Professionals Tamborine Mountain 
Directly next to the Mount Tamborine Winery is the charming Mountain House. Rebecca Isijanovski, owner of
this charming gift shop, is something of a local tour guide for her more distant customers, and is more than happy to share her story and local knowledge with us today.
by Kyle Hitchmough
For those who might not know, how would you describe Mountain House?
I always describe it as an ‘aesthetic homewares gift store’. It’s in front of a winery, so it’s aesthetic, a place to come to experience as well as buy.
How long have you owned Mountain House, and how did you come to own it?
I worked for the previous owner for about 18 months, then about two and a half years ago she put the business up for sale and I bought it from her! I got to know the locals and how this whole thing runs right before I bought it. It was definitely an advantage.
Your store backs directly onto the Mount Tamborine Winery. Is there a significant link between your businesses?
We do work together on some things, like cross-promotional stuff. I know the girls who work next door really well, since I’ve worked these last few years with them. But we are separate businesses. People sometimes get confused. Aesthetically we match, and I’ve done that deliberately. We just try and support each other!
Do you have any notably best-selling items in your range?
We’ve got a couple of brands here that do really well. They’re Australian-owned brands. I try to stock locally-made products to help local Australian business. Our Ivy & Wood products do really well, they’re a couple up in Brisbane who make diffusers and candles using Australian essential oils. Myrtle & Moss are made just north of Melbourne, they’re a good brand we have that we’ve stocked for many, many years. Our Rugged Hide collection of Australian leather, things like that.
What about any personal favourites?
I love things that smell good, so I’m a huge fan of the diffusers. I have quite a few of them. I’m also a huge homewares fan. I’m always getting beautiful ceramics in here. It’s always a turnover, since I always try to keep things new and fresh. We have a few local ceramicists up here as well.
Are there any particular trends in your clientele?
They’re usually in couples or friend groups. We don’t get a lot of solo day trippers, I’ve noticed. I think because it’s a destination, not just somewhere you pop to go get things, I think people make it a bit of a trip. You don’t really want to do that alone, so people tend to bring their friends or family.
What goes into an average day for you working here?
An average day basically consists of people walking in, having a chat, having a look around. Usually it’s people who are just up here for the day or the weekend, but sometimes it’s locals who are just checking out the local stores, what’s on offer… It’s so nice because every time a new couple walks in here who’ve just moved up here they’ll say “We’re so glad we’ve found this place! We’re going to come back when we’re furnishing our new house!” It’s really cute.
Are you a local? What’s your opinion on the Mount Tamborine area and community?
I used to be! I grew up here. It used to be pretty small, but I’ve noticed that it expanded very quickly, with a lot of young families, which is a really nice change. It’s really nice to see some new couples up here bringing a bit of a different feel.
Is there anywhere you personally like to go on the mountain?
Obviously, every time I bring people up here I’m always bringing them to my store and next door to try wines and food. I also love Witches Falls Winery, that’s one of my favourites. Anywhere with a view, St Bernards, places like that. There’re so many really great venues here.
What do you think Mountain House really provides to the area?
I think it really gives an authentic feel to the mountain. I’ve tried to make a farmhouse, country, Mount Tamborine feel. Lots of green and woods and earthiness. I’ve tried to give it that feeling of being a location within a location.
What do you enjoy most about doing this?
I love the people part of it. I love meeting people who come in here, mostly because they’re usually travelers and it’s so easy just to chat to people for ages in here. I love ordering for this place as well, giving it a look and a feel that I like.
Have you had any particularly memorable moments in your time here?
There’s been a couple of times I’ve had some funny interactions! I’ve had people come in asking for really odd things. There was one time some guy came in and asked me where the bees were. I was like “…Do you mean beehives?” Unfortunately, we didn’t have any.
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