Planetrees Lodge, Stanley – Australia

Where

PlaneTrees Lodge, Stanley, 8 kilometres from Beechworth.

The setting

PlaneTrees Lodge is set back from the road amid a beautiful rambling garden on 2 hectares. The Tuscany inspired self-contained retreat has a eucalypt state forest as a backdrop. The plane tree drive inspired the name.

The space

Retired architect Genevieve Milham has spent five years restoring the two storey four-bedroom lodge and creating the magnificent garden.Thirty years of travelling has influenced her ambitious plans with European influences.

Generous living and dining areas, shady verandahs and a covered patio plus four bedrooms and two bathrooms make it perfect for group gatherings. There are quality fold out beds and extra rooms in Genevieve’s nearby farm house, if the numbers swell.

The rustic lodge features log and earth walls and quirky touches such as handmade black wattle branch bedside tables.

The kit

Quality bedding, all-cotton linen, large bath towels and monogramed cotton dressing gowns feature in the cosy yet spacious lodge.

As well as air conditioning and heating there’s a wood heater to ward off any chills.

Masterchef wannabes will be happy in the fully equipped kitchen and don’t be surprised to find Genevieve’s offerings from her impressive vegie garden left at the back door. There’s a barbecue and al fresco dining among the vines is great for a lazy lunch. Huge weeping mulberry trees are perfect for hide and seek and there are swings in the peppermint gum. There’s also a bocce court for big kids.

Zsa Zsa, a cute mini dachshund occasionally wanders by to say hello.

Comfort factor

City stress melts away as you sit in the garden serenaded by tinkling fountains or fall asleep in the hammock.

Attention to detail is everywhere as well as quality furnishings and decor.

The nearby recreation reserve has a large children’s playground and tennis courts and there are beautiful Landcare walking paths within five minutes.  The garden is a spectacle year round with 3000 tulips flowering in spring and a riot of colour in summer.

The unique 16m natural swimming pond set within a lily covered lake, is perfect for a dip.

Star gazers will enjoy an astronomy fix looking at the dark skies with bright stars and full moons.

The food

A breakfast hamper with three types of cereal, bread, eggs, milk, butter, ground coffee, jams and honey is provided for the first morning.

The iconic Stanley Pub, just a short walk away is renowned for its French bistro where we dined on twice baked Milawa chevre souffle, followed by Poussin with witlof, Milawa chevre and Mt Buffalo hazelnuts and a finale of

Stanley apple tarte tatin that was sensational.