Peppers Craigieburn, Bowral
History

The land on which Peppers Craigieburn sits was originally a property known as Doone Vale. It was purchased in 1886 by William and Mary Irvine (Irving) and constructed and operated as a private home and grazing property until 1909.

When the property was built, Bowral was a new village, but fast becoming popular as a country retreat for visitors from Sydney. The property was purchased in 1909 by Mrs Horden and her partner Mr Allen who re-established it as a country retreat and guest house, attracting many guests from Sydney who were collected from the train station by horse-drawn carriages.  

Peppers Craigieburn quickly established an enviable reputation as a fashionable destination for holidays, weekend escapes, and a place to retreat from the blistering heat of the Australian summers, with Sydney’s elite families returning each year from first to third generations. Many famous guests have also visited over the years.  

Additions were made to the original homestead during the 1920s when thousands of Sydneysiders trekked to the Highlands. Two World Wars affected the tourist trade and the advent of the motor car in the late 1950s saw the demise of many guesthouses and holiday venues in the Highlands, as city folk travelled to more ‘exotic’ locations.

Peppers Craigieburn however continued to flourish and a new wing was added to the main building in the 1960s, and a general ‘modernisation’ of the other buildings undertaken. In more recent times the original property holding has been increased to the present 54 acres.

Peppers Craigieburn has grown and developed since those early days with numerous owners over the past one hundred years including two generations of one family during the mid to late 1900s but it never lost it's unique character and family service.

It has been paramount that the property retain it's ‘Old World charm’, comfortable surroundings, wholesome food and above all friendly and helpful staff.
 
Reflecting the style and elegance of the original homestead, a transformation of the interiors to include stylish modern decor and artworks ensures Peppers Craigieburn will retain its reputation as one of the Southern Highlands premiere venues for leisure stays, conferencing, weddings and retreats.