australian PLACES...great weekends away in Victoria
accommodation review
GRENOCA
AVOCA
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This delightful house in the old Gold Rush town of Avoca is perfect for those wanting a spacious, comfortable and private retreat for a weekend or longer. Built in the 1880s, the Victorian style brick house is located opposite local churches, handy for some, and served as a manse for decades from the early 1900s.
In more recent decades the house has been used for bed and breakfast accommodation and now, under the ownership of Maree Green, it has been renamed Grenoca and almost completely refurbished - and transformed into luxury self-contained accommodation for one to four couples, or indeed, a family - but always only one group at a time.
Guests are given instructions on operating the special keylock by the back door. Beyond the mellow brick facade lies a real treat - the wide rear hallway reveals polished pine floors, fresh paintwork and heaps of period character.This room doubles as a breakfast area with table and chairs, wood heater, and a compendium of local information. Conveniently, the kitchen is through a doorway and has all modern necessities like full size fridge, oven and cooktop, crockery and electrical appliances. Breakfast goodies such as bacon and eggs, bread, cereals, juice, milk, tea and coffee, jams are waiting for guests.
The arched central hall leads to a lounge (bottom left) which has a formal dining setting, leather couches, wood heater and tv/dvd/vcr and stereo with movies and music CDs. Hydonic heating is installed throughout Grenoca.
Towards the front of the house is a new bathroom, and two spacious double bedrooms. The main bedroom (photo second from top) is my personal pick as it's even larger and boasts a new ensuite bathroom. All bedrooms have polished pine floors, pressed metal or cedar lined ceilings, and double or queen bed.
The fourth bedroom is off the rear hallway and faces the side garden. The third bathroom has double spa, two showers and toilet - It's the last area of the house to be refurbished, and Maree says she intends to have it rebuilt soon.
A blend of quality colonial antique furniture, antique prints, paintings and photographs mix with new beds, tables and curtains - all very stylishly and tastefully executed. It's just the way many would like to restore a heritage home in the suburbs.
The big double block has extensive gardens, a gazebo, bbq, outdoor settings and undercover parking for one car. Years of drought and water restrictions have left the garden a below its best, and in deference to Australia's long-term water problem I recommend that guests think carefully before using Grenoca's spa bath.
Grenoca offers excellent accommodation for those wanting a weekend away or longer; Avoca is central to the Pyrenees wine region, which produces premium whites and reds, but is specially noted for shiraz. Many wineries open their cellar doors daily for sales and tastings. The house is in easy walking distance of local cafes and bakeries for lunch, and country pubs for dinner. There are many lovely heritage buildings to explore in town, and scenic tours in the region.
WHERE: 102 Rutherford Street, Avoca. 185km north-west of Melbourne via Western Fwy/Sunraysia Hwy, about 2.5 hours drive.
HOW MUCH: From $120 per night for two, with breakfast goodies Extra couples at reduced rate; negotiable for longer stays.
CONTACT: Phone (03) 9763 9886 or mobile 0403 133 035
Internet www.pyreneestourism.com.au/grenoca
SUITABLE FOR: couples, groups, families.
copyright PETER ROBINSON 2007 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED