"You can choose where we stay in Port Fairy," he said. "Excellent. I've booked us to stay in cottages on an Alpaca Farm," I said. "You're kidding me?" he said. "Not even remotely," I said, with an evil grin. It might have been the lure of Alpacas that led me to book a two-night stay at Clonmara Cottages, but it was the home-like comforts that made our stay a stand-out of our drive along the Great Ocean Road.
Owned by a husband and wife duo, this property of 5 cottages is also home to a small tea room and is just on the cusp of Port Fairy's main street. It feels like you've walked into an English country cottage with a quaint garden, a chook pen and a life-size chess board.
Our studio had a bathroom almost as large as the bedroom itself with a spa. There's a comfortable double bed, a kitchenette and electric fireplace to keep you toasty warm during the Winter nights. A continental breakfast was offered each morning and included in our rate as well as Wi-Fi. Pets are welcome (if only I'd bought along our furball) and if you've left Rover at home make sure you introduce yourself to the owner's Hungarian Puli, Sam. He's a charmer and sure to melt your heart with his request for pats.
With no hustle and bustle of city-life, a stay at Clonmara is not only a chance to feed Alpacas each morning, but a real way to unplug and enjoy life in the slow lane. My only regret is not staying longer and may or may not have asked as we left, "Can't we just stay and help them run the place?" read more