Gather your people
in the country
Large-group accommodation in the Southern Highlands
Seven Oaks is one of the few whole-property, large-group stays in the Southern Highlands — an entire heritage estate in Exeter, NSW, with two homes and 6 acres of garden for a corporate team, a bridal party or three generations of family to gather. When you book, the whole estate is yours alone: no other bookings down the corridor, no strangers at breakfast, no one else's function on the lawn. And at only 90 minutes from Sydney, a weekend can begin on a Friday afternoon and have everyone home by Sunday night. Every stay is hosted, with someone who knows the house on hand throughout.
Two houses on one private property: the manor house and the cottage. Seven of you can each have a room of your own, or fifteen can share as twins, every king splitting into two singles. Parking on site for sixteen cars, ninety minutes from Sydney. And a five minute stroll to the historic Exeter train station.
See the floor planThe manor house, room by room
Select a room to see its size, how it sleeps and how it can be set up.
A second, separate house with its own kitchen, dining nook and fireside lounge, a verandah on either side, and a loft upstairs: a base for a second working group, or for the facilitators.
Sleeping in the cottage
- · Two singles, or a king
- · Three king singles in the dormers
- Two bathrooms, downstairs and the loft's ensuite, one with a sauna and steam room
The living room and kitchen are to scale from the restoration plans; the rest of the cottage is drawn from our own sketch and is approximate.
| Space | Size | Set up as |
|---|---|---|
| Dining roomManor house · open to the kitchen and conservatory | 5.2 × 9.7 m50.4 m² | Boardroom up to 20 Workshop — three tables 18 Plenary circle 25 Long-table dinner 20 |
| KitchenManor house · open to the dining room | 4.1 × 6.4 m26.2 m² | Island and bar, for a private chef |
| ConservatoryManor house · open to the dining room | 5.2 × 5.1 m26.5 m² | Circle of chairs 12 Breakout table 8 Morning prayer or reflection 12 |
| Drawing roomManor house | 7.4 × 4.9 m36.3 m² | Fireside circle 16 Lounge 12 |
| Morning roomManor house | 5.0 × 5.6 m28 m² | Meeting table 10 Lounge 8 |
| VerandahManor house | 9.7 × 7.8 m | Long table outdoors 14 Coffee break the whole group |
| Kitchen, dining & loungeCottage · open plan | 5.7 × 10.9 m, and the dining nook | Dining table 12 Island bench 4 Lounge 8–10 |
| VerandahCottage · east and west sides | Morning coffee, out of the rain | |
| The terraceOutdoors · paved, off the house | 150 m² | Outdoor dining table Lounges Barbecue Oversized hot tub fits 14 |
Numbers are seated guests and are indicative. We'll plan the room layout with you before you come.
| Room | Beds | Own | Twin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedroom 1Manor house | King, or two singles · ensuite and robe+ double sofa bed (kids) | 1 | 2 |
| Bedroom 2Manor house | King, or two singles · ensuite and robe+ double sofa bed (kids) | 1 | 2 |
| Bedroom 3Manor house | King, or two singles | 1 | 2 |
| Bedroom 4Manor house | King, or two singles | 1 | 2 |
| The libraryManor house | Two long singles; closes with a door | 1 | 2 |
| Cottage bedroomCottage | Two singles, or a king+ double sofa bed (kids) | 1 | 2 |
| The loftCottage | Three king singles in the dormers+ four king-single sofa beds (kids/teens) | 1 | 3 |
Seven bedrooms and five and a half bathrooms: 7 in rooms of their own, or 15 twin share. Every king splits into two singles. For your comfort, every bedroom and bathroom has a privacy lock, ensuites included, so twin sharers each have their privacy. With the sofa beds for children and teenagers, a family group sleeps up to 25.
The whole estate, yours alone
- 1The terrace150 m² of paving off the house, with an outdoor dining table, lounges, a barbecue and an oversized hot tub for fourteen.
- 2The front lawnOpen lawn beside the house, for a group photo or a game after lunch.
- 3The herb gardenClose to the kitchen, for the cook and the curious.
- 4The rose gardenA turn around the beds between sessions.
