Hosting With Heart

Sunny South in so many ways epitomises what heartful hosting is all about. A former teacher, she and husband Brett have forged a deeply enriching life for themselves in the Hawkesbury River region about an hour north of Sydney, one that has been built around a love of art, creativity, community and hospitality.

With a background in restoring and renovating historic properties and having determined that - for a variety of reasons - the Hawkesbury was the right location for them to secure a holiday house, Sunny and Brett serendipitously happened upon a property that ticked all the boxes, going on to purchase it very fortunately without the involvement of real estate agents.

Over the 6 months that followed, with the added challenge of the house only being accessible by water, they worked hard to bring the property back to its former glory, replacing the roof and stumps but maintaining most of its original features and opting to retain a number of pieces of vintage furniture.

They subsequently named the property Riverbreeze and first welcomed guests in November of 2021, managing all of the housekeeping themselves and doing so with a focus on simplicity, efficiency and organisation - an ethos which has worked perfectly for them since day dot.

Sunny's passion for involving the local community in the running of Riverbreeze absolutely shines through in this episode, as does her respect for the natural environment and for the need to be continuously mindful about consumption.

I thoroughly enjoyed our chat and I'm positive that no matter where you might be in your hosting journey, you will get a lot out of it too.

Back in 2018, the town of Tanunda, located in the heart of South Australia's beautiful Barossa Valley, had no idea that two passionate Melburnians, Max Niggl and Neale Gerlach, were about to make it a central part of their life story.

With surprisingly similar personal backgrounds, Neale originally from South Australia and Max from Victoria, this enterprising couple met in 2013 in Melbourne, forging a life partnership where respect for history, the environment, the concept of place and for our diverse culture is central to their lives.

Max and Neale set out with the original goal of purchasing a simple set-and-forget investment property, however after further discussion decided that they actually wanted to be able to enjoy a second property from time to time, with a view of transitioning to rural life in the future.

This ultimately led them to the Barossa - a place that they shared a love of and one in which they fortuitously stumbled across and went on to buy a characterful circa 1900 house, a firm fixer-upper with a rich history.

Over the next three years, the duo planned and painstakingly restored the property with careful attention to detail, melding their own personal style with that dictated by its heritage. They subsequently named it Basedow Haus, in a nod to both the couple's and the area's German origins.

Max and Neale are people fervently dedicated to living with respect, compassion, grace and empathy, something that shines through in everything they do. It was an absolute pleasure chatting with them about their hosting journey to date and I'm sure you'll get a lot out of our chat today. Please enjoy.

Much like many others who have embraced and excelled at the practice of hosting, Madeleine Lawler wore many different hats prior to opening the doors to the completely captivating Tasmanian property now known as The Post Office, Waratah.

After early stints in the hair modelling and hairdressing sector, she moved to the UK for a period where she spent time working in Michelin-starred restaurants and at the helm of an energetic and innovative tech start-up.

Upon arriving back to Australia and having welcomed a daughter and farewelled her father in the intervening time, she and her partner Andy decided to indulge their long-held dream of purchasing a holiday shack.

When one day scrolling realestate.com.au they fortuitously came across a modest yet charming 110 year old post office for sale in the small hamlet of Waratah, some 400km north-west of Hobart. After a spontaneous one day trip to view it, they made an offer and the very next day it was theirs.

In this episode, enjoy listening to Madeleine tell me the story of the 7 month renovation that followed the purchase, including the challenges that both its heritage and location posed, but that ultimately culminated in a visually enchanting, wonderfully unique property that has already won many a guest's heart. Please enjoy.

When at its very best, hosting is an endeavour underpinned and driven by one core thing - empathy. And that's something my guest today, James Hudson, had in droves when it came to establishing his hugely successful Byron Bay eco retreat Blackbird.

After many years working in Sydney's fast-paced and often gruelling hospitality sector and with a young family in tow, James reached a point where he decided it was time to embrace a slower, less hectic way of life.

This ultimately led him to a former banana plantation in the Byron Bay hinterland, a property he'd go on to buy and - with an eye for innovation and sustainable re-use closely informed by his skills in industrial design - resourcefully convert into the critically acclaimed retreat now known as Blackbird Byron.

Since the property officially opened its doors to guests in 2018, James and his extended team have gone on to receive an enviable array of accolades and awards including a Master Builder's Award in 2020, finalist status in Network Ten's 'Hotels by Design' series and being named one of Tatler Magazine's top 101 hotels in the world.

With Covid only proving to increase demand for stays at Blackbird, James has gone from strength to strength and is now supported by a tight-knit and dedicated team of staff he views as family.

Please enjoy our chat today.

What do you get when you pair a talented illustrator and designer with an experienced and resourceful carpenter? The answer is simple - Mill Cabin, an understated yet wildly appealing bush retreat based in Crackenback in the New South Wales' Snowy Mountains.

Back in 2019, when owners Niki and Trent first secured the plot of land that would go on to house the cabin, formerly the site of a timber mill, their vision was to create something that was unmistakably in sync with - and sympathetic to - the natural environment.

Putting their combined skills and experience to use, the resulting structure is one that is a modern nod to the Australian stockman's hut, built using locally sourced timber and granite and furnished and fitted out with a range of handcrafted items painstakingly designed and assembled by this industrious pair.

Since opening the doors to the property in 2022, Niki and Trent have gone on to receive widespread media coverage and a coveted array of 5 star reviews, reinforcing the powerful way their uncompromisingly sustainable ethos has resonated with the travelling public.

Refreshingly, the couple have no plans to expand or multiply their current hosting operation, opting instead to work on regenerating the land on which the cabin sits where necessary, but largely leaving nature to do its own thing.

