1860 Luxury Accommodation, Beechworth review: Handmade heaven

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This was published 13 years ago

1860 Luxury Accommodation, Beechworth review: Handmade heaven

1860 ... freshly baked bread is delivered to the front door along with the morning newspaper.

1860 ... freshly baked bread is delivered to the front door along with the morning newspaper.Credit: Heath Missen

Jane Faulkner finds luxury in a simple log cabin, lovingly restored and furnished.

After a tedious three-hour drive to Beechworth, confined mostly to the Hume Highway, the thought of winding down and spending a few days in a timber hut does little to conjure up an image of great comfort and style. Even a friend baulked, saying a hut built in 1860 hardly sounds like luxury accommodation.

But first impressions are rarely accurate.

1860 Luxury Accommodation - it's full title - is a couple of blocks away from the town's main shops, down the end of a laneway surrounded by a neat, small garden. And sure enough it is a timber hut, rustic yet spick-and-span. But get this: it has been hand hewn. Just imagine felling, splitting and carving the mountain ash that became the building's framework; a feat of great craftsmanship as the precision and uniformity of each wooden slab is astonishing. It's all part of the history and charm of this place.

Inside, it's another story.

The 1860 hut is merely a cocoon to a contemporary interior. If the weather is chilly, the fire will be lit before guests arrive; in summer, the airconditioner is on. The open-plan kitchen, dining and sitting area are spacious and separate from the equally airy bedroom and compact bathroom.

Beautiful recycled or reclaimed timber features throughout from the jarrah floorboards and blue gum dining table to the railway sleeper that's now the mantelpiece. In the hands of someone less skilled and lacking passion, 1860 could be a shambles. It's a credit, then, to owners Matt Pfahlert and his wife, Gina Bladon, who have restored the historic hut. A booklet detailing its history and refurbishment is on top of a blacksmith's bellows, now the coffee table, and makes for interesting reading. Pfahlert and Bladon's dedication to "honouring the integrity of the building" and the environment makes me love the place more.

It certainly helps that this self-contained hut, which caters only for a couple, has all the right niceties and mod-cons from an espresso machine, a proper teapot with loose-leaf tea, a king-size and ultra-comfortable bed, a deep bath, large fluffy white towels and matching robes to the pleasant toiletries, including lovely hand-made olive-oil soap. While the lighting is soft and warm, there's only one niggle: a brighter reading light in the bedroom is warranted because, once propped up in bed with a book, there's no need or even desire to budge for several hours except to make another pot of tea.

Still, I keep thinking this is where history and modernity have melded rather than clashed. A television and DVD player in the bedroom is discreetly set in an antique free-standing kitchen cupboard or pie safe and I barely notice the TV in the lounge area alongside the fair selection of films, books and magazines. Thankfully neither room is cluttered nor filled with kitsch relics.

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Best of all, it's peaceful. It's quite possible to stay at 1860 and not see the owners except to know they are around. A freshly baked Milawa corn bread is left on the doorstep in the morning with a newspaper. So crank up the espresso machine and take time to ease into the day starting with a hearty breakfast, which is supplied, and all that's required is the cooking. Get your partner to do it. On a tray in the fridge there are eggs, bacon, jams, juice, fruit, muesli and a carton of Rev (full cream next time please as I ain't a skinny caffe latte gal).

It's tempting to slip back into bed for a nap or another chapter. But by noon, consider venturing outdoors. There's much to do in and around Beechworth including visiting the Burke Museum highlighting the gold rush history of the region, or taking off on one of the dedicated walking and cycling routes. However, my preferred getaway options always centre on eating and drinking. There are some terrific cellar doors to visit such as Sorrenberg and Pennyweight and unless something is amiss, as in the chef's away, I always dine at Provenance - one of the country's best outposts that has won several top gongs, including country restaurant of the year in The Age Good Food Guide.

A more casual spot offering mainly pizzas is Bridge Road Brewery. If there's no time for lunch, there's always time for a craft beer and large pretzel. Both are within walking distance of 1860.

Back at the hut, enjoying a wine on the verandah while listening to the wildlife orchestra of frogs, parrots and mammals, comes the realisation I don't want to be anywhere else. And while luxury is one of those descriptors bandied about in the hospitality and travel industries, I understand why it's used as part of 1860's proper title. This is no ordinary hut.

And if anyone sneers at the idea of staying in such a place, I'll sigh dreamily and say: "I can hardly wait to get back."

VISITORS' BOOK

1860 Luxury Accommodation

Address 4 Surrey Lane, Beechworth.

Bookings Phone 0408 273 783; info1860@bigpond.com; see 1860luxuryaccommodation.com.

Getting there About a three-hour drive from Melbourne on the Hume Highway. Take the Great Alpine Road exit to Beechworth/Bright; Beechworth is about 30 minutes away with the turn-off on the left well signposted.

How much Mon-Thu $275 a night; Fri-Sun including Christmas and Easter holidays $310 a night with a minimum two-night stay. Continental breakfast is included in the price.

Summary A nod to the past yet all the modern needs and desires of the contemporary traveller are fully incorporated in your stay.

Verdict 17.

The score: 19-20 excellent; 17-18 great; 15-16 good; 13-14 comfortable.

All weekends away are conducted anonymously and paid for by Traveller.

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