The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia • Page 72

ROMANTIC ESCAPES GHOST STORIES Peppers Mount Broughton Resort, in the southern highlands at Sutton Forest. veer HtiIhi(D)vini foimffife The Leura Gardens Ibis Resort is offering a Valentine's Special for the month of February for only Q750 By JAMES SHRIMPTON AT Peppers Mount Broughton resort in the NSyV southern highlands, youll have a super time. Maybe even supernatural. It seems that some of the inhabitants are neither guests nor staff, although they may have been when the main building was a private landowner's residence. Parts of the handsome- mansion date back to 1878.

It became a guesthouse in 1979. At some time in the intervening years, a housemaid is said to have died in a fire near the first-floor nursery and she may still be seen or heard going about her duties in the wee small hours. Housekeeper Robyn Toohey, relating this and other ghost stories, said there was nothing in official records to confirm a fire. Some stories GETAWAY Mount Broughton, set in 1 85 hectares. SPEND VALENTINE'S DAY ON THE TITANIC includes: Champagne and Chocolates on arrival and a romantic dinner for two at the Cottage Cafe-Restaurant.

A Full Country Hot Breakfast for two the following morning plus free entry into the historic Everglades Gardens. say that it was a baby who died. Be that as it may, the cry of a baby is said to have been heard in what was then a housekeeper's room upstairs, only for the room to be found empty. A Beethoven piano classic has been heard overnight in the old music room where there is no longer a piano. Doors have slammed mysteriously, and a chef has reported pots and pans floating in the kitchen.

These tales only add a little spice to the attractions of peaceful Mount Broughton, one of four such upmarket getaway properties managed by Peppers in NSW. There are two Peppers properties in the Hunter Valley, plus The Anchorage at Port Stephens. Only 90 minutes along the F5 freeway from Sydney, Mount Broughton is set in 183 pleasant rolling hectares with a golf course adjacent It features tennis courts, a swimming pool, gymnasium and bicycle paths. Close by is an equestrian centre, and the dozens of antique shops that pepper Berrima, Bowral and Moss Vale. In winter, the roaring log fires are a special attraction with frost and This Valentine's Day, (Saturday, Feb.

14), the furanta Hotel Centred is recreating Conditions Apply the golden era of cruise liners, a the Titanic. As a firsldass muenaer vmtf eniav lincurv accommodation and an elegant three course dinner starling with a Leura Gardens Fitzroy Street, Leura. Tel: (02) 4784 1331 ToU Free 1800 023 689. Fax (02) 4784 1813 romantic "cocktail. After dinner there -wifl be dancing to our on board band.

You can then retire to your comfortable that no obstacles lie The 41 accommodation rooms include three spacious suites in the main building and the refurbished Elms Cottages nearby. Guests can relax around the resort or play golf at the splendid Mount Broughton course, which was ranked 18th in the State by a golf magazine Peppers Mount Broughton is 90 minutes' drive from Sydney. One-night room rates, including breakfast, at Mount Broughton begin at S90 per person twin-share from Sundays to Thursdays, and from S105 on Fridays and Saturdays. Two-night packages with breakfast three-course dinner are from S235 and $275. The author was a weekend guest of Peppers Mount Broughton.

the occasional snow flurry outside. There is also Christmas In July festivities that abound in the Blue Mountains and southern highlands. But all year round it's easy to enjoy driving around the southern highlands and nearby Kangaroo Valley to breathe in the clean air and take in the scenery. As well as tempting discerning tourists, this is what has lured a number of. high-profile people in commerce, politics and show business to establish country homes in the area.

Mount Broughton has become a popular spot for speciality weekends, wedding receptions and business conferences. Available for conferences are three rooms with a capacity of 220, the largest holding 120. ahead and that breaUast will mi be served the Jt 1 I I Xe jig' following morning, limited podkages mm i Book now. WAV i FURAMA HOTEL CENTRAL 28 Albion Street Surry Hills Ptrc 1800 024 231 or (02) 9281 0333 Naughty Knights 50 f79- fr rrotn We celebrate Valentines Day 365 times a miling faces, secret year at the Awards-winning Sir Stamford Double Bay; don't you deserve it? Your night of indulgence includes: overnight deluxe queen room accommodation in a silk-draped, lavish 4-poster bed; carparking; 24-hour use of the ronton themed pool, spa and sauna; fresh plunger coffee daily newspaper; and all in the trendy cafe, restaurant and boutique shopping ana that is Double Bay! Harry, rooms are very limited. jjirVell show you the real Fiji The luxurious "mw reef escape (Dro ki Cakau) genuinely friendut islanders.

Unforgettable emmt SIR STAMFORD 22 Kjkjx Street. Doubb By Xtirfom (612) 5063 0100 FmestwdU (612) 93273110 ToU Fror fUstrvmtiomf I 900 005 STAMFORD HOTELS A RESORTS SYDNEY MELBOURNE ADELAIDE AUCKLAND 9 50 pt ptnam. twm (tan far a Dtfcat Qmm Soon Offer nld wil 24(0 wuno i a ucauimu idMuj jiiu iviaiiiaiiuia ana -rugnc cruises sail every weeK. islands, snorkel over vibrant coral reefs, swim mfsm g-m See your travel agent into the famous yasawa caves and see thousands Vfi lCCJ Gr phone 1800-804-843 of tropical fish. On interesting trips ashore youH (in Sydney phone 9206-1 100).

visit REMOTE NATIVE VILLAGES and meet FIJI ISLANDS rmpwww.caplcookcruj.corn.au atari przmfKB. Encaair of jittH Gcwt Aumwnulgton Lrrj, 3 -NIGHT CRUISE 4 WIGHT UPGRADE 1125. 7-NIGHT UPGRADE 1199 VAUD CRUISiS TtU, 31 3.M 74 THE SUN-HERALD, February 1, 1998.