ALL WRAPPED UP

WE ASKED OUR READERS TO NOMINATE SOME OF THEIR FAVOURITE SHOPS TO SUPPORT THE BUSH.

Support our regional and rural businesses this year by going local with your Christmas gift shopping.

THERE ARE SO MANY talented makers and producers throughout Australia. This guide rounds up some of our favourite regional retailers (both online and brick and mortar) and has been compiled with the help of our readers and contributors from all across the nation. And don’t worry if you can’t get to a store — many can arrange products to be delivered to you. Consider this guide as your chance to give twice this Christmas — once to your family and friends, and once to a hard-working artisan or rural retailer.

Acreage

This store comes highly recommend by Tassie locals. Featuring farm supplies, books, homewares and artworks, it was founded by Zoe and Jason Howard, who left Melbourne with their family in search of a simpler life. Acreage operates collaboratively, sharing floor space with florist Murphy Bloom and a graphic design and marketing studio — and it’s the best place on the Apple Isle to get great all-weather boots. 29 Kingsway, Launceston, Tasmania. (03) 6334 0824; acreagetasmania.com.au

Adhocsleepwear

Hailing from Mackay, Queensland, teacher Elizabeth Coleman’s great side hustle is her Etsy shop. It all started when she was unable to sleep while her partner was up enjoying his night-time reading — she would fashion sleeping masks out of material scraps to cope. Along with the masks, the range includes a pillow mist and dressing gowns. etsy.com/shop/ Adhocsleepwear

Alistair & Robyn

A family business based in NSW’S Lake Macquarie, Alistair & Robyn produce artisan vegan soaps sourced from sustainable ingredients that come beautifully packaged. Our pick? The Sea Minerals soaps have a scent that evokes the ocean and a moody palette of marbled blues. 0427 755 888; alistairandrobyn.com.au

Angus Barrett Saddlery

Starting as a saddlery business out of a workshop in Orange 30 years ago, Angus Barrett has applied his skills and techniques to a collection of leather goods now on display in a shopfront in Orange’s central hub. From bags, belts and wallets to phone and tablet cases, there’s an element of the artisan in every piece with handstamped and hand-stitched details. 91 Summer Street, Orange, NSW. (02) 6361 1601; angusbarrett.com.au

Birdsnest

Based in the Snowy Mountains, NSW, Birdsnest offers timeless fashion and accessories to suit any wardrobe, as well as gifts to suit everyone in the family. Online, you’ll find personalised style recommendations for any outing, from a Sunday picnic to a weekend getaway. 232 Sharp Street, Cooma, NSW. 1300 696 378; birdsnest.com.au

Bruny Island Cheese Co.

Established by Nick Haddow after he spent a decade working with specialist cheesemakers around the world, Bruny Island Cheese Co. celebrates traditional methods of cheesemaking using cow’s milk. Now also offering artisan beer, it’s a great source for epicurean gifts. Consider signing up for the Cheese Club, which sends out a selection of seasonal cheeses to enjoy and savour. 1807 Bruny Island Main Road, Great Bay, Tasmania. (03) 6260 6353; brunyislandcheese.com.au

Cathy Hamilton Artworks

This Cootamundra-based artist lives on a cattle property with her husband Jim and sells beautiful pencil drawings inspired by her farm animals and country garden. She has a range of prints, cards, wrapping paper and tags for sale in her online store. She also specialises in pet and people portraits. For something a little different, check out Jim’s extraordinary metal sculptures on Cathy’s Instagram page. cathyhamiltonartworks.com.au; follow @cathyhamilton_bongalong on Instagram.

Coola Cozzies

Based in western Queensland, this swimwear brand was established when the founders couldn’t find quality board shorts, swim tops or rashies that >

offered sun protection. Coola Cozzies are UPF50+, providing excellent coverage, and are available in a range of sizes, colours and patterns, just in time for days at the beach. 0419 649 634; coolacozzies.com Dalcheri

Dalcheri specialises in sustainably produced and ethically made clothing and knitwear, working with fair-trade suppliers. Think beautiful wraps, scarves and our favourite, versatile travel wardrobe essentials. Plus, there are great buys for men, too. Shop 47, Ford Street, Beechworth, Victoria. (03) 5728 2711 and Shop 2/372 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, Sassafras, Vic. (03) 9755 2510; dalcheri.com.au Eva’s Sunday

With a studio and head office based in Myrtleford in north-eastern Victoria, Eva’s Sunday celebrates the beauty of linen through dresses, jackets, tops and bottoms in a neutral palette. You’ll also find Parisian knitwear label Sophie Digard’s multi-coloured woollen crochet scarves, as well as perfumes and accessories in their Beechworth store. 83 Ford Street, Beechworth, Victoria. (03) 5728 2825; evassunday.com.au Hawkes General Store

