COSY UP AT EAGLES NEST
Eagles Nest at the foot of Mt Roland is the ideal cosy getaway on chilly evenings
E agles Nest Retreat is an idyllic getaway in the state’s North-West dreamt up by Kentish farmers Des and Dianne Brown. The retreat, formerly a dairy farm, located on a hillside near Sheffield, features stunning views of Mt Roland.
Their first “nest”, built about 16 years ago, was so successful they added a second, and then a third, and at the time of my visit in April, they had a development application in for another six private luxury retreats on their 40ha property.
My partner and I arrive on a miserable autumn day – cold, wet, cloudy and foggy – which is actually perfect weather for a luxury getaway. Ahead of our arrival, the underfloor heating has already warmed the house, before Des has even put a log on the fire.
At the entry to Nest II we encounter a large artwork featuring 100 patterns from around the world – a clue to the thematic design experience we are about to explore inside. Des says his daughter Sheree designed the place herself, sculpting the building in the undulating form of Mt Roland itself.
The interior styling pays homage to Sheree’s own adventures around the world. One room is devoted to Africa, another to Asia, another to the mountains of South America, while an upstairs loft, complete with a smoking hookah, channels the Middle East.
At 259sq m including three double bedrooms, Eagles Nest Retreat II is huge – ideal for families and can cater for up to eight guests. The main living area contains a fully equipped kitchen, open-plan dining and lounge room, double bedroom and loft. Glass atriums lead east and west to the Asian and African wings for complete privacy. Each has its own spa bath, and there are even separate outdoor showers and spas if you feel inclined for a late-night skinny dip.
But the attraction – or distraction – is the uninterrupted view of majestic Mt Roland (about 1230m above sea level ), its rocky cliffs and its millennia of secrets. But as we discover, it’s not insurmountable.
Medium to difficult walking tracks lead to the summit for 360-degree views of the North-West Coast, including Cradle Mountain and Bass Strait.
As you’d expect, Eagles Nest Retreat is equipped with a full kitchen and laundry. You can even order in massage therapists, a yoga instructor and a personal chef. We opt for the latter, and crack a bottle of local pinot while chef Cynthia cooks up a three-course treat of velvety soups, rosy-pink ocean trout and rich and delicious spiced pumpkin pie for dessert.
Sated, we slump into bed without drawing the curtains so we wake up to see the sun’s first rays light up Mt Roland. You really won’t want to miss a moment of it, and it won’t disappoint no matter the weather.