Finally found a great place to stop for lunch on a trip north from Sydney. About two hours drive…read morefrom Sydney and just a short distance off the main highway this hotel is ideally located beside the river. Food here is excellent as well and I had a country style open burger ( using steak not a pattie ) and I saw the size of the steaks being served if you fancied a larger meal. Can highly recommend this hotel for lunch and a quick beer if you're traveling north out of Sydney.

What a beautiful, grand estate by the water! Perfect for weddings, celebrations, (MasterChef…read moreevents) and high teas; which was my reason for coming. Doubling as an opportunity to inspect the property for my wedding. A shame the weather has been so dry (it is an Australian Summer though), as the grass was in desperate need of a drink, but I can picture the sprawling grounds in green glory. The over 100 year old fig trees are amazing and as much of an attraction as the home. The 8 bedrooms were unmade from a recent wedding and the upper levels were quite stuffy from being closed up but it was nice walking through and seeing the aged furniture. The historic section has a formal dining room and sitting room complete with grand piano. The modern section offers an entertaining space with pool table and darts. Not far from the home is a barn for wedding receptions. The high tea was located in the conservatorium overlooking the water. Punch for refreshment and mini bruschetta and open sandwiches as savoury. Tea with jam and cream to end (naturally) as well as shot glass desserts of chocolate, pavlova and lemon cheesecake. The host and chef were lovely. Happy to answer questions about the homes history and even bringing down an antique high chair for a little one. Thankfully it held together.