Bendooley Estate

This pastoral haven, set within the Southern Highlands, entices those looking to press pause on life, and eschew cityscapes for golden vineyards, expansive lakes, and lawns peppered with flowerbeds.

Six cottages, each featuring a distinct design, prettily balance luxurious décor, with countryside chic. White wood-panelled bathrooms with heated handmade tiled floors encompass deep freestanding baths, and views of the delightful gardens through open shutters. Airy studios include seating areas and glass doors, leading to private patios. Two and three bedroom-cottages have fully-equipped kitchens and spacious living rooms, with fireplaces.

The Book Barn, the heart of the estate, is an enchanting, low-lit space of exposed beams, chandeliers, and timber shelves, supporting rare works, and a vast collection of paperbacks. A stone fireplace aids in creating a cosy atmosphere, encouraging guests to linger longer, and dine at the restaurant or nurse a tipple by the bar, both of which are housed in the barn.  A seasonal menu, drawing inspiration from the nearby farmlands, can be enjoyed outside on the terrace, with panoramic vineyard vistas.

To taste the wine produced from these vines, the Cellar Door allows you to sample an array of labels in a beautiful setting, with century-old pine, glass, and locally-sourced stone enhancing the interior. Apart from presenting ample opportunities to indulge, the estate’s surrounding landscape calls for exploration on foot or by bicycle.