Our story — Meet Pawandeep
After 30 years in Sydney working as a civil engineer, I found myself craving a slower pace and the chance to create something tangible. In 2015, my wife and I packed up our lives and moved south to Berry, on the NSW South Coast. It felt like the right place for a clean slate — close to the ocean, surrounded by green fields, and just the right size to feel part of a community.
Before this, I had spent decades managing large infrastructure projects where precision and practical design were non-negotiable. But as much as I valued those skills, I wanted to apply them to something more personal. One day, I found myself repairing an old leather wallet I’d had for years. I realised I missed working directly with my hands. It sparked something I couldn’t ignore.
Alderton Goods started in our garage with a small cutting table and a secondhand sewing machine. The first product we made was a leather wallet, stitched from hides sourced from a tannery in Bendigo. I chose leather because it reminded me of the enduring craftsmanship I’d admired growing up in Punjab. That wallet became the blueprint for what we do now — practical, well-made goods using Australian materials whenever we can.
These days, we’ve outgrown the garage and work out of a small workshop just outside Berry. It’s still just me and a few locals who help with assembly and packing, but we like it that way. Every piece is still designed, tested, and refined here before it finds its way to you. Thanks for supporting what we do.
— Cheers, Pawandeep, Pawandeep Singh
Journal
Why Merino Throws Are Perfect For Berry Winters
On cold Berry mornings, I’ve learned how a merino wool throw is more than just warm — it’s reliable.
I didn’t fully understand how cold Berry could get in May until my first winter here. Those brisk mornings that make you question everything — why you left Sydney, why houses down here don’t seem to believe in proper insulation. It’s a learning curve, for sure. But one thing I did get right early on was keeping a stash of merino wool throw blankets around the house.
Merino wool is a marvel. It’s lightweight, almost airy, but it traps heat like nothing else. Our throws are made with Tasmanian merino, sourced from a farm near Oatlands. It’s a smaller operation focused on superfine-grade wool, and their sheep are the happiest I’ve ever seen. The quality speaks for itself. Each throw’s around 2kg — enough to feel substantial but not smothering.
I keep one folded over my favourite chair in the living room. There’s another on the end of the bed, and most mornings you’ll find me wrapped in one, coffee in hand, looking out at the paddocks. It’s a small thing, but it’s made the winters here feel less daunting.
Merino isn’t just about warmth; it breathes. That’s the secret to why you don’t overheat, even with the fire going. For anyone who’s never tried it, it’s hard to describe — it’s sort of like the material adjusts to you. The throws also don’t pill much, which is always a relief because I hate when things start looking tired after just a year or two.
So that’s my unsolicited advice for getting through southern NSW winters: a good wool throw, a strong coffee, and accepting that Berry mornings are always brisk. Spring’ll come eventually, but until then, merino has your back.
Our Bamboo Cheese Boards: The Origin Story
Our bamboo cheese boards started with a challenge: finding a material that balanced durability, maintenance, and sustainability.
The first time I thought about cheese boards, I was still finding my feet in Berry. It came up during a long chat over wine — as most good ideas do. Someone mentioned how their old wooden boards needed conditioning every other month and how plastic ones just looked sad on the table. That stuck with me.
When I started researching materials, bamboo kept coming up. It’s technically a grass, not wood, which is why it grows so fast. Australia isn’t big on bamboo farming, but we found a supplier in Bundaberg who imports untreated bamboo planks and cuts them to size locally. Every board we make starts with them. Each plank is inspected by hand; they reject anything warped or uneven.
One of the best things about bamboo is its density. It’s resistant to scratches and doesn’t absorb moisture the way some woods do. That’s why our boards don’t warp or crack after a few uses. The grooves for the crackers and little recess for the knives — those details were refined after weeks of mocking up prototypes. I treated it like a design puzzle, which pleased the perfectionist in me no end.
We deliberately kept the boards at 35cm by 25cm. It’s big enough to hold a good mix of cheeses and fruit but not so big that it takes over your table. And yes, it fits snugly into most kitchen drawers. I measured, twice.
Every time I see one of our cheese boards in the wild, I’m reminded of how much thought went into those early tweaks. It’s like a small beacon of practicality — something useful that doesn’t demand too much from you. Just get some brie and crackers, and it’s happy to do the rest.
The Details Behind Our Leather Wallets
Making a leather wallet involves more steps than I ever guessed, each crucial to the final piece.
Before we moved to Berry, my understanding of leather goods was, at best, superficial. You’d find one you liked, hope the price made sense, and hope even harder it wouldn’t start peeling after six months. Turns out, there’s a whole world of detail I’d been missing.
Take our Classic Wallet as an example. We use full-grain leather — this is the top layer of the hide, not sanded down or coated. It’s why you’ll see natural marks and variation. We source it from a tannery in Victoria that’s been operating since the 1930s. They buy hides from local cattle farmers, and their tanning process takes about 45 days per batch, which is slow, but worth it.
