Benbellen Country Retreat & Cottages
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Cancellation policies apply |
          
Click on an image for a larger view |
| Rates are TAX inclusive, per room, and will be charged in Australian Dollars ($) |
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Hover mouse over price for inclusions and stay restrictions
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Change to all days / Showing weekends
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| Room Description | Min. Night Stay | Full Rate |
Sat 28 Nov |
Sun 29 Nov |
Fri 04 Dec |
Sat 05 Dec |
Sun 06 Dec |
Fri 11 Dec |
Sat 12 Dec |
Sun 13 Dec |
Fri 18 Dec |
Sat 19 Dec |
Sun 20 Dec |
Fri 25 Dec |
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| Balcony DBB1 Special |
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1 | AU$275 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | |
| Balcony DBB2 Special |
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2 | AU$275 | 225 | 225 | 225 | 225 | 225 | 225 | 225 | 225 | 225 | 225 | 225 | |
| Balcony B&B Special |
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2 | AU$195 | 165 | 165 | 165 | 165 | 165 | 165 | 165 | 165 | 165 | 165 | 165 | |
| Cherry Tree Cottage |
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2 | AU$195 | 130 | 130 | 130 | 130 | 130 | 155 | 155 | 155 | 155 | 155 | ||
| Penlan Cottage |
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2 | AU$195 | 155 | 155 | 155 | 155 | 155 | 155 | 155 | |||||
Property Details
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Revitalise yourself with fresh air, peace and quiet with country hospitality second to none. The large open-plan homestead, with its solar-passive design and its quietly stated elegance, is purpose built with your privacy and comfort in mind. Ample annexed guest areas and library allow you to mingle with your well travelled hosts and/or other guests, or do your own thing! Healthy yet hearty evening meals using locally grown produce are available and many a stimulating conversation has been known to be held around the Benbellen dining table. Additional dinner is $40 per head for a three course meal with wine; menus are discussed with guests to focus on the best possible experience for them. Breakfast with fresh (to die for) eggs from the farm, home baked breads and homemade jams is included in the tariff. Please be sure to provide us with any food or other special requirements in the "comments" section of your booking form. Benbellen Country Retreat is a small working alpaca farm, tucked away in a lush green hidden valley at Hannam Vale, just 40 minutes from Port Macquarie, 15 minutes from Laurieton and 30 minutes from Taree. You will fall in love with the farm itself with its magical landscape of rolling hills and lotus strewn lake vistas in an English-style countryside. The fully ensuite guest rooms at Benbellen have one queen bed and are not suitable for children who are most welcome with well behaved parents at our two cottages; Cherry Tree Cottage and Penlan Cottage. Cherry Tree Cottage is located on the farm and is ideal for a couple seeking a romantic getaway in the peace and quite of the valley. Suitable also for small families who want the experience of farm life on a small alpaca farm as well as the joys of the area. The cottage has two bedrooms; one with a queen bed and access direct to the huge veranda and the other bedroom has a single bed and two bunk beds. Designed to be environmentally friendly. Penlan Cottage is located separately in its own farm environment and is suitable both as a getaway for a couple or for families of five. Dogs are also welcome - provided their owners are well behaved. This cottage has two large bedrooms; one with a queen bed and the other with a double bed and two single beds. Families with children staying at Cherry Tree Cottage or Penlan Cottage are welcome to participate in limited farm activities by arrangement. The tariff for both cottages includes provisions for a hearty breakfast: fresh farms eggs; home baked bread; home made jams; yoghurt; local orange juice as well as cereals and spreads. Whether on a short break escape or just "passing through", we know you will be back. |
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Balcony DBB1 Special
The room's furniture is from local timbers made by a local tradesman. It has own balcony for privacy or close access to the extensive house library, lounge and AV/TV areas. There are wonderful and extensive views of the farm and gardens. Rates are for 2 people. The room caters for a maximum of 2 adults. The following bedding is provided:
Cancellation Policy:
1 Night Penalty Always
(details...
 
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Cancellations or changes to bookings for this room will forfeit the full amount of the first changed or cancelled night.
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Balcony DBB2 Special
The room's furniture is from local timbers made by a local tradesman. It has own balcony for privacy or close access to the extensive house library, lounge and AV/TV areas. There are wonderful and extensive views of the farm and gardens. Rates are for 2 people. The room caters for a maximum of 2 adults. The following bedding is provided:
Cancellation Policy:
1 Night Penalty Always
(details...
)
Cancellations or changes to bookings for this room will forfeit the full amount of the first changed or cancelled night.
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Balcony B&B Special
The room's furniture is from local timbers made by a local tradesman. It has own balcony for privacy or close access to the extensive house library, lounge and AV/TV areas. There are wonderful and extensive views of the farm and gardens. Rates are for 2 people. The room caters for a maximum of 2 adults. The following bedding is provided:
Cancellation Policy:
1 Night Penalty Always
(details...
)
Cancellations or changes to bookings for this room will forfeit the full amount of the first changed or cancelled night.
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Cherry Tree Cottage
The main bedroom sleeps 2 in a queen size bed; the 2nd bedroom sleeps up to 2 at $25-40 extra per person per day. Luxury with full facilities including barbecue on spacious veranda, breakfast provisions, fabulous view. Pleanty of on-farm activities. Rates are for 2 people. Extra adults $40.00. Extra children $25.00. The room caters for a maximum of 3 adults, and a maximum of 3 children but cannot exceed 5 guests in total. Available bedding configurations:
Cancellation Policy:
1 Night Penalty Always
(details...
)
Cancellations or changes to bookings for this room will forfeit the full amount of the first changed or cancelled night.
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Penlan Cottage
Penlan Cottage's main bedroom sleeps 2 in a queen size bed; a 2nd bedroom sleeps up to 3 at $25-40 extra per person per day. Luxury with full facilities including barbecue on spacious veranda, breakfast provisions, great rural views. Rates are for 2 people. Extra adults $40.00. Extra children $25.00. The room caters for a maximum of 3 adults, and a maximum of 3 children but cannot exceed 5 guests in total. Available bedding configurations:
Cancellation Policy:
1 Night Penalty Always
(details...
)
Cancellations or changes to bookings for this room will forfeit the full amount of the first changed or cancelled night.
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Business FacilitiesTelephone, facsimile, Internet WiFi connection, photocopying facilities are all available. The property is ideal for small exclusive business retreats with a highly experienced in-house business facilitator on premises. |
| Check In |
1400hrs |
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| Check In Instructions |
Please phone half an hour to an hour away to advise of arrival if at all possible, so we can be ready to welcome you, particularly if you are likely to be especially late. Please provide names of both parties and a mobile number if possible. |
| Check Out |
1000hrs |
| Getting There |
Guests for the Benbellen or Cherry Tree Cottage: Turn west off the Pacific Highway at Johns River or Moorland and follow Hannam Vale Road (from Moorland) or Stewarts River Road (from Johns River) then Hannam Vale Road through the Hannam Vale Village past the General School - straight ahead onto Waitui Road (where Hannam Vale Road turns sharp right at Cowan's Dairy) - through Waitui village and then right onto Cherry Tree Lane. The entrance to Benbellen farm is marked by two large wagon wheels at the end of the lane. Please proceed to park in the visitors car park at the main gate if you are staying at the Balcony Room or (if you are staying at Cherry Tree Cottage) proceed through the gates clearly marked Benbellen Farmstay and wait for us at the front of the homestead. There are frequent "comfort signs" along the road to Benbellen from the Pacific Highway. Guests for Penlan Cottage will find it 6km from the highway on Hannam Vale Road (see above for access) just past Jerusalem Road and then a small brick church to the right; there is a blue and white "pointer" sign at the gate to Penlan Cottage. Nearest rail is Taree and nearest airport is Port Macquarie; pick-up is available by request |
| Parking |
Off-street parking always available, under cover parking is also available on request at the fasrmhouse. Under cover parking available at both cottages. |
| Things To Do |
What to do … in the beautiful Hannam Vale and surrounds … the Kangaroo Valley of the Mid North Coast One of New South Wales’ best kept secrets, Hannam Vale is located to the West of the Pacific Highway. The valley entrance is protected by Middle Brother to the North and South Brother to the South; it features rolling green hills surrounded by the granite outcrops of the Lansdowne escarpment. Its “country experience” is completed by its occasional rattling wooden bridge and the gentle roller-coaster roads that wander through the lush green pasture land. Hannam Vale is an ideal place to rest and relax for its own sake or as a respite from travel up and down the Pacific Highway. It is also a convenient and comfortable base for experiencing the wonderful natural and scenic attractions of the area: • National Parks. The area abounds with National Parks each with its own particular appeal. Coorabakh National Park abuts the Lansdowne Escarpment to the west of Hannam Vale and is easily accessible from our properties. Its features the Big Nellie Volcanic Plug, Flat Rock Lookout and Newby’s Creek Walk and Caves as well as Newby’s Lookout; 4WD is useful and highly recommended in the wetter weather. To the north is Dooragan National Park which “surrounds” North Brother with access to the south off Ocean Road from Kew to Laurieton with a wonderful panoramic drive through rain forest to twin lookouts with combined views extending from Kempsey and Port Macquarie to the north and Old Bar and Tuncurry Forster to the South. There is