O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat; Pumphouse Point; Balgownie Estate/Melanie Fry82 wanderlust.co.uk October 2019
WANDERSLEEPS
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O’REILLY’S
RAINFOREST RETREAT,
QUEENSLAND
Deep in Lamington National
Park, O’Reilly’s is more than a
hotel: every day starts with a free birdwatching
walk, and the treetop canopy trail puts you
nose-to-beak with king parrots, crimson rosellas
and more. Over the past 93 years, the estate has
grown from a simple remote homestead to a
veritable village made from recycled materials- with solar power and spring-fed water.
SECRET TIP: Follow the path to Morans Falls: the
80-metre cascade roars after heavy winter rain.
Double rooms from AU$241 (£134) per night,
including breakfast; oreillys.com.au
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PUMPHOUSE POINT,
TASMANIA
A tiny white cabin surrounded by
Lake St Clair’s shimmering waters,
Pumphouse Point is a cosy pier-end
retreat in Tasmania’s Central Highlands. Quietly indulgent,
with deep-soak bathtubs and a stylish snug stu ed with
Tassie wine, you’ll ind forest-fringed coves, pristine
beaches and the Shadow Lake Circuit nearby. The latter,
at 12km, is one of Australia’s premier day walks and hops
with wild wallabies and Tasmanian devils.
SECRET TIP: A 15-minute drive away, ‘The Wall’ is a
100-metre-high, hand-carved sculpture – a must-see.
Double rooms from AU$495 (£276) per night,
including breakfast; pumphousepoint.com.au78
BALGOWNIE
ESTATE, VICTORIA
Bendigo’s family-owned
vineyards are renowned for
their qua able Shiraz and
Cabernet Sauvignon wines – and Balgownie
Estate was one of their irst, established 50
years ago. After the rush of Melbourne (a
two-hour drive away), its lush grounds and
wine tastings are just the tonic. Each of its
vineyard-view bell tents has a double bed
and Balgownie wines aplenty – the Cellar
Door bar is within stumbling distance too.
SECRET TIP: Try the Black Label Sparkling
Shiraz – for plum and black currant lavours.
Glamping bell tents from AU$191 (£106)
per night, including breakfast;
balgownieestatebendigo.com