Tara House - Great Places to Stay

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Tara House

from $220 per night for a couple

Please tell your hosts you found them at GPTS

Hosts: Siobhan Forbes and Rohan Lever

Address: 57 Chalet Road, Healesville VIC 3777

Tel: (+613 or 03) 5962 6626

Fax: (+613 or 03) 5962 6636

Mobile: 0409 505 973

Email: info@tararise.com.au

Property Setting: Located at Tara Rise amidst eight acres of magnificent private grounds, renowned for their historical significance.

Hours/KMs from Melbourne: 1 hour 10 mins / 65km (Melway map 278 H7)

Nearest main town: Healesville (4km)


	One of those rare discoveries you remember for a long time…. a stunning private property in the Yarra Valley, offering beautiful, boutique accommodation in a perfectly unique two-bedroom guest cottage. Nestled in the stunning, historic gardens of Tara Rise, the guest cottage, Tara House, has recently been fully restored to provide special comforts for discerning travellers. The property is moments from Healesville Sanctuary, the township of Healesville, and the area's renowned restaurants and wineries.

Property Description:
"Tara Rise" is an impressive property with magnificent park-like grounds noted for their historical significance, principally in connection with botanist Ferdinand Von Mueller, the first director of Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens. With a backdrop of Californian redwoods and Himalayan cedars the grounds combine the grand and the intimate. A sweeping lawn, with 100 year old oak and elm trees, fans out from the edge of the a large lake with an overhanging rotunda. Formal sections include the meticulously designed knot garden, a rose parterre, and a laburnum avenue descending to private creek frontage on Badger Creek.

The guest cottage nestles in the rear gardens of the property. The resident owners have put the same lavish attention into presenting the guest cottage as they do the gardens. While the bones of the cottage date back to 1890, a comprehensive renovation has incorporated more than just the amenities of today. It has adopted a modern approach to form and style - somewhere between Vogue and Country Style. White walls, white windows and doors, and white window shades create the clean, fresh, light setting for bolder highlights such as the black and white chequerboard flooring of the kitchen and ensuites, and the deep brown, smooth lines of the modern leather sofas in the lounge room. Here and there the odd antique or eclectic contemporary piece adds interest within the space.

The lounge has a cosy open fire for those cold days, while French doors to the verandah and air conditioning are a great in warm weather. There are two steps down to the kitchen which occupies one end of a long room, with a farmhouse-style, family-size meals area at the other end.

The master bedroom has a lovely garden outlook with French doors to the verandah. A walk-in robe helps keep luggage and clothes out of the way. The compact ensuite has a shower. The second bedroom is located on the opposite side of the lounge. It has a huge ensuite/ dressing room with a single spa bath and shower.

Special Features:

Discerning taste extends to the many extras provided at Tara House, from the range of Aesop toiletries to the premium brand coffee and tea. According to the season, you'll find fresh flowers and herbs from the property's gardens and bowls of oranges and lemons from the extensive citrus grove, all of which add to the sensory delights of the cottage. Guests are welcome to enjoy the extensive grounds of the property at their leisure, including fishing for silver perch in the beautifully landscaped lake, or having a quiet drink in the rotunda at lake's edge, or simply grab a book from the library and sit by the bubbling creek for the afternoon.

For guests who would like to stay in for the evening but don't fancy the thought of cooking, owner/chef Rohan Lever, can prepare dinner to be delivered to the cottage. Must be arranged in advance. Barbecue packs can also be arranged in the warmer months.

Number of Rooms: 2 bedrooms

Maximum number of Guests: 4 adults (plus infant or small child)

Bathroom Facilities: Two ensuites

Suitable for Children: Yes

Disabled access: No

Smoking restrictions: No smoking inside

Guest Pets Allowed: With prior consent from owners

Resident Pets: No

Check In/Out: In 3 pm / Out 12 noon

Description of Rooms/Units:

There are two large bedrooms with king size beds made up with fresh white Egyptian cotton bed linen, generous pillows and luxury blanketing. One can be configured as king single beds. Both bedrooms have ensuites, one with a single spa bath. Plush towels, bathrobes and luxury toiletries are supplied.

The central lounge area features an open fireplace, as well as reverse cycle air conditioner, writing desk and generous leather lounge, a small but interesting library, television, DVD and CD players, and a supply of current issue magazines. French doors open out to the verandah.

The kitchen/ dining area is fully equipped with stainless steel stove/oven, microwave, fridge, dishwasher plus thoughtful extras such as quality vinegar, Maldon sea salt, olive oil, a crisp white cotton table cloth and napery.

A separate outdoor area overlooking an orchard and picking garden, offers a Weber barbecue and a shaded spot for outdoor dining.

Breakfast: The freshest local ingredients are provided, including free range eggs, thick cut bacon, sourdough bread, Cunliffe and Waters preserves, housemade muesli, yoghurt, Genovese coffee, Fortnum & Mason teas and drinking chocolate.

Dining Options: Renowned local restaurants, including the Healesville Hotel, Bella Verde and Giant Steps, are moments away. Also you can do your own thing and cook in, or pre-arrange something with your hosts (see Special Features above)

Guest BBQ Facilities: Yes

Please confirm tariff with hosts prior to reservation.

Tariff: (Includes breakfast provisions for the first night of your stay)
Weekend: $550 for two nights for one couple. Single night booking $300 for one couple
Midweek (Sun to Thu): $220 per night for one couple
Extra persons or use of second bedroom $100 per night

Minimum Stay: No

Deposit: 50%

Cancellation Terms: Less than 14 days' notice - deposit retained. Less than 7 days' notice - full tariff will be charged. In such cases, refunds will be given if the vacancy is refilled at equivalent value.

Credit Cards Accepted: To be advised

Visit the property's own web site: Click here

Disclaimer: Information presented on this web site has been supplied by individual properties and collected from reputable tourism resources. Great Places to Stay endeavours to keep the information accurate and current, however it takes no responsibility for errors and omissions, and the information is subject to change without notice. Intending guests should confirm pricing and other details at time of booking.