Somnium: 44 acres, absolute solitude and kangaroos at the gate

The hardest part of staying at Somnium is deciding how to spend the time. 44 private acres above Coila Lake on the New South Wales South Coast, a private kayak beach, two architecturally designed houses and a fridge stocked by a local chef – with no one else around to share any of it

The dusty track to Somnium offers views down to the glistening waters of Coila Lake and the rolling countryside beyond. As my wife and I drive it on this golden winter afternoon, a hundred heads pop up – the resident kangaroo population has spotted the new arrivals. Two roos hop along next to our car, guiding us to the entry gates. It’s the perfect welcoming committee.

On the broad sweep of lawn that slopes gently down to Somnium’s two stunning houses we watch wagtails leaping to catch insects, and two yellow-tailed black cockatoos cruising past overhead. A two-and-a-half-hour drive from Canberra has brought us to this idyllic spot on the NSW south coast on this idyllic day and we instantly feel a wave of country calm overtaking us.

Somnium is a firm favourite for weddings and family gatherings but this weekend it’s all ours. Should we stay in the Main House with its four guest bedrooms, two spacious lounges and state-of-the-art kitchen? Or should we opt for the smaller but equally immaculately designed one-bedroom, one-bathroom Barn, which is more suited to a couple or a small family? Should we have drinks on the Barn’s first-floor window seat or cute balcony, or tuck straight into the delicious food that has been lovingly prepared for us?

Relaxing by design

So many decisions. All we really want to do is sit in the late sun, watch the view and have someone bring us negronis. But Somnium is self-contained accommodation, so no staff – we need to blend our own cocktails here. It’s a small price to pay for having our very own country retreat for a few days.

Somnium is the brainchild of owners Chris Pike and Natalie Green who played a central role in the design and creation of the two houses. Chris even made most of the brass fittings such as towel rails and loo-roll holders. They have created the epitome of low-impact luxury with double-glazing throughout and a discreetly placed 10kw solar panel array to fuel the place. 

Chris and Natalie are also being good custodians of the land by gradually reverting the paddock to nature and making it as wildlife-friendly as possible. They have planted more than 1,000 native trees and shrubs, renovated existing dams and added a 3,000 square metres of wetland. The property has patches of coastal swamp oak forest, lowland grassy woodland and coastal rainforest – all endangered ecosystems the owners are preserving.

We decide to bunk up in the cosy Barn for our first night. My wife pops a bottle of champagne we brought with us while I explore the culinary delights that managers Jen and Jeremy have left for us. I see Mr Bold has been at work. He is a chef based just down the road at Narooma who provides guests with pre-cooked meals of their choosing (from a pretty good online menu) that are ready to re-heat and serve. He also comes to Somnium to cook as a private chef.

Jen and Jeremy asked us in advance for our dietary restrictions and Mr Bold got to work preparing the feasts we see before us now. I have a rich, delicious brinjal bhaji (eggplant curry) while my wife has fragrant Massaman beef.

Also in the fridge is a basket of goodies, all from local producers, which is something the owners and managers are passionate about. We immediately open the coconut sambal and Mr Bold’s mango chutney and use both with the curries. The basket also contains a Millford Acres super seeded gluten-free loaf, a bag of granola from Boneless in Bermagui and two cheeses from the Tilba Dairy 40km down the coast. Their Applebox Smoked vintage cheddar is to die for.

Next morning, after breakfast and mugs of organic tea from Melbourne-based ethical brand LOVE TEA, it’s time to explore our new ’hood. We do so first on foot with a casual stroll, pretending we are Lord and Lady of the Manor. If we had more time we would have walked the 13.5km Bingie Dreaming Track, a local songline – next time, we promise ourselves. Instead we head out on the mountain bikes that Somnium provides for guests and cycle down to the property’s private lake beach where we find two green kayaks. Neither of us can resist a paddle so we’re on the water in minutes, cruising out over the lake.

Connecting with nature and self

That night we switch venues and head to the Main House, which is much bigger than the Barn and can sleep at least eight adults. It comprises two main areas, one at each end of the long building. The southern area is the life and soul of the place. It houses a sleek, modern kitchen with a gleaming, chrome Rocket coffee machine and a brass cocktail kit. If we had known this last night the negronis would have become a reality… but, then again, we may never have made it back to the Barn.

Leading off the kitchen is the dining space, which has great views on all sides. It would probably have been easier to build the concrete east wall with no windows but thankfully the visionary owners and architect-builders did add one, which opens up the view brilliantly. On the other side of the kitchen is a relaxation area with sofa, armchairs, black coffee table and yet more views through floor-to-ceiling windows. From here we can see all the way to Montague Island off the coast at Narooma.

On the broad sweep of lawn that slopes gently down to Somnium’s two stunning houses we watch wagtails leaping to catch insects, and two yellow-tailed black cockatoos cruising past overhead.

On a winter weekend such as this, with an onshore wind raking through the eucalypts and across the property’s wide grass apron, it is bliss to sit here reading our books and letting the sun warm us through the glass.

At the other end of the house (the north end) is a second spacious living area with sofas, chairs, writing desk and a blank white wall that doubles as a movie screen, thanks to a clever little projector unit. The two sections of the house are connected by a glass corridor which offers yet another space to sit, relax and watch nature from the comfort of an armchair.

On our second evening we have cocktails in the kitchen/lounge area, stare across the landscape to the sea and dine at the long dining table on more delicious creations from Mr Bold – lasagnes this time. We have big plans to rug up, get a blaze going in the fire pit outside and toast the marshmallows that Jen and Jeremy have kindly left for us. But by 9pm we’re nodding off on the sofa and have to drag ourselves to bed where we sleep a deep country sleep.

Hotel Notes

Rates at Somnium start from AU$9,100 for a three-night weekend stay – maximum 14 guests in the Main House and Barn.

somniumatbingie.com.au