TakeABreak Awards 2009
Winner of two categories: Group Accommodation AND Unique and Unusual Accommodation. Congratulations to Old Dadswell Town!
If a place wins two completely separate categories in the annual TakeABreak Awards, it must be something extraordinary. And that is exactly what
Old Dadswell Town in
Horsham,
Victoria is… extraordinary! The 2009 winner of the
Unique and Unusual and
Group Stay categories provides atmosphere and fun for groups, families or couples in a completely bizarre (yet most enjoyable!) manner.
Old Dadswell Town is like nothing else you will ever encounter, and the people who put it together clearly had a great sense of humour and an eye for detail. Set on 280 acres of bush land, Old Dadswell Town is a series of self-contained cottages and memorabilia positioned and themed to look like an old Australian town. The Town Hall resembles a shearing shed, but instead of sheep you’ll find drinks in this fun-filled pub. It boasts a large open fireplace and plenty of rustic tables and chairs – perfect for sharing a glass of wine or beer with your group in the evenings! As you explore this intriguing “town” you discover the themed cabins look like an Olde Time Lolly Shop, Mad Max’s Garage (complete with Hot Rods and motor memorabilia lining the walls), a barbershop, bakery, post office, and even a bordello!
Five cosy themed cottages have two bedrooms each, and can comfortably fit four people, using a queen and two single beds. Three of these cabins also have sofa beds, allowing up to two extra guests. An additional one-bedroom cottage (the post office) is perfect for couples.
Groups will appreciate having a communal meeting place (The Town Hall) in addition to private lounges in their cabins. Adding to the fun, the owners can even arrange a spit roast for group bookings! Birthday parties, car clubs, family reunions, and even a wedding have been successfully held in this fun town setting.
But Old Dadswell Town is not only for groups. Couples can enjoy romantic strolls through the bush land, where various birds and marsupials can be found. Families will appreciate the huge grounds where their kids can play, with memorabilia at every turn inspiring their imaginations. Friendly farm animals add to the fun for children, and there is plenty of wildlife wandering around as well.
Basically, whether you are young or old, and whether you’re a lone couple or with a group – Old Dadswell Town is a fun place to visit and spend a few nights. Four legged friends are welcome too!
While visiting Old Dadswell Town, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to explore
The Grampians. This spectacular region of Victoria boasts some of the most fascinating cliffs and rock formations, including the legendary “Jaws of Death” (renamed “The Balconies” but really…Jaws of Death will sound better when you return to the The Town Hall pub in the evening…)
The Grampians offer endless activities for the outdoor enthusiasts. Bush walking, cycling, rock climbing, abseiling, rafting, and hang gliding are just a few ideas to consider. Aboriginal rock art offers an intriguing glimpse of yesteryear, and spectacular waterfalls and lakes make the region absolutely stunning. Pack a picnic and go for a walk along one of the many trails, admiring the wildflowers and looking out for colourful birds.
When you return to Old Dadswell Town at the end of the day, you will find comfortable beds with quality linens waiting. A roaring open fire and a glass of wine are an excellent way to top off a day of exploring, while making new friends or catching up with old ones.
The operators of this town are very approachable and occasionally mingle among the guests to ensure that everyone’s needs are being met. The endless praise from past guests is evidence of the success of this venture, with many past visitors stating that they wished they could have stayed longer and are vowing to come back. One thing they’ll discover when they do – each experience at Old Dadswell Town is unique and unusual, and one they will be telling friends about for many years to come.
For more information or to make an enquiry, please go to the
Old Dadswell Town listing on TakeABreak to contact the operator direct.
About the Author
Kylie-Jane Degeling is a freelance writer who has lived in Adelaide, Yulara (Uluru), Alice Springs and Canberra, as well as five different countries throughout the world. After backpacking around Australia, she worked as a tour guide in Central Australia, before training for her Commercial Pilot License and working as a flight instructor, scenic flight and charter pilot. She later worked as a travelling IT trainer for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which involved spending time in each of their 16 District Offices around the country on a rotating basis.
Having experienced Australia as a backpacker, tour guide, pilot and business traveller, Kylie now enjoys family holidays with her husband Alex, and children Jezzy and Jordan. She says, “I have been lucky to see Australia from a variety of perspectives, and as a travel writer can use this experience to inspire others to find holidays they would enjoy.” Kylie currently works as a travel writer in addition to being a government writer and columnist for two parenting magazines.
Bookings:
Make an enquiry for your holiday at
Old Dadswell Town
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.
Find out more about Kylie at http://bit.ly/h_experts
