Thuruna, Jamberoo review: It leaves grandma's in the dust

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This was published 13 years ago

Thuruna, Jamberoo review: It leaves grandma's in the dust

Great shape ... Thuruna has an individual vibe.

Great shape ... Thuruna has an individual vibe.

Rachel Browne finds a holiday house full of nostalgic touches — including one she could happily have done without.

Walking through the front door of Thuruna is like stepping back in time. Built in the Jamberoo Valley in 1936, it has been meticulously maintained and is in great shape for its 74 years. Its original architectural features - from the wood panelling in the living room to the decorative timber work and leadlight windows in the kitchen - have been preserved.

Adding to the effect, Thuruna's owners have decorated the home with antiques and curios from yesteryear. The walls are festooned with mirrors and trios of flying birds, a black Bakelite phone sits on top of an old Singer sewing machine table in the entry hall and it seems every surface is covered with an array of vases, statues and assorted objets d'art.

When so many holiday houses resemble a Swedish furniture catalogue, Thuruna has a truly individual vibe about it. It's like visiting your grandma's house - minus the dust.

Half expecting celebrated author Evelyn Waugh to pop out from the kitchen and offer us a gin and tonic in a tall glass, we make our way through to the wraparound verandah that overlooks an enormous backyard leading down to the grounds of a 150-year-old church.

The verandah is another haven for curios, acquired on the owners' travels. It's the perfect spot for relaxing. Large day beds invite you to recline and admire the dramatic view of the escarpment.

For visitors who prefer to travel with their pooch in tow, there's even a dog bed.

In our case, we are travelling with our two girls, aged three and six, who are enchanted by the sheer volume of pretty, shiny things.

Amazingly, the constant reminders to not touch - or at least don't break - are heard and everything remains intact, parental sanity included.

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Just as well, because Thuruna is the ideal place to chill out.

The living room has a large L-shaped leather lounge, topped with plump scatter cushions. There's an enormous flat-screen television and plenty of DVDs if the weather isn't in your favour.

There's a dining area with a table that seats six but we thought the verandah was a better option for dinner, with its barbecue and four-seater table.

A hand-written note from the owners warned that we could expect extra guests at dinner time and their prediction proved correct: a magpie and bowerbird hover hopefully on the verandah fence, eyeing our food.

The owners have thoughtfully left us some dog food, which the birds apparently have taken a liking to and the girls have fun hand feeding them while the main meal is prepared.

If cooking al fresco with the local bird life is not your style, Thuruna has a well-equipped kitchen, stocked with plenty of herbs, spices and condiments. The only thing it lacks is a dishwasher, so it really was a trip back to yesteryear as I washed and dried the dishes by hand.

While that was one element of nostalgia I could have lived without, it's a relief to see the dishwasher is the only mod-con that seems to be missing.

The laundry has a washing machine, a dryer, toilet and an extra fridge and freezer.

The bathroom seems to have been recently renovated with a shower, toilet and large vanity.

The two main bedrooms have been decorated in a tradition style, with pretty lace curtains and antique dressers. The smaller third room also has its fair share of antiques and a single bed with a trundle underneath it.

Throw in some high-quality bed linen and you have just the right recipe for a good night's sleep.

That's something you'll need if you're going to take in some of the local attractions, all of which are listed in brochures left out by the owners.

The hottest ticket in town for kids is, of course, the Jamberoo Action Park, a three-minute drive away.

But there is also the nearby Minnamurra Rainforest, the Illawarra Fly Tree Top Walk or the beaches at Kiama.

The writer was a guest of Thuruna and Tourism NSW.

TRIP NOTES

WHERE Thuruna, 4 Macquarie Street, Jamberoo. Phone (02) 4232 2065, see southcoastholidays.com.au.

HOW MUCH From $350 to $750 a night.

BEST THING The authentic 1930s feel of a beautifully restored home.

WORST THING Breakable knick-knacks and small children don't mix. Parents will need to be on high alert.

LOCAL SECRET The 150-year-old Jamberoo Pub oozes character. It's the perfect antidote to those impersonal chrome and blond-wood bars in the city.

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