4872 4496; oldbankhotel.com.au