Walla Station Country Retreat, QUEENSLAND
Airing Date: Mar 29th, 2004
If you're driving up the east coast of Queensland and looking for a place to rest your hat for the night, forget the standard road-side hotel. Why not enjoy a night or two at Walla Station Country Retreat? The homestead is located an hour from Bundaberg and just three kilometres from the highway, but with all the ambience of yesteryear.
The homestead was built in 1867. Four generations of Biggs' have lived at Walla. It was originally bought to run cattle on and was the first station on the Burnett River. The original hut on the property is one of the oldest buildings in the area. Today it's still in the family, with the first Briggs' great grandson and wife running the place. Bentley and Natalie not only manage cattle, they manage an Australian Stock Horse stud on the property too.
People go to Walla Station for complete rest and relaxation. The owners live in a separate house on the property so guests get all the privacy they need.
With its high ceilings, polished floors and wonderful antique furniture, the delightful restored homestead keeps the guests rolling in. There are four bedrooms to choose from including the Petrea Vine room, the Crows Ash room and the Twin Room, but if you're looking for a room that's seen it all, head straight for the Governor Room.
Named after a Governor of Queensland, this room has been used by many distinguished visitors including Sir Henry and Lady May Abel-Smith, a duke and duchess. Bentley's grandad was actually born in this room too.
During your stay you can do as much or as little as you like. You can enjoy complimentary scones, listen to the birds in trees, put your feet up on the verandah, get stuck into a good book, play boules, take a walk down to the Burnett River and visit the family graveyard, or watch just Bentley as he trains the horses.
The facts:
Qantas and QantasLink fly to Bundaberg. Prices start at $459 from Sydney and $810 from Perth.
Qantas
Tel: 13 13 13
Rooms start from $80 a person a night. This price includes a big country breakfast and afternoon tea with scones.
Walla Station Country Retreat
Tel: 07 4157 6702
Prices correct at 29/03/04
