August/September 2007 issue
Australian
Places bed & breakfast news forum
Please
take a moment to leave your own comments or news items relating
to luxury B&Bs, cottages and small hotels in Australia. For
spam-free contact with Peter Robinson, click
here. Your helpful comments, published here, can benefit guests
and operators.
Phillip Island - Ian, the amiable host of Glen Isla House has big news "we took out the HMAA (Hotel Motel Accommodation Association) 2007 Award for Excellence in Luxury Boutique Accommodation" Congrats Ian - this award is definitely hard-earned and well deserved.
Ian also advises a new restaurant opened in Cowes. Infused is a smart restaurant with some very interesting flavours happening. Chef-owner Patrick O’Geary features King Island beef, fresh local seafood and freshly shucked oysters. Ian says "it's one of only 3 restaurants we recommend to our guests and just 1500 mtrs from Glen Isla." Also at Phillip Island - The Rhyll Fishing Park, where you can catch your own trout and either cook it there on their BBQ’s, or take it away (03 5956-9255). Phillip Island Helicopters now has two helicopters based at Phillip Island airport for scenic tours and charter work. Melbourne to Phillip Island – 30 minutes, scenic tours from $60 per person (03 5956-7316).
Alexandra
- Jenny from Athlone Country Cottages says the best new dining in the area is
the Tea Rooms at Yarck - no longer tea rooms but an Italian trattoria using local produce where possible. "A great restaurant owned by Pietro Porcu who owns Dah Noi in Toorak Rd. It's only 10 minutes from our cottages," Jenny adds.
(NE& Alpine region)
Warrnambool - Pamela from Merton Manor B&B in Warrnambool reports that the southern right whales have finally arrived off Lady Bay. This will be a relief for whale-watchers who feared the giant mammals had been avoiding Warrnambool due to nearby seismic testing in Bass Strait. (GOR & Grampians region)
Port Campbell - Chris from Shearwater Haven B&B says
'the garden is looking superb and the native birds are even more plentiful. Visitors may now enjoy several attractions in addition to our idyllic hideaway and brilliant coastline. A visit to 'Apostles Whey Cheeses', G.O.R.G.E. chocolates and Newton Ridge wines can add culinary delights to the scenic hinterland tour. Guests certainly need to plan for multiple nights in our area. We look forward to the Timboon Whisky Distillery opening before the summer season and the Rail Trail from the Camperdown Lakes and Craters to Timboon is due for completion this summer. The old trestle bridge at Curdies River is undergoing restoration for this project. The actual trail rivals Puffing Billy. (I travelled on the last train with a group of school children). The contact person for the Whisky Distillery is Tim Marwood (5595 0309)." (GOR & Grampians region)
Beechworth - The Bank Restaurant and Mews is for sale, however the town's best dining and accommodation venue will operate as usual, says host Sharon. (NE and Alpine)
Still in Beechworth, I understand new owners have moved into Beechworth House B&B and I wish them well with their new venture. Nearby at Stanley the Country Pub's owners, according to my local source, have split, the place is closed and it's on the market. Strike two!. Hope it gets picked up by someone capable and enthusiastic as it's been incredibly popular over the years. Meanwhile, The Galloping Goat restaurant just down the road has also been sold and awaits...something...?
Gippsland - Ian and Libby at Gipsy Point Lodge say " Spring is already well on the way here, the wildflowers and orchids are blooming and the birdlife is prolific. The whistling kites have produced their own brood and already they are circling overhead. We escaped any major flood damage from the June rains, which have given the Lakes a good run of fresh water, and the fishing is currently fantastic for Black Bream and Dusky Flathead. We recently had one guest catching a 4 lb bream Meanwhile the Lodge and the surrounding have been going through our annual winter spruce-up, and with the warmer days the place looks fantastic. But we will still be having those great winter fires in the lounge area for a while yet
And as a special for ‘Australian Places’ we shall provide a day's boat hire for any couple staying 3 days or more. The Lakes here are just fantastic to explore, and the boats very easy to manage.' I recommend a visit here to anyone with a few days of holidays on their hands - PR
Goldfields - Rob and Jan at Tuki Retreat report "the dams are about half-full so the place looks ok but we really need more rain. The daffodils are out & we are lambing and remain hopeful of a better season. There have been a few changes to the menu as we are processing our own angus cattle now and more involved in slow food. We are also continuing to move toward being chemical free. The winter season has been busy with many cosy fires burning in cottages." (Goldfields region)
Full
page B&B reviews have proven successful on the Australian
Places website. Properties say they have received booking enquiries
from my site when they've opted for the full page review. It's only $110 for this - a bargain, although the basic listing is still free.
Australian
Traveller magazine has a feature on Wombat
Hills Cottages in the latest issue, at the newsstand now. This is direct result of the magazine
editor visiting Australian Places and reading the full review. The next issue due end September, will feature my articles on mountain bike riding in Victoria's High Country and the Cathedral Ranges.
Winter
B&B specials - these places have a special
deal for the winter months:
Holmwood Guesthouse, Phillip Island. Excellent B&B in Cowes. Stay three nights B&B for the price of two, Sunday to Thursday ph (03)5952 3082
Merton Manor, Warrnambool. Apart from excellent rates for suites, receive a free bottle of wine from a local winery with your 2-night stay. ph (03)5562 0720
The Bank Restaurant & Mews,
Beechworth. Weekend package of two nights accommodation, breakfast, chocolates, port and 1/2 hour massage, three course dinner for two (excluding beverages) for total of $520.00 (03)5728 2223
Ti Tree Village, Ocean Grove, loft spa cottage 2 night weekend with one dinner and cooked breakfast, bubbly, $697 per couple. (03)5255 4433
Emeu Inn, Heathcote, 2 nights in a spa suite, French champagne and afternoon tea on arrival, a 2-course restaurant dinner for 2. Fr $485 per couple (03)5433 2668
The Moorings at Metung 3 night escape package, 2 tickets aboard cruise boat, $50 voucher to Metung Hotel, cooked brekky provisions - $480 in one bedrm apartment (2&3 bedrm avail). School holiday package also avail. Gippsland Lakes (03)5156 2750.
To access these deals please mention Australian Places when booking.
2007 newsletter archive: April/May June/July
If you would
like your B&B reviewed for possible inclusion on this site,
need professional photography, or guidance on how to achieve success
in the B&B business, just contact me.
For the past
25 years Peter Robinson has travelled far and wide but Australia,
being home, is his first love. As an experienced travel writer
and professional photographer, his wealth of knowledge is revealed
in travel and accommodation reviews that have freelance integrity
and honesty. The main focus of this site is to present brief reviews
of a select group of places to stay for the weekend. Each place
has been visited at least once and evaluated for high standards
before inclusion - and after reviewing over 600 places Peter has
done the hard work so you can enjoy Great
Weekends Away.
