The historic – and extremely scenic – village of Exeter in the Southern Highlands district of New South Wales is known above all for one thing … its Englishness.
Not surprisingly, it is named after the English town of Exeter, the home town of early settler, James Badgery who took up 500 acres here in 1821.
It was not really until the arrival of the railway a number of decades later that the village proper started to grow, and it quickly became a rural centre servicing the surrounding farms.
The settlement’s identity was really shaped though by the arrival of horticultural nurseries, including those belonging to the well-known companies of Searles and Yates, in the late 19th Century.
St Aidan’s Anglican Church is a popular spot for visitors PIC: Destination Southern Highlands
Today the magnificent hedges, omnipresent deciduous trees, village green, croquet club, cottage gardens and lovely old buildings give Exeter – located about 80 kilometres inland from Wollongong – its unmistakeable English feel.
Highlights for visitors include the heritage-listed Exeter Railway Station which opened in 1878 and is renowned as one of the best small station complexes in NSW; and St Aidan’s Anglican Church, which was built in 1895 based on ancient Celtic Scottish churches, and boasts superb gardens.
Today, Exmouth – which has a population of a little over 1,000 – is just a beautiful place to stroll around, admiring the gardens, and the buildings … including some seriously grand estates.
The Village Pump antique shop is fascinating. PIC: Destination Southern Highlands
The General Store, often described as a ‘village institution’, boasts a lovely courtyard and excellent café. And a stop at The Village Pump, an absolutely fascinating antique shop is another must. And so too is Quintessential Exeter, a lifestyle store located in a pretty blue cottage in the heart of the village.
The Exeter Village Markets are held on the first Saturday of each month from 9am1.30pm, offering an abundance of local produce and crafts.
A number of boutique wineries can be found on the outskirts of Exeter, including the wonderful and grey-nomad friendly Dawning Day Wines.
Also, a few minutes up the road is the much-loved Sutton Forest Inn, an atmospheric and welcoming country pub.
Unfortunately, there aren’t Exeter’s English vibe any real camping options in Exter itself. Wingecarribee Shire Council says the closest camping is at the Moss Vale Village Caravan Park, about 10 kilometres north; or at Gambells Rest in the Morton National Park at Bundanoon, about eight kilometres to the south.
This, of course, is a wonderful part of the world, and Exeter is surrounded by some incredible Southern Highlands scenery, and there are some excellent lookouts to enjoy it from.
It’s not to be missed.
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