The Stables and Loft Ard Choille

Nestled in the Heritage listed botanical gardens of Ard Choille, a 19th century hill station estate, The Stables and Loft provide wonderfully comfortable duplex accommodation. Comprised of heritage-styled and freshly renovated two bedroom cottage and a one bedroom loft studio above, with separate kitchen facilities and bathrooms. Suiting either a family or couples/family booking, the properties can be separated by a dead-lockable door or otherwise opened to provide seamless flow.
The Stables and the Loft have views of Ard Choille's extensive garden and down Mount Macedon to the plains of Hanging Rock. Both have their own external entrance. Perfect for a family, artist retreat, wedding party or group of couples.

The Stables has two bedrooms (Queen, Double), fully equipped kitchen, bathroom, and laundry. For entertaining, there is a large lounge with dining table, a fireplace, TV, free WIFI and games.

The Loft has one Queen bedroom, its own bathroom with a stunning claw foot bath and separate shower, and a kitchenette. For entertaining, there is a large bright open-planned lounge, TV, WIFI and boardgames.

Ard Choille, a private Heritage-listed garden, is one of the best of the renowned Mt Macedon hill station estates. Sprawling over 12.5 acres with a finely detailed and elegant curved fernery, sweeping lawns, lakes, arching frames of the original plantings of stately tree varieties including Rimus, Japanese Cedars, Tulips, Birches, Beeches, Elms, Oaks, Firs, Lindens, Rowans, Dogwoods, Conifers, and numerous tree ferns. There are also masses of rhododendrons, camellias, hydrangeas. In spring, the hills of the estate come alive with thousands of daffodil bulbs. The fernery is housed in a rare 19th Century metal shade house, the only in existence in the southern hemisphere.

The gardens of Ard Choille date back to the 1890s when Scotsman William McGregor (Chairman, BHP) found a piece of the Australian bush at Mount Macedon in Victoria that reminded him of his native Scottish highlands. The estate was designed in the Scottish manner with a chain of seven lakes.

During your stay, you can still wander to the spring fed top lake (Fern Loch) take in the history and the tranquility. The owners are happy to offer a tour if booked in advance.

The gardens flow through lawns and gullies, secret bluestone pathways are to be found in the shade of laurels leading down to "House Lake", formed in the shape of Australia and now edged by camellias, rhododendrons, and cabbage trees.

For children, there is much to marvel at. A secret fairy garden with a hut and swing is hidden next to a stone-lined brook running through a sheltering grove of laurels. Through a holly hedge, there is a potager garden with chickens and a grassy field shadowed by ancient walnut trees providing a stunning sunset view to Hanging Rock.

Ard Choille is in the perfect position to explore the entire Macedon Ranges. The restaurants, cafes and convenience of Woodend are a quick (7 min) drive and it is equally easy distance to the beauty of Hanging Rock (10 mins), Mount Macedon (10 mins), Kynton and Gisborne (15 mins). The Daylesford spa area is an easy 45 minute drive.