Due to open later this year (2009), the second Shambala is located in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales; amongst eight acres of beautiful English style gardens at the property formerly known as Kennerton Green.
With only 14 guest suites , each guest suite has a view to the gardens and its own unique ‘personality’ in three separate cottages; Iona, Avalon and Tara. Guests will gather in ‘Avalon’ the main cottage, for dinner and breakfasts. Avalon has a drawing room and dining room with open fireplace and a light filled terrace overlooking the garden for breakfast.
The garden at Shambala is one of the most significant gardens in New South Wales. It is included in The Oxford Companion to Australian Gardens, Gardens of the Southern Highlands 1828 – 1988, 1001 Gardens You Must See Before You Die, and Australia, the Beautiful Gardens.
Many dignitaries stayed at Kennerton Green throughout its fifty year history. They planted ornamental trees to commemorate these visits. Princess Margaret planted a weeping copper beech in the middle of the lawn in front of the main residence.
Margaret Thatcher planted a weeping birch and Lady Brogan planted a sycamore.
The garden was added to in the 1980’s by Marylyn Abbott who added the parterre bay garden; the silver birch grove and the potager which links the interconnecting garden rooms, via the dovecote back to the lake. The majestic trees over look the sweeping lawns, with overflowing flowering beds which contrast with clipped bays and topiary in neat patterns. Guests will be able to wander and enjoy these gardens as if they were their own during their stay.
