Camphill - 1860s Stone Homestead

LARGE GROUPS OF 16 GUESTS CAN BOOK both Camphill Homestead (8 guests) and Camphill Cottage (8 guests). Please see Camphill Cottage listing. The venues are situated 250m apart across green paddocks. Camphill Homestead is beautiful, authentic, and retains all the original features of the country home of the 1860's. The original sandstone and random basalt stone walls provide a view into the craftsmanship of the historic early Victorian era keeping the house cool in summer while the internal fires warm the stone in winter. The house maintains original architecture in two halves with kitchen and living separated from 4 huge bedrooms by a Tuscan courtyard/breezeway covered in vines. The main bathroom is also in this breezeway with a rustic chic style of the era complete with original porcelain claw foot bath. The second bathroom has shower and toilet and stained glass windows. The living room has original wide hewn cypress pine floorboards and cathedral ceilings and two large wood fires. There is also a 19th century wood fired stove in great working order that delivers mouth watering dishes. For those less inclined to try their hand at cooking "the old way" there is a modern well equipped kitchen with gas stove, microwave and all mod cons. Bedrooms are large and reflect the Victorian period, two of which face north with french doors opening onto a wide sunny verandah draped in old roses and vines. The views over the valley and horse paddocks are spectacular. The gardens are established with deciduous and fruit trees, vine draped abhors, and an acre of space for children to play or to curl up with a book. Camphill Homestead provided a stop for Cobb & Co stage coaches to change teams of horses, travelling from Mudgee to Sydney and return. The old Blacksmith's forge is still housed in the original slab hut. For the past 100 years the property has kept to tradition as a horse establishment raising and training Thoroughbreds, and more recently show jumpers and dressage horses. If you are looking for modern, minimalism with en suites and shiny surfaces – then this is probably not the place. However, if you prefer to experience a slice of Australia's early settler history surrounded by green paddocks, set against a mountain backdrop of natural bushland only a five minute drive from historic Rylstone – then you will not be disappointed. What is provided All bedding including electric blankets on all beds All bathroom toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser, and body wash, towels and bathmats. A fully equipped kitchen with utensils and condiments, hearbs and spices. Breakfast cereals, yoghurt, eggs, jams bread, butter, teas, ground coffee and cappuccino machine. Washing machine and sundrenched clothesline, iron and board. Television, video, books, board games etc BBQ and rustic outdoor area. Things to do: Camphill is a 5 minute drive to local wineries, olive groves, restaurants, pubs, bakeries and antique shops of Rylstone. Wine tastings can be catered for on the property of Camphill or transport can be arranged with notice for winery tours. The jewel of the region is Gunguddy - featured on Getaway - the Wollemi National park and head of the Cudgegong River. Kayak hire, boat tours, fishing and swimming provide activities through summer months. The historic gold towns of Sofala, Hill End and Hargraves are only a 25 minute drive away and are well worth a visit to the old pubs and miners huts of early settler Central West. Or just laze around with a book or amble the laneways of the property and Australian bush.