WITHIN 3 HOURS OF THE CITY

Within 3 hours of the city - Luxury Travel Magazine


YOU DON’T ALWAYS HAVE TO TRAVEL FAR FOR A LUXURY HOLIDAY. LUXURY TRAVEL MAGAZINE HAS FOUND THE BEST LUXURY ROOMS WITHIN THREE HOURS OF AUSTRALIAN CITIES. THESE HOTELS, RESORTS AND PRIVATE RESIDENCES ARE CLOSE ENOUGH FOR A QUICK BREAK, BUT FAR ENOUGH AWAY TO FEEL LIKE YOU’VE LEFT YOUR CITY LIFE BEHIND. FOR MORE AMAZING LUXURY PROPERTIES WITHIN THREE HOURS OF YOUR CITY, VISIT THE NEW LUXURY TRAVEL MAGAZINE WEBSITE AT WWW.LUXURYTRAVELMAG.COM.AU AND GO TO THE WITHIN THREE HOURS SECTION.

All the pretty things



By: Madeleine Stratton, Issue 44 – Spring 2010
(Australia)

MADELEINE STRATTON SNUCK OUT OF SYDNEY AND HEADED NORTH FOR A QUICK BREAK AT PRETTY BEACH HOUSE.

Just to clarify, there is no beach at Pretty Beach. At least, not the kind of beach you’d expect to be accommodating a luxury beach house.

Pretty Beach is located on the western side of the NSW Central Coast’s Bouddi Peninsula, set on Brisbane Waters. Having skipped out of work early to avoid peak traffic, and travelling without the aid of a GPS, we’d managed not to get lost thanks to the meticulously laid out directions provided by the Pretty Beach House staff.

Upon our arrival via several steep and winding coastal roads we were met with a view of the calm waters dotted with moored boats and a stunning yellow and orange glow. Our arrival was conveniently and unintentionally coordinated with the setting of the Friday afternoon sun.

Pretty Beach House itself is perched on an escarpment above the beach, and the view from the property extends through a dense net of tangled eucalypt branches across the expanse of the waters.

Set on seven and a half acres of bush land and backing onto the Bouddi National Park, the property comprises a main building housing a lounge/dining area, bar, wine cellar, kitchen and staff quarters, and three one-bedroom pavilions, ensuring there is rarely more than a maximum of six guests staying there at one time.

Each of the pavilions placed out of the way of the others, creating a sense of privacy and isolation from fellow guests, who only seemed to cross our paths at meal times.

Housing much of what you’d expect (king-sized bed, lounge with flat-screen TV and cable, free Wi-Fi, bar, private deck and heated plunge pool-with-a-view), we stayed in the Bayview Pavilion, and it wouldn’t have been difficult to avoid the other guests completely if we’d chosen to spend the entire weekend holed up in our pavilion.

But more than enough to draw us to the main building was the prospect of feasting on chef Stefano Manfredi’s creations. Having designed the menu at sister property Bells at Killcare, Manfredi was brought on board to deliver his Modern Italian-style cuisine to Pretty Beach House guests. From breakfast to dinner, it seemed like there was a never-ending supply of fantastic food and great wine. Manfredi himself was present to chase away native birds eager to sample his wood-fired pizzas, as we too waited eagerly by the main house’s infinity pool.

The small team of staff was friendly and welcoming, and casual rather than rehearsed. They were constantly on hand to make sure our wine glasses were never empty, prepare backpacks for us and guide us on our way for a bushwalk through the National Park to nearby Tallow Beach, engage in political discussion whilst serving our lunch (we were staying during the election week), and made us feel as at home as one can when being waited on.

Rustic, cosy, calm, winding up the afternoon on our deck, the only sound to be heard cutting through the trees and wildlife was the whir of the plunge pool filter system. Our break at Pretty Beach House left us feeling one weekend was not enough.

DETAILS

Phone: 1300 PRETTY (1300 773 889)
Address: Pretty Beach House, Bouddi Peninsula, NSW
Website: www.prettybeachhouse.com.au
Pretty Beach House is located 100 kilometres north of Sydney on the NSW Central Coast.

