Quiet country living at The Briar Patch

Welcome to The Briar Patch, a peaceful countryside escape surrounded by nature and local charm. This charming 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom home offers the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure. Despite its secluded feel The Briar Patch is situated only 5 minutes by car or 20 minutes cycling on the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, from the small township of Myrtleford, 25 minutes by car to the bustling tourist hubs of Beechworth and Bright, 35 minutes to the regional city of Wangaratta or 50 minutes to the larger twin cities of Albury/Wodonga. It is a 3hr drive from Melbourne CBD and Airport, 5 hours to Canberra and 6.5 hours to Sydney. Closer to home, Mt. Buffalo National Park is an hour away and one and half hours in the car will get you to the popular Victorian ski fields of Mt Hotham and Falls Creek. Our home is set among rolling hills and the deep green pines of the nearby soft wood plantation. The Briar Patch is a haven for wildlife lovers. Wake to the sounds of native birds, spot deer, kangaroos and wallabies as you take an early morning walk into the pines and keep an eye out for our resident wombat "Rocky" who makes this property truly special. Explore nearby hiking trails, mountain bike at the famous Mystic Mountain near Bright, walk or ride the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, discover renowned local wineries or simply unwind by the sparkling inground pool and plan your tomorrow. The home itself is a quaint painted cedar clad bungalow. We have 3 large Queen size bedrooms and 1 smaller double bedroom. The principal Bedroom 1 has a walk in robe, full ensuite with toilet, wash basin and walk-in shower. For heating and cooling there is a ceiling fan and a split system A/C that will keep you comfortable all year-round. Bedrooms 2 and 3 have floor to ceiling wardrobes. The smaller Bedroom 4 has a lovely Queen Anne mirrored chest of drawers. Bedrooms 2, 3 and 4 are heated by small electric Nobo heaters. Where to relax? You have the choice of the huge family living and dining room. A large split system A/C takes care of heating and cooling in this area. Or snuggle up with a book and a glass of local red in the cosier "winter library room" aptly named when the log burner is blazing on a chilly winter night. The beautiful country kitchen offers everything you need to whip up a quick snack, a family Christmas lunch for 20 or anything in between. And as for where to eat, you are spoilt for choice between the 8-seater dining table, the huge alfresco dining table that seats up to 15 under our glorious Pin Oak or under the umbrella on the deck beside the pool. YES, a POOL! A wonderful in ground fully automated swimming experience with the added benefit of magnesium salts to soothe your muscles after a day of exploring the region. If you are more into wild swimming the little Happy Valley creek at the bottom of the garden boasts a lovely tiny swimming hole (not very deep but refreshing all the same). But beware the mosquitoes! The faithful Ovens River flows gently through our region and there are many wonderful local swimming holes within a short drive or bike ride from The Briar Patch. A small BBQ is available for outdoor cooking or perhaps you might like to light the fire pit and create some traditional Aussie tucker. All subject to Fire Danger warnings and restrictions in summer of course. With the fire pit lit you can spend the evenings outside mesmerised by the Milky Way. The Briar Patch Garden is quite extensive, and you will have access to most of it. There is a Tiny House at the rear of the property that belongs to our son who lives there with his partner and young child. He will be able to help you if you have any concerns. Pets are welcome but please be aware that the property is NOT fully fenced and this is a rural setting. There are livestock on farms in the immediate area. Dogs must be kept under control at all times and on a leash while walking in the pine plantation. Our water is collected from rainfall and stored in two large tanks. There is a filter on the tanks and the water is completely safe to drink. We ask only that you be mindful of water usage and keep showers short, especially in the dryer summer months. Hot water is supplied by an electric storage system. We have never run out of hot water even with a house full of people. Firewood for the log burner or fire pit is stacked in the woodshed in the back yard. We have neighbours nearby across the creek but not so close that they can be seen or heard. Still, be respectful and keep nighttime noise to a minimum. No loud music or parties please. We can offer international people a vehicle for use while staying at The Briar Patch. Whether you are fellow Aussies seeking are fun family getaway, a weekend with friends or a quiet romantic retreat in nature or international travelers seeking a home base for an extended period while you explore our superb region The Briar Patch offers space, comfort and an authentic countryside escape.