Mount Rufus Cottage

Cocooned against the world's hustle and bustle in the welcoming, relaxing privacy of your own cottage, or sharing the seclusion with some close travelling companions the cottages are the perfect spot to start or finish your day. Enjoy a country breakfast as the sun rises over Mount Rufus in the east, or relax with a glass of wine and spot the kangaroos as the sun sets in the west over Mount Horrocks, before dining at one of the Clare Valley's excellent restaurants. If you prefer the BBQ awaits, or for the ultimate treat we can arrange for your own personal chef to prepare some wonderful cuisine.

With a comfortable contemporary interior and a location that is the perfect base to explore from, you are minutes from the Riesling Trail and Clare, Mount Rufus Cottage really is an experience not to be missed!

The climate is a mountainous style with four definite seasons. Hot dry summer days with cool nights. Pack your winter woolies for the cold winters. Spring and Autumn are cheerful, sunny and colourful. Each season is well worth a visit to enjoy the changing landscape and variety of activities and attractions.

The cottages are self-sufficient, relying totally on rain water with waste water being processed through an enviro-cycle and subsequently used to water the garden.

Our home away from home with, more stars, more peace and quiet, more wine, more food, more ...
- Roz and John, QLD

Location

Set on 90 acres of undulating grazing country Mount Rufus and Mount Horrocks Cottages are a few minutes from Clare, wineries, restaurants, artists studios and the Riesling Trail.

The cottages are on our Saxon Stud, "Avenue Ridge". Saxons were the original breed of sheep imported to Australia and are the base of the present day Australian Merino. The wool averages 13 micron and is classified as superfine. It is used by Italian wool for high-end fashion wool fabrics.

Until several years ago we always had a problem with foxes taking lambs, and this was compounded later when packs of town dogs began mauling the ewes. To protect the sheep we invested in a Maremma dog and eventually became the original breeding kennel in SA for this variety, Maremmasta Kennels. The dogs originated in Italy over 2,000 years ago where they were used by shepherds on the plains of Maremmano to guard their flocks against wolves and bears.

Today we have four of these dogs on the property and you will be able to see two of them with the breeding ewes - though it can be a bit tricky because they are white also! They live with the sheep day and night all year round, using self-feeders in the paddock and drinking from the dams and troughs. Their flock is their litter and during lambing they will often be seen helping ewes to clean up the new arrivals. Later they can be seen lying in the sun while lambs use them as springboards. They are very gentle dogs but will guard their flock from intruders, with one dog standing between the person and the sheep while the other dog moves the flock away.

	With a comfortable contemporary interior and a location that is the perfect base to explore from, you are minutes from the Riesling Trail and Clare, Mount Rufus Cottage really is an experience not to be missed!
	Feel spoiled by soft couches, romantic wood fire and a glass of port to warm you on those cold misty winter nights and of course air-conditioning is a welcome relief on balmy summer evenings.
	When not dining al fresco the quality crockery, cutlery and glassware are perfect for an intimate dinner for two or having fun with friends at a table of four.
	The kitchen is equipped with portable hotplates, electric frypan, microwave, kettle, toaster and espresso coffee machine. The views from the kitchen sink make the chores a delight.
	Whether it's a romantic getaway for two or a friends/family trip you'll all sleep well in the two comfortable queen size beds with crisp fresh linen and electric blankets to keep you nice and cozy.
	Arrange a massage (package) to ease away the days travels then follow with a soak in the two person spa, complete with bubbles. Wrap up in the luxury of warm fluffy towels from the heated towel rails. Hair dryer and bath robes included.
	Relax with a coffee, read the papers and plan the days excursions or just while away the day on the decking, enjoy the fresh air and cook breakfast/lunch on the BBQ all the while watching out for wildlife and farm activity. The deck is also ideal area for socializing all day and into the evening - enjoy a glass of wine on the beautiful summer evenings. It's the perfect spot to soak up the atmosphere, warmth and beauty of the Clare Valley.
	You will be tempted, like so many others, to return and re-capture the experience of these delightful cottages in each of the four seasons.

Those little extras

• A bottle of wine to get you started
• Home baked bread
• Provisions for a hearty cooked country breakfast - essential before a day of wine tasting on the Riesling Trail
• Twinings tea selection
• Cappuccino espresso coffee maker
• Port
• Quality crockery, cutlery and glassware
• Two queensize beds in each cottage made up with crisp fresh quality linen
• Carefully selected discount cards to wineries, restaurants and attractions to give you a taste of the Clare Valley
• An iron and ironing board to get rid of those wrinkles before you set out
• Two person spa with bubbles and hand made soap
• Towelling robes
• Heated towel rails to warm those thick fluffy towels
• Hairdryer
• Wood fire
• Reverse cycle air-conditioning
• TV, DVD/CD/Video player
• DVDs, videos and CDs
• Board games and puzzles
• Binoculars
• BBQ and wonderful sweeping views

Bookings

Check availability and book online now or phone on 0412 265 031.

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