GG's by the river.
Nina Rousseau soaks up the general excellence at a riverside hideaway in Eurobin.
THE SETTING
Amid the snow-capped Mount Buffalo and Mount Feathertop, and with private frontage of the mighty Ovens River, GG's by the River in Eurobin is a brilliant new player. It's run by ex-Sydney tree-changers Jennie and Steve Gilliver, who took over the five-hectare property about six years ago, ripped out the blackberries, planted gardens, and rebuilt the rundown farmhouse. Now, they share it with two alpacas (Wallace and Gromit), two sheep, three horses, two poodles, umpteen birds - bowerbirds, finches, cockatoos - plus the odd kangaroo and wombat, and whichever guests happen to be staying in the self-contained, luxury GG's.
THE SPACE
It has been purpose-built to meet the AAA Tourism accommodation star-rating criteria, so the bedrooms are spacious and plushly carpeted, with beds that can be split into king singles. Bathrooms are stylish, heated and roomy - there are two, an en suite for each bedroom - with big showerheads and thick towels. The open-plan living space is ultra-comfy, with a wood-fired heater that's set and ready and double doors that open onto the verandah.
THE KIT
Everything here is top quality, from the modular leather couch, which is big enough for three people to lie on , to the high-thread-count sheets and squashy pillows. Appliances are all on hand - a coffee machine, a massive wall-mounted high-definition TV, a french-door fridge with ice-maker, a dishwasher, an extra wide gas-electric oven, and a washing machine and dryer.
COMFORT FACTOR
Pages of GG's guest book are devoted to "they've thought of everything" comments. There's a kids' section with loads of toys, and a mini kitchen with pots and pans. Rummage in the dresser for DVDs and books, and there are three different strengths of reading glasses (in case you've forgotten yours). Baby shampoo and personal items are in the bathroom, and in the kitchen there are home-made jams - maybe persimmon and feijoa picked from the property's trees. "I'd rather give people more than what they expect," says Jennie, who adds that she's an "experienced granny" with five grandchildren. If she's free, babysitting can be arranged for $25 an hour.
FOOD
Tani Eat & Drink just won New Regional Restaurant of the Year in The Age Good Food Guide 2014 for being "the most exciting addition to the dining scene beyond Melbourne in the past 12 months", with its Japanese-Euro food. Fine-diner Simone's is consistently good, keeping its chef's hat in this year's Guide. For cafes, Ginger Baker is the pick, with its cosy, light-filled rooms and rambling outdoor river seating. Bright Brewery is the spot for a drink and a pizza, and Pepperleaf Bush Tucker Restaurant does an old-school two-course Sunday roast special for $20. If you can't be bothered going out, GG's has home-made soup in the freezer, and freshly baked cakes on arrival.
WORTH STEPPING OUT FOR
You don't have to step too far - wander around the property and say g'day to the resident animals, while listening to the kookaburras and cockatoos screeching about. There's a trampoline for the kids. You can bring your own horse (or dog) to stay, or Jennie can arrange horse-riding lessons with a qualified instructor. The Red Stag Deer Farm is just down the road, with emus, deer and goats wandering about and a tractor for the kids to climb on. Fly-fishing types can throw a line in the Ovens River. In snow season, it's a handy spot for Mount Buffalo and Mount Hotham. Food outings include berries from Bright Berry Farms.
HOW TO GET THERE
GG's by the River is about 300 kilometres from Melbourne - about a 3½-hour drive. Take the Hume Freeway (M31) towards Seymour then the B500 exit to Beechworth. GG's is about halfway between Myrtleford and Bright, opposite the Eurobin Rail Trail Station.
ESSENTIALS
GG's by the River is at 6132 Great Alpine Road, Eurobin. Phone 0407 242 789 or (03) 5756 2460. Price $295 a night (for one bedroom), $350 a night (for two bedrooms); two-night minimum. See ggsbytheriver.com.au.
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