Southern Highlands NSW & Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa

Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa

The moment I stepped into this secluded property, I knew we were in for something special.
It truly felt as if I has stepped into a page of the Pride & Prejudice book or the Secret Garden. Enchanting, magical, whimsical and haunting all at the same time. 

Hubby and I booked ourselves a midweek overnight stay in one of their garden view suites with the dining package just at the start of winter (early June) to celebrate our Wedding Anniversary.

Visit: www.miltonpark.com.au/

We enjoyed a peaceful high tea at the Orangery, played an hour of tennis at their private courts, walked the estate and adventured through their labyrinth of gardens, dreaming, enjoying the quiet moments and pretending we had this grand mansion all to ourselves. No crowds, just peace and quiet with only the sounds of birds singing.

High Tea at the Orangerie

Tennis Courts

Enjoying a game of tennis

We then finished off the night with a spectacular 3 course meals at their Hordens Restaurant whilst sipping away on full bodied Shiraz before making our way slowly back to our room admiring the interior, ambiance, character and the decor of this mansion. Our room welcomed us with warmth from our own  fireplace. 

We woke up the next morning with a view of gorgeous community of Rosella's right in front of our back door, grazing surrounding the water fountain, ignoring our prying eyes and amusement . It was absolutely a breath taking view, I could wake up to that every morning. 

Our back door and view to the  fountains

View from our room

The fountains outside our Garden view room

As we stepped out to the gardens to greet the colorful winged beauties, the crisp fresh air filled our lungs and our rejuvenated bodies. We enjoyed the slight warmth from the morning sun rays as we got our little dose of vitamin D.

French Style Pool House

We enjoyed a full buffet breakfast, freshly made lattes, the lovely morning smiles of the restaurant staff sharing little warm conversations with them of what brought us here and what brought them there.

Everyone seemed so friendly and helpful in this part of NSW, probably one of the reasons I have fallen head over heels with the Southern Highlands...and who wouldn't?

The Gardens

The Gardens

The Gardens

The Gardens

I was so sad to part with this place, I thought to myself I must find another reason..any reason to come back again. If we do stay again and I'm sure we will, I promised to spoil myself to one of their spa treatments.

I also made Hubby promise that we will come back again during late spring to see the spectacular garden blooming with their rich deep shades of greens...It'll be another sight and experience to see.

The Spa

The Spa

French Style Pool House

Southern Highlands NSW

Once we had checked out of the Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa, we decided to do a full day of visiting the local wineries, enjoying the scenic road trip that led us to each one.

First we stopped of at Bendooley Estate joined with Berkelouw book cafe. The cafe and bookstore was beautiful, warm and cosy.  I couldn't help but pick up a book and sit in front of their crackling fireplace whilst enjoying my latte. I also purchased a book for the road, we now have made it a tradition that every time we visit we ought to buy a book or two for our home library.

They had amazing wines, we walked away with a few bottles of Shiraz and actually picked up more on our second visit to the Southern Highlands.

http://www.bendooleyestate.com.au/

Then we stopped by Mount Ashby Estate and enjoyed a light lunch at their French Cafe "La
Palette Cafe". http://mountashby.com.au/wp/

We were also greeted by their long haired furry host, a gentle and old Golden Retriever. We enjoyed the charcuterie plate and drank their very own wine produce surrounded by the coziness and warmth of their fireplace. We felt as if we were eating somewhere in the country side of France. It was a delicious experience. 

I purchased a couple of imported and handmade items from their little store, a bottle of their own Pinot Gris, a jar of beetroot and rosemary chutney by Maggie Beresford and also a canned duck confit by La Belle Chaurienne imported from France. We enjoyed them at home.

They also had a separate boutique store just right beside the restaurant selling imported French and European collectibles and restored furniture's. The shed-turned-store filled with so many beautiful things that I wished I could afford to take home. As some of you know my love for french and vintage stuff so it was hard and sad not being able to walk away with one thing.

More wineries we visited and continue to visit are the following-

http://www.centennial.net.au/ beautiful vineyard landscape and restaurant.

http://www.shw.com.au/ friendly staff, great food and we bought a few bottles of their Oldbury Reserve Shiraz.

Since our early June trip to the Southern Highlands, we've already done 2 midweek visits to avoid the crowd and for a quick getaway. We continue to visit the wineries above to pick up a few bottles to add to our home cellar and enjoy brunches at some their cafes as our weekend dates.

Plan a trip to Southern Highlands, NSW and you might love it as much as I do.

Love and Peace,
Mazzy
xox