Belmadar Rose Cottage is like a gift; as you unwrap it, the surprise just grows. This lovely property is just five minutes from Singleton, in the heart of the Hunter Valley. It is a fully self-contained, 2 bedroom cottage that is the perfect starting place for an exploration of the wineries and surrounding area.
However Belmadar Rose Cottage really is a place that lives up to “something for everyone”, as it is fully accessible to the disabled, yet available to everyone. The cottage has been purpose-built to cater for the disabled, and yet is also a fabulous location for the able-bodied to enjoy as well. It is the operators attention to detail and knowledge of the needs of disabled people that have allowed them to create such a wonderful property, and a fitting joint winner of the 2009 TakeABreak Awards Accessible accommodation category (ambulant).
There are no stairs to enter the cottage, just smooth wheelchair access. The attractive open living and dining area is equipped with two sofas (one of which is a sofa bed), TV/DVD/VCR and reverse cycle air-conditioning. The fully-equipped kitchen has all you could need, and there are no under-bench cupboards, allowing full wheelchair access.
The bathroom has a “hobless” shower with grab rails, and the hand basin and mirror are at an appropriate height for those in a wheelchair. There is also a grab rail beside the toilet. The owners understand that the disabled face more challenges when they are travelling, and have done everything they can to minimise the difficulties normally faced by disabled guests.
There is also a standard commode/shower chair, hoist and electric Hi-Lo bed to make the stay easier, and all towels and linen are supplied.
The cottage has accommodation for up to 6 guests, with a double bed in one room and two singles in the other – one of which is a Hi-Lo bed. The sofa bed in the lounge room also sleeps two people. Even getting into the cottage has been made easier for disabled guests, with undercover access from the carport, which is designed so there is room to unload a wheelchair from the roof of a car; and is also big enough for a van.
One of the great pleasures of staying at Belmadar Rose Cottage is surely sitting on the veranda savouring a glass of wine from one of the local wineries, or enjoying a BBQ in the rear courtyard. However, visiting the wineries is just one of the many activities available to you when you stay. Singleton boasts the largest sundial in the Southern Hemisphere, many lovely historical buildings, bushwalks and 4WD tracks and the delights of Lake St Clair – where you can enjoy boating or trying to hook some of the bass in the well-stocked lake.
A little further afield lies the Hunter Valley Gardens and Village, with their spectacular gardens, a vast array of art galleries and craft shops, antique stores and more. The travelling gourmet is never forgotten in the Hunter Valley, and the area abounds with restaurants, cafes, gourmet shops and specialist cheese and chocolate shops.
So you have many choices … eat in and sample some of the gourmet produce you have bought or eat out and marvel at the range of cuisine on offer in the Valley.
Owners Bob and Lyn live on-site, so they are always on hand to help with local knowledge, such as which of the butchers, bakers, supermarkets and other local shops have wheelchair access, when they are open – and the best place to buy almost anything!
Belmadar Rose Cottage is an absolute gem that helps you do it all – or do nothing at all!
About the Author
Lisa Monk is a marketing communications writer with a diverse background that includes experience in travel, hotel, finance, public relations and advertising. She has worked with Club Med, the Holiday Inn group and on a number of other travel projects on a freelance basis. Lisa has travelled throughout Asia Pacific, North America and England.
Lisa now works with TakeABreak.com.au as editor of the Holiday Inspirations newsletter and other publications. She lives in Sydney with her husband Andy, and sons Joseph and Nicholas.
Bookings:
Make an enquiry for your holiday at
Belmadar Rose Cottage
through TakeABreak and the property operator will get back to you directly to confirm
pricing and availability. Visit their listing for more pictures, further information
on rates, the availability calendar and guest reviews.
Lisa is a professional editor for Holiday Inspirations.