RATES
Rates start from A$1,700 per night double occupancy (minimum two night stay). Rates include accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, morning and afternoon teas, non-alcoholic beverages and a selection of alcoholic beverages.
Children under 12 are welcome if all three pavilions are booked for one group.



BISHOPS COURT ESTATE, BATHURST, CENTRAL WEST DISTRICT, NEW SOUTH WALES

WITHIN THREE HOURS OF SYDNEY

Set on a hill overlooking Bathurst and the surrounding countryside is the historic home of Bathurst’s first Anglican Bishop, Samuel Marsden. Built in the late 1800s, the two-storey Victorian residence became the home of each successive Bishop of Bathurst and is now a secluded, six room guesthouse operating as Bishops Court. City escapees can enjoy rooms with large beds, marble bathrooms and terraces overlooking the property.

The residence has a chapel set on an acre of parkland gardens where guests can have dinner served by candlelight, or luncheons lingered over out in the gardens.

A short walk from the Bathurst CBD and the Macquarie River, visitors can visit the Bathurst Regional Art Gallery, Miss Traill’s cottage, and the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum on their way to Old Government House. Mount Panorama looms over town, giving intrepid hikers a view as good as its name.

DETAILS

Phone: + 61 2 6332 4447
Address: 228 Seymour Street, Bathurst, NSW
Website: www.bishopscourtestate.com.au
Bishops Court Estate is located in Bathurst, a 202km, three-hour drive from Sydney.

RATES
Midweek rates begin at A$200 per night including breakfast and complimentary evening aperitifs of liqueur and chocolates. Rates on weekends are from A$250. The Gourmet for Two package includes two nights accommodation, breakfast, silver service gourmet dining with local wines and a private wine experience at a local vineyard. Rates start from A$850 per couple. There are many other packages available, such as the Golfers Package, Artists Package, Farmers Market Passage and Gourmet Discovery Package. Contact Bishops Court for more information.
Neda Vanovac

BYRON AT BYRON, BYRON BAY, SCENIC RIM AND BYRON BAY REGION, NEW SOUTH WALES

WITHIN THREE HOURS OF BRISBANE

Two and a half hours south of Brisbane is the Byron at Byron Resort and Spa nestled within a 45-acre rainforest, home to several species of birds, reptiles and plants. The attractions of Byron Bay are only five minutes away, giving guests the chance to either spend hours relaxing poolside (or at the day spa) or enjoy the vibrant restaurants and shopping that the town has to offer.

Byron at Byron consists of 92 one-bedroom suites each with a kitchen, lounge, two balconies, king-sized beds and bathrooms with deep bathtubs. The Restaurant at the Byron at Byron is an inside/outside affair perfect for enjoying the rainforest with cocktail in hand. It is headed up by chef Gavin Hughes and showcases fresh local ingredients in modern Australian cuisine.

With a farmer’s market tour alongside the head chef, complimentary daily yoga and a range of spa treatments, the resort will keep guests busy, and a whole host of activities such as surfing, ballooning, horseback riding, kayaking and whale watching are available at Byron Bay.

DETAILS

Phone: +61 2 6639 2000
Address: 77-97 Broken Head Road, Byron Bay, NSW
Website: www.thebyronatbyron.com.au
Byron at Byron is just south of Byron Bay, which is a 2.5 hour drive from Brisbane.

RATES
The Superior Suites are A$385 per night and the Deluxe Spa Suites are A$425 per night. Try one of the many packages on offer such as the Endless Love romance package which is A$3,320 for a twin share and includes five nights accommodation in a deluxe spa suite, roses, champagne and gourmet hamper, full buffet breakfast, five-course degustation dinner and a 3.5-hour spa experience.
Vanessa Williams

JONAH’S, WHALE BEACH, SYDNEY SURROUNDS REGION,NEW SOUTH WALES

WITHIN THREE HOURS OF SYDNEY

A getaway favourite since its opening in 1929, Jonah’s is the silver-haired gentleman of the outer-Sydney luxury properties. Located in the exclusive enclave of Whale Beach on Sydney’s northern beaches, Jonah’s is renowned for its deliciously secluded charms. With just 11 rooms, guests are able to unwind and leave the city a million miles away (instead of only 25), their imagination swept out to sea with the harbour on one side and the Pacific on the other. Enjoy the 180 degree views from your private balcony, or sip some bubbly from your room’s Jacuzzi.

