Staying comfortable and cosy with Warwick, Wilbur and Walter the wombats

The recent annual analysis of Stayz bookings data reveals that more of us are seeking holiday homes with pools and other outdoor amenities such as hot tubs, herb and fruit gardens, and fire pits. If this is indeed the case, Jumulu Lodge in the Kangaroo Valley ticks all the boxes. On a large roaming hill, with a pool and spa, entertaining deck and barbecue, lawn games, vegetable gardens, two fire-pits and roaming local wildlife, it embraces an outdoor lifestyle, and leaves guests with no choice but to leave feeling completely refreshed.

Waking up in the lush linen on the giant bed of the master bedroom, with its high ceilings and views down the valley, is a joy. There's the sound of birdsong in the low morning mist, and dozens of eastern grