 |
||||||||||||||||
If you’re a bookophile like me, you’ll want to hit the road and follow the Book Trail in NSW Southern Highlands Words and photography by Simone Costi A Book Town is generally a small rural area with an abundance of bookshops. The idea of Book Towns began in Hay-on-Wye in the United Kingdom during the 1960s. Australia has only just dubbed its first Book Town, it’s the lovely Southern Highlands in NSW and covers Bowral, Berrima, Moss Vale, Kangaroo Valley and Exeter. The region was perfect for such a classification, as there are second-hand and new bookstores scattered throughout the area. The path leading from store to store in the Southern Highlands is called the Book Trail and includes approximately 20 books shops and book-related stores. The best thing about this trail is that it doesn’t cost anything to do (unless you buy a mountain of books, which is more than likely!) Simply pick up a Book Trail brochure from Tourism Southern Highlands or visit www.booktown.com.au for a map and listing. And you’re off! I spent a few days exploring the trail and had a wonderful time. I didn’t get to visit every place on the list, but I did check out the majority of them. Berkelouw There are actually a number of Berkelouw book stores in NSW, but the Book Barn located in Berrima would have to be the biggest. It is literally a barn full of second-hand books – in fact, two levels of them! The thousands of volumes here (over 300,000) are divided into categories and are well labeled. You could spend hours in here due to the sheer size of the place and no doubt you’ll leave with an armful of special finds. They also have a Rare Book Department and it is located in the house at the entrance to the property, where as the barn is further down the driveway. The rare and antiquarian book department has over 40,000 items including books, pamphlets and journals. The Book Barn is open every day, but the Rare Books house is only open on weekdays. The Art of Book Binding The Art of Book Binding is one of the most beautiful stores I’ve seen. It sells book related products and that’s why it’s on the Book Trail. Owners Hugo and Henni van Willigen sell handmade stationery products, imported Italian papers, bookbinding materials, quills, inks, photo albums, journals and the like. They also restore books and run bookbinding courses. Hugo has been bookbinding for over 30 years and learnt the craft at a monastery in Diepenveen in Holland and his work is exquisite. When in Berrima, you must visit this store – it’s lovely and Hugo and Henni are very friendly and happy to chat. They’re open Wednesday to Sunday. Bong Bong Books This second-hand bookshop has two rooms packed with books. The front room has rows of shelves that are sorted into categories, as well as a few tables piled with tomes. In the back, there’s a small maze of shelves, which are also well categorized. Although the store is pretty small, it has many books, but unlike some of the other shops on the trail, it is quite plain. It opens daily. Antiquariat Fine Books This large second-hand book emporium in Bowral is fantastic. Not only does it have books, but there’s maps, prints and postcards, plus an interesting range of memorabilia and antiques. For instance, in the motoring section, there’s an old model car on the shelves and in the kid’s department, there’s an old rocking horse. It’s set out extremely well and it’s very easy to navigate through the store. Cosy armchairs are nestled in corners to make your browsing even more enjoyable. Owners John and Toni Myers will also try and help you track down a book if you can’t find. They’re open daily and there’s a little cafe adjoining the store if you’re after a cuppa. Ron Abbey’s Bookhouse Ron Abbey loves books and has been selling them for over three decades. He founded Abbey’s Bookshops in Sydney, and has now retired to Bowral, where he continues to sells second-hand, rare and hard to find tomes from a remodeled Federation home. There’s over 40,000 volumes within the bookhouse that include themes such as history, biographies, poetry, literature, military history and humanities. Ron Abbey’s and its cafe there is open every day except Thursday. Angus & Robertson This popular bookstore sells only new books. There was an abundance of home decorating, gardening and cooking books in the one in Bowral, which is apt granted that this are some of the most popular topics in the area. You can’t miss the shop either – it’s the bright green one on the main street and it’s open daily. The Brown Bookstore/ABC Centre Right next door to Angus & Robertson is the Brown Bookstore/ABC Centre. It’s painted traffic-light red, so it’s easy to spot too. This independent store sells new books and is set out quite nicely with wooden floorboards and uncluttered shelves. In the rear is the ABC Centre. It’s also open daily. Sophie’s Books Sophie’s Books in Moss Vale is a bit hard to find. It’s tucked away in an arcade off the main street. It’s a cute second-hand book store and has quite an atmosphere. It smells of coffee and old books and there are volumes piled on shelves and in leaning towers on the floor. There’s also a little area with a couple of armchairs and a coffee table, but you have to wade through an ocean of books to get there. I couldn’t see any labels categorizing the library and I dare say it’s pretty difficult to find what you’re looking for. But that’s the charm about this store – it really is a bookophile’s hideaway. Sophie’s Books is open every day except Sunday. Moss Vale Bookshop This store sells new books, but it is lovely and has a personality that other new bookstores don’t tend to have. There isn’t a massive range to choose from, but you’ll definitely find something to read here. It’s open daily except Sunday. The Southern Highlands Book Trail is a brilliant way to spend a couple of days, leisurely driving through the little towns in the region and popping into the fantastic book stores along the way. CONTACTS Berrima Book Barn The Art of Bookbinding Bong Bong Books Ron Abbey’s Bookhouse Angus & Robertson The Brown Bookshop/ABC Centre Sophie’s Books Moss Vale Bookshop PLACES TO STAY Moss Vale Village Caravan Park |
|
|||||||||||||||