Make sure to visit to its eponymous restaurant, which has enjoyed a chef’s hat in the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide for the past two years. With renowned American chef George Francisco at the helm, the restaurant delivers modern Australian fare with seasonal accents and a heavy seafood accent, naturally. Jonah’s is one of the closest getaways from the relentlessness of the city that can have you forgetting all about it within an hour, as you take in yet another spectacular sunset and wonder what it was you were so worried about.

DETAILS

Phone: +61 2 9974 5599
Address: 69 Bynya Road, Whale Beach, Sydney, NSW
Website: www.jonahs.com.au
Jonah’s is an easy 45 minute drive from the Sydney CBD along the Northern Beaches Peninsula. You can also take a seaplane, a twelve-minute flight from Rose Bay. Contact Jonah’s for more information.

RATES
Ocean Retreat rooms in Jonah’s and Jonah’s Private start from A$499 including breakfast, Sunday-Thursday. The same rooms are A$750 per night Friday or Saturday, with both breakfast and dinner included. During the peak summer period, Ocean Retreat rooms are A$600 including breakfast.
Neda Vanovac

BLACK ROCK RETREAT, HOWTH, TASMANIA

WITHIN THREE HOURS OF LAUNCESTON

Halfway between Howth and Heybridge and 30 minutes east of Burnie Airport is Black Rock Retreat, perched on a hill with spectacular views of the Bass Strait.

The two-bedroom retreat with ensuites, barbeque on the deck, a separate spa room with a tub that has a view of the coast, in-house entertainment and a fully equipped laundry and kitchen, is in an isolated location for that far away, castaway feel.

However, Black Rock Retreat is eight minutes from the village of Penguin (where guests can visit the market), is ten minutes from the coastal town of Burnie and 35 minutes from Devonport. There are also walking and cycling tracks, fishing and the Rocky Cape National Park to the northwest. A qualified masseur is on hand if needed, and a full breakfast and gourmet hamper is provided. The décor features Tasmanian timbers and furniture and artwork by Tasmanian artists.

DETAILS

Phone: +61 3 6435 4282
Address: 77 Reynolds Road, Howth, TAS
Website: www.blackrockretreat.com.au
Black Rock Retreat is a little over an hour and a half North West of Launceston near Burnie.

RATES
Rates for the retreat are A$400 for two to four people for one night; A$375 per night for two nights; A$350 per night for three to four nights and A$270 per night for five to seven nights. The breakfast and gourmet hamper are included in the price. The masseur is extra, and must be booked a week in advance of the stay.
Vanessa Williams

CAPE LODGE, MARGARET RIVER, SOUTH WEST REGION, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

WITHIN THREE HOURS OF PERTH

Nestled in its own vineyard in Margaret River wine country is the award-winning Cape Lodge. The residence sits on 40 acres of parkland, manicured gardens, sweeping lawns and private lakes with 22 luxury rooms and suites.

The Cape Lodge Restaurant sits over the main lake. Executive Chef Tony Howell uses fresh local produce and complements dishes with a wide range of local premium and vintage wines.

Visitors can roam the grounds, splash in the free-form pool or take part in a guided walk along the Willyabrup coastal cliffs with a local wildflower expert, a winery tour, sunset canoeing in the Margaret River and a kangaroo safari.

DETAILS

Phone: +61 8 9755 6311
Address: 3341 Caves Road, Yallingup, WA
Website: www.capelodge.com.au
Cape Lodge is located just over three hours drive from Perth, three kilometres from the Indian Ocean between the towns of Margaret River, Dunsborough and Yallingup.

RATES
Superior Spa Suites are A$575 per night. Deluxe Forest Spa Suites are A$675 per night. Packages are available, such as the Romantic Luxury Escape: two nights accommodation, breakfast, room-service gourmet dinner platter and wine, complimentary afternoon tea, wine tasting and five-course tasting menu in the Cape Lodge Restaurant is A$1,650 per Superior Spa Suite and A$1,850 per Forest Spa Suite.

