Peek inside your newest Southern Highlands obsession, Osborn House.
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The newest addition to the Southern Highlands’ boutique hotel scene is worth the road trip. We check into (and check out) Osborn House for some well-deserved ‘me time’.
A whimsical countryside retreat, Osborn House is a magnificently restored 19th century guesthouse set on a heritage property in the Southern Highlands, just two hours from Canberra.
The original home, dating back to 1892, has been thoughtfully transformed into 15 suites and seven luxury cabins. Uniquely decorated with European-sourced items, each enjoys sweeping views of the dense forestry and undulating hills that border the property. It’s the perfect place to get away from it all.
That’s made easy with the hotel’s ultra-luxe wellness facilities including a 25m lap pool with a retractable roof, spa with four treatment rooms, a sauna, steam room, cool plunge, and fully equipped gym.
Osborn House Spa aims to elevate the spa experience into a “truly transformative journey of the mind, body, and spirit”—a journey that begins the moment you step into the sumptuous space. Choose a rejuvenating facial, soothing massage, or pamper yourself from head to toe.
Sinking into an armchair—glass of fruit-infused water in hand and calming music flowing through the sun dappled waiting room—you feel any stress you are holding onto begin to flow out of you.
The little details are what makes this spa impossible to forget. Cocooned in one of the spa’s beautifully renovated rooms, you almost (but not quite) regret that you are about to spend the entire time in a state of bliss with your eyes closed.
Each treatment starts with simple breath work, inhaling with the clean country air of the highlands, and entering a state of relaxation that deepens as soft music, soft voices and soft hands surround you. The room fills with the scents of oils, creams and serums which have been specifically curated by Australian brand LaGaia Unedited, and as hot stones, warm oils and cooling mists are lavishly applied you cannot help but sink into an almost trancelike state.
At the end of your treatment, you take deep breaths in preparation for your return to real life.
Not ready to get back to reality just. yet? There’s no rush. Book into one of the gorgeous suites or cabins available at Osborn House to elevate the entire experience—there’s plenty to see, do and eat.
EAT + DRINK
In homage to original owners George and Dinah Osborn, the hotel’s two dining rooms carry their names.
With intimate couches, large group tables, barstools where you can witness the bartender’s magic and ample armchairs to nestle into, George—the more relaxed of the two dining rooms—offers an opportunity to sip away and watch the sun sink below the horizon as you devour some locally focused, seasonal dishes.
Just around the corner, Dinah brings the meaning of elegance to a new level. Dark wood, blue velvet and golden finishings bring this room to life and the food takes things to a whole new level. Executive Chef Segundo transforms traditional rustic recipes into sophisticated, savoury dishes that speak of home but are the product of a true craftsman.
Every Sunday from 12 pm to 4 pm, the Osborn House Fire Feast lets guests experience the ancient art of South American open-fire cooking.
Surrounded by the elements and the spectacular landscape of Morton National Park, Executive Chef Segundo will light the flames of the asado (outdoor barbeques) and take you on an authentic South American dining experience, complete with the iron dome, planchas and infiernillo.
SEE + DO
Tying this expansive building together is a series of artworks by artist, Jai Vasicek, who has weaved a story throughout the grounds, in places even using the bare walls as his canvas.
You wouldn’t be wrong in describing Osborn House as magical and the walls, thanks to Jai, carry their own magic. Connected across the walls are free-styled fairies sending their blessings to whoever walks past them.
Osborn House is the kind of place that has you itching to remodel your own abode back home to try and capture the rich colours, the artfully curated bookcases and captivating artworks.
Snowdrops, daffodils and pops of colour fill their fairy-tale garden that even in winter is full of flowers in bloom.
As you float along the paths, passing cleverly placed couches calling you to curl up with a novel or sketch pad, the lullaby of flowing water draws you deeper into the garden where a picturesque gazebo creates a frame for their water fountain.
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As the sun begins to set the garden is filled with an ethereal golden light that lights up, almost like a beacon, the thoughtfully placed outdoor seating, that calls for you to sink into and soak up the last rays of the day before the night sky comes alight with dancing stars.
The chill of the evening won’t have a chance to reach you as the flames from the fire pits scattered amongst the seating begin to dance in the twilight hours and light up the communal spaces.
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As the stars disappear and pink fills the sky there is no better place to welcome a new day than the indoor (and heated) 25-metre pool. As you finish your laps and declare your exercise done for the day, pop into the hot tub placed right next to the floor-to-ceiling windows and look out over the national park which stretches past the horizon and plan your return.
Osborn House is the ultimate escape.
Ready to book your own me-time?
Discover Osborn House Spa here.
Make a weekend of it by exploring everything else Osborn House has to offer at osbornhouse.com.au.
Images supplied by Osborn House
