Bathurst is home to Australia’s Gold Rush, October’s Bathurst 1000 and one of NSW’s best country wedding destinations — BoxGrove Farm. Just under three hours’ drive from Sydney, in the NSW Central Tablelands, the 69-hectare estate has a working angus cattle farm, venue for nuptials, hair salon and now, Rest Private Escape.
At the backend of 2023, BoxGrove Farm opened Rest Private Estate, which comprises six studio apartments and one three-bedroom villa. Each apartment was designed to encourage guests to switch off their devices and take in the serenity (powered by an on-site solar farm).
Single-size outdoor baths, Australiana-inspired colour palettes and a private outdoor deck are just a few things that might entice you to give BoxGrove’s Rest Private Escape a try. Or, it could be the seriously comfy king-sized bed and farmscape views from the indoor stone tub. Either way, co-owner Benjamin Fry says the vision is to help visitors feel a “connection to country”, no matter where they choose to relax.
For Fry and his wife Kayla, opening up Rest Private Escape is an opportunity to share a piece of their “pastoral paradise”. The idea to extend BoxGrove’s offering from wedding-focused activities to eco-friendly accommodations is thanks to sharing wine and cheese boards while watching the sunset on the farm.
It’s also a chance to take in the day-to-day activities of agricultural life — collecting chicken eggs from the hens, walking through the paddocks and even making acquaintances with the livestock. You’ll even hear quiet cattle moo-ing and chirping cicadas to give you a taste of the rural soundscape.
As for what to do before soaking up the stars on a clear night, Bathurst’s city centre is just a 10-minute drive from BoxGrove Farm. Take in the history of Australia’s first gold rush town. Head to Grange Distillery for a gin or whisky tasting. Or stay put and treat yourself to a charcuterie board while soaking in the outdoor bubble bath.
“We want people to experience it from [Rest Private Escape], but we want them to explore [Bathurst] and not just stay here,” Benjamin says.
Stays at BoxGrove’s Rest Private Escape start from $500 a night. Guests will also receive complimentary goodies from some of Bathurst’s local produce distributors. Cook it up for breakfast and enjoy the views.
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