SLOW STAYS

Proving that farmhouse and luxury can exist in the same sentence, Wallaringa Farm is the rural answer to all your big-city-life questions on 750 acres of working cattle farm. In the heart of New South Wales’ Hunter Region, the luxe but laid-back escape emerged from the skeleton of an old renovated farmhouse. Everything is designed for connection with nature and the openness of country life, and has been tastefully decorated – eye-catching but not detracting from the undulating hills out the full-length windows. High-vaulted ceilings in the cosy living area – where gathering around the wood burning fireplace is a must – and the back deck looks out over the fire-pit and cattle-dotted paddocks beyond. Pick a spot to watch the sky blaze with sunset tones, while tasting a glass of complimentary vino and grazing platter (available on request). And although the chef’s kitchen is a dream, if outsourcing is more your speed, Paterson and Dungog are only a 15-minute drive away. Don’t forget a pit-stop at some of Hunter Valley’s famed wineries to top it all off.