If the summer bushfires of 2020 and COVID-19 pandemic have taught me anything it\u2019s the power of a good old fashioned domestic holiday. Now is the time to explore our own backyard, and take a #holidayherethisyear, if you will.<\/p>\n\n
I was first introduced to the beauty of Barranca by an email in my inbox. After perusing the never-ending stream of daydream-worthy imagery, I thought that this was exactly the kind of exclusive retreat that was deserving of my time and attention. In hindsight, I thank my lucky stars I made the correct decision.<\/p>\n
![\"Barranca,](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Secluded-paradise.jpg\")
Unwind in your own secluded paradise at Barranca. (Image: Eliza Sholly)<\/p><\/div>\n
Details<\/h2>\n
Address: 408 Bunkers Hill Road, Kangaroo Valley, NSW, 2577<\/p>\n
Website: barranca.com.au<\/a><\/p>\n There is a two-night minimum stay policy and a three-night minimum stay policy for long weekends.<\/p>\n Barranca is located in the magical Kangaroo Valley. It is a two-hour drive from both Sydney and Canberra.<\/p>\n\n Kangaroo Valley township has a bakery, cafes, a small supermarket and bottle shop for essential supplies, but if you\u2019re looking to stock up we recommend a pit stop at Bowral supermarkets en route.<\/p>\n The natural wonders of Kangaroo Valley is easy to explore from Barranca. (Image: Eliza Sholly)<\/p><\/div>\n Entering Barranca\u2019s luxe driveway is a lesson in accommodation opulence.<\/p>\n\n The name \u2013 meaning narrow, winding river gorge \u2013 accurately reflects the property\u2019s idyllic natural surroundings. Deep escarpments tower over the four properties on offer, with panoramic views of valleys and vistas surrounding your car as you drive through the entrance.<\/p>\n\n The first thing you\u2019ll notice about Barranca is that it\u2019s a striking piece of farmhouse architecture. The 400-hectare, privately owned property was designed by award-winning Grove Architects in Woollahra. Any of the four luxury villas you\u2019re appointed will deliver by way of contemporary design and meticulous attention to detail.<\/p>\n\n Each of the on-site offerings – aptly named Ferndale<\/a>, Willow<\/a>, Jacaranda<\/a> and Banksia<\/a> – was built using native Australian timber and upcycled heritage sandstone. Each villa blends seamlessly into the verdant native surroundings, making our arrival all the more spectacular.<\/p>\n\n Driving in at around 4pm delivered a famous Kangaroo Valley sunset \u2013 with no greater setting to enjoy it from than our appointed property, Ferndale.<\/p>\n Enjoy sweeping valley views from bed. (Image: Eliza Sholly)<\/p><\/div>\n Each of Barranca\u2019s four villa\u2019s face north, immersed in all-day sunlight. They\u2019re also placed a discreet distance away from one another, which grants privacy for guests who prefer it.<\/p>\n\n Our villa, Ferndale<\/a>, shone in all of its four-bedroom, two-bathroom glory. It was warmly embraced by surrounding hills and escarpments on both sides, offering a completely isolated setting for gatherings of up to eight guests.<\/p>\n\n Outside, tiny pebbles surround the charcoal-painted brilliance. There\u2019s an outdoor fire pit and a (warm!) outdoor shower. The adjacent back balcony houses a barbeque and sitting area for al-fresco meals.<\/p>\n Convene around the fire pit of an evening. (Image: Eliza Sholly)<\/p><\/div>\n It is a remarkable structure inside, too. Panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows make an artwork of views across the valley, with the odd wild kangaroo keeping you company as you lounge by the fireplace. And while decadent polished concrete floors and recycled timber notes reign throughout, there\u2019s also something inherently homely about the place.<\/p>\n\n Soft furnishings and jute rugs decorate the living and bedrooms. The kitchen boasts SMEG appliances and in the bathroom, you\u2019ll find Australian scent-masters, Leif amenities. Fresh eggs, milk and sourdough were waiting for us on arrival, as well as a Nespresso coffee machine and a selection of T2 teas.<\/p>\n The only traffic you\u2019ll see on the roads here is the German Shorthaired Pointer farm dog, Ellie. There\u2019s also the roaming melange of animals that call Barranca\u2019s peripheral paddocks home. Spot buffalo, donkey, pigs and horses throughout your time here \u2013 including the largest horse in Australia, Stormy George.<\/p>\n Farm feeding tours depart at 8am each morning. (Image: Eliza Sholly)<\/p><\/div>\n To get up close and personal, join the farmhand for a feeding tour at 8am every morning. You can learn all about the animal\u2019s side hustles as work and riding horses, and the impressive on-site Equine Therapy Program<\/a>, which is a collaboration with The Cedars Shire Horse Stud and Flying Change Leadership.<\/p>\n The horses are used for Equine Therapy programs. (Image: Eliza Sholly)<\/p><\/div>\n Barranca is also home to multi-disciplinary event space, Archie\u2019s. It\u2019s named after the property\u2019s celebrated Shire horse Cedars Archibold, who in 1987 was the first purebred Shire to be born in\u00a0Australia since the early 1900s. He stopped traffic as a Mounted Police Horse in Redfern, won prizes at the Easter Show and even had a few TV stints before his passing in 2014.<\/p>\n\n While closed for renovation at the time of our stay, Archie\u2019s will eventually house a 150-person shared space perched high on the hills of the property. Book it out for weddings<\/a>, art schools, conferences<\/a>, paddock-to-plate cooking tutorials, wellness retreats or the signature equine program.<\/p>\n Follow Barranca\u2019s marked trails for an unparalleled bushwalking experience. The property lies in a valley of its own, which makes for various grades of safe, uninterrupted walking tracks.<\/p>\n\n One of the best (and the only one we undertook) is the descent to the fresh running water creek. Sit in the natural rock pools and feel like the only people in the world under the scented beauty of Staghorn trees that line the river gums. There is no vehicle access and the walk back home is steep and lengthy; if you\u2019d like a lift in either direction, ask the caretaker for a ride.<\/p>\n The property has its own wild swimming prospects. (Image: Eliza Sholly)<\/p><\/div>\n But by no means is a stay at Barranca all about nature. Recharge the batteries and indulge in a devoted pamper package from the privacy of your villa. Massage, facials and beauty treatments are available. For more information, head here<\/a>.<\/p>\nGetting there<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Kangaroo-Valley.jpg\")
First Impressions<\/h2>\n
![\"Barranca](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Bedrooms.jpg\")
The accommodation<\/h2>\n
![\"Fire](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Fire-pit.jpg\")
The property<\/h2>\n
Animals and Equine Therapy<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Farm](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Farm-feeding.jpg\")
![\"Horses](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/horses.jpg\")
Events<\/a><\/h3>\n
Bushwalks and wild swimming<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Wild](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Swimming.jpg\")
Massages and spa treatments<\/a><\/h3>\n
The surrounding Kangaroo Valley<\/h3>\n