Innholdsfortegnelse for No. 3 - 2024 i Country Style Specials

My days of checking into youth hostels are long gone. I briefly upgraded to chain hotels, but soon moved on from those too. There’s nothing I enjoy more than staying in a holiday house. It feels special to stay in someone’s home, one they’ve decorated and added their own personal touches to. You’re entering their world and getting a sneak peak into how they live. I recently stayed at Mulberry Cottage in Bumbaldry, New South Wales (see page 76), and had the privilege of getting to know Natalie and Robert Caruana. Natalie took me on a tour of their farm and we had dinner together – such a hospitable couple who shared so much of themselves. Staying in a house with all the creature comforts makes you feel instantly relaxed…

Within walking distance of the main street of Birregurra and in close proximity to Victoria’s Great Otway National Park, Billies Retreat is a 100-year-old cottage that has been reimagined as a cosy weekender for visitors to the region. Mick and Jade Sgro were the perfect pair to take on its restoration, this being the fourth renovation they’ve tackled together. “We were in the house for under five minutes and we were totally smitten,” says Jade of the first time they saw the charming property. “There was brown, peeling wallpaper, which barely covered the hessian-clad lining boards in the entry, and the kitchen had ’70s vinyl flooring and orange wallpaper. The blue 1950s bathroom was another nice touch. It was a true renovator’s delight and only made us love it more.”…

QUINDALUP WA Perched on the tranquil coastline of Western Australia in the heart of the Margaret River, this seaside sanctuary offers a place for stillness amid the gentle bustle of Quindalup. Nicole Cartledge – the creator behind Milc. Homewares – has owned the property for over 20 years, after being invited to an open inspection by a close friend. “It was not my first time seeing it, as funnily enough, I had stayed at the property in my teens as a nanny for the family who originally built it,” says Nicole. “It was a bit like coming home.” The renovation process was gradual and the thoughtful interiors followed suit, with incremental changes made that kept guests in mind at every stage. “In the beginning we didn’t really have a budget,…

BUNDANOON NSW The approach to Osborn House – a long, curving drive lined with tall conifers – is the first sign that a night or two here will lift you out of everyday worries. And walking into the grand home, first built in 1892, confirms it: the cosy, comfortable interiors have an eclectic, English country-house feel, and for very good reason – they were created by Linda Boronkay, the former design director at Soho House. As you’d expect, every space has been carefully considered, from the magical trellised walkway leading to the entrance, to the traditional reception desk with its wall of leather-tasselled keys, and the delightfully comfortable chairs surrounding the flickering fireplace in George’s Bar. On arrival, I spent a happy half hour just exploring the public rooms, which…

TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN QLD This wholesome cottage, perched on a ridge of south-east Queensland’s Tamborine Mountain, was originally built in 1921 as a wedding present for Helene Manitzky and her new husband William Woolcott by Helene’s father. However, shortly into their time as newlyweds, William was sent to fight in World War II. Helene stayed behind, becoming the first of a long line of women who would own and operate the cottage. Today, its current owners have restored the home to its former glory, creating a space where new memories can be made by lovebirds from all over the world. As you approach Woolcott Cottage, you will be greeted by the sight of lush greenery and stunning views of the mountain ranges. The quaint cottage is built in a traditional Queensland…

MILLTHORPE NSW The heritage-listed town of Millthorpe in the central west of New South Wales is known for its historic buildings and cobblestoned streets; a time capsule of 19th-century Australia. Just down the road, stylist Ainsley Sullivan and her husband James have created the perfect bolthole from which to explore the region – a luxurious two-bedroom cottage inspired by classic American style. Ainsley is a long-time fan of interior designer Shea McGee of Studio McGee’s work and aimed to incorporate elements of Shea’s signature traditional-meets-modern style into the new build on their 121-hectare sheep farm. Starting from scratch was a treat for the couple, who painstakingly renovated their 150-year-old house on the same property in 2017. “With a renovation, you’ve got to make someone else’s choices work for you,” Ainsley…

KIRUP WA It’s the simple moments that make a stay at Brookhampton Road Farm such a treat: being greeted by the resident alpacas, Ringo and Roberto, upon arrival; eating ripe plums and pears straight from the tree; searching for marron along the dam’s edge; sampling local wine and cheese in the Meditation Hut while the Angus cattle watch on. “What makes a farmstay special is that every visit can be wildly different,” says Abbey Briggs, who purchased the 29-hectare working farm and orchard with her fiancé Andrew Britton in 2021. “One of our greatest pleasures has been sharing our favourite experiences of the property with our guests.” The couple were living and working in London when they first hatched a plan of eventually moving back to Australia and starting a…

From the outside, the red-brick facade of the old Braithwaite bakery and corner store stands as a reminder of the once bustling neighbourhood hub that served the locals of Sandy Bay, Hobart, up until the 1970s. Then once inside, a light-filled, architecturally designed one-bedroom apartment brings guests back to the present, its considered interiors providing the perfect base from which to explore Hobart and its surrounding suburbs. Alix and John Davis can be thanked for giving this historic building its new lease on life. Having moved from Sydney to Bonnet Hill, about 15 minutes outside of Hobart, in 2018, they quickly realised they were here to stay, and decided to look for a second base in Hobart. “This old bakery is in a really picturesque neighbourhood of workers’ cottages, and…

BASKET RANGE SA Every day, at dusk and dawn, Pickers Hut comes alive as flocks of black cockatoos glide through the valley to roost in the nearby trees. Black Angus cattle graze in the surrounding paddocks, the nearby wildflower gardens are swarming with birds and insects and you may even spot a koala or two in the branch of an old gum tree. It’s a picture-perfect setting for a romantic escape or small family getaway, and the Adelaide CBD is conveniently only 25 minutes away. The original hut – which is located in Basket Range in the Adelaide Hills, on the traditional lands of the Peramangk and Kaurna peoples – was built around 1940, and originally used by the Australian Women’s Land Army (AWLA), who filled labour shortages in the…

These days, it’s common for people to juggle multiple roles, but what’s rare is for an old factory to take on the ethos without losing its charm. For Milk Haus, that’s exactly what happened, with the converted 19th-century cheese factory becoming a sustainable eatery, a retail pop-up, a cooking school and farm-style lodgings. Located in the scenic foothills just outside of Milton on the New South Wales South Coast, Milk Haus was established in 2014 as a wholefood canteen, with owners Kitty and Nat coming on board in 2020 to continue its story. The former corporate executives dreamed of offering fresh food in an idyllic setting while also creating valuable community connections. Today, the garden-to-plate eatery is a sprawling operation offering a seasonal menu from its kitchen garden that includes…

MOSS VALE NSW Sometimes a place is a complete reflection of its owner. Moss Manor, the historic eight-room hotel in the New South Wales Southern Highlands town of Moss Vale, is one such place. Built in 1890 as the Moss Vale council chambers and mayoral residence, the building’s current custodian, Louella Grattan-Smith, has transformed it into an elegant, inviting hotel. Louella enlisted the help of architect Luke Moloney, who helped to thoughtfully restore the Georgian-style building while also designing a modern extension at the back. The new section is a long room with glass on both sides to bring the garden inside and ensure maximum natural light. It serves as a generous open-plan dining room and living area with four sofas. There is also a fireplace to sit around and…