Crowdy Bay National Park with miles of pristine Pacific shoreline from fabulous Crowdy Head through to Dunbogan and the Diamond Head Reserve and Kylie’s Hut. • Rainforests abound in and around the area and not just in its fabulous national parks. The south side of Middle Brother, one of the two peaks guarding the entrance to the valley is rich in rainforest trails and walkways. Take Jerusalem Road north off Hannam Vale Road at Stewarts River and follow the signs to the east of the road to Kendall and experience the depth of the forest growth of the area. Look for the signs to the walk ways off the roadway. Stop off for refreshments at the Bower Bird Café, the home of Norfolk Punch and other world famous non-alcoholic wines and beverages. • Bird and animal watching. Everywhere you go in the area wild life abounds. Kangaroos and wallabies run wild at dawn and dusk along the roads; they are especially plentiful at the Diamond Head Park where they have been tamed over the years by campers. Koalas are plentiful toward Port Macquarie (where there is a koala hospital open to the public). There is also a koala sanctuary just off the Pacific Highway toward Wauchope where visitors can pat the animals. • Monster trees. Middle Brother National Park is the home of some of the tallest trees in New South Wales. Access from Jerusalem Road from Stewarts River or Batar Creek Road from Kendal: watch closely for the signposts to “Big Fella Gum” and “Bird Tree” both requiring short strolls off the road through the cool rainforests walkways. • Bushwalking trails are available to the south of Penlan Cottage or on Benbellen farm as well as many more strenuous walks through the National Parks at Lansdowne, Coopernook, Laurieton, Crowdy Bay or Diamond Head. • Waterfalls. From a quick dip in the pool at Waitui Falls to the north of Waitui and Benbellen, the walk to the Falls at the top of Isaac Lane at Johns River to a day long trip through Comboyne or Wingham to Ellenborough Falls, the area is full of the special delights of running and falling waters. • 4WD trails. The road from Coopernook to Hannam Vale through Waitui past the turn off to Benbellen on Cherry Tree Lane takes in the delights of the lookouts and walks prepared by NSW National parks and Wildlife Service. Many other 4WD trails exist at Coopernook, Middle Brother, Crowdy Bay and the West of Herons Creek through the state forests that characterise the area. • Horse riding. Limited in the valley itself due to the ravages of the third party insurance costs, there are a couple of excellent rides available just an hour’s drive from the valley. Sherry or Peter will organise your riding for you; all ages and experiences catered for. • Blueberry picking. From late November to Mid-January each year, Jenny Kompara’s blueberry farm is “open” to visitors who pay for a bucket and “pick their own” to their heart’s – and perhaps their stomach’s – content. • Pacific Coast beaches. From Forster Tuncurry and Old Bar to the south through to Crowdy Bay, Dunbogan and North Haven to Lighthouse Beach south of Port Macquarie as well as the many Port Macquarie beaches. A list of “dog friendly” beaches is available. • Timbertown. Great entertainment for families, Timbertown is located just west of Wauchope on the Oxley Highway • Golfing. Some of the best courses in the Mid North Coast are but a short drive away: Port Macquarie Golf Club south of Port Macquarie on the Ocean Road; Wauchope Country Club, Camden Haven Golf Club at Kew, Taree Golf Club on Commerce Street on the way to Wingham out of Taree, and Tuncurry Golf Club a true links course just north of Tuncurry on the Tourist Road through Forster/Tuncurry. • Wine Tasting. From Cassegrain Winery just off the Pacific Highway north of the Wauchope/Port Macquarie turnoff; Bago Bago Winery off the Bago Road north of Herons Creek to Wauchope; Long Point Winery off Huston Mitchell Drive, north of Kew. • Markets are a feature of the area and the quality of local produce is excellent: Johns River – second Saturday each month; Kendall Show Ground – every third Sunday: Laurieton – every third Sunday; and Coopernook – every first Saturday. • Art Galleries. There is the Sunset Gallery in Port Macquarie and the Manning Regional Art Gallery in Taree. • Lorne Valley Macadamia Farm where you can purchase nuts in a variety of “flavours” as well as sample the delights of the orchard café. • Other items of interest include the many cafes and restaurants of the area (see the notes in your room compendium) as well as lots of fun for the kids: Tons o’ Fun and the Big Buzz north of Tuncurry, Camel rides at Lighthouse Beach not to mentions cinemas (don’t miss the fabulous Laurieton Plaza at Laurieton). For the adventurous there is Port Water Rats for adventure boating, boat hire at Dunbogan Boatshed, paragliding at high Adventure Air Park … and lots, lots more! • … and, of course a number of on-farm activities at Benbellen including feeding the prize winning alpacas, feeding ducks, chooks and playing with Tom & Jerry two of our farm dogs. Visits to local dairies at milking time can also be arranged. |
