Yearning for a yurt escape at Pialligo

Posted on 16 February, 2024

When Beltana Farm officially opens to diners today, having a special meal out at Pialligo is only the start.

Owners of the massive new venture, Alice and Doug O’Mara, have envisaged that some diners will want to make a stay of it, and they have restored and built a clutch of luxury yurts on the truffle farm for overnight stays or weekend and midweek escapes.

Lining the road to the restaurant, the three yurts and one modern cottage sleep up to 16.

One, two and three bedroom yurts are available to hire.

While the whole precinct is only ten minutes’ drive from Civic, it feels like a world away.

For Alice, who runs the accommodation and the 800-tree truffle orchard while leaving the restaurant in the expert hands of chef John Leverink and General Manager James Souter, the joy is in creating an unexpected experience.

“You can’t really compare it to staying in a hotel, you feel like you have driven a couple of hours out of town and we have worked to provide a lot of wonderful options for guest to enjoy while they are here.”

Apart from being ensconced in bucolic bliss over nine acres of property, there’s a tennis court, gym, bikes, nearby winery Mount Majura, all of the nursery options of Pialligo and beautiful gallery-style retail therapy such as Bison just next door.

And of course, you wander down your driveway and find yourself at the restaurant which promises an Australian farm table menu with a focus on fresh and seasonal produce.

The one-bedroom studio yurt is ideal for couples seeking unwind, featuring a kindling fireplace, self-contained kitchen, and gram-worthy vintage bathtub.

The two-bedroom yurt is perfect for a small group or family up to four, complete with a self-contained kitchen, open-plan living, fireplace, and spacious outdoor dining deck.

The three-bedroom yurt can work for large families or small groups up to six guests, drawing everyone together under the circular wooden roof where a comfortable sofa awaits.

Alice said the couple became unexpected fans of the yurt lifestyle after inheriting two slightly rundown yurts when they bought the property over a decade ago—one of which was used as the previous owner’s woodworking space.

After some work to restore the internal ceilings and floors, and more major additions of kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms, the couple decided to build a third yurt.

The cottage is a new build, next door to the yurts.

Then they opted for a more contemporary two-bedroom cottage, which is an elegant blend of country charm with modern glamour. Inside, you’ll find an inviting interior with open-plan living and dining, cosy gas fireplace, spacious self-contained kitchen, and outdoor entertaining area.

Alice has loved bringing the yurts and cottage to their full potential, all the while overseeing the planting and growth of 800 truffle trees (not to mention the spectacular Terry Ring architect-designed restaurant pavilion and private dining room which dominates the landscape).

She is proud of the farm-stay business which has already received steady bookings over the past few months and is comparable to staying in a conventional hotel when it comes to price.

“We are particularly keen to see families or groups of friends come and create some major memories together.”

“You step into a yurt and you can’t help but feel something special as the sun beams through the large windows reflecting up into the centre of the high timber roofs. It’s something so unique. It’s cosy yet open and the round living area and no corridors creates connectedness to people coming together, it instantly makes you feel relaxed, calm and present.”

Alice admits she did opt for high-end finishes and a lot of Coco Republic and King furniture to make each yurt feel luxe.

But she is also keen to see kids feel welcomed and guest to truly relax in the space.

While one of the most obvious drawcards for a stay at Beltana Farm is the prospect of a long, long lunch or dinner partaking fully of the cocktail and wine list and having only to stumble a few steps down a well-lit pathway to home, each yurt and the cottage has a fully-equipped kitchen if people want to cook for themselves.

They can order farm fresh eggs and vegetables from the overflowing garden beds and plans are underway for the restaurant to prep meal packages which can be ordered in advance and need only a few steps to be completed, allowing guests to imagine, for a night, they are in the same league as chef John Leverink.

As Alice keeps emphasising, Beltana Farm Stay is a place for the unexpected experience.

All Images by James Souter