Lily Pily Country House, Bellingen

Location

Located roughly halfway between Sydney and Brisbane just outside Bellingen township, Lily Pily is an ideal stopping off point on self-drive routes between the two cities. Bellingen itself is a quaint historic town with beautiful heritage buildings that play host to a diverse population of farmers, residents and artists. Think art galleries, craft shops and excellent restaurants. There’s also estuarine fishing, a myriad of national parks and unspoilt beaches in the locality. A little further (20 minutes’ drive) is Coffs Harbour and its aquatic attractions.

Accommodation

Lily Pily is a slice of eco-sensitive modernity huddled among vivid Australian greenery. Back indoors, there are just three guest suites, each with their own private verandah and countryside view. Two rooms come with a double spa bath en suite, while the third’s en suite has a large shower. Just like the house, rooms feel completely secluded and are well appointed.

Dining

The guest lounge and dining room serves gourmet breakfasts, including a fantastic range of fresh, locally sourced fruits, overlooking the wilds of the house’s grounds. As a bed and breakfast, arrangements for lunch and dinner must be made but staff are happy to point you in the right direction. A particular favourite, in nearby Bellingen, is the award-winning No 2 Oak Street. A fine dining experience, its strengths lie in its fantastic seafood dishes. Other highlights include local meats, fresh vegetables and a robust wine menu.

Facilities

The hotel centres on its guest lounge where the floor-to-ceiling windows open out into the environment. The comfortable sofas and well-stocked library invite you to spend a winter evening in front of the log fire. In summer the house is fully air-conditioned. From the house you can take weaving bushwalking paths in the hope of spotting rare birds, turtles or even a platypus. There are nearby mountain views and a swimming spot a short walk away.