About 2¾ hours south of Sydney, deep in the Southern Tablelands. Bush, river, dark skies — and nothing else you don't need.
Owners and family: log in to book
That Mob's Place sits on 100 acres of natural Australian bush on the Corang River at Oallen, about 2¾ hours south of Sydney and about 1 hour 40 minutes from Canberra.
This isn't resort glamping. It's a proper bush property — rugged gorge country, star-filled skies, and the kind of quiet you simply can't find in the city. The Oallen Ford area sits on land that has been home to Aboriginal people for over 10,000 years, and where gold prospectors once combed the riverbanks during the rushes of the 1860s and 70s.
Oallen and the Shoalhaven gorge country carry layers of history — from the first peoples of the land, through the gold rush era, to the timber cutters and graziers who shaped this corner of NSW.
The Shoalhaven gorge country has been home to Aboriginal people for over 10,000 years. Oallen sits on the traditional lands of the Gundungurra and Ngunnawal peoples. Archaeological evidence — rock shelters, grinding grooves, art sites — speaks to a deep and ongoing connection to this country.
The discovery of alluvial gold along the Shoalhaven sparked a rush that drew prospectors from across the colony. By 1869, the Oallen and Fernbank goldfields were at peak activity. The gold belt here is 20km wide and 100km long — fine flour gold eroded from granite formations and carried downstream.
As the gold fields grew, so did Nerriga. The Commercial Hotel — now the Nerriga Hotel — opened around 1864 and has served travellers on this road ever since. In December 2019, the pub opened its doors as a refuge during the catastrophic Currowan bushfire.
The original Oallen Ford crossing — a flood-prone single-lane timber bridge — was constructed in 1936. The Oallen Ford Road has since been upgraded, improving the connection between Canberra, Goulburn, Nerriga and the South Coast at Nowra and Jervis Bay.
L'Air du Wombat Truffles was established on Oallen Road in 2007, planting 900 English and French oak trees on a 100-acre farm on the banks of the Shoalhaven. Oallen's elevation, microclimate and soil conditions make it ideal for the prized black Périgord truffle. Truffle hunts run each winter.
Rising in the Gourock Range, the Shoalhaven travels 327km before reaching the sea at Nowra. Explorer George Bass first named it in 1797. The river and the gorge country at Oallen remain a big part of the area's character and history.
Real-time data from our own weather station at the property. Elevation ~530 m, on the Corang River.
Oallen sits at the gateway to some of NSW's most spectacular and rarely-visited country. Here's what's worth your time.
Established around 1864 as the Commercial Hotel — one of the great country pubs of the Southern Tablelands. Cold beer on tap and solid pub meals. During the 2019 Currowan bushfire, the pub opened its doors as a community refuge.
Right here on Oallen Road — a working truffle farm growing black Périgord truffle under 900 English and French oak trees at 587m elevation. Run by Tricia and Rainer Kwast since 2007, with truffle hunts led by their team of kelpies each winter (June–August). Farmstay accommodation available year-round.
Almost 2,000 sq km of sandstone gorges, wilderness plateaus and towering escarpments. The Nerriga entrance to the Budawang Wilderness is minutes from the property — follow Endrick River Road to access Quilty's Mountain and the Red Ground Track. Former NSW Premier Bob Carr called the view from The Castle "the best in the NSW park system."
Two of NSW's most spectacular waterfalls, both in Morton National Park and reachable via Nowra or Robertson. Fitzroy Falls drops 81m into the Yarrunga Valley — the lookout is fully accessible and the West Rim walking track is superb. Belmore Falls is a dramatic two-tier plunge of over 100m into the Barrengarry Creek valley, and its lookouts are open (check NSW National Parks for current access). Carrington Falls completes the trio nearby.
Gold was found along the Shoalhaven in the mid-1800s, and by 1869 the Oallen and Fernbank goldfields were at their peak. Nerriga, Braidwood and the surrounding district still carry the marks of the gold-rush era.
The first town listed on the NSW State Heritage Register, Braidwood is a gold-rush era gem with dozens of intact historic buildings, galleries, boutique shops, weekend markets and great cafes. Also nearby: Elvesgate Biodynamic Organic Truffle Farm and Durran Durra Truffles — Australia's only certified biodynamic truffière — for truffle hunts and feasts each winter.
That Mob's Place is a private family property and isn't currently taking public bookings. Owners and family can log in to book their stays.