Billabong Moon, Hunter Valley Review
Written by Holly Byrnes: 30-September-2008
Billabong Cottage
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Just when the price of petrol made you want to leave town or hit the bottle, good news – you can do both on an affordable, gourmet road trip.
Okay, so we don't all get the luxury of test-driving the Mercedes-Benz ML 500, but as they say, it's the journey as much as it is the destination that counts. And in this case, it counts for a lot, given the smooth ride of this sleek SUV. While 4WDs often get a bad score-card for alleged urban offences, all that was left in our wake – along with the stressful vestiges of a working week – as we headed for the Hunter Valley for a long weekend.
Call it snobbery, but somehow, sitting above the traffic as you tail-gate through Hornsby with others also breaking for freedom towards the Freeway is just a little bit comforting.
The only thing to top it was the feeling as we pulled into the gravelled driveway of our Billabong Moon homestead a few hours later, after a seamless, sat-navigated, smooth ride.
With six suites and cottages to choose from, scattered over 25 acres, there's a level of accommodation and activity to suit any traveller or budget.
Our Casuarina two-bedroom cottage was tucked in just off the main entrance off Hermitage Road, but this is open country and road noise is not a problem. (The fresh air of the Valley also acts as a heavy-duty sleeping aid.)
Surrounded on all sides by a verandah, this is rustic country living on a small, but comfortable scale.
The wrought-iron bed delivers on the grandma feather-bed fantasy – Mr Snooze eat your heart out.
A short distance away, the Billabong cottage offers visitors its own dam to plunder, with silver perch to catch and Muscovy ducks to watch doing their aquatic ballet of, well, ducking and diving.
The pace of the place is much more leisurely than the Hunter's more expensive resorts, but for weekend hackers, there's a putting green to help pitch at any extra work tension.
Cooking facilities in the cabins are adequate too for those who opt, like we did, to settle in with a few choice reds and a home-cooked meal (there is a general store near the visitors centre, or supermarkets a short drive away in Cessnock). If you'd rather soak in red wine, than drink it (or both), Billabong offers a red wine bath experience as a luxury extra.
The best parts
* The bed. Oh, and the outdoor hot tub. And the fire. And the...you get the picture.
* Hosts Andy and Jenny Birtchnell provided just enough service to leave you with a gourmet basket of breakfast staples and cheese to go with your wine, but the right amount of distance to let you do your own thing.
Any bad bits?
* If you really want to be immersed in the centre of the wine district, this is just a few country road curves down the track. That was a plus for us, but you might have to factor in taxi money if you're settling in for a serious session on the local drop.
Must do's
* When in Rome, do as the Romans: when in the Hunter, head for the vineyards and every cellar door open. The gourmet industry hasn't grown from just grapes, so check out the blessed cheesemakers, the olive oil providores and gourmet delights dotted along.
* An afternoon strolling around the Hunter Valley Gardens is a must. The entry fee may seem steep from the outside, but it's worth its weight after taking in the hypnotic, soothing effects of these beautifully crafted, themed gardens. Kids will love the Alice In Wonderland tea party setting, but plan your way around to finish with sunset over the Japanese garden. Zen.
You leave feeling
De-stressed, well-slept and just a little bit country.
Getting there
Billabong Moon is two hours north of Sydney. Take the F3 expressway to the Cessnock exit. Follow the signs to Cessnock and after approximately 30 minutes turn right at a set of traffic lights at Vincent Street. Proceed to the end turn left and then right on Wine Country Drive/Allandale Road and roadside directions along Hermitage Road.
Facilities
Six cottages/suites from two bedrooms to studios. Facilities include: fishing damn, outdoor BBQs, outdoor spas, golfing green, wood fires, airconditioning.
Price
Weekend rates: $880 (2-night stay), extra night(s) $190 one couple, $290 two couples.
Midweek rates: studios $240 (1 night), extra night(s) $190; two rooms $340 (1 night), extra night(s) $290.
Address
393 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin
Our ratings
Cleanliness: 8/10
Experience: 8/10
Decor and design: 7/10
Attention to detail: 7/10
Food: 7/10
Staff and service: 8/10
Total rating: 7/10
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