Cooking classes are A$95 per person, or guests can opt for a Cooking Class Package: two nights accommodation, breakfast, a two-hour cooking class and the five-course tasting menu for A$795 per person per Superior Spa Suite, and A$845 per person per Forest Spa Suite.
A limousine service, 80-minute coastal helicopter transfer from Perth, and one-hour charter flights are all available.
Neda Vanovac


MILTON PARK, BOWRAL, SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS REGION, NEW SOUTH WALES

WITHIN THREE HOURS OF SYDNEY

Set on its own estate east of Bowral in New South Wales’ Southern Highlands, Milton Park Country House Hotel is a secluded getaway only 90 minutes from Sydney. The Hordern family mansion was built at the turn of the last century, and welcomes guests to a quiet country retreat with 40 rooms and seven suites from which guests can look out onto the pine forest or matriarch Mary Hordern’s carefully laid out gardens. Guests can relax with a cocktail in the oak and marble-panelled Polo Bar and play billiards before dinner at Hordern’s Restaurant, which offers à la carte dining.

There are a host of things to do. There’s a fully-equipped gym and spa, a French bathhouse, tennis courts and five kilometres of walking track. The neighbouring villages of Bowral and Berrima are both short drives away and full of historic country character. The Southern Highlands offer golf courses, horseriding, bushwalking, abseiling, fly fishing, and wineries. Or you could just curl up by the fire with a good book.

DETAILS

Phone: +61 2 4861 8100
Address: Hordern’s Road, Bowral, NSW
Website: www.milton-park.com.au
Milton Park is 95km south of Sydney a few minutes’ drive from Bowral village.

RATES
The Tower Suites feature open lounges and ensuite spas. Forest Suites feature lounges, spas, fireplaces and private forest views. Some rooms have four-poster beds. There are a variety of packages on offer from weekday escapes to weekend retreats. The Weekend Opulent Retreat includes a bottle of sparkling wine, a massage at The Spa, breakfasts and a three-course dinner on one evening. Valid Friday to Sunday, the package for a Tower Suite is A$1,430 or A$1,635 for a Forest Suite.
Neda Vanovac

LINDENWARRAH, KING VALLEY, HIGH COUNTRY REGION, VICTORIA

WITHIN THREE HOURS OF MELBOURNE

Lindenwarrah is two and a half hours drive from Melbourne in the wine region of Milawa. This boutique hotel features courtyards, fountains, an outdoor pool and 40 rooms that all have views of the gardens and the vineyards. The rooms have access to either the garden or have a balcony with views of Mount Buffalo and the vineyards beyond. They have king-sized beds and floor-to-ceiling windows and the Spa Suites have a fireplace and spa bath. At the Lindenwarrah guests can explore the 30 cellar doors that are located within half an hour of the hotel or go horseback riding, fly fishing and bush walking. There’s also the hotel spa, the daily wine tastings and even a game of pétanque for all to join in.

Currently in the works is the cooking school, but until it’s up and running, there’s always Restaurant Merlot where chef Chris Connors serves up regional farmhouse cuisine.

DETAILS

Phone: +61 3 5720 5777
Address: Milawa-Bobinawarrah Road, Milawa, VIC
Website: www.lindenwarrah.com.au
Lindenwarrah is three hours North East of Melbourne near Wangaratta.

RATES
Room rates can be as low as A$230, but take advantage of the packages on offer. The Lindenwarrah Stay With Us and Eat With Our Brothers package offers three nights accommodation, full country breakfast, three-course lunch and private tasting at the Brown Brother’s Epicurean centre and a gift hamper of Lancemore Group goodies for A$920 for two people. The overnight Getaway With The Girls package offers a one-hour massage or facial by the pool and a two-course dinner at Restaurant Merlot for A$558 for two people.
Vanessa Williams



ROCHFORD LODGE, ROCHFORD, DAYLESFORD & MACEDON RANGES REGION, VICTORIA

WITHIN THREE HOURS OF MELBOURNE

Two kilometres from the historic hamlet of Rochford lies an old single-room school, constructed in 1857 of handmade brick. The school is now a luxury self-contained retreat for just one couple. The room features soaring vaulted ceilings, an open fireplace and a floor-to-ceiling glass sunroom that opens onto an observation deck, perfect for watching the sunset over mount Franklin and the Cobaw ranges.

