Charming 1840s Berrima Residence Lists in the Highlands’ Most Sought-After Village
This secluded Berrima estate with sweeping country views offers a rare mix of privacy, craftsmanship and Southern Highlands calm.
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Known for its historic jail, bucolic rolling hills, beautifully preserved Georgian-era architecture and nearby wine country, Berrima is a drawcard for buyers seeking a stylish tree change with all the bells and whistles.
Whether it’s a grand agricultural estate or a charming period cottage, Berrima in the NSW Southern Highlands is home to a thriving property market buoyed by city slickers coveting a slower – and greener – lifestyle.
So popular as a weekend getaway location, the region has been coined “The Hamptons” of Sydney.
Hillside, on a grand 2462sq m land parcel in the heritage heart of Berrima, dates back to the 1840s. Sitting only minutes from the centre of town, the period property is surrounded by local history.
The Wilkinson St residence is opposite the landmark Harper’s Mansion estate, a National Trust heritage property and popular tourist attraction that is home to one of the largest hedge mazes in Australia.
Couple its prime position in Berrima with its Georgian charm – and a separate cottage on site – Hillside is filled with opportunity, said selling agent James Hall of Savills.
“It’s got the whole village on its doorstep, which makes it so appealing. And the bonus is that as a short-term rental, it’s always in demand because you’ve got the very popular Bendooley Estate wedding venue just down the road,” Hall said.
“Berrima has really come into its own because it’s retained its old school charm and hasn’t become commercialised while still appealing to visitors.”
The property is within close walking distance of Berrima’s quaint boutiques, cafés, and noted restaurants such as Eschalot, as well as Australia’s oldest continuously licensed pub with a beer garden, the Surveyor General Inn.
Last sold in 2015 for $1.45 million, Hillside is now coming to market with a price guide “in the high $3 millions” according to Hall.
The traditional home paints a pretty picture with its fairytale facade framed by meticulously landscaped grounds reminiscent of a stately English homestead.
The private setting features tall established trees, heritage stables, a gazebo, a fire pit, and a lockup garage with a workshop. In addition to the two-bedroom main residence, the guest cottage has en-suites to all three bedrooms.
A classic country house that is as rich in character as it is grand in scale, Hillside has rustic exposed brick interior walls, timber floors, and multiple French doors spilling out to the lush landscaped grounds.
“The beautiful wraparound veranda overlooks almost a full-size grass tennis court,” Hall added.
“Then there are the incredibly mature pine trees giving it privacy, even though it’s so close to the village.”
The vast level lawn is also an idyllic spot for a game of croquet, cricket, or a good old-fashioned English tea party.
As well as the selection of casual and formal living and dining areas, there is a cosy library, a wine cellar, and a modern kitchen with sophisticated sage green cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, a Hastings Turner ceramic double sink, a central island bench, and designer pendant lighting.
Added extras include air conditioning, hydronic heating, four original fireplaces, and the original well has been integrated into the entryway as a period feature.
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The US housing market remains under pressure as high mortgage rates continue to weigh on affordability and demand. Industry leaders say 2026 has been one of the toughest years for home sales, with slower price growth, weaker mortgage activity, and fewer buyers entering the market. However, experts say reduced competition and more price cuts could create opportunities for well-prepared buyers.
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The typically busy spring season for the housing market was a dud, and the summer isn’t looking much brighter.
Housing services companies like Zillow Group and Rocket RKT +3.78% were loud and clear last week on earnings calls: Rocket CEO Varun Krishna called the quarter through June “one of the toughest spring housing markets in years.”
Jeremy Hofmann, Zillow’s chief financial officer, said on a conference call that the company predicted earlier this year that the market for mortgages would be flat. “We actually now think it’s going to be down low-to-mid-single digits,” he said.
The rest of 2026 will remain challenging for mortgage origination volume, says KBW analyst Bose George. The question now is what happens in 2027. “If mortgage rates remain [around] 6.75%, I think that’s going to be challenging even for next year,” he says.
But what’s bad news for mortgage companies could be a positive for bargain hunters. Buyers can expect prices to grow more slowly—or mildly decline—with less competition as long as mortgage rates remain unpredictable.
Mortgage rates at the beginning of the year were solidly below year-ago levels, notes Zillow senior economist Kara Ng. But they surpassed last year’s levels recently, she adds, referencing Freddie Mac’s weekly survey of 30-year fixed mortgage rates. Last week’s reading, at 6.69%, was higher than year-ago levels for the first time in 2026.
“From the affordability point of view, it’s going to get more challenging in the second half of the year,” she says. “And when affordability gets more challenging, that impacts sales and home price appreciation.”
Mortgage application data tracked by the Mortgage Bankers Association has cooled since the beginning of the year. The trade group expects that the number of mortgage originations in the remaining two quarters will lag behind last year’s levels, after exceeding 2025 levels in the first half.
Rocket’s early-stage data—which the company told Barron’s it derives from its brokerage Redfin, demand for its mortgage products, and signs in its servicing portfolio that a homeowner is preparing to refinance or move—“leads us to expect the third quarter mortgage market to be smaller than the second,” Chief Financial Officer Brian Brown, said on the company’s call. He added that such an occurrence is “something the industry has not seen since 2022.”
Prices will be about flat nationally, Ng says. Zillow’s most recent forecast, which shows how values are expected to change in the year ending June 2027, show them dropping in roughly half of the 100 largest U.S. metros for which data is available.
Buyers aren’t rushing in at a time when mortgage costs are rising and unpredictable. But those with the right combination of patience and cash could stand to benefit. “If you are financially qualified to buy a starter home, you are facing less competition and you’re more likely to get a price cut,” Ng says.
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