THE sydney morning herald
3 December, 2023: TABLES AND TABLELANDS
How many famous chefs does it take to cook up a reputation as a place for a foodie detination? If it’s more that one, then Oberson in the NSW Central Tablelands is set to sizzle and stake it’s claim.
Oberon is a small rural local government area 1130 metres above sea level and sees spectacular seasons including snowy winters. In this area on the western fall of the Blue Mountains that’s known for forestry and cattle, there’s a network of cute villages surrounded by unspoiled landscapes popular with mountain bikers, hikers and other outdoorsy types.
One of those villages is Rockley, and in 2022, famed Australian chef Matt Moran, who hails from these parts, reopened the Rockley Pub as part of his wider plan to reinvigorate the eponymous town of 200.
And now in Oberon proper, cook and caterer Simmone Logue has started a venture that includes a cooking school with her twin sister, the artist Joanna Logue.
Essington Park, 2.5 hours drive from Sydney, is house in a 1960s shearers quarters which the sisters have restored.
Five comfortable guest rooms open to a vegetable garden and orchard. It’s a bed and breakfast affair, so guests enjoy eggs fresh from the coop, just-baked sourdough and homemade preserves for breakfast.
The whole place can be booked as one, or individual rooms are on offer, and it won’t be just cooking classes luring people to stay.
“Long ago my sister and I stumbled upon Essington Park and fell under its spell” says Simmone, who grew up in the countryside of the Hunter Valley.
“My dream is that it will nurture people’s creative adventure as it has my own. We welcome guests to come and rest, retreat, make new friends, share delicious meals inspired by our vegetable garden, and learn new things in our workshops.”
Those workshops will feature local artisans and artists and include basket weaving, landscape painting and of course those classes with Simmone Logue for groups of up to 12. Guests can also enjoy the gardens, soak in their private bathtubs or find a spot to curl up in with a book.
Other attractions in the Oberon region include Jenolan Caves, and Mayfield Garden, the largest cool slimate garden in the Southern Hemisphere.
Accommodation from $295 a room or $1500 for the whole property. Workshops from $495.
See essingtonpark.com, visitoberon.com and visitcentralnsw.com.au.
Juliette Jameson