good for you

A paradise for lovers of antique decoration, the library at this beautifully restored and preserved Edwardian homestead boasts William Morris wallpaper, while the drawing room has original hand-painted friezes and delicate leadlight windows. The rooms are no less spectacular - the loveliest is the red suite, whose adjoining sitting room has archive circa 1740s Chinese Toile wallpaper and an open fireplace.

But while the surroundings may be grand, the atmosphere is one of casual relaxation among friends. Nightly 3-course dinner parties featuring locally farmed delicacies ensure plenty of conviviality, but there's no compulsory socialising at North Bundaleer -dinner for two can be arranged on any of the verandahs and those in the Red Room can sup in their private salon.

It all makes for a perfectly civilised bucolic retreat - take a walk in the estate's olive groves, an excursion to the local vineyards, or order a picnic and head for the hills. Then in the evening return to enjoy a fireside cocktail in the drawing room or a cigar in the library, which contains some 2000 books as well as all the latest international magazines.

good for australia

This gracious old National Estate-listed homestead was carefully restored with the assistance of the South Australian government, to ensure the sensitive preservation of the once-abandoned 1901 building. It uses local produce and labour, catches its own rainwater and employs environmentally sustainable farming practices.

Rooms

Food

Both breakfast and dinner are included in the tariff. If you're not out exploring the area lunch can be provided by arrangement, and packed lunches can be made on request.

The set dinner menu varies each night and features organic ingredients, locally grown and produced. Dinner parties in the dining room are an occasion for relaxed enjoyment in the company of your hosts and fellow guests, excellent modern Australian food and Australian wines. The Irish Georgian table has witnessed plenty of good jokes and laughter, robust debate, and new friendships.

The best menus are inventive, and they change with the seasons. After an appetiser like baked peaches & prosciutto with gorgonzola sauce to get you going, you'll dine on mains like cardamom & clove double baked _duckling with ginger and soy glaze_ accompanied by a local Sevenhill Cellars Shiraz 2000, or perhaps a rare roast fillet of organic Bundaleer beef, with asparagus & hollandaise sauce, followed by desserts like kaffir lime cr me brulŽe & panforte_ with a delicious Australian sticky wine like Wyndham Estate Botrytis Riesling 1990. Then there's the delicious locally made Haigh's chocolates with coffee to finish you off.

Vegetarians and others with special dietary requirements should let North Bundaleer know the details when they book, and adjustments will be made.

spring menu

ENTREE: Pesto & Goats Cheese Crostini with Rocket Salad_

WINE: Sevenhill Cellars Reisling 2001

MAIN: Rare Roast Fillet of Organic Bundaleer Beef, with Asparagus & Hollandaise Sauce

WINE: Sevenhill Cellars St Ignatius 2000

DESERT: Berry Compote with Chestnut & Chocolate Ice Cream_

WINE: Sevenhill Cellars Liqueur Verdelho

Cheese & Fruit

Haigh's chocolates & Coffee

summer menu

ENTREE: Freshly shucked Coffin Bay Oysters with_Soy & Ginger Jelly_Jansz WINE: Brut Cuvee

ENTREE: Baked Peaches & Prosciutto, Gorgonzola Sauce_

WINE: Sevenhill Cellars Aloysius 2001

ENTREE: Poached Pheasant Breasts with Lemon and Caper Sauce_

WINE: Pokolbin Creek Pinot Hermitage 1996 /_Sevenhill Cellars Shiraz 2000

DESERT: Kaffir Lime Cr me Brulee & Panforte_

WINE: Wyndham Estate Botrytis Riesling 1990

Cheeses, Cherries_Haigh's chocolates Coffee, Port & Liqueurs

Features & Facilities

Situated on 400 acres of native bushland and farmland, North Bundaleer offers lots of bushwalking opportunities.

There are verandas on all sides of the house, so there is always a sunny or shady spot in which to sit and enjoy the view of the surrounding countryside and gardens.

Guests have the use of the entire Homestead, including the formal drawing room and library, which both feature open fireplaces and comfortable seating and are perfect for mingling with other guests, reading, and pre-dinner or after dinner drinks,

The decoration in the drawing room is designed around an original hand painted frieze over two columns set in a bay window which contains two curved E F Troy leadlight windows picturing almond blossom, birds and butterflies. With an antique French Aubusson carpet, fine antiques, original artworks and oil paintings, French Rose marble fireplace, the room is elegant and feminine.

The library has more the atmosphere of a gentleman's club, with William Morris wallpaper and curtain fabrics. The original wood graining of oak, bird's eye maple and tortoiseshell complements the antique mahogany partners' desk and oak break front bookcase, Ethiopian parchment paintings, antique prints and etchings.