This favourite of the NSW Central West is renowned for its selection of products. L’occitane products sit alongside body washes and lotions from local botanical skincare brand Myrtle & Moss. There’s plenty for the home decorator, too, with Lumira candles as well as Walter G’s beautifully dyed and block-printed cushions. Wander in to the store for a friendly chat, or choose from the extensive online offering. 46 Sale Street, Orange, NSW. (02) 6362 5851; hawkesgeneralstore.com.au Henry and Grace

Based in the high country of northern NSW, this family business produces ultrafine merino baby and maternity clothes. The farm has been in the same family since 1834 and the name Henry and Grace comes from original owners Henry and Grace Dangar, who established the farm. The family tests every fleece to ensure they are only using up to 15.5 micron merino, which makes the ultrafine merino wool clothes beautifully comfortable to wear. 1045 Gostwyck Road, Gostwyck, NSW. (02) 6778 4104; henryandgrace.com Hens Teeth Trading

This small treasure trove of pre-loved wares and handcrafted accessories is located in the village of Cobram on the Murray River in Victoria. It is filled with rustic homewares, from mason jars and timber bobbins to prints and tapestries. You also have your pick of patterned ceramic earrings from Melbourne-based Sarah Parker Designs or rainbow-bright Peaches + Keen earrings for the colour fan in your life. 70 Broadway Street, Cobram, Victoria. 0427 742 373; hensteethtrading.com Jungle Road

A regional Queensland favourite with a wide selection of leading fashion labels with a focus on natural fibres and affordable style. There’s clothing made from cotton, hemp, silk, linen and bamboo in a range of styles from simple and minimalistic to bold and colourful. Shop 10, 30 Macrossan Street, Port Douglas, Qld. (07) 4099 4438; jungleroad.com.au Koolaman

Run by sisters Lisa O’keefe and Stacey Clayton, this bespoke jewellery business is named after Lisa’s home, Koolaman Station, a remote sheep and wheat property in south-western NSW. Raised in the country, the sisters have always been inspired by the land and their deep connection to the Australian landscape can be found in their designs and the metals they use. A personalised necklace, bracelet or keepsake would make a beautiful gift for a loved one. 1300 789 524; koolaman.com.au

Longrass Style Founded by two sisters, this fashion label is based in the remote Kimberley region of northern Australia. Their hallmark products are classic cuts, and wearable linen separates. We particularly love the Concrete Cowgirl belt, perfect with your favourite jeans for a day outdoors. (08) 9168 7369; longrassstyle.com.au Lovemerino

This family business crafts scarves made from the merino wool produced on owners Pip and Norm Smith’s farm in Wellington, NSW. Five generations have lived on the Glenwood property since 1898 and the current gatekeepers take a holistic approach to sustainable land management and the humane treatment of animals to ensure that each scarf — whether dip-dyed or adorning pompoms — is ethically produced. lovemerino.com.au Manteau Noir

A European-inspired shop that’s home to owner and designer Victoria Varrasso’s natural fibre slow-fashion womenswear brand. You’ll also see organic cotton and linen clothing, homewares, perfumes and bath and body products, alongside vintage objects found in France. For those who can’t make it to its charming Daylesford shopfront, the online store offers a selection of goodies. Shop 1/27 Vincent Street,daylesford , Vic. (03) 5348 1902; manteaunoir.com.au Mrs Tutton

Equestrian Imogen Tutton offers what she calls ‘stable-to-street’ style. A competitive eventer, she has designed elegant workwear from her home on the Mornington Peninsula that works seamlessly between riding, home and business. Passionate about details, Imogen sources a lot of her fabrics and trims from Japan. Snappy stripes, butter-soft cottons and timeless linens are all found in her collection for a contemporary twist on country style. mrstutton.com Odgers and Mcclelland Exchange Store This store, in the tiny NSW country town of Nundle, is full of charming finds from enamel teapots, ceramic mixing bowls and cast-iron cookware to natural bristle brushes, a range of garden tools and more. 81 Jenkins Street, Nundle, NSW. (02) 6769 3233; exchangestores.com.au Olive & Clover

Based in Cowra, NSW, this online shop stocks quality fashion brands such as Elk, Binny, M. A. Dainty and Le Stripe. Mixed in with jewellery sourced from around the world, Olive & Clover offers a boutique shopping experience. 0474 545 268; oliveandclover.com.au Quidditas