The stitching has to be precise. If one stitch is off, the wallet won’t sit flat or might start to warp over time. Each wallet has around 45 individual stitches. Yes, we counted. We’re also stubborn about the edges — they’re burnished by hand to make sure they’re smooth. No shortcuts, even though machines could technically do it faster.
Every wallet goes through two rounds of quality checks. First at the workshop, and then here in Berry. I’ve personally rejected wallets for things like uneven threading or a scratch in the wrong spot. It feels pedantic sometimes, but people spend years carrying these, so small flaws matter.
When I carry mine, it reminds me of the dozens of hands and hours that went into it. Sometimes it’s easy to forget, looking at something so simple. But nothing about making a wallet — a good wallet — is simple.
Autumn Yoga and the Case for Eco Mats
This autumn, I’ve come to appreciate the ritual of yoga outdoors — and why a sturdy mat makes it easier.
Autumn in Berry is a bit magical. The mornings smell of damp earth, the afternoons are mild, and the sunsets feel like they’re in high definition. It’s my favourite time to roll out my yoga mat outside, usually under the old gum tree near the back paddock. It’s a grounding sort of thing, pun intended.
Our Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats were born out of frustration with the cheap ones you see everywhere. PVC mats are flimsy, they smell weird, and they start to peel once you actually use them. Ours are made from natural rubber, with a textured top layer for grip. The rubber comes from plantations in Malaysia, certified to avoid deforestation. That part mattered to me.
Each mat weighs about 2.5kg — heavy enough to stay put, light enough to carry. There’s no sliding around when you’re holding downward dog, which I appreciate more than I can articulate. We kept the thickness at 5mm, a sweet spot between cushioning and stability. Too thick, and balancing poses feel wobbly. Too thin, and your knees will tell you about it.
I store mine rolled up in the laundry when I’m not using it. It’s held up through mud, morning dew, and even a visiting magpie who decided to investigate it with her claws. A quick wipe-down with water and it’s good to go again.
If you’ve never tried yoga outdoors, autumn’s the time to start. Just pick a spot with a bit of shade, bring a mat that won’t let you down, and don’t overthink it. The magpies might even join you.
Customer reviews
Sarah T. — Bondi, NSW — 2024-01-15 — 5/5
Perfect gift!
I bought the Alderton Bamboo Cheese Board Set as a housewarming gift. It arrived beautifully packed and was a hit with my friends.
James R. — Fitzroy, VIC — 2024-03-10 — 4/5
Good quality flask
The insulated flask keeps my tea hot for hours. Delivery was a bit slower than expected, but overall I’m satisfied.
Priya K. — Newtown, NSW — 2024-05-22 — 5/5
Soft and cosy
The Merino Wool Throw Blanket is incredibly warm and looks great on the couch. Worth every cent.
Liam M. — West End, QLD — 2025-02-01 — 4/5
Great investment
The Classic Leather Wallet feels sturdy and looks sleek. It’s a bit pricier than I’d usually pay, but the quality is evident.
Emily P. — Surry Hills, NSW — 2024-08-10 — 5/5
Exceeded expectations
Ordered the Eco-Friendly Yoga Mat, and it’s perfect for my daily workouts. The grip is fantastic, and it arrived faster than I thought!
Marcus D. — Darwin, NT — 2024-11-03 — 5/5
Highly recommend
I’ve been using the Alderton Bamboo Cheese Board Set for hosting, and it’s been a standout piece at every gathering.
Rachel S. — Norwood, SA — 2025-04-12 — 5/5
Fantastic blanket
I bought the Merino Wool Throw Blanket for winter, and it’s now my favourite thing. Super soft and warm!
Nathan J. — New Farm, QLD — 2025-06-25 — 4/5
Durable wallet
The leather wallet has held up well after months of use. Nicely packaged too!
Shipping
We ship Australia-wide using Australia Post for standard deliveries and StarTrack for express. Standard shipping typically takes 3–7 business days, while express shipping arrives within 1–3 business days, depending on your location. Orders placed before 2pm AEST Monday–Friday are processed the same day.
All orders are packed securely to ensure they arrive in great condition. If your item arrives damaged, please contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photos of the damage and packaging so we can arrange a replacement or refund.
Shipping is free for orders over $150. For orders below $150, shipping costs are calculated at checkout. All prices include GST, and you’ll receive tracking details once your order is dispatched.
Returns
You can return your item within 30 days of purchase under Australian Consumer Law, provided it’s unused and in its original condition. To start a return, contact us at returns@aldertongoods.com with your order number and reason for return.
Refunds will be processed back to your original payment method within 5–7 business days after we’ve received and inspected the item. Shipping costs are non-refundable unless the product is faulty or incorrect.
Some items are excluded from our return policy, such as custom orders, gift cards, and final sale items. If you have any questions about eligibility, reach out to our support team for clarification before returning.