After nine years of owning Jamberoo’s historic home Terragong and seven years running it as a bed and breakfast and wedding venue, Simon Milner and Darryl Gordon have closed the much praised business and put the mansion on the market.

It will mark only the second time in 165 years that this 1858 home on 12 acres will change hands.

“We have loved every minute creating and running our business,” says Simon.

“But I haven’t seen my parents who live in New Zealand for at least three years because of COVID and would like to spend some quality time with them.

“In fact,” he says, “during our nine years here, we have only had one five night holiday.”

After a painstaking renovation and extension, they built Terragong into the most highly rated hosted accommodation in the region, with five star reviews on all major travel sites, and in magazines and newspapers nationally and globally.

“Most of the product here is Simon and myself,” says Darryl, “and we had to be ‘on’ all the time.

“I have a friend who was on the stage for a long-running musical with eight shows a week, and he said that after four years you go a little bit insane,” Darryl laughs.

Terragong owners Darryl Gordon and Simon Milner (seated)

Because of the success of the property, almost every weekend for seven years has been booked by B&B or wedding guests.

“We will miss the social life that came up the driveway every weekend,” says Simon.

“No matter how long you do this, you have butterflies in the stomach as new people arrived. It’s Showtime, we would say.”

They were the perfect couple to take on this historic property and turn it into this sparkling venue. Darryl is an award-winning interior designer and Simon has extensive experience in hospitality, silver service, stock control and food handling.

“I said to Simon, I can make the product and you can run it,” Darryl says.

The house was the venue for many stylish weddings

He will miss the setting and the trees.

“A friend pointed out that one of the unique features of this house is that it’s still pretty much in its original setting. It hasn’t been boxed in by subdivisions, it hasn’t been left on half an acre and all the trees removed.

“It still has a lovely sense of being in the country, while only five minutes to Jamberoo and a bit more to Kiama.”