This was published 13 years ago
Dreamers luxury accommodation, Tawonga South review: To sleep, perchance to dream
Rustic luxe ... seclusion among the trees in the Snowgums chalet.Credit: Sue Wallace
In the high country, Sue Wallace finds a quirky place for rest and revival.
I used to look longingly at the Dreamers sign every time I drove through Mount Beauty on the way to Falls Creek with a carload of overexcited children, ski gear and a week's supply of food on our annual trek to the ski-fields during the school holidays.
There was something about the name that always intrigued me.
A decade later - minus ski gear and kids - we turn left into Dreamers, which now has a variety of accommodation including individually themed chalets and new eco-friendly apartments that can sleep up to seven people.
We opt for the secluded Snowgums studio spa chalet, designed for two, that has a certain charm about it.
Overnight bags and our "moveable feast" are unloaded and we cross a quaint little footbridge and follow a winding dirt path to arrive at our rustic-style chalet.
There is almost a whimsical design about this older self-contained accommodation with wavy corrugated iron roof, rock walls and timber deck.
On my way in I eye off an outdoor rock spa and hot tub decorated with colourful tiles, which is well positioned to take in the magical mountain views. There are candles waiting to be lit and an overhead lamp.
We drop our bags in the chalet, which is filled with natural night from skylights and windows, and explore.
There's a ladder leading to a loft with a day bed, which I earmark for reading the Sunday papers. Below there's a cosy sunken lounge with a comfortable couch, heaps of cushions, candles, a stone open fireplace - ideal for the snow season - and a digital LCD television, video player and iPod docking station.
The open-plan kitchenette has a full-size oven, microwave, half fridge and dishwasher. Tea, plunger coffee, milk and chocolates are supplied.
The kitchenette is well equipped with everything you could need to whip up a dish to impress and the open plate rack above the sink gives a nod to "Australiana". A small dining nook with a glass table and cane chairs is perfect for dinner and breakfast before we head back to work.
The adjoining bedroom has a queen-size bed and a walk-in wardrobe with fluffy bathrobes.
Worthy of mention is the unusual timber-and-glass wash basin and there is a twin shower but I have already planned a candlelit spa with some rose bath oil.
Just off the verandah, a hammock sways in the breeze, well placed for the rural views.
A nearby thatched-roof pergola, which reminds me of those you see in Fiji or Bali, has two sun lounges facing Mount Bogong and the nearby mountain ranges, which are covered in snow during winter.
Across the fields contented cattle graze happily and take a look at us every so often.
There is a huge expanse of freshly mown lawn in front of our chalet that resembles a cricket oval and a stand of tall plane trees provides plenty of shade. Lofty gum trees frame the paddocks.
I feel secluded and relaxed as I stretch out on the sun lounge and listen to the local bird life. Despite their chirping I find myself drifting off.
The 2½-hectare property has a trout-filled lagoon and a jetty with table and chairs - perfect for a romantic dinner, we are told. If you fancy a dip there's a pool and sun deck but we decide to take a walk into town.
We stride out on the 15-minute trip into Mount Beauty, which lies at the foot of Mount Bogong, Victoria's highest mountain.
The town has a population of 2300, which swells considerably during the ski season and in summer also attracts many tourists and cyclists.
We enjoy good coffee at the Mount Beauty Bakery and resist the tempting pastries.
Falls Creek is only a 35-minute drive from Mount Beauty and is as impressive in summer as it is during the snow season.
Today there are cyclists tackling the challenging climb.
We return to our secluded retreat and enjoy a glass of wine on the verandah, candles flickering in the breeze, looking up at those mountain ranges. I now know why it is called Dreamers.
VISITORS' BOOK
Dreamers luxury accommodation
Address 218 Kiewa Valley Highway, Tawonga South.
Phone 5754 1222, see dreamers1.com.
Cost $340 a night for two in a spa chalet. Breakfast is an extra $30 for two.
Getting there Mount Beauty is about 350 kilometres from Melbourne. Head up the Hume Freeway then take the B500 (Great Alpine Road) exit towards Beechworth and Bright.
Summary Rustic seclusion with panoramic mountain views.
Verdict 16
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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