Get away from it all and experience the simple beauty of this rustic barn in the heart of the Hunter Valley. You'll have the spacious privacy of the barn all to yourself, plus a dedicated outdoor courtyard.
Enjoy a variety of animals on the host's acreage, or explore the Hunter Valley or nearby Watagans.
Sustainable building design ensures low footprint living. Features include natural insulation of earth walls, a woodfire stove, and a modern odourless composting toilet barely distinguishable from regular toilets.
Dogs welcome to stay in an adjoining fenced area approx 100 sq m.
The space
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Until around 2021 the barn was just a basic timber structure that had been used at various times as an art gallery, tack room or general storage. It was transformed over about three years into rustic, yet elegant, fully self-contained accommodation.
The barn is spacious, warm and inviting with a queen bed, queen sofa bed, 2 single beds, separate bathroom, fully equipped kitchenette and open plan living and dining area.
The barn has two levels. Everything needed for a couple (or even 4 people) is located downstairs at ground level, and there is additional bedroom space upstairs with a further 2 single beds.
The barn has a lovely cozy fireplace that will keep you warm during winter, and great earth wall rendering that insulates and keeps the temperature mild all year round.
Beyond passive / renewable heating and cooling, additional sustainability features include tank water (with multi layer filter for drinking water), composting toilet (barely distinguishable from a traditional toilet), greywater reuse and solar panels for the power supply.
The staircase is steep, so the upstairs bedroom may not be suitable for people with mobility issues.
The barn is situated on a 27 acre farm in the foothills of the Watagans. The property has a pool that is available for guests in summer, and an outdoor dining area that is available by arrangement on request.
There are lots of domesticated animals on the property as well as wild kangaroos, native birds, and even the occasional echidna or wombat if you're lucky.
Guest access
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Getting to the barn is easiest and best using your own vehicle. There is plenty of space on the property for your vehicle and trailer or caravan if you have one.
You have full and exclusive access to the barn and dog run, as well as freedom to walk around the front 7 acres of the property, noting there are some areas we request you avoid.
Areas to avoid include: around the other houses except if knocking on the door, to respect the privacy of your hosts and their family, and also around the front dam for safety.
We have an extensive list of farm animals and pets for you to enjoy watching including horses, sheep, guinea pigs, guinea fowl, chickens and ducks. The only animal that is usually free to roam in the same open general yard area as guests is our friendly dog. Please do not open gates or doors to animal enclosures or access other paddocks unless guided by your hosts. Your friendly hosts are able to give you a tour of the farm and animals if desired.
Other things to note
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PETS: If you want to bring a pet it should be included and paid for in your booking. Pets are not allowed inside the barn, but should be kept in the closed dog run at all times. They should be on lead if taken out of the dog run.
FOOD: There are a number of restaurants and take-away options in the area. Here is a list of choices in order of distance from the Barn:
* The Hunter Valley Retreat is within 1km of the Barn on the opposite side of Sandy Creek Rd, about 500m to the east or right from the gate. There is a kitchen there but they only provide prebooked meals. Please contact them directly.
* Kitchener (11km)
o Khartoum Hotel Pub
* Freemans Waterhole (15km)
o Oak Milk Bar
* Cessnock (16km)
o Mr O Wholefoods
o Bistro Molines
o The Italian Cottage
o At Roi Thai
o Many more options (fast food, Indian, etc)
* Kurri Kurri (19km)
o Kurri Hot Bread
o A few more options
* A bit further: Wollombi (35km), Pokolbin (30km) have a wealth of great restaurants
The nearest supermarkets (groceries) are at Cessnock (16km away), which has Woolworths, Coles and Aldi.