My catch up with Niki and Trent a week or so ago was a thoroughly enjoyable one which I know you'll also find fascinating.

If there's one word that sums up husband and wife team Michelle and Murray Prior's hosting ethos, it's respect. Respect for the environment, for history and for knowledge.

Having relocated to the Gundaroo area in the New South Wales Southern Tablelands region just over 5 years ago, this industrious couple and their two young daughters quickly set about turning the property's former standalone barn into a sustainably-minded, luxurious, family-friendly retreat.

The result is the property now known as The Barn at Nguurruu Farm, a visually striking, architect-designed, rammed earth building that can comfortably accommodate up to four guests across two bedrooms and a single bathroom.

'Nguurruu' is the Walgalu word for 'camp' and was chosen by Ngambri Walgalu custodian, Paul House out of respect for the many bush camps that have existed on the banks of the Yass River down through the ages.

Indigenous heritage and considered land regeneration are central to the way this family are managing the evolution of the 220 acre plot of land on which the barn sits. They've enlisted the help of scientist, author and regenerative farming pioneer Charles Massy to help guide them in the way they manage the land, all the while ensuring guests have the opportunity to gain an insight into its cultural roots and indigenous backstory.

I came away from this conversation with a very full heart in the knowledge that there were people like Michelle and Murray out there doing so much good in the world. I'm sure you'll feel the same way after listening. Please enjoy.

Kristy Plumridge and her husband Neil are a complementary match in more ways than one.

With Kristy's background in marketing and event management and Neil's background in finance and management consulting, it was with a creative yet strategic ethos that they approached the construction of a 10 year family plan that would ultimately herald a complete life change, moving from city to country.

Having taken the time to canvass multiple rural properties, it was in the end the first property they looked at that won their hearts and minds - a 150 acre farm in the Victorian town of Yarragon, a hidden gem only 90 minutes from Melbourne.

With a deep respect for the environment, they subsequently dedicated themselves to regenerating and nurturing the land, ensuring its future success as a thriving grass-fed beef and garlic farm.

They also built their future forever home and converted an older dwelling on the property into accommodation, now known as The Ridge House.

Their journey to date has garnered much attention from the media, most notably including a dedicated episode on ABC TV's acclaimed series, 'Dream Gardens.'

Now, Kristy and Neil want to share their knowledge and experience with others dreaming of their own tree change, recently launching a one-day workshop called 'Let's Buy A Farm', designed to guide and support individuals in navigating the process of transitioning to a sustainable and financially rewarding lifestyle.

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Kristy - a conversation filled with many valuable insights and much inspiration.

Whether you're considering a tree change or are simply intrigued by the idea of sustainable farming, this episode is teeming with practical information and advice.

Whether it's running one of Sydney's most famed pie shops or managing an award-winning, self-built cabin for guests in the stunning Blue Mountains region of New South Wales, Nicole Landgrebe is a woman who intimately knows the value and rewards of good, old-fashioned hard work.

Having made the decision to handover the reigns of their thriving Sydney-based small business to another owner, in 2019 Nicole and her husband David decided to purchase a property in Wentworth Falls, one of the country's most breathtakingly beautiful locations.

Their aim was to creatively and resourcefully design, build and furnish a self-contained cabin on the property to rent out to guests, all the while living onsite in the neighbouring house to manage it.

After many months of grit and tenacity, the property now known as Falls Rest was eventually realised and the couple opened it to guests, receiving a flurry of five star reviews and landing Nicole the title of Australia's Best Female Airbnb Host for 2022.

Nicole very kindly put her hand up to come on the podcast for a chat a few weeks back and it was a real pleasure learning all about hers and David's hosting journey thus far. I hope you enjoy our catch up today.

Edwina Bartholomew is no stranger to the art of juggling.

Along with her successful career as a journalist and newsreader with Channel Seven's Sunrise program, she also has a flourishing side-gig as a short-term accommodation host.

In 2016, Edwina and her husband, Neil Varcoe discovered an original 1890s sandstone property on 100 acres in the New South Wales Capertee Valley. They have meticulously restored the house and transformed the property into a luxury accommodation business called Warramba.

Now, the next challenge. The couple recently sold their meticulously renovated Dulwich Hill home in Sydney to pursue their second, decidedly more ambitious project as hosts, the restoration of an guesthouse in the historic town of Carcoar, New South Wales.

Neil will run the project from Carcoar while Edwina will remain in the city with their two kids, Molly and Tom, who makes a charming cameo in this podcast. With the new hotel 'The Victoria' slated for opening in 2025, they have a busy few years ahead of them.

It was such a pleasure catching up with Edwina to learn all about their forthcoming plans as well as the enormous amount they've learned on their journey so far. I've no doubts you get a lot out of this chat today.

To me, there's a single word that immediately comes to mind when describing Clare Hillier's approach to hosting - 'artful'.

With a professional background working for various media platforms, along with running her own brand storytelling consultancy, Clare and her partner Sean in 2020 purchased a 70's era house in Blairgowrie in Victoria's ever-popular Mornington Peninsula region, with hopes to transform it into a one of a kind, design-led holiday retreat.

After a period of time camping out in the property to better understand its idiosyncrasies, they spent 18 months renovating and reconfiguring the home.

Following that, Clare lovingly crafted a brand framework that would go on to closely inform the way in which guests experienced the house, from the selection of original artwork adorning the walls to the way in which their now trademark welcome negroni would be presented. The name of the property, Camillo House, was another product of this creative process.

Clare has learned a great deal in her 6 or so months as a host thus far and it was an absolute delight catching up with her recently. I really hope you enjoy our chat today.