Beautiful country escapes

BeautifulCOUNTRY ESCAPES

WORDS SHERIDEN RHODES

THE GROWERS COTTAGE, Lower Mangrove

Leave the city behind and wake to ivy-covered windows and nothing but the sound of birdsong and frogs croaking at this lovingly restored farmers’ cottage neighbouring Dharug National Park. Set on lush farmland, the intimate one-bedroom Growers Cottage is surrounded by a grower’s garden bursting with fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs just waiting to be picked and added to a favourite dish or drink. There’s also an indoor fireplace, outdoor fire pit and wood-fired pizza oven.

The star attraction, however, is the romantic oversized al fresco stone bath between two old magnolia trees complete with handy wooden ledge for a glass of wine or book. Take a soak in the early morning when mist clings to the mountain or bathe under starry skies. The only issue guests have will be leaving this little slice of heaven just 1.5 hours’ drive from Sydney’s CBD.

airbnb.com.au/rooms/31500259 »

THE RIVER HAUS, Morpeth, Lower Hunter

This luxe picture-perfect country cottage lies behind a white picket fence at the heart of Morpeth, a historic river port town in the Lower Hunter. A stone’s throw from the mighty Hunter River and overlooking historic St James Anglican Church, guests can stroll to Morpeth’s heritage-listed main street, picnic on the riverbank and dine at lauded Boydell’s Cellar Door & Restaurant a mere 50 metres from the back gate.

On offer is a fully equipped farmhouse kitchen with butler’s sink, ducted air conditioning, Nectre woodfire and two identical guestrooms featuring cast-iron beds and quality linen. A herringbone tiled bathroom with freestanding tub invites long, lingering soaks while blackbutt floors and crisp white walls provide a clean backdrop for the River Haus’s many treasures: a French market basket, Bentwood chairs, vintage kitchen cannisters and weighing scales. Meanwhile, framed steamship prints, a rustic lantern, ship’s rope, coffee table fashioned from a steamship trunk, and old oars are a nod to Morpeth’s past as a bustling river hub.

riverhaus.com.au

MIO MONTE, Broke

Located on what was the Pooles Rock Vineyard, now lovingly restored, Winmark Wines is far more than a producer of awardwinning chardonnays. Set against the beauty of Yellow Rock escarpment, visitors can extend their stay beyond the cellar door by exploring the sprawling single vineyard’s collection of sculptures, visiting the on-site art gallery or booking one of four accommodation options – each of which expresses owner Karin Adcock’s passion for interiors, art and travel. Mio Monte, Italian for ‘my mountain’ and overlooking the vine-filled valley to Mt Broke, is a seven-bedroom, three-bathroom home sleeping up to 14, and showcasing local artists and modern Australian architecture with a Tuscan twist. Soaring ceilings framed by full-length windows and sliding doors opening onto a long verandah feature in the open-plan living space overlooking a private tennis court and rows of neatly tended vines frequented by kangaroos. A stone fireplace, library and sitting room along with barbecue area and pool offer inviting spaces to kick back with a glass of chardonnay and soak up those bucolic views.