The White Horse Inn situated in beautiful Berrima has a history spanning more than 170 years. Constructed circa 1832, it is the third oldest building in Berrima surviving two fires. It's underground cellars have manacles and handcuffs where convicts were held, until the gaol was completed. The Inn was the largest building built for private use at one time. Inside, the original bushranger bolts are still on the doors. The building was converted into an Inn – called Oldbury’s Inn in 1875 whilst owned by Ben Osbourne who lived at Hopewood Estate. The initials BO can be seen in the glass etching above the front door. During this period Mr Osbourne built the dining room addition. In 1886 it was purchased by the Commercial Banking Corporation & used as a bank. In 1914 it was purchased by Rev Charles Wright who was the Lord Archbishop of Sydney - probably for private use - In 1924 it probably became The White Horse Inn when purchased by the Brown sisters. 

On one of the rare occasions when the normally gentle Wingecarribee River burst its banks, the Inn was flooded in the cellar, apparently trapping a convict named James who was at that particular time chained to the wall. Since then any and all unexplainable happenings have been attributed to 'Jimmy', the resident ghost.

Over the years, the Inn has passed through a series of ownerships, until it was purchased by the Fuller family in the early 1980's, who have lovingly and painstakingly restored and decorated the Inn to its present state of old world beauty and peaceful elegance.

Winifred Jensen

About Berrima

The historic village of Berrima situated in the Southern Highlands of NSW is a leisurely 1 1/2 hours drive from Sydney and easily accessible by Canberra and surrounds. The village lies 14kms south of Mittagong and is considered the best remaining example of a small Australian town of the 1830's. Berrima was founded in 1829 by Sir Thomas Mitchell, the Surveyor-General of NSW, and in it's heyday was an affluent community with a population of over 500 people. Situated alongside the Wingecarribee River, meant there was abundant water supplies and building materials. Work on Berrima commenced in 1830, a Gaol and Courthouse were among the first buildings to be erected. Although it is over 100 years since the last trial was conducted in Berrima, history has been kind to the Courthouse, and it now stands restored to it's original grandeur and is open to visitors 7 days a week.

Berrima soon prospered and quickly grew from a lazy riverside meadow to a thriving and vibrant town until it was decided that the impending railroad was to bypass Berrima, 8kms to the east passing through Bowral and Moss Vale instead. The residents became disillusioned and moved their families elsewhere abandoning their homes and closing shops and hotels. At the beginning of this century the population was 8. Time stood still in Berrima until the Hume Highway, the major route between Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne, passed through the town. In 1967 the Government of NSW formed a trust and passed a legislature to ensure that the historical qualities and charm of this delightful village be preserved for future generations.