2.5 hours south of Sydney, deep in the Southern Tablelands. Bush, river, dark skies — and nothing else you don't need.
That Mobs Place sits on 100 acres of natural Australian bush along the banks of the Corang River at Oallen, just 2.5 hours south of Sydney and 1.5 hours 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 Corang River 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 at least 11,000 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. The river still gives up flour gold after every flood. No permit required to pan at Oallen Ford on Crown Land.
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 — remains a draw for gold panners, paddlers, swimmers and bushwalkers.
Real-time data from the Ecowitt station at 178 Oallen Road. Elevation ~530m in Corang River gorge country.
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, solid pub meals, live music on the last Sunday of every month, and a log fire in winter. 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. Carrington Falls completes the trio nearby.
The Corang River at Oallen Ford has been yielding alluvial gold since the 1860s — flour gold carried down from the granite belt and deposited at rock bars and bends. Every flood replenishes the deposits. Best results in the top 6 inches at interlocking rapids near the ford. No permit required on Crown Land.
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.
Join the That Mobs Place community for preferred booking windows, member rates, and first access to new dates as they open. This is a private property — membership is how you get in the door.