Bald Rock Bush Retreat, NEW SOUTH WALES
Airing Date: Apr 19th, 2004
The Bald Rock Bush Retreat is located right next to the Bald Rock National Park near Tenterfield in north-western NSW. The landscape surrounding it is rugged and dramatic and uniquely Australian, and Bald Rock Retreat is a Spanish dream right in the middle. In fact, Bald Rock's Spanish influence is so authentic, you might forget you're in Australia.
Set 260 acres of Australian bush, the Spanish style hacienda is owned by a German couple, Buko and Helga Vogel. Buko lived in Byron Bay for 20 years, but a few years in Spain developed his lifelong love of Spanish architecture. This eventually culminated in his dream to build his own hacienda in Bald Rock.
Everything you see has been built from scratch with Buko's own hands, and he's infused every aspect of the retreat with his personal touch, from the rendered walls to the decorations and the cacti.
The Spanish theme actually extends to the animals on the property, including the property's two donkeys, one called Donkey and her mate, Maxie. Donkey and Maxie are very friendly, and great lawn mowers too!
Bald Rock can accommodate couples, families or groups of up to eight people. There are a number of accommodation options to choose from, starting with the hacienda guestrooms. The hacienda apartment has been decorated with a Spanish theme and is full of bold colours. Down by the lake there's also the modern lake cabin, the perfect spot for quiet fishing, or the smaller, rustic lake hut.
The lake is stocked with silver and golden perch for you to catch for your own supper. If you'd prefer, Helga can cook your fish for you.
If the fish aren't biting, plenty of food is available at Helga's cantina. She makes it a priority to find out her guests' favourite foods before they arrive - so you may find yourself eating Asian food, cooked by a German, in a Spanish hacienda in Australia!
The facts
Rex Airlines flies to Lismore starting at $198 from Sydney.
Regional Express Airlines (Rex)
Tel: 13 17 13
The hacienda apartment at Bald Rock Retreat costs from $125 a night and the hacienda guestrooms cost from $85. The lake cabin starts at $150 and the lake huts cost from $50 per night.
Bald Rock Bush Retreat
Tel: 07 4686 1227
National Parks and Wildlife, Bald Rock National Park
Tel: 02 6736 4298
Tourism NSW
Tel: 13 20 77
Prices correct at 19/04/04
