Check out updates on the Mt. Buffalo Gondola project on www.mtbuffaloskyways.com.au

News @ The Buckland

Season's Greetings from The Buckland

• Last minute Christmas gift idea
• The Brolga has landed ...
• Hot Summer BYO Breakfast Special
• New Chef Team at Boyntons Winery and Cafe
• Last package for Taste of Piedmont Lazy Lunch Weekend

Looking for the perfect last minute Christmas Gift?

With the festive season only a few days away why not surprise the special person in your life with a gift certificate for a special getaway?

Gift certificates are available for accomodation packages or any amount you specify and are valid for 12 months.

Purchase online or call us on 0419 133 318.

Gift certificates can be dispatched instantly by email or, if you prefer, sent by snail mail either directly to the recipient or yourself.

The Brolga has landed ...

We are very excited about the latest addition to The Buckland: a 3 meter high sculpture made from rusted and stainless steel by local artist blacksmith Richard Walker. We are currently moving the bird around the property in an attempt to find the perfect place for it to spread its wings - no mean feat - considering 600 kgs body weight and a wingspan of 3 meters. Check out Richard's website www.highcountryforge.com.au.
His creations are truly beautiful!

Any plans for a Summer break? Why not take advantage of our Hot February Special ...

Our cafe will be closed Mondays to Fridays in February 2010, which is why we are offering very special b.y.o breakfast deals:

Stay 3, 4 or even 5 nights in February and pay no more than $795

This is how it works:

• select one of the 4 studios
• tell us which weekdays in February you'd like to stay
• a 3 night package is $ 795, and you can choose to stay an additional 1 or 2 nights at no extra cost
• If you prefer to stay in No. 5, add $120.
• don't forget to bring your own breakfast provisions

Start looking forward to a few days away from it all!

subject to conditions, check availability on-line or call us on 0419 133 318 to book.

Boyntons Feathertop Winery and Cafe

features a whole new menu, new umbrellas, new outdoor lounge chairs and the most exciting bit is that they have new chefs. Kin San ex Taxi fine dining, Federation Square Melbourne and 100 mile cafe and Hamish Nugent who owns and operates Tsubo restaurant over the winter months at Dinnner Plain. If any of you have eaten their food, you will have guessed there will be a strong Japanese influence running through their menu this year. Very yummy indeed!

More Lazy Lunches - Italian Style at The Buckland Cafe

The next Lazy Lunch Weekend will be the 19th to 21st of February with a Taste of Piedmont 4 course degustation menu with matched Italian Wines.
Lunch on the Saturday is $135pp including premium imported Italian wines.

On Sunday join Mick and Jackie from Hedonistic Hiking on a half day walk on Mt Buffalo with a delicious picnic lunch.
Combined Lazy Lunch and Sunday Walk package: AUD$250 pp

Why not turn this into a real treat and make it a long weekend?
Stay 3 nights, enjoy the Lazy Lunch on Saturday, the walk and picnic on Sunday and then leave on Monday.

Only $ 1199 per couple - ALL PACKAGES SOLD - please call for lunch bookings.

.. but there will be more Lazy Lunches during Spring and Summer next year... watch this space.

Happy Festive Season and Best Wishes for 2010 !

Sabine and Eddie

www.thebuckland.com.au

tel: 0419 133 318

stay@thebuckland.com.au

.... hope to see you again soon!!

Spring 2009 Update

First things first: we'd like to invite you to join us in celebrating the arrival of Spring...

...by going away for a few days.

We have a great Spring Getaway offer, so just keep reading...

Having enjoyed the best winter rainfalls in more than 5 years, the Buckland Valley is now lush and green, with flower buds bursting and the grass growing, keeping me and my ride-on mower busy. We took the opportunity to plant another 1,300 or so native shrubs and trees, hoping to create some additional habitat for native fauna to settle in. A small mob of kangaroos has recently decided to move in and are often seen grazing around the studios (unfortunately not ever when I have my camera ready).
From the 24th of October the Bright Spring Festival promises a dazzling, delightful & delicious program of open gardens, themed food events and celebrity gardening. Visit www.BrightSpringFestival.com.au for full program.

The Bogong High Plains Road is now sealed and open for touring

Historical remnants of the cattle men era, modern day hydro-electric power development and Aboriginal cultural heritage combined with the natural beauty of the High Plains make this touring route one of the most interesting in the country. Make the The Buckland your base for a day tour via Mt. Beauty, Falls Creek and the High Plains Road and then back via Omeo and Mount Hotham. On the way you can visit the oldest known still existing cattle hut from the 1880ies, gaze at the amazing Alpine wildflowers and snow gum woodlands and enjoy vistas of unique beauty.

Lots of fun and good food to be had @ Lazy Lunches in November and February

All 3 night packages for the Lazy Lunch Weekend in November are sold, but we still have a small number of seats available for the lunch on Saturday 20th of November at $135 pp or you can book the lunch and walk on Mt Buffalo the next day as a package for $250 pp. Call us on 0419 133 318 to book now!

The next Lazy Lunch Weekend will be the 19th to 21st of February with a Taste of Piedmond 4 course degustation menu with matched Italian Wines.
Lunch on the Saturday is $135pp including premium imported Italian wines.