The Principals Residence is a three-bedroom property sharing the hectare of school land. It was originally a miners’ cottage and has been renovated into a country home to complement stays at the Old School House.
Nearby is the mysterious Hanging Rock, and there are at least fifteen wineries in the surrounding area, which is no surprise given the retreat’s location deep in the heart of the Macedon Ranges wine country. Guests can also visit the galleries and gardens of Mount Macedon and the restaurants and boutiques of historic Piper St Kyneton and Woodend.

DETAILS

Phone: +61 417 572 019
Address: 381 Rochford Road, Rochford, VIC
Website: www.rochfordlodge.com
Rochford Lodge is located an hour north-west of Melbourne near Mount Macedon.

RATES
The Old School House standard package is a two-night stay for two guests with gourmet breakfast provisions, complimentary local wine and daily morning or afternoon tea at a local café for A$890. A bonus midweek special is three nights at the same rate as the weekend package with the same inclusions.
Neda Vanovac


SMITHS BEACH RESORT, YALLINGUP, SOUTH WEST REGION, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

WITHIN THREE HOURS OF PERTH

Three hours from Perth and right by the water lies the quintessentially Australian Smiths Beach Resort, tucked in between Cape Naturalist and Cape Leeuwin. It’s within the internationally acclaimed Margaret River wine region and has 60 guestrooms, from shacks to beach houses and ocean view villas.

The waterfront two-storey beach houses have four bedrooms with immediate access to the beach, the luxury villas have three bedrooms, the garden and ocean view villas have two bedrooms, the shacks are self-contained units with two bedrooms and an outdoor barbeque and there are nine one-bedroom apartments with a view from the balcony.

Jump in the 25-metre pool, surf, snorkel and scuba dive at Smiths Beach or take a leisurely 50-minute walk on the Cape to Cape trail. Other attractions in the region include deep-sea fishing, spa facilities and wineries such as Amberley Vineyard and Clairault Wines.

When the day is done, enjoy a cocktail and some tapas at Bouzy the Champagne Bar or indulge in modern Australian cuisine and premium wines at the Bathers Café/Restaurant both at the resort and within walking distance of your lodgings.

DETAILS

Phone: +61 8 9750 1200
Address: Smiths Beach Road, Yallingup, WA
Website: www.smithsbeachresort.com.au
Smiths Beach Resort is a little over 250 kilometres South West of Perth in the Margaret River Wine Region.

RATES
Accommodation prices range from A$300 per night mid-season for a shack up to A$1,800 per night during holiday season for the beach houses. The Discovery Package includes two nights in a luxury ocean view villa, complimentary gourmet hamper and a tour with the Margaret River Discovery Company for A$695 per person (minimum two persons). The tour itinerary includes a gourmet lunch at a private wine estate with the chance to meet the winemaker, a luxury 4WD trip to Meekadarabee Falls and the opportunity to canoe on the Margaret River.
Vanessa Williams

SPICERS PEAK LODGE, MARYVALE, DARLING DOWNS REGION, QUEENSLAND

WITHIN THREE HOURS OF BRISBANE

With only ten suites and two private lodges set on 9,000 acres, Spicers Peak Lodge guarantees seclusion. Set in the heart of the Scenic Rim Region, the Lodge is close to the World Heritage-listed Main Range National Park, the Great Dividing Range and the Granite Belt wine region.

Taking inspiration from its high-country setting, the lodge was created with its surrounds in mind. Warm colours echo the natural materials of stone, timber, tin and glass, creating the feel of a cosy country retreat. Every room features a king-sized bed with Bemboka blankets and feather and down pillows for maximum comfort.

With all meals and drinks included, guests can kick back and enjoy a seven-course degustation dinner from the Lodge’s restaurant which took out the honours of Best Fine Dining Restaurant in this year’s Tourism Queensland Awards.