The Homestead contains a large and eclectic selection of over 2,000 books. Daily newspapers, magazines and periodicals are provided. _Satellite television is available in a separate sitting room.

Local Info & Activities

With the vineyards of the Clare Valley close by, the historic mining towns of Burra and Mintaro to visit, bushwalking along the Heyson and Mawson Trails that traverse the Bundaleer Forest, and plenty of 4-wheel drive tracks, there is plenty to do. North Bundaleer can organize self-driven or guided day tours of the area to suit your needs and can pack you a picnic to take along.

For those who prefer to spend their day relaxing in their surroundings, your hosts can take you to the top of the hill for lunch or a 'sun downer.'

Sustainability

The grand old pastoral homestead dates from 1901. Only essential maintenance work and minor alterations were undertaken over the decades, until the homestead was completely abandoned in the early 1970s. North Bundaleer was entered in the State Heritage Register in 1983 and on the Recorded List of the National Trust of South Australia in 1984. A Conservation Management Plan was prepared by the National Trust of South Australia in 1999. It identified the significance of the internal and external fabric of the building and recorded the condition of the fabric before restoration began.

Restoration of the buildings and interiors commenced in 1999 and were carried out over a period of three years involving many craftsmen, builders and laborers (the owners, amongst others). Some of these trades people were sourced from Adelaide, but many came from the local Jamestown area.

Excavation in the front of the Homestead found slate edging and tiles that show the original layout of garden beds and the elliptical carriageway. Re-establishment of the gardens began by planting 600 David Austin Roses which are usually at their peak in the first week of November.

North Bundaleer is situated in a very dry part of Australia's driest and least vegetated state, South Australia. However, North Bundaleer's agricultural productivity is very good due to sympathetic farming practices developed over the past 30 years - for example, no over-stocking and no ploughing. Water is the region's most precious resource, and at North Bundaleer it's collected in rainwater tanks.

The estate grows, buys and serves organic products where possible.

North Bundaleer buys locally and employs local staff. The hotel support local arts festivals by donating accommodation to visiting artists.

awards

Winner 2002 Civic Trust of South Australia Award - Restored and recycled buildings

Getting There

NORTH BUNDALEER is in the Mid North region of South Australia two and a half hours driving time north of Adelaide, 40 minutes north of Clare, 10 minutes south of Jamestown, and about half way between Adelaide and the Flinders Ranges.

by car

From Adelaide to Clare, we suggest taking the Port Wakefield highway to Two Wells, then turning right off the highway and heading through Mallala, Balaklava, and then either through Auburn or Blyth. At Clare, head north towards the Flinders Ranges.

About 8Km north of Clare, there is a fork in the road, both roads indicating a way to the Flinders Ranges. Take the right fork, Route B80 signposted Spalding.

At Spalding, take a left turn, signposted to Jamestown.

About 22Km along this road you will come to the start of the Bundaleer Forest on your left, (a plantation pine tree forest)

There is a Kangaroo warning sign that due to recent logging is now before the start of the trees. Exactly 2.4Km further (measured from the Kangaroo warning sign) our driveway is on the right hand side of the road, opposite the Forest. Cross the cattle grid next to our "Pegasus" sign.

After about 1Km along the drive, take the right fork "Guests", to bring you to the front of the homestead.

Visit our Transport section for flights, hybrid car rentals and train bookings.

Rates & Bookings

bed & breakfast: double/ twin single

Red Room Suite $225 per person $295

Blue Room $205 per person $275

William Morris Room $205 per person $275

African Room $185 per person $255

two night package: double/twin single

Red Room Suite $545 per person $675

Blue Room $505 per person $635

William Morris Room $505 per person $635

African Room $465 per person $600

includes:

• Accommodation with dinner both nights & breakfasts both mornings, unlimited tea, coffee & beverages, house wines & beers Guests may select premium wines for purchase from the wine cellar

three night package: double/twin single

Red Room Suite $770 per person $970

Blue Room $710 per person $910

William Morris Room $710 per person $910

African Room $650 per person $855

includes:

• Accommodation with dinner each night & breakfast each morning, unlimited tea, coffee & beverages, house wines & beers. Guests may select premium wines for purchase from the wine cellar.

every endeavour will be made to cater for any special dietary requirements; please advise at time of booking

booking & cancellation policies

• A deposit of 15% of entire cost of booking is required in order to secure a booking. The remaining 85% is payable on check out.
• Cancellation Fees apply - information will be provided before booking is confirmed.

Want to avoid cancellation fees? Visit our Insurance section for information on travel insurance.