Hello, I’m Cindy Bunt!

About Cindy

Hiya! I’ve often been described as a passionate wearer of many hats—and that feels like a pretty accurate description.

The Post & Rail is an immersive cooking, gardening and art school set within two beautiful heritage-listed buildings in the heart of Penola. It’s a place where people can step away from everyday life, learn something new, share delicious food and enjoy the company of like-minded people.

My love of teaching began at our home property in Compton, near Mount Gambier, where I started running cooking and gardening classes after many years of working with food, plants and people. What began as a small idea grew into five wonderful years of classes, along with a nursery where we propagated and grew our own plants from scratch.

Then I learnt how to paint.

I had never considered myself artistic, so discovering that painting was a skill I could learn was quite life-changing. Before long, art became another part of the school. I’m now passionate about helping people who have never painted before discover that creativity isn’t something reserved for a talented few—it can be learnt, enjoyed and embraced at any age.

As the school grew, it began to outgrow our home. I dreamed of bringing the cooking, gardening, art and nursery together in one special place, surrounded by other businesses and a community where it could continue to flourish.

Then we discovered the much-loved former Cobb & Co property in Penola, and it was love at first sight.

Today, The Post & Rail offers a wonderful and ever-changing range of hands-on experiences. You might learn to make fresh pasta, sourdough, cheese and butter, explore the flavours of another country, create a beautiful piece of art, or discover practical skills to use in your own garden.

My classes are relaxed, welcoming and designed for real people—not experts. You don’t need any previous experience, fancy equipment or special talent. You simply need to come along with a little curiosity and a willingness to have a go.

For me, there is something incredibly special about helping someone make food from scratch, grow something with their own hands or create a painting they never believed they were capable of. It builds confidence, brings people together and reminds us of the joy found in slowing down and making something ourselves.

The Post & Rail is about much more than learning a recipe or completing a project. It’s about gathering around the table, sharing knowledge, having a laugh, meeting new people and leaving with skills and memories that stay with you long after the class has finished.

I hope you’ll join me in Penola for a class and discover just how much fun it can be to cook, grow or create something from scratch.

xx Cindy