Sorry, but I’m writing this from the place you’d rather be right now. Sitting at Basalt luxury accommodation overlooking Orange as the sun falls and the shimmering lights of the town take over below. My partner and I are deciding where we want to go for dinner, we’re leaning towards Hey Rosey, a new tapas and cocktail bar that just opened in town, but it’s so busy we’ll have to try our luck as walk-ins. We’ve always got The Carriers Arms Hotel as a backup because you just can’t argue with a great burger.
Did I mention I’m sipping from a complimentary bottle of local ChaLou ‘Dreaded Friend’ Rose? I think it’s the quince and strawberry notes with undertones of dried fig that have me thinking twice about returning to the office on Monday. Sorry to rub it in a bit, but isn’t this where you’d rather be right now?
RELATED: How to Spend a Perfect Weekend in Orange.
I’m just over three hours from Sydney sitting 1,100 metres above sea level 10km from Orange on a 12,000-tree-strong Cherry Farm. As we speak I’m sitting at a wooden table inside a studio made from a combination of timber and rammed earth. It’s architecturally stunning, insulated, quiet, and perfectly rural.
I cannot overstate how beautiful these studios are. Inspired by the orcharding practice of grafting, they’re designed by award-winning Mudgee-based architect, Cameron Anderson, and they’re fully self-contained with a view to challenge any in the region.
Orange might be home to 40-plus wineries and some of the best food outside of Sydney, but you’ll wind up spending the afternoon here at Basalt. Sipping on a bottle of complementary wine, sharing a piece of homemade bread, and celebrating the view until the sun goes down. You won’t find a better couples retreat in Orange but I haven’t even told you about the inside of the luxury accommodation yet.
The studio interiors have been designed by Lisa Johnson Design Studio and you’ll find everything from a king-size bed with the comfiest linen I’ve ever tried, to necessities like a kitchenette with fridge, dishwasher, convection microwave and an induction cooktop.
If you don’t want to leave all of the city behind, there’s superfast Starlink Wi-Fi, a 53-inch Samsung smart TV, and a Bluetooth speaker for some morning tunes as you watch the sunrise from your bed.
Actually, you’ll want to watch the sunrise from the concrete bathtub. The views out of the bi-fold window in the morning are absolutely breathtaking. And if you’re feeling extra special, you can order yourself pre-delivered meals to the studio thanks to local favourite Racine Bakery. Alternatively, take advantage of the complimentary mini-bar that’s packed to the brim with local products or pre-order a picnic hamper.
If you’re looking for something to do during your stay, check out our guide on all the best wineries in Orange. However, you can just as easily stay put at Basalt and go on a tour of the cherry orchard, take yourself on a self-guided walk, or plan a catered dinner by the outdoor fireplaces at each studio. You might even be joined by a few friendly local kangaroos at dusk.
As the sun went down we prepared a small fire inside thanks to a clever internal fireplace and paired this with a bottle of Pinot Noir from our new friends at RIKARD Wines.
Basalt is named after the connection the studios have to these basalt soils that have supported Sue and Graham Rollin since they moved to the orchard in 1979. Today, the Basalt operation is headed by their son, Simon, who built this luxury accommodation to diversify the business post-covid.
What he has created with a select team of architects, builders, and designers could be the best romantic getaway weekend from Sydney you could ever imagine. To experience this stay for yourself, visit basalt.com.au via the link below.
The author of this article travelled as a guest of Basalt.
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