STOCKIST SPOTLIGHT: Aprésmountain, Rylstone, NSW

Introducing the town of Rylstone, Wiradjuri Country, a glorious mountain town in NSW on the Cudgegong River. It’s known for its great produce, and it is surrounded by beautiful hiking trails and river adventures. 

Julie Hunter, creator of Aprésmountain, got in contact to stock our gear. She started the business as a community environment centre with a retail store attached, where locals and visitors can pick up what they need to explore the outdoors. 

We asked her a few quick questions about why she started Aprésmountain and what to do in Rylstone.

Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp in Rylstone

1. What inspired you to start a community environment centre in Rylstone, and how does the retail store complement that vision?

The community and the landscape inspired me to create Aprésmountain. It was an idea that was brewing for a little while, and this incredible space became available on the main street in town, and I jumped at it. By having this space, I am hoping that it inspires evermore collaboration across groups and different fields and that it provides the opportunity to gather, share ideas, share knowledge and make informed nature-positive decisions that enable action and change.  

Aprésmountain is available for nature-positive individuals, groups, not-for-profits and environmental educators to use for meetings, talks and workshops. By having the store, this allows me to do this at no cost. Every purchase contributes back into the running of the space.

The community support and the response has been incredible so far. We can be joyous in our hearts that there are so many people doing amazing things, and it's just that maybe we haven't met them yet. I have met climate change podcasters, activists, geologists, park rangers, makers, artists, spiritual healers, regenerative farmers, trail runners, cyclists, environmental advocates, community caretakers, and so many more incredible humans because of having the store.

Pagoda Lookout near Rylstone looking over Wollemi National Park

2. Rylstone is known for its stunning natural surroundings and outdoor adventures. What are your favourite picks to discover the area?

One of the best things about being in regional NSW is that you can hit the trails and the outdoors as soon as you step out the front door, which is a dream come true for a trail runner and hiker like me. There are so many places to explore, and since opening Aprésmountain people have been popping in to share their adventures with me.  I learnt about geocaching the other week, and I am excited about this as it means even more new adventures and discoveries. When you visit, be sure to explore the Rylstone Commons, Ferntree Gully, and Ganguddy Swamp and spend time along the river. There is so much nature and wildlife about, every day is spectacular, and the ever-changing sky is beyond captivating.

3. Environmental responsibility is a big part of both SÜK and your store's ethos. How do you approach this in your business, and what does it mean to your community?

Everything for the store is considered for the story it tells, its durability and its end of life and my aim is to have no product waste.  

When setting up the space I decided the responsible thing was to restore rather than do a new fit-out, I made use of old shop fittings that were destined for landfill, and I commissioned a local maker to craft a long table from reclaimed wood with every piece having a wonderful story. The brief was to make a table that people would have important conversations around, and they would be conversations that could change the world.  It’s that type of vision, collaborative effort and ethos around storytelling and sustainability that makes the space what it is. 

This extends beyond the store and into our community. We have influential environmental groups who are actively campaigning to protect nature and its creatures. We have a healthy koala population in the region as well and there is lots of education happening regarding this. And our town is made up of incredible volunteers who look after many of the places that you will visit like at Ferntree Gully and the Commons.

4. If someone were visiting Rylstone for the first time, what's the perfect day out - where should they go, what should they see, and of course, what should they pick up from Aprésmountain (SÜK or not) to support them?

Saturdays are a buzz with energy, starting with coffee and brekky in town, followed by chit-chats with us locals along Louee Street – we are a talkative bunch. As you walk along the main street, pop in and hang out in Aprésmountain for a bit and learn about our natural environment and check out the photos of our local koalas.

Next would be a drive to Ferntree Gully for a short hike with the reward of dumplings for lunch and an afternoon cool drink at the Globe Hotel. Perhaps you may like to go for a swim in the local pool which has incredible views of Coomber Mountain, take an early eve walk on the Rylstone Commons and watch the sunset. Enjoy a yummy dinner at the pub or one of our restaurants, the Mexican is so good! And then, after all of this, be sure to look up into the night sky at the stars and the Milky Way.  

When at Aprésmountain you may like to pick up a new SÜK Roper suit. The one I am wearing right now is in Burgundy, along with my plum-coloured Aprésmountain tee. Our tees you can only buy in Rylstone in the store. A friend bought me a cute koala cap, which matches perfectly. It’s become my staple outfit, and you will see me rocking it and dancing about to tunes in the store. Or maybe I will be in my Lagoon Suit as I have a lot of fun and adventures in that too. 

Cannot wait to meet you sometime soon! Pop by and say hello.

Aprésmountain 

37 Louee Street 

Rylstone NSW 

us@apresmountain.com.au