CHECK-IN
This luxurious and secluded nation farmhouse fronting the tranquil Manning River opened in October final yr. Owner Sherinah Peck initially wished to renovate an previous farmhouse however her builder husband Nathan had heard too many horror tales. The compromise was a brand new construct home wealthy in recycled and classic supplies. The couple lived on the property for six years till their 4 women grew up and moved out. After a complete four-month renovation, the Farmhouse on Oxley was born as an opulent rural getaway on 23 hectares with personal jetty, outside fireplace pit and alfresco baths for soaking beneath the celebs.
Oxley Island is a small, blink and you may miss it hamlet on the NSW Barrington Coast. It’s round half-hour’ drive from Forster however feels 1,000,000 miles from the bustle of the seaside city. Veer off the freeway and the highway to the farmhouse weaves by bucolic farmland and over rickety bridges. The closest township is Old Bar, a seaside village providing a sprinkling of outlets and the sensible café Boyi. Enroute cease for lunch on the new Isola Riva at Forster with its severe Amalfi Coast vibes. Pick up a bottle of home made Limoncello for sipping on the deck later.
THE LOOK
A protracted driveway with paddocks one facet; river the opposite brings you to the custom-built farmhouse the place porch swings invite you to pause and take within the bucolic views. Built utilizing recycled and classic supplies, the character crammed important home provides wrap round verandahs whereas a separate constructing emblazoned with Moments into Memories on the outside homes a gymnasium and video games room downstairs; loft fashion bed room above. Combined it sleeps 16. A self-contained cottage sleeping two in the meantime could be booked individually for additional massive gatherings.
A firepit, vegie patch and luxurious garden roll right down to the gently flowing river the place canoes and a tinny on the jetty beg for Tom Sawyer like adventures. Look the opposite course and the vista is of paddocks dwelling to grazing cows and resident horses Munro and Cookie.
THE ROOM
Country fashion meets classic industrial aesthetic within the pavilion fashion farmhouse. There are trusses from an previous wharf in Sydney, noticed gum flooring, hefty timber barn doorways and outsized industrial lights sourced from a cargo ship. Linen sheets, native art work and specifically curated recycled and reclaimed items characteristic all through the five-bedroom home. The master bedroom with romantic four-post mattress, double bathe and claw-foot bathtub is the decide however relaxation assured, there isn’t any dud room right here. Another three rooms provide king measurement beds and river views with direct entry to the wraparound deck whereas an lovable child’s double bunk room comes full with retro Viewfinder and vintage college desk.
Unexpected and pleasant touches abound: a file participant for spinning vinyl, a Polaroid digicam for recording your keep within the visitor guide and enjoyable video games like Finska, desk tennis and quoits. A media room is cleverly positioned away from the huge open plan kitchen and eating space which opens onto a coated deck. We gravitate right here late afternoon, sipping Farmers Wife gin and tonic, watching ferry wrens and jap rosellas swoop and the sky flip shades of pink and gold. It’s too scorching for the fireplace pit however we think about gathering round it in winter beneath a blanket of stars.
FOOD + DRINK
While the world is not precisely a foodie hotspot there are a handful of fine choices a brief drive away. Buyi Espresso Bar is the decide for informal breakfasts and nice espresso, the Flow Bar is one other good possibility for a lazy lunch or sundowners whereas Sai Thai Table and Tea is the decide for dinner.
Truthfully although you will not wish to enterprise too removed from the farmhouse so BYO provides. Cook up a storm within the monumental nation fashion kitchen, have a picnic on the jetty or fireplace up the barbie on the deck. Breakfast provisions of sourdough and freshly laid eggs from the property’s hens are provided.
OUT AND ABOUT
The sleepy coastal city of Old Bar bordering Wallabi Point and Saltwater National Park is dwelling to glorious surf and swimming spots. Take a stroll by the nationwide park or take the tinny down the Manning River and pull up on the seaside for a picnic and swim. Manning Point Boat Ramp is a pleasant spot for a dip adopted by fish and chips. Further afield take within the Mid North Coast’s magnificence by horseback with a scenic canter alongside the seaside in close by Forster-Tuncurry.
THE VERDICT
This is a spot designed for big gatherings of associates and family members to make reminiscences. A spot to wander barefoot to the jetty, roast marshmallows over the firepit and luxuriate in sundowners on the porch swings original from previous cinema chairs. The distinctive element and considerate touches elevate the keep to an entire different degree.
OUR SCORE OUT OF FIVE
★★★★★
THE ESSENTIALS
Minimum two-night keep. From $500 per night time for the couple’s nook or $1200 for the entire home sleeping as much as 16. 814 Manning Point Rd, Oxley Island. Phone 0412 322 867. See farmhouseonoxley.com.au
Sheriden Rhodes was a visitor of The Farmhouse on Oxley.
HIGHLIGHT Sitting on the pontoon watching life on the river and taking an alfresco tub to the soundtrack of mooing cows.
LOWLIGHT There’s nowhere to chill off (the river does not precisely invite swimming) nonetheless a pool is on the playing cards.
Source: traveller.com.au