Blue Waters - Gippsland

The Age

Saturday October 18, 2008

Sally Dugan

Waratah Street, Walkerville North, 3956

Phone (03) 5682 1436, 1800 458 382 or 0429 822 290

Fax (03) 5682 2524

Info@promaccom.com.au

www.promaccom.com.au

Cold winds strong enough to tear your hair out, followed by sunshine and, with it, some warmth. Later come clouds and rain. All this in the space of a spring afternoon's walk along the sands of Walkerville North, at the eastern end of the Cape Liptrap Coastal Park. Stop to pick up shells and admire the rock pools and formations that provide a formidable barrier between sand and sea. Many a ship has come to grief along this coastline, with the danger alleviated to a degree by the building of the Cape Liptrap Lighthouse in 1913.

Trudge back up the hill to Blue Waters, one of a few dozen houses on the hills that rise from the coast. Once indoors, stoke the fire, put on the kettle, collapse onto the couch, feet up, eyes to the window. From here the view across Waratah Bay to Wilsons Promontory, though ever so slightly marred by overhead power lines, is one of wonder. The rain has eased and the late sun pierces the gaps in the clouds, sending shafts of brilliant light across the water.

Blue Waters comes under the category of holiday house, but it works beautifully as a weekend away unless you are one to crave luxurious glamour and gourmet meals. Here the furnishings offer functional comfort: a couple of sofas, tables and chairs indoors and on the wide decking outside, comfortable beds, sparkling white bathrooms and a well-appointed kitchen area. The walls are white and unadorned, and rightly so. What painting could compete with the view from the windows that run the full width of the house? -- Sally Dugan

Cost: $300 a night (two-night minimum stay). No weekend stays in Easter or summer holidays.

Distance: 185km (3 hours' drive) south-east of Melbourne.

Accommodation: self-contained house with two queen bedrooms (one with ensuite) and one twin.

Features: views, TV, DVD player, wood fire, air-conditioning, well-equipped kitchen. Bed linen provided, but BYO towels, tea towels and all food, including condiments. You're a long way from the nearest shop, so make a list and don't forget a thing!

Nearby: the beach (two minutes' walk); Wilsons Promontory National Park (45 minutes' drive).

Bookings: check availability on website.

Children: yes.

Wheelchair access: no.

© 2008 The Age

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