Welcome to Ginninderry - A Romantic Getaway

If you are like me, you come home after that trek, fishing or hunting trip and your stock has gone down with your other half. It doesn’t matter what you say, making the cup of tea or asking how her day was simply just doesn’t cut it. So, you’ve got some points to score: a weekend away where your time, which is what she wants, is spent with her, without any distractions. Ginninderry Homestead is your answer.

Whether it is penance for that week away from home on a trek or far too much gaming on your Xbox or PlayStation, Ginninderry would be the perfect spot to make up for it. This B&B is stylish, intimate and relaxing, in a natural setting. After finding their website, I was intrigued and decided to check it out. I hope my feature on this Homestead B&B saves you some time and gives you a place that you and your other half can enjoy together.

WHAT SHE THINKS:

Lindsay,

Model, ACT

" I'd definitely love to spend a weekend at Ginninderry. You could enjoy good company or take up the range of other things to do as well. There's some great areas to go walking."

Q: Would a weekend away in a place like Ginninderry make your guy's stock go up?

A: If a guy can organise a romantic weekend away all by himself and still keep it a secret, then yes his stock would go up. I'm still waiting!

Q: What is your impression of Ginninderry as a destination for couples?

A: I think Ginninderry is very intimate and for couple's that want to escape the usual hectic weekends and spend some quality time together.

So there you have it champs - an intimate, stylish and relaxed location to impress your partner and enjoy together.

Location

Ginnderry Homestead is just outside of Canberra, Australia in the Australian Capital Territory. Nestled in rolling green hills and alongside a running creek, Ginninderry is a haven from the city, suburbs and the rat-race. After a short drive down Parkwood Road, you leave suburbia into green, grazing land where Ginninderry is situated. Such a short way from Canberra for such a nice change of scene – you feel a million miles away. Getting there from Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra is quite simple: check out this map to find out how.

Style

Ginninderry is style without pressure and confidence without arrogance. It has a romantic, 1920s quality about it and I kept expecting to see a King George-era butler appear to offer service. Instead, the owner and manager of the Homestead, Amelia, was on hand to look after guests. She is friendly, personable and professional, giving you attentive service, but space at the same time.

My host told me that Ginninderry Homestead is inspired by the Federation era architecture found in places like Tasmania. With rich wood, tiles and stylised fixtures, Ginninderry also is set off with antique furniture that just makes the place magic. It is tasteful, rustic, understated and demure – all style.

The Hospitality

Out host gave the sense that Ginninderry was a home away from home and that we could use the Bohemia Crystal, relax on the antique furniture and enjoy all that was on offer. Hospitality on the grounds of the Homestead was also shown by some of the Ginninderry’s other residents – a group of friendly, laid-back dogs. I love “man’s best friend”, so I encouraged their presence and company. If you are not into dogs, keeping them separate from your visit is no trouble for your hosts to organise.

Features

Ginninderry is on the high side of a creek with weeping willows, Casuarinas, green grasses and rocky outcrops that are perfect for sitting, contemplating and relaxing. It was very “zen” – less than 100 meters from the homestead grounds, you could relax by the rushing waters and bonsai-like trees. For those of us who like to lounge around and have a kip, they have a hammock set up under a pergola, with a nice view of the creek and the nearby hills.

Rooms

Ginninderry featured large rooms offering queen-size beds, adorned with antique furniture and views of the countryside. It was the little touches and fixtures that made it special. The quaint original paintings, four-poster beds and ornate architraves and rosettes on the ceiling give it the air of a time-gone-by. You can look out from a balcony sporting French doors and shutters; it took me back to my last visit to Paris.

History and Future

Ginninderry is the dream of the Sciberras family who own Ginninderry Homestead. The family’s patriarch, Joe, was an engineer by profession and designed and built much of the homestead in the 1990s on what was grazing land. With some decisive hard work, Joe and his family were able to transform grazing land into a homestead with a large, estate garden.

While Joe is no longer with us, his daughter Amelia has taken on the challenge and family legacy of running what is effectively a bed and breakfast AND a farm. “It is definitely a full-time job.” She told me when I asked how much work was required to keep the place in order. “Some days I am birthing animals and dealing with drainage systems and other days I tend the gardens, manage accounts, do the banking and look after guests.” Well, the awards and high rates of occupancy speak for themselves – this place is well run and managed. .

The future for this thriving business is bright. Amelia tells me that work will start this year on “The Conservatory” which will be a conference centre in Ginninderry Park. Work is also underway on a day spa, offering a range of therapeutic services to Ginninderry’s clientele.

Summary

Ginninderry is a great weekend getaway that is laid-back, affordable and stylish. It has a charm about it and I can only recommend you check it out for yourself.

Bookings and More Information

For more information on Ginninderry Homestead or to make a booking, please go to their website – www.ginninderry.com.au.