Steve Bowden set to emerge as Wattle Ridge buyer in Southern Highlands

The former rugby league player-turn-hotelier Steve Bowden will emerge as the mystery $8.25 million buyer of the Southern Highlands estate, Wattle Ridge.

The 258-hectare Hill Top holding in Nattai was sold by publisher Matt Handbury and Clare Strang earlier this spring.

​Bowden, who played for the Newtown Jets from 1978 to 1982, recently sold two hotels, the Hurstville Ritz Hotel and Cabramatta Hotel for a $90 million total.

Labelled one of the outstanding rural estate on the Southern Highlands, the 20 hectare parcel is bounded on three sides by the Nattai National Park.

William Zuccon designed the six bedroom American Georgian style home that was completed in 1998, with interior decoration from Thomas Hamel.

An all-weather tennis court, heated pool, dressage arena with two stables and a three bedroom cottage for guest accomodation.

As a working farm its is capable of carrying 50 breeding cows and horses.