Hamptons Loft at Casuarina Estate
Just over two hour's drive north of Sydney, you can experience a Hampton's style getaway amongst grapevines at the foot of the Great Dividing Range. At one time the fault in this area was geologically very active and gave rise to the Brokenback range that features prominently in the Hunter region.
Looking across to Great Dividing Range
There's no disputing that the environment and scenery are rather special, as is discovering what The Hunter has to offer: visiting local stores and vineyards, playing golf during the day, trying the many excellent restaurants, and even playing scrabble in your cosy cottage at night. Our base for this three-day girl's getaway was Hamptons Loft at Casuarina Estate Guest House and Vineyard.
Giant Chess Board
Hamptons loft is tastefully decorated in typical "Hampton's" style. The open-plan living room has soaring ceilings with exposed beams, and a massive fireplace that kept us warm through a cold winter, comfy couches and bookcases that reach to the ceiling. With a place as comfortable as this, cooking in at night in the well-equipped kitchen was a treat.
Open Plan Dining Area - photo by Hunter Valley Stays
Downstairs, there are three very comfortable bedrooms, two with en-suites, and a third bathroom, with a spiral staircase leading to the fourth, loft bedroom with its own balcony.
Master Bedroom - photo by Hunter Valley Stays
Bedroom 2 - photo by Hunter Valley Stays
Balcony off Loft Bedroom - photo by Hunter Valley Stays
In the warmer months, guests would most likely open the double French doors and venture out to the sundrenched courtyard for wine and canapes as they watched the sun setting on the nearby mountains.
Guest House Accom amongs the Vines
Casuarina Estate has multiple accommodation options with 4 cottages and a guesthouse with 9 'oversized' themed suites, and a shared swimming pool. The property was on the market when we stayed there in May 2021 and the restaurant/function venue was closed. It has since sold and it was recently reported that Sydney chef and restaurateur Serge Dansereau plans on opening in February at Casuarina Estate. Opting for a Tree Change, the French-Canadian co-owned the famous Bathers' Pavilion at Balmoral Beach for 20 years. The SMH has quoted him as saying "
It will be French … with a twist of Old Shanghai and the French Concession to it." He goes on to say that there will be a "
wine library and lounge" and that he will feature both local Hunter wines as well as his "
favourite French Wines." It may be too early to broadcast, but he does say he would like to also incorporate cooking lessons. This is something I know I would be putting my hand up for.
Restaurant & Function Centre
Shared Pool - photo by Hunter Valley Stays
is situated on Hermitage Road, Pokolbin. It's only a short drive (less than 10 minutes) to places like
Hunter Valley Gardens,
The Vintage or
Cypress Lakes Golf Courses, & concert venues, and a few more minutes to
Hunter Valley Golf and Country Club.
The Information Centre on Wine Country Drive has all the information you need to find your way around wineries, cycling trails, eateries and general stores. If you're going wine tasting or going out for a long lunch,
Cessnock Radio Cabs can run you and your friends around to wherever you need to go.
