This is a true hidden gem in this underrated Victorian town
By Sue Wallace
The place
Glen Avon Country House Bed and Breakfast, Staghorn Flat, Victoria.
Garden getaway.
Check-in
Silvery green succulents and persimmon trees stand sentinel at the front gate of Glen Avon Country House, 12 kilometres from Yackandandah and Wodonga.
Owners Margie Gleeson and Don Cameron and their border collie Banjo greet us and two shaggy Scottish Highland cows, half-sisters, Islagh and Moragh, poke their heads over the fence to see what all the fuss is about.
The look
Country comforts … a light-filled guest room.
Margie, an educator and former restaurateur and Don, an Albury lawyer, have spent the past four years steering their new stand-alone build with three spacious suites, a living and dining area and small kitchen, near their restored 1890s homestead on two hectares. As we sink into the brown leather Chesterfield sofa with a home-baked friand and coffee in hand, relax mode sets in. A little of the area’s history features in the living room, with hefty jarrah ceiling beams rescued from the old Bandiana Railway Station, pre-World War I. A wrap-around bullnose verandah is perfect for contemplating the views and a 10-metre saltwater pool beckons. The fire-pit with red gum timber stools is great for a pre-dinner drink or night cap. The enchanting rambling cottage country garden is a sensory treat with a giant 50-year-old Californian Redwood plus massive magnolias, liquid ambers and camellias. A bountiful orchard has apple, pear, quince and olive trees.
The room
Our comfortable “James Street” suite with ensuite, is named after the original homestead owner. Sliding glass doors open onto a verandah where bucolic views of the pretty hills of the Baranduda Range star.
Resident pooch with the pick of many comfortable perches.
As for the other suites – “Isaac Issacs” is a nod to Australia’s ninth Governor-General, who went to school in Yackandandah while the “William Panlook” takes the name of the son of a Chinese immigrant, who created the Rostrevor Hop Garden in the Ovens Valley, now the largest in the southern hemisphere.
The compact kitchen has breakfast supplies including muesli and stewed fruit, plus there’s an outdoor barbecue. Artwork by locals Charles Sluga, Chris Upton and Abi Thompson feature.
Food + drink
The guest pool set in beautiful gardens.
Yackandandah is a charming historic two-pub town. The Yackandah Hotel is known as the bottom pub and The Star is the top pub, where there’s community music every Wednesday evening. Try an award-winning pie at the Gum Tree Pie Shop and the Happy Baker has great pastries – the croissants are amazing. Backwoods Distilling and Yack Creek Distillery and Brewery are a magnet for gin lovers. We pre-order dinner at Glen Avon and dine on Murray River Smokehouse smoked trout, beef bourguignon with celeriac and garlic mash and garden greens, with a finale of apple and frangipane tart.
Out + about
Trendy and quaint shops line Yackandandah’s main street including the tiny Feather and Drum, home to hatmaker and musician, Cat Leahy, whose stunning rabbit fur felt hats are worn by top musicians.
Artist Charles Sluga displays his art in the lovingly restored Athenaeum built in 1892 and check out Klimt Clothing, Vivienne Cate and Seventh Pocket. Don Cameron’s immaculate 1937-75 Series Cadillac can transport six passengers, so if you fancy a spin to the wineries, book ahead. Purchased by the Victorian Government Railways, it has had a sheltered life retaining its charm.
Country comforts.
The verdict
This is a fetching country retreat set in a true perfumed garden.
Highlight
Sunset in the beautiful garden home to echidnas, wombats and squirrel gliders and cattle serenades.
Lowlight
Yackandandah has no taxis, so if you want a night out, book the Cadillac.
Rating out of five
★★★★
The essentials
Suites $235 a night for a two-night stay including breakfast. There is one accessible suite. See glenavoncountryhouse.com.au
The writer stayed as a guest of Glen Avon Country House.
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