- 5The arbourA covered seat for two: the one-to-one conversation.
- 6The corn staddleFrom 1860, older than the house itself.
- 7The koi pondStill water to sit beside.
- 8The poplarsA line of tall trees along the northern edge.
- 9The alley of birchA walk-and-talk, out and back.
- 10The native forestThe wild western end of the block, for a walk on your own.
- 11The veggie patchA working vegetable garden for the kitchen.
- 12The citrus gardenA sheltered corner of lemons and oranges.
- 13The woodland gardenShade and quiet, for reading, prayer or simply being alone for an hour.
- 14The cottage lawnAn outdoor session in good weather, just east of the cottage.
- 15The front parklandsOpen ground under old trees, down to Exeter Road. The long view at the end of the day.
- 16The old water towerThe estate's old water tower, beside the citrus garden.
Whatever brings you together
A host on hand, the details taken care of
Every stay at Seven Oaks is hosted. Someone who knows the house — often one of us — is on site or close by throughout, and can arrange whatever would make your stay just right, from trusted local partners.
Why the Southern Highlands suits a group
Group accommodation in the Southern Highlands usually means splitting across cottages or booking a floor of a guesthouse. Seven Oaks keeps everyone on one private property — and the Highlands give a group plenty to do between long lunches.
Exeter is a quiet village on the Southern Highlands Line, with its own railway station, so not everyone has to drive. Bundanoon, Moss Vale and historic Berrima are minutes away; Bowral's cafés and shops are a short drive further. Morton National Park and Fitzroy Falls are close by for a morning walk, and the region's cool-climate cellar doors make an easy afternoon out.
It is also a place of real seasons — autumn colour, frosty mornings by the fire, spring gardens in flower — which is why groups come back at different times of year.
Exeter, Southern Highlands, NSW
Ninety minutes south of Sydney, high in the cool-climate country of the Southern Highlands — a landscape of village greens, established gardens, cellar doors and four real seasons. Set in the village of Exeter, with Bowral, Bundanoon, Moss Vale and Berrima all a short drive; the city feels a world away.
- How many people can Seven Oaks sleep?
- Seven bedrooms and five and a half bathrooms across the two homes: 7 guests in rooms of their own, or 15 twin share in proper beds. With the sofa beds for children and teenagers, a family group sleeps up to 25 — 14 in the five-bedroom manor house and 11 in the cottage (a bedroom and a loft).
- Is Seven Oaks exclusive use?
- Yes. Seven Oaks is whole-property only, one group at a time — you exclusively enjoy use of the manor house, the cottage and all 6 acres. There is a two-night minimum.
- Where in the Southern Highlands is Seven Oaks?
- In the village of Exeter, about 90 minutes south of Sydney, with Bowral, Bundanoon, Moss Vale and Berrima all a short drive away.
- What kinds of groups stay at Seven Oaks?
- Corporate teams and leadership offsites, family reunions and milestone celebrations, bridal parties, and wellness, creative and leadership retreats.
- How far is Seven Oaks from Sydney?
- About 90 minutes by car from Sydney.
- Can the kings be made up as singles?
- Yes. Every king bed at Seven Oaks splits into two singles, so a room can be set up for a couple or for two colleagues or friends — tell us how you would like each room when you book. For your comfort, every bedroom and bathroom has a privacy lock, ensuites included.
- Is someone on hand during our stay?
- Yes. Every stay at Seven Oaks is hosted: someone who knows the property — often one of us — is on site or close by for your whole stay, to help with the practical side of a large country property and to look after the house and garden alongside you. Your host can arrange catering, breakfasts, floristry, wellness activities or transport — from trusted local partners — to make your stay just right. Just ask when you book.
- Is there parking?
- Yes — parking on site for sixteen cars.
- Are pets allowed?
- No — we are not able to accommodate pets at Seven Oaks.
- Can we arrange a private chef or catering?
- Yes. We have preferred local suppliers for private chefs and catering, and are happy to put you in touch when you book.
- What is the minimum stay?
- Two nights. Seven Oaks is booked as a whole property, one group at a time.
Plan your stay
Two-night minimum · whole-property only. Tell us your dates and we'll take care of the rest.
Check availability