Friday 7 April 2017

Getaway to Coodravale Homestead & Visit to Canberra

Last month we travelled down to Canberra, the capital city of Australia, to see the Versailles exhibition at the National Gallery. We didn't want to stay in Canberra itself, though, much preferring to stay in a rural location.


We found the perfect spot, just a 1½ drive from Canberra. Located in the Wee Jasper valley, Coodravale Homestead afforded us the opportunity to take a leisurely day trip to Canberra, travelling through beautiful countryside. And then to return in the evening to 15 acres of peace and tranquility.


At any one time, only one set of guests are accommodated at Coodravale, enabling total privacy - just how we like it. The Garden Wing of the old homestead is set up for self catering, with a modern kitchenette. There are no shops close by, however, so you can't just duck out for groceries. We stocked up when we arrived at Yass, about an hour away from our destination.


Guests have full run of the property. I'm pretty sure we covered every inch of it, spending most of our time outdoors. 


Each night we ate out on the verandah, enjoying the quiet. There was no background noise!!! And it was SO dark. A night of star gazing was planned, but didn't happen due to the cloud cover.


During the daytime, we saw, and heard, so many different types of birds.


The homestead is situated on the banks of the Goodradigbee River - with private access.

Famous Australian bush poet, A.B. Banjo Paterson wrote a number of poems during his stay a Coodravale Homestead from 1908 - 1911.


We didn't see any, but hosts Rosemary and John said there are platypuses in the river. Although a problem for land owners, we did see a wombat with her baby, and numerous wombat holes.

Our four day stay was long enough to really relax and slow down - to appreciate and take in the sights, sounds and delicious smells of the beautiful surroundings. In the rush of city life, I think our senses are dulled. Not so when you slow down.


During our four days, we spent some time driving around the district, looking at the scenery. Once a seabed, the Wee Jasper valley has fascinating rocky outcrops.


For those who like to dine out, the Ducks 'N' Fishes cafe/restaurant is located on the Cooradigbee Homestead, not far from Coodravale. We've left that one for another time.


Twenty minutes down the road from Coodravale, is Careys Cave - well worth a visit. Unlike any caves we've been to, there's even a hands on section. Tours, roughly 1¼ hours in length, are run by a very knowlegeable guide, who is more than happy to answer questions.


Burrinjuck, the first major dam built for irrigation in NSW, is about 1¾ hours drive from Coodravale. Many recreational activities can be experienced within Burrinjuck Waters State Park - water sports, bushwalking, camping and fishing, etc. Unfortunately for us, there is a fee to enter the park. We just wanted a quick look around as a reference for another visit. And so we decided not to go in this time, instead opting for a drive to catch a glimpse of the dam wall - not the highlight of the trip.


Somewhere along our travels we came across this little guy. The first time I've seen an echidna in the wild.


And what's a holiday without a little shopping.


I have to admit to being a little apprehensive prior to the holiday, due to the fact that there is no mobile phone coverage at Coodravale. Internet access is available, though, as the homestead is connected to the National Broadband Network via satellite, with WIFI connectivity throughout the house. This provided all the communication we needed to the outside world, and we caught up with missed phone calls and messages when mobile coverage kicked in each day when out and about in the district.

It only took one day for me to relax and get away from the constant checking of social media. Yeah, I still logged in on the laptop each day, but once, (or maybe twice), a day was enough. It felt good!!! I should do it more often. And I needn't have been concerned about the mobile.

We both thoroughly enjoyed our short holiday to Coodravale Homestead, and came back home totally relaxed and wanting more. It most definitely won't be our last visit. Thanks, Rosemary and John, for your wonderful hospitality - oh, and the chocolate orange, too.

Where is the most relaxing holiday destination you have experienced?

... Pam




8 comments:

  1. Sounds wonderful!! So glad you had a real holiday and could relax and enjoy! Loved all of your pictures, thank you :)!

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  2. It is getting harder and harder to disconnect from the Internet. Glad you had your holiday and it looked good from your Instagram pictures.

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  3. Interestingly enough, my most relaxing holiday memories are of early trips with my husband to a place with a similar name: Jasper; our Jasper being Jasper National Park in the Rocky Mountains. Although popular with tourists in the summer, one can still choose to be as secluded as one wants there, especially in the off season. Glad you enjoyed your holiday.

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  4. What a lovely trip you had! The photos as beautiful. How cool to come across that little beast, and that cave look fascinating. Hope you were able to get photos of the Versailles exhibit to share with us sometime???

    We've just come back from a trip to Hawaii which included cruising between the islands. It was definitely my favorite vacation so far although I can't say it was the most relaxing since there was so much we wanted to see. I was pleasantly surprised at the large number of Aussies we met there. It turns out that their trip to Hawaii takes less time than our trip from New York.

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  5. this looks a wonderful place to stay the kind of holiday I would so enjoy. I think maybe I am due one as have not been away except for the odd night since 2002 when I visited Australia to stay with my sister

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  6. 'Sounds like a perfect getaway! Thank you for sharing this lovely post at Tuesdays with a Twist! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

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  7. Coodravale Homestead looks idyllic, wow. I love these kinds of breaks, cut off from the hurly burly fast paced world. Thanks so much for sharing all the beautiful photos

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    1. It was great to get away, Michelle. We'll definitely be going back.

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