Ok stop. Close your eyes, and breathe in deeply. Hear that? Nothing. Except maybe some birds, or the wind rustling the gum trees. All around there is a sense of seclusion, privacy and calm. Now you can really relax.
Come on inside. The house is brand new and gorgeous, fully renovated and extended in 2020 by award-winning local architect Wes Hindmarch. There’s tons of space for two families, with four bedrooms (two queens and two twins), two living areas and two bathrooms. It’s all been professionally cleaned for your arrival. Outside there are four separate decks – an alfresco area for every season.
Don’t worry about the kids, they’ve already found the handmade timber pingpong table, or the retro arcade game table, or the tree swings, or the cubbyhouse. Or maybe they’ve already wandered off to explore the 5 fully-fenced acres of native bush.
Once you’ve settled in, why not grab a beer, or pour yourself a frosty glass of pinot grigio? You deserve it. Wander outside and say hello to one of the resident wombats who usually makes an appearance in the late afternoon, or watch the grey kangaroos and their joeys lazing in the shade of a scribbly gum. Jump into the hammock chair before anyone else does – you might never want to get out.
Who’s cooking? There are plenty of staples in the pantry to help you with your culinary masterpiece, and the kitchen is fully equipped. There’s also a BBQ just outside on the front deck, overlooking the orchard. Or if you don’t feel like cooking there’s great takeaway Thai, Indian and pizza in the village.
As the sun sets it’s time to light a fire. There are two inside – a Jetmaster open grate fireplace and a slow combustion heater, both perfect for settling down with a good book and a peaty single malt. Or if the weather is nice, head to the outdoor firepit, but be sure to get there first to claim the swing-chair. If you don’t feel like lighting a fire, don’t worry, there’s reverse cycle airconditioning throughout the house.
Or stay inside, kick the kids off the arcade table and set a new high score on Donkey Kong. There’s complimentary Netflix and Amazon Prime on the TV, and broadband wi-fi throughout the house (Satellite NBN - limited speed and data due to our regional location). There are books, games and DVDs for a rainy day. All linen is provided, including an abundance of fluffy towels. There will be no problem getting your coffee fix either, with both a pod coffee-maker and an espresso machine.
Two kilometres down the road is the beautiful Bendeela picnic and camping area, where you can wander along the riverbank under the shade of tall trees, fish for bass and other local species, or take a plunge into the water off the end of a rope swing.
Kangaroo valley village is just a 5 minute drive down the road. It has a great pub and a collection of wonderful eateries, as well as the spectacular and historic Hampden Bridge. Nearby there are almost limitless activities, including canoeing on the Kangaroo River, mountain bike riding, hiking, spectacular waterfalls at Fitzroy and Bellmore, wonderful shops and restaurants at Berry, and the glorious beaches of the Shoalhaven.
But perhaps the best thing to do is to stay put. There is plenty of room to kick a ball, ride a bike, or find a quiet spot to read a book. Send the kids to chase the wallabies out of the micro-vineyard. Enjoy a glass of shiraz and a runny King Island brie while the sun sets and the wildlife come out into the dusk. The choice is yours. Whatever you do, breathe the fresh air, soak up the tranquility and drink in the beauty of one of the most spectacular valleys in Australia.