The kitchen with its gas range, wall oven and stocked cupboards is expertly kitted out. ‘Please let us know if there is anything missing or you need help with anything.’ ‘We want you to enjoy your break,’ our hosts have written. ![]() Thoughtful and kind hearts are also evident, illustrated by the opening sentence in the all-important information folder. This is welcoming, easy accommodation, perfect for a weekend or week stay. A sofa in the corner can be made up into another single and downstairs the lounge converts into a double sofa bed. All are scrumptiously made with cosy duvets and sheepskin rugs. There is a queen bed with two singles under the eaves. It has a slanting roof, sky windows and twinkling fairy lights that give the feel of camping out in a luxurious shearing shed. Upstairs there is a charming mezzanine sleeping area. The decor is cosy chintz with standing lamps, armchairs and a comfy lounge to sink into. The concrete floor is right on designer spec with loads of rugs and floor to ceiling windows looking out into the garden. Inside is open plan with a stylish living area, wood burning stove, designer kitchen and luxury bathroom with huge shower. ‘Gives it a great patina,’ explains the Mum. Designed around an old machinery shed, the main structure is corrugated tin bought second hand from a knocked down shed. ![]() But there is nothing historical about this groovy little pad. The original weatherboard homestead was built by a former surveyor general for the Berrima District. Watershed stands on land that was once part of a 120 hectare dairy farm. Outside there is also a large outdoor table and chairs for al fresco dining. What a perfect spot to spend a night catching up. I make a mental note to mention it to my city girlfriends. A readied firepit in the courtyard is surrounded by balloon back chairs. On trend in its matt black finish, Watershed sits at the bottom of the garden, magic against green paddocks. My eight year old son and companion for the night, shouts in delight. Draped by towering radiata pines, the driveway sweeps around the family’s 1884 farmhouse and past an enormous trampoline and treehouse with zipline. ![]() It’s early autumn and as we turn off the Illawarra Highway, it indeed feels like we are off the beaten track. It feels like the far-flung part of the Highlands, like it’s just that more in the country.” “From the outset though we felt there was a particular kind of beauty to Robertson. “We spent many long weekends and weeks here in holiday rentals and Airbnb’s from cottages on the Gib to Wildes Meadow to Moss Vale,” Dad told me some years back. This local family (mum, dad, three teenage kids, two poodles, pet sheep and alpacas) spent their school holidays here for more than a decade before relocating permanently in 2014 from inner city Sydney. Which is why I am happy the owners of Watershed, a chic shed conversion on the outskirts of Robertson, have done the hard yards. I’m all for that old adage try before you buy but it sort of defeats the purpose when staying somewhere new for the first time. Escape Southern Highlands stays at a designer shed and discovers magic at the bottom of the garden.
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