A Blue Mountains favourite that has both a shopfront in Leura Mall and an online store. Expect unique homewares, including Anke Drechsel silk velvet cushions and embroidered throws, as well as Turkish jewellery, Amet & Ladoue scarves and original artworks of outback Australia by oil painter Colin Parker.199 Leura Mall, Leura, NSW. (02) 4709 4000; quidditas.com.au Shene Estate Distillery Housed within a historic building, this craft distillery is an experience in itself. The Kernke family produces award-winning Mackey single-malt Tasmanian whisky and Poltergeist gin in this charming rural community, north of Hobart. Order online, or visit the family-run roadside stall outside the distillery on Sundays. 76 Shene Road, Pontville, Tasmania. 0432 480 250; shene.com.au Silken Twine Australia

Located in Leschenault, just outside Bunbury in Western Australia, Shelley Barton turns her original watercolour paintings of Australian flora, fauna and sea life into beautiful silk scarves and cushion covers — all made to order and handmade in her studio. Bespoke, unique and charming. madeit.com.au/silkentwine Suzie Hope Designs

Suzie Hope Designs has been selling high-quality reversible padded ironing board covers in classic cotton fabrics for more than 30 years. New ranges are regularly released and we love the delightfully checked laundry bags as well. Located in Bowral, NSW, she uses Australian cotton in all her designs. Perfect for a hard-to-buy-for family member. 0438 423 824; suziehopedesigns.com >

Tomolly This retail drawcard moved from Millthorpe to Carcoar in the NSW Central West earlier this year. Tomolly, named for owner Belinda Satterthwaite’s children, showcases jewellery, bed linen and candles from artisans and regional suppliers. Belinda also offers a styling service — and an online shop is the next frontier. Shop 2 & 3, 7 Belubula Street, Carcoar, NSW. 0417 426 472; tomolly.com.au Trentham General

Stylist Lynda Gardener is renowned for her knack for all things pre-loved in this former bank in Trentham’s main street. Full of homewares, artworks and even locally made preserves, it is just as fun to explore the range or as it is to admire them in the cafe with a bowl of granola. 37a High Street, Trentham, Victoria. 0416 032 111; follow @trentham.general on Instagram. Tweed Real Food This fifth-generation farming family in Northern NSW has branched out into delicious salts, rubs and dukkah. The family’s farms produce avocados, as well as macadamia nuts, pumpkins, sugar cane, pumpkins and watermelon. Their products are stocked throughout Tweed, or you can buy them online. 0468 929 930; tweedrealfood.com The Uralla Wool Room

Hailing from the wool-growing New England region of NSW, this store — both online and with a shopfront in Uralla — offers quality clothing, accessories and homewares. We particularly love the brightly coloured cushions made with 100 per cent Australian merino wool. It’s a must-stop on any roadtrip. 38 Bridge Street, Uralla, NSW. (02) 6778 4226; urallawoolroom.com.au Walker & Beck

These Sunshine Coast-based stores (and a shop in Avalon, NSW) are all about quality, wearable separates, as well as cushions, throws and Japanese bath towels. Classic styles and a neutral palette and muted tones rule the day. 28 Duke Street, Sunshine Beach, Qld (07) 5474 9054 and Shop 3, 62-64 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads, Qld (07) 5455 4000; walkerandbeck.com.au Warriore

This charming online-only store makes bags and accessories with fabrics printed with authentic Indigenous art. Owner Orla Hansen works as a geologist in the Queensland outback and has formed connections with independent textile suppliers. All materials used in her products are sourced in Australia, often from remote areas in North Queensland and Northern Territory. madeit.com.au/warriore West & Sons

Erica West of West & Sons grew up on a cattle property in rural Queensland and her love for the land shows through in her handcrafted leather-covered journals. She has a variety of leather shades and sizes on offer and each one has a beautiful texture and patina. madeit.com.au/westandsons

Illustrated wrapping paper from Cathy Hamilton Artworks, based in Cootamundra, NSW.

CLOCKWISE, FROM BELOW Cheese from Bruny Island Cheese Co.; Acreage in Tasmania; Longrass Style, based in Katherine, Northern Territory; Angus Barrett Saddlery has a shopfront in Orange, NSW.

Lynda Gardener’s latest venture, started with her partner Mark Smith, is Trentham General. It’s a take on a general store with a cafe and is housed in a former bank on the main street of Trentham, 95 kilometres north-west of Melbourne.

CLOCKWISE, FROM BELOW Hens Teeth Trading in Cobram, Victoria; a shibori Moonphase scarf in Charcoal, $190, from Lovemerino based in Wellington, NSW; the Kit belted shirt dress, $190, from Mrs Tutton; leather-bound journals, from $22 each, from West & Sons.

Belinda Satterthwaite moved her popular store from Millthorpe, NSW, to the nearby historic village of Carcoar. Her shop, Tomolly is home to vintage finds, Redecker brushware and Bison ceramics.