Bang for your buck: If you can drag yourself away from the view, the joy of Moorabinda is in the details. Coonara Springs chef Adrian Upward has filled the fridge with several types of house-smoked bacon, house-made sausages, preserves and smoked salmon. There’s a well-stocked mini-bar that runs on the honesty system and contains local wines, beers and ciders. Also in the fridge, you'll some carrots for the farm horses, Holly and Misty, so you can head down and give them a treat. The grounds contain a rope swing, several picnic tables and a wooden fort for the kids to play in that has a larger footprint than our Melbourne house.
The digs: Boyd’s creation is beautifully simple with a huge living space, a kitchen with an Aga at its centre, and nooks in which to read (there’s an entirely blue library of Pelican books) and watch television. The doors are placed to catch natural cross breezes, and there’s a huge deck. Our bedroom in the southerly wing is awash in neutral colours and soft furnishings with a deep bay window, and glass-walled bathroom. At the rear of the house is a kids’ bedroom that sleeps four and includes a rooftop cubby, drawing desk and ornate tree trunks strung with bunting. Must-do experience: Walk the five minutes down your driveway to dine at Coonara Springs restaurant, a Victorian-era cottage that has been serving happy patrons for nearly a century. Dishes on chef Adrian’s menu might include a prawn tian with avocado cream and cucumber, teriyaki salmon with cucumber gel and sesame mayonnaise; or the signature dessert of rhubarb, liquorice mousse, jelly and gingerbread. And getting home is a cinch.
K I N G O F T H E VA L L E Y Moorabinda Lodge’s view-focused design means the mood of the property changes with the light.
The damage: Moorabinda Lodge sleeps eight and is priced according to the number of guests. Prices start at $360 for two guests ($720 for two nights) and $460 for four guests ($920 for two nights). Bookings are through Valley Ranges Getaways.
WORDS PAUL CHAI
129 Olinda-Monbulk Road; valleyrangesgetaways.com.au
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