Eager not to have to travel back into Dubbo for an evening meal,we accept Nancy's offer of dinner at a modest $30 a head. It is a smart combination of modern and traditional Australian cuisines:an excellent plate of antipasto,followed by Aussie roast beef with peas,beans,baked potatoes and squash,before finishing with panna cotta and berries.
Walls Court is a typical modern country dwelling – long and narrow – with a single,selfcontained cottage,known as the Studio,at one end,which sleeps two adults with the possibility of additional beds for two children. There is another,larger,family-style option,called the Stables,across the back garden and near the chook yard. It sleeps up to six.
The Studio has a bedroom-sitting room with a comfortable queen-size bed,a bathroom and a kitchenette. It is themed in pewter blue,with blue walls,blue couch and white pillows,blue throw on the bed,blue-patterned curtains and blue tiles in the kitchen and bathroom. The colour scheme lends the cottage an ambience of coolness that seems to heighten the tranquillity.
If you are looking for a destination where simple farm pleasures are central to the experience – big,fresh breakfasts,nights ablaze with stars,birds'nests in the trees,an old dog,farmyard animals,hearty dinners and relaxed conversation – then Walls Court Bed&Breakfast is about as good as it gets.
Weekends Away are reviewed anonymously and paid for by Traveller.
VISITORS'BOOK
Walls Court Bed&Breakfast
Address11L Belgravia Heights Road,Dubbo.
The verdict A quiet rural retreat only a few minutes from Dubbo's zoo.
PriceThe Studio and Stables are both $160 a double ($30 for each extra person) with cooked breakfast.
BookingsPhone 6887 3823,emailnlander@bigpond.com.
Getting thereIt's 12 kilometres south of Dubbo.
Perfect forThose wanting to stay close to the zoo and families who want to commune with farmyard animals.
While you're thereSpend a day at the zoo and visit the Old Dubbo Gaol and theWestern Plains Cultural Centre.