On Sunday join Mick and Jackie from Hedonistic Hiking on a half day walk on Mt Buffalo with a delicious picnic lunch.
Combined Lazy Lunch and Sunday Walk package: AUD$250 pp

Why not turn this into a real treat and make it a long weekend?
Stay 3 nights, enjoy the Lazy Lunch on Saturday, the walk and picnic on Sunday and then leave on Monday.
Only $ 1199 per couple (studios 1 to 4, add $100 for No.5)

Dare we mention it? Well, Christmas is only two month away.

There, we said it. Now, how about for once not having to run around trying to find the perfect gift for the special person in your life?

Why not buy a gift certificate for a romantic break instead, at least, if you are lucky, you get to go away as well!

Book online or call us on 0419 133 318

Talking of which: are you in need of a Pre-Christmas break ?

Surely you deserve a quick break before Christmas! Book any 4 nights to stay before Christmas and only pay for 3 nights. 4 night packages from $825/couple including breakfast. Extra night available from $200.
Check availability online or call us on 0419 133 318

Preview: Super Summer BYO Breakfast Packages in February

The Cafe will be closed midweek next February which is why we will be offering very special byo breakfast packages: For a total package price of $795/couple you'll get to stay up to 5 nights. (for more information click here).

Looking forward to seeing you again soon!

Sabine & Eddie

www.thebuckland.com.au
tel: 0419 133 318

Winter 2009 Newsletter

Snow Bunny or not ...

... Winter has definitely arrived @ The Buckland.

The ski season opened this year with an early dump of 'real' snow on the ski fields of Mt. Hotham and Falls Creek and even Mt. Buffalo sports a snow cap. Even if the slopes hold no real allure for you, how about a crisp day out on a snow shoeing tour on Mt. Buffalo or Mt. Hotham or an exciting spin in a dog sled around Dinner Plain? From $110 p.p., visit www.sleddogtours.com.au for more information.

Then, after an adventure filled day, head out to one of our award winning restaurants for dinner or snuggle up and warm those cold hands and noses in front of a cozy fire at The Buckland. Updated listing of dining options available on our website - click here.

Winter Escape Special

Stay 4 nights in studios one to four and only pay for 3 nights, including Eddie's country style breakfast buffet and cooked breakfast each morning. Surprise the significant other in your life with a few days away from it all: with fresh winter air, sunny days and starry nights, enjoyment and relaxation are guaranteed.
Book now on-line or call us on 0419 133 318 and start looking forward to a relaxing break! (valid until end of August, conditions apply)

Preview: Lazy Lunches Italian Style

After the success of the 'Lazy Lunches' series last summer, the first of the Italian themed 4 course lunches for next summer will be hosted on Saturday, 21st of November at The Buckland - Cafe.
Chef Mick Parsons is currently again on a 6 months recipe gathering & wine tasting tour through regional Italy, soaking up inspiration for the new regional menus he will create for our guests. The theme for the first lunch of the series is Taste of Tuscany.

Very limited seats available, book early! $135 p.p. including matched premium imported Italian wines.

Why not turn this into a real treat and make it a long weekend? We have just the package, exclusive to our guests: 3 nights accommdation, enjoy the Lazy Lunch on Saturday, and, to burn off all those calories, on Sunday go on a guided half day hiking tour with Mick and Jackie (incl. lunch) on Mt. Buffalo and then leave on Monday for a leisurely journey back home.

All for $1,199 per couple (price valid for studios one to four, add $100 for No. 5, includes breakfast each morning), lunch and hiking package only available for $250 per person.

For more on hiking and having fun read The Height of Pleasure published by The Age in March'09 and featuring a guided hiking tour, gourmet food and The Buckland, amongst other earthly delights. All hiking tours & packages featured are available again upon Mick & Jackie's return from Italy in November.

Driven indulgence

A brand new service available in our Great Alpine Valleys: hire your personal chauffeur, guide, photographer and host for the day ... be driven in your own car or have a luxury vehicle of your choice organized, then sit back and enjoy a guilt free, ever so luxurious tour of the best wineries and restaurants in the Alpine valleys. Great for couples, girls weekend away, a group of friends wanting to explore the region together or for those occasions when only the best will do to impress.

Visit Driven Indulgence

for more information.

Thank you all for your valuable input ...

... by completing our guest survey! Some of the improvements as a result of your input so far:

• New fly screens to the French doors of the studios, guaranteed bug safe.
• Shelves for books, CDs and DVDs are currently being installed in the cafe so that we can offer you a more comprehensive library of movie and music titles and also the odd book to read (and take home if you haven't time to finished it).
• A selection of cheeses and spreads have been added to the breakfast buffet for more variety (please let us know if you have special dietary requirements when you make a booking, we are happy to cater for all needs.)
• Rubber bath mats are placed in all bathrooms to assist with slippery floors when wet.

Please keep up your input, whilst not everything can be done at once, we are continuously working on upgrading The Buckland. We won't introduce an aircraft landing strip or swimming pool with pool side bar any time soon though, but thanks all the same for the suggestions! However, all towels have recently been replaced with new fluffy ones and new bathrobes are on the way as well.

Lily Marlene

Sadly our old girl is no more. Since she is gone to doggy heaven Charlie has been promoted to head of security and is in charge of greeting our guests in the mornings. Negotiations for a new work place agreement are currently underway (involving an upgraded supply of bones amongst other conditions ... ).

Looking forward to hearing from you soon!

Sabine, Eddie & Charlie

stay@thebuckland.com.au

tel: 0419 133 318