MacDonnell House, a quality B&B

MacDONNELL HOUSE is a self-contained Bed and Breakfast. Prices are based on the number of Adults and Children and the number of nights of the stay. Tariffs include full breakfast provisions. Children under 2 are free. The house at 38 MacDonnell Street, in the heart of Naracoorte, is the ideal “refresh and relax” destination for up to four couples, but is also very appealing to singles, families and corporate guests. The 1930s local stone bungalow, with 21st century interior makeover, has four bedrooms – one king-sized and three queen-sized –and three bathrooms. It’s next to the Visitor Information Centre car park and a short walk from Naracoorte Community Playground, Lions Pioneer Park and the centre of town – you can walk along MacDonnell Street or take the Naracoorte Creek Walk. The open kitchen/dining room seats eight at the timber table and two leather sofas – great for casual eating and chatting over meals, drinks and snacks. There’s a cooktop, oven, microwave, dishwasher, cookware, cutlery, crockery and glasses plus a plasma TV and DVD player. The intimate sitting room has sofas and TV/DVD. The large master bathroom has a double shower, double vanity, two-person spa and WC – and has proved very popular with honeymooners. There’s also an ensuite bathroom with shower, WC and double vanity; and a smaller bathroom with shower, WC and vanity. MacDonnell House has ducted reverse cycle air conditioning so you can adjust the heating or cooling to suit your comfort level. The back verandah is fully enclosed and includes a self-contained laundry with washing machine, dryer, iron and ironing board; and the open front verandah faces a rose garden and the street. MacDonnell House is on a residential street, an easy 1.5km walk from the centre of town, and has a pleasant garden of mainly native shrubs and roses. A rear driveway leads to a double carport, providing undercover parking for two vehicles and also serving as a sheltered area for the barbecue. MacDonnell House is one of six properties owned and run by Naracoorte Cottages. Richard Peake and Judy Barton established this “people friendly” Bed and Breakfast business in 1995 and have welcomed thousands of satisfied guests from South Australia, interstate and overseas. I do not live in Naracoorte but I have a team of housekeepers who prepare the houses and are available to call in if needed. The phone numbers of the housekeepers are in a welcome letter which is provided with the key. I am also available by phone and can arrange for a housekeeper to call in. NARACOORTE is home to the South Australia’s only World Heritage listed site, the Naracoorte Caves National Park, 10km south of town. The park includes Wonambi Fossil Centre, telling the story of megafauna whose bones are preserved in fossil deposits, and caves with spectacular limestone formations, a Bat Cave and a cafe. The Caves, 10km south of town, are open 9am to 5pm daily ((URL HIDDEN) Naracoorte is also central to four premium wine regions – Coonawarra, Penola, Padthaway and Wrattonbully – within a 48km or 30-minute radius. Splash out in the large manmade Naracoorte swimming lake, with reticulated and chlorinated water and lifeguards on duty on very hot days. It’s surrounded by lawns and shady trees, is free and is open from December 1 to March 31. The town of Naracoorte has two seven-day supermarkets, three hotels, Indian and Chinese restaurants, a renowned family bakery, McDonald’s, Subway, Hungry Jack’s and many other takeaway food shops, including Showgrounds Café with fish and chips as well as Thai dishes, and a thriving shopping centre. The Commonwealth Bank, ANZ Bank, Westpac, National Australia Bank and BankSA all have branches in the town centre; and there’s also the People’s Choice credit union and a Bendigo Community Bank agency. Out of hours, you can draw money from six ATMs. Be sure to visit the award-winning The Sheep’s Back wool industry museum, set in a historic three-storey former flour mill, and the Mini Jumbuk factory, where woollen bedding products for the world are made, and its visitor centre. Naracoorte welcomes families to its many parks, including the Naracoorte Community Playground and Lions Pioneer Park, both in MacDonnell Street. Stroll, walk or run on the picturesque Naracoorte Creek Walk through the centre of town; and feed the geese on the pond in the Scout Hall grounds, off Park Terrace, near Naracoorte Holiday Park.