This morning there was no alarm to wake me. No jarring metallic
welcome to the day. Instead there is a swirling symphony of bird song with notable soloists like the bowerbird, with his architecturally daring nest furnished with stolen baubles, and the raucous comedian of the bird world, the galah. You always take a gamble when booking an untried B&B, but research and good luck combined to bring us to Arcadia at Cambewarra about two and a half hours south of Sydney, Australia. The property, at the foot of the towering Mount Cambewarra, in the heart of rich dairy country (three brand new additions to the herd could be seen from the garden and the balcony, grazing peacefully with their mums), countryside that is breathtakingly beautiful.
Arcadia can sleep a total of 12 in a combination of two freestanding cottages (one of which dates back to 1851) and a number of luxurious suites in another historic building with lounge and wide balcony. All have unforgettable views and are beautifully appointed, furnished with welcome extras like log-burning stoves which make Arcadia equally attractive for a visit in the brisk winters. The garden is extensive, a blaze of colour and beautifully maintained with a series of private niches for people to sit and enjoy the country quiet and the wide variety of native birds plus some of the local creatures like the wombat if you’re lucky. Watch out for the tiny male wren zipping from hedge to hedge with his quick as a wink flash of brilliant blue.
Like us, several people staying at Arcadia were down for the weekend to attend nearby weddings or birthdays. We all regretted not leaving enough time to use Arcadia to fully explore all the local attractions. It’s not just the beautiful walks including through areas like the Kangaroo Valley, with the stunning views, but local towns like Berry (famous for its fresh food) Jervis Bay and Kiama, on the impossibly blue south coast of New South. It’s also worth popping in at famed nearby wine fields. Marty and Kim are the perfect hosts – they are incredibly helpful and attentive but also have the ability to blend into the background to allow guests their privacy and opportunity to enjoy the tranquility alone. We couldn’t have had a better time.
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