A Rugged Idyll
The Age
Friday May 23, 2003
Few of the thousands of motorists who race up the Hume Highway, past the western fringes of the Strathbogie Ranges, bother to turn off to explore this under-appreciated wonderland of rugged scenery, cool-climate vineyards, white-fenced horse studs and rolling pastoral properties.
Just 90 minutes from the city, Camerons by the Falls is an idyllic base from which to tour the area, or just to relax on the property and enjoy some gracious country hospitality as guests of a delightful couple, Andrew and Elly Cameron. Even the approach to their secluded property is full of surprises.
You turn off a winding rural road into a long driveway lined with poplars, drive past pastures of sleekly-contented black Angus cattle and through an orchard and neat rows of vines to a glorious garden of mature trees, green lawns, a swimming pool and colourful flowerbeds. Behind the modern L-shaped homestead, a picturesque waterfall tumbles down the facade of a bushland escarpment.
The inside is no less impressive. The guest wing has two spacious suites, each with french windows opening to the verandah and park-like garden. Like the sitting room, where a glowing log fire beckons in colder weather, they are furnished with a tasteful blend of early country furniture, family antiques and the Camerons' collection of Australian paintings.
As other resourceful rural families have done, the Camerons decided to diversify into country hospitality when their children had grown up and gone their separate ways, as well as planting a small acreage of shiraz vines on three plots of different soils. Mr Cameron made his first vintage in 1992 and proudly shows off his quaint little vine-wreathed winery - originally a fruit packing shed - and cellar, where you'll be invited to taste (and hopefully buy) his range of Longwood shiraz vintages and other wines of this esteemed region.
Mrs Cameron serves a hearty country breakfast in the family dining room that looks out on the waterfall, which is beginning to swell to more than the trickle it was during the drought. She will cook dinner by arrangement, especially for her growing proportion of overseas visitors, but also recommends that guests drive to Avenel (about 20 kilometres away) to dine at the renowned Harvest Home hotel.
COST From $140 to $160 a couple, including a full
breakfast.
ACCOMMODATION Two spacious, airconditioned suites, with king-sized beds (one with ensuite, one with private bathroom). Access to garden through french windows. Shared sitting room (with open fire) and dining room.
FEATURES Wine-tasting (own wines and others of the region), tennis court, garden swimming pool. Massage by arrangement.
NEARBY Wineries, Ruffy Produce Store (and cafe), Harvest Home Country House Hotel at Avenel.
CHILDREN No.
SMOKING Outdoors only.
ADDRESS The Falls, off Longwood-Gobur Road, Euroa. (Turn east off Hume Highway in direction of Ruffy,
21 kilometres north of Avenel, and follow signs).
PHONE 5798 5291. www.cameronsbythefalls.com.au
© 2003 The Age