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True Blue
Belltrees Station
Great Australian Stations &
Homesteads
A Pastoral
Property in the Upper Hunter Valley, NSW |
Belltrees is synonymous with
the development of Australia’s wool industry and the wealth it generated in
the late 19th century. The White family has owned the property since 1850. The country
house, itself an old White family homestead, has been restored to a level of
comfort not found elsewhere in rural Australia. Green, well watered lawns make
this an oasis of peace and tranquility, where guests can either relax, join
Peter White on a tour of the property, travel to the vineyards of the Hunter
Valley, or drive up to the high country of the Barrington Tops, a World Heritage
area and alpine wilderness. Hosts: Peter and Serena
White.
Accommodation
/ Meals: The homestead has been
renovated and redecorated to accommodate guests in comfortable rural style.
There are 6 rooms in the adjacent house, with 3 rooms in the main country house,
all with ensuite bathrooms. Breakfast and dinner are served in the dining room;
lunch can be taken at the homestead, in the gardens or as a picnic. For guests
who just want to relax there is a swimming pool, tennis court and comfortable
sitting room with plenty of reading material.
Activities:
Peter White will take guests out for the morning to see the property, a visit to
the main homestead and to see some of the old buildings (the Belltrees school,
the old woolshed) on the property. The Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s
premium wine areas and trips can be arranged for visits. Horseriding on the
property & canoeing on Lake Glenbawn are also offered. Belltrees is home to
some of Australia’s best polo ponies and the competition held in March brings
many of the world’s best players here. The nearby Barrington Tops is a World
Heritage area and, after the Snowy Mountains, the highest part of the Great
Dividing Range. It encompasses a variety of habitat from temperate rainforest in
its lower slopes to snow gums and Alpine scenery on top. There is prolific
wildlife, most of which appears after darkness, which includes grey kangaroos,
koalas, forest wallabies and brushtail possums. The park is also home to some of
the last remaining stands of Antarctic Beech, a reminder of the links that
Australia’s landmass had with Antarctica.
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