The Granite Belt region is the Wine Capital of Queensland and there are more than 40 vineyards in the area to visit. Guests can also have a hot stone massage at Spa Anise, picnic somewhere on the expansive grounds, or go bushwalking in the rainforest.

DETAILS

Phone: 1300 253 103
Address: Wilkinsons Road, Maryvale, QLD
Website: www.spicersgroup.com.au
Spicers Peak Lodge is in the heart of the Scenic Rim region, two hours south west of Brisbane. Helicopter pick-up can be arranged.

RATES
A Lodge Suite for one night from Sunday to Friday is A$1,190 or A$1,490 for Saturday night. A Lodge Suite Weekend Getaway is A$2,480. Prices are per couple and include all meals and beverages.
Neda Vanovac

VALLEY REGION, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

WITHIN THREE HOURS OF ADELAIDE

Just over one hour from Adelaide, The Louise is on the hilltop amidst the vineyards of the Barossa Valley. Rebuilt in 2006 by Jim and Helen Carreker, The Louise is an ideal resort for a food and wine holiday. Executive Chef Mark McNamara brings you the best of local produce from the Barossa alongside award-winning wines from the region at the Appellation Restaurant.

The accommodation is just as luxurious, with 15 guest suites with views of the vineyards and king beds, ensuite bathrooms with spa tubs, widescreen TVs and even a welcome gift of port, cookies and fruits on arrival.

Guests are kept occupied with a range of activities. Take a tutorial on matching wines to cheese, book a massage, relax in the hot spa, or if you have time to step outside the hotel, take a 90-miute sommelier tour for a behind- the-scenes look at wine, make your own blend at Penfolds winery and even have breakfast amongst the kangaroos after a walking tour.

DETAILS

Phone: +61 8 8562 4144
Address: Corner of Seppeltsfield and Stonewell Roads, Marananga, Barossa Valley, SA
Website: www.thelouise.com.au
The Louise is 75 minutes drive northeast of Adelaide.

RATES
Rooms are from A$429 for a Vineyard Suite up to A$1,135 for the Seppeltsfield Suite and include in-suite continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi. Experience packages are separate to the accommodation and range in price from the A$55 Cheese and Wine Matching Tutorial to the A$950 Winemaker Private Introductions course. The nightly Wine Flight Tasting Menu is A$260 per person and pairs seven wines with ten food courses.
Vanessa Williams

INJIDUP SPA RETREAT, INDIJUP, SOUTH WEST REGION, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

WITHIN THREE HOURS OF PERTH

On a secluded beach at Injidup Bay, three hours from Perth, the Injidup Spa Retreat is a five-star sanctuary consisting of ten luxury villas designed by Dominique Tiller and a private day spa, all connected by timber walkways and surrounded by native Australian flora and fauna.

Each contemporary private villa has its own plunge pool and barbeque on the deck with screens that provide a sense of seclusion. The villas feature double showers in the ensuites, a guest bedroom, lounge with gas fire and dining area, and the views from the large windows.

The highlight of the retreat is the spa. Starting with a private consultation, a customised experience will be designed and can feature a herbal infusion massage, aromatherapy facial, a jojoba polish or even a Serenity bath, where guests can lose themselves in the smell of cardamom, mandarin and frankincense.

Private chefs are on hand and whilst the retreat doesn’t have a restaurant, the Smiths Beach Resort is only a short walk away.

DETAILS

Phone: +61 8 9750 1300
Address: Cape Clairault Road, Indjidup, WA
Website: www.injidupsparetreat.com.au
Injidup is just over 250 kilometres South West of Perth.

RATES
A two-night stay is A$650 for two people and includes a wine deli gourmet hamper. To enjoy the best of Injidup, take up one of the packages on offer, such as “The Journey” package. A five-day package for four people, it includes an Organic Tea & Dead Sea Salt Scrub, an a la carte breakfast at Bathers Café, a guided meditation session, a private surf lesson, an hour-long Tension Ease Massage, morning yoga session and an organic cooking lesson, all for A$1,650 per person.
Vanessa Williams

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