Personal Enrichment Packages
Delightful stop-over en route to Melbourne. Peter and Donrita - many thanks for your very warm hospitality and stimulating conversations. We slept well in very comfortable surroundings. Good luck with your aspirations for sustainability
- Robert and Jill French, East Melbourne.
- Robert and Jill French, East Melbourne.
When you take time out from daily routine you may just want to chill. At Reefman Arts Estate Retreat you can cosy up in front of our fire in winter or gaze at the night sky from our deck chairs in the warmer months. You can always take a stroll around our gardens and farm, smell the roses and appreciate the space and the views. Our (often double) sunsets are amazing!
You can also choose to book ahead for one of our Personal Enrichment Packages.
You can also choose to book ahead for one of our Personal Enrichment Packages.
PERMACULTURE EXPERIENCE
Learn basic permaculture principles and see how we are implementing them on our farm. Includes recommended videos and some "hand on" garden work. Choose from 1 hour ($40) or half day ($100 for 3 hour) sessions per person. Tutor: Peter |
"SPEAK WITH IMPACT" - PUBLIC SPEAKING WORKSHOP
This is a "mouth on" course where you Learn and practise basic principles of public speaking. Choose from various topics such as:
Managing Nervous Energy
"The Power of Three" - Writing a Speech
Speaking Musically
Communicating with Your Body
Using Visual Aids...
$40 per person per hour booked. Tutor: Donrita (Distinguished Toastmaster)
Donations to Donrita's Women's Health and Vocal Empowerment project in the Pacific Region can be made here.
This is a "mouth on" course where you Learn and practise basic principles of public speaking. Choose from various topics such as:
Managing Nervous Energy
"The Power of Three" - Writing a Speech
Speaking Musically
Communicating with Your Body
Using Visual Aids...
$40 per person per hour booked. Tutor: Donrita (Distinguished Toastmaster)
Donations to Donrita's Women's Health and Vocal Empowerment project in the Pacific Region can be made here.
Reefman Arts Estate is a beautiful base to explore the area around. Very comfortable, picturesque vistas out the window & super-helpful hosts. Our room was very comfortable, shared bathroom surprisingly easy to use (with so many guests present) & the veggie garden was an education. Cuddles to Spring, XX
Sacha & Kshipra, Melbourne - April 2019
Sacha & Kshipra, Melbourne - April 2019
Be immersed in a novel inspired by Reefman Arts Estate Retreat
For Peter & Donrita - Celebrating your beautiful home and thank you for sharing it with me - with much affection, Chandani, November 2019. Author Chandani Lokuge stayed at Reefman Arts Estate Retreat and used images inspired by our home to create the Australian farm home in Calulu of the protagonist in her novel, released in November 2019, My Van Gogh.
Ask us to purchase your copy as a keepsake and memento of your stay with us.
Ask us to purchase your copy as a keepsake and memento of your stay with us.
The house looked the same as it ever did, a sprawling lodge with the narrow arms of the veranda wrapped around it...Shannon walked up the narrow-planked veranda, pulled open the fly screen and pushed in the front door that was, as always, unlocked.
It was dark within, thick curtains drawn against the heat. Shannon walked across the morning room to the left with its easels and paint boxes and the old leather couch. And his mother's piano, a sheet of music on the open lid...
He turned in a slow circle - the roomy kitchen to the left, the sitting room with its big overcrowded mantlepiece, and to the right, the sliding glass doors to the deck, and the hallway leading to the bedrooms...
He looked up there, sitting in his armchair at the edge of the deck, was his father...
Shouldering his backpack, Shannon walked the long narrow hallway towards his room. He paused at the family photos grouped against the wall...
Shannon walked around the chook house towards the orchard. He passed the studio that his father had built for his mother. It was her place in the farm, and Shannon's...The orchard was heavy with soggy fruit and the buzz of flies and bees...He plucked a couple of ripe apricots still clinging precariously to a nest of leaves. He bit into one. The juice ran down his lips and stained his shirt...
His father said grace, glancing up at the embroidered Last Supper above the doorway...
They withdrew into the lounge...Shannon switched on the constellation of Turkish lamps that spiralled on chains at different heights from a tall copper stand. It lit up the corner in an intricate lacelike pattern of pinkish light. 'How lovely!... Look how the light is running around like bits of stars,' Maman murmurs, collecting them in her lap. Dad sits facing her, rapt in her glow of his gift to her... Shannon saw them in a miniature frame that he'd constructed with his thumbs and forefingers. He swayed the lamps, stirring the tremulous shadows.
It was dark within, thick curtains drawn against the heat. Shannon walked across the morning room to the left with its easels and paint boxes and the old leather couch. And his mother's piano, a sheet of music on the open lid...
He turned in a slow circle - the roomy kitchen to the left, the sitting room with its big overcrowded mantlepiece, and to the right, the sliding glass doors to the deck, and the hallway leading to the bedrooms...
He looked up there, sitting in his armchair at the edge of the deck, was his father...
Shouldering his backpack, Shannon walked the long narrow hallway towards his room. He paused at the family photos grouped against the wall...
Shannon walked around the chook house towards the orchard. He passed the studio that his father had built for his mother. It was her place in the farm, and Shannon's...The orchard was heavy with soggy fruit and the buzz of flies and bees...He plucked a couple of ripe apricots still clinging precariously to a nest of leaves. He bit into one. The juice ran down his lips and stained his shirt...
His father said grace, glancing up at the embroidered Last Supper above the doorway...
They withdrew into the lounge...Shannon switched on the constellation of Turkish lamps that spiralled on chains at different heights from a tall copper stand. It lit up the corner in an intricate lacelike pattern of pinkish light. 'How lovely!... Look how the light is running around like bits of stars,' Maman murmurs, collecting them in her lap. Dad sits facing her, rapt in her glow of his gift to her... Shannon saw them in a miniature frame that he'd constructed with his thumbs and forefingers. He swayed the lamps, stirring the tremulous shadows.
Experiences & Local Attractions
Beyond Grey Nomads
Sometimes we'll organise on-property events. Ask us about our musical evenings, dinner parties and art shows.
We like to make it possible for every guest to thoroughly enjoy the best features of our "paradise" region. If you need assistance to find out more about our local area, we have a special service, Beyond Grey Nomads - Assisted Travel for Seniors. Donrita, whose nonagenarian parents also live on the farm, is accustomed to take senior travellers on holidays. Ask about half-day or full-day excursions with Donrita
There is always something interesting to do in this beautiful region whether cycling the rail trail, scenic bush walking, fishing, bird watching, swimming, art exhibitions, visiting wineries, enjoying an abundance of delicious cuisine.
Why not visit nearby Nicholsons Winery - tell them we sent you and they'll look after you!
If you'd like to see koalas in the wild, take a short drive to Raymond Island off Paynesville and stroll along while keeping a lookout in the eucalypt trees above. We also recommend the Mitchell River Walk or, if you're feeling particularly energetic, go hiking in the Mitchel River National Park and visit the Den of Nargun.
We are "Arts" Estate Retreat because we appreciate art in all its forms. Therefore, as well as our own musical endeavours, we also like to hang work by local artists on our walls. If you would like to see more, we suggest you visit the local art gallery in Bairnsdale.
For more information on local attractions and events visit the East Gippsland website.
Drive a little further and you can experience caving at Buchan Caves or even a day at the snow at Mt Hotham or Dinner Plain!
Sometimes we'll organise on-property events. Ask us about our musical evenings, dinner parties and art shows.
We like to make it possible for every guest to thoroughly enjoy the best features of our "paradise" region. If you need assistance to find out more about our local area, we have a special service, Beyond Grey Nomads - Assisted Travel for Seniors. Donrita, whose nonagenarian parents also live on the farm, is accustomed to take senior travellers on holidays. Ask about half-day or full-day excursions with Donrita
There is always something interesting to do in this beautiful region whether cycling the rail trail, scenic bush walking, fishing, bird watching, swimming, art exhibitions, visiting wineries, enjoying an abundance of delicious cuisine.
Why not visit nearby Nicholsons Winery - tell them we sent you and they'll look after you!
If you'd like to see koalas in the wild, take a short drive to Raymond Island off Paynesville and stroll along while keeping a lookout in the eucalypt trees above. We also recommend the Mitchell River Walk or, if you're feeling particularly energetic, go hiking in the Mitchel River National Park and visit the Den of Nargun.
We are "Arts" Estate Retreat because we appreciate art in all its forms. Therefore, as well as our own musical endeavours, we also like to hang work by local artists on our walls. If you would like to see more, we suggest you visit the local art gallery in Bairnsdale.
For more information on local attractions and events visit the East Gippsland website.
Drive a little further and you can experience caving at Buchan Caves or even a day at the snow at Mt Hotham or Dinner Plain!
Farm Stay Experience
Folks want to come back again because they are inspired by our efforts to live sustainably. Wake up in the Guest Room to the call of birds and the rural scene paddocks framed by roses off our front verandah, all visible from your bedroom window. We will treat you to our home made bread (choose multigrain, wholemeal or white) and jams made from our own orchard's fruit. Our eggs are freshly laid by our own chooks (and sometimes even goose) and you will find all this laid out for your breakfast, together with your choice of cereals and freshly brewed coffee or tea.
Our home becomes yours - feel free to relax on our deck as you watch the evening sunset. Use our country kitchen to cook your own dinner or dine in one of the local restaurants in nearby Bairnsdale or Lindenow. |
With 360 degree uninterrupted views of farmland from every window of Lavender Cottage, enjoy the scent of lavender edged verandah wrapping two sides of our two-bedroom cottage. Main b/r has queen bed; 2nd b/r has double bed with single bunk above. There is a sofa bed for extra guests if needed. Enjoy the same breakfast menu fresh from the farm as in the guestrooms and add to this your own fully equipped kitchen, outdoor barbecue with al fresco dining, TV with DVD, spacious bathroom with shower and laundry tub, all with self-sustaining solar power and rainwater tank. Treat yourself to your favourite drink while watching the sunset from the double swing chair on the verandah overlooking Lindenow village. Pure bliss!
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Veggie GardenFeel free to pull some veggies from our garden for your breakfast, lunch or dinner.
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Fruit PickingPick some fruit from our orchard - you can't get it more fresh than that and it's quicker than driving to the store!
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Jam MakingWhen the fruit is ready, learn how to make some jam, taste your efforts and take them home to enjoy after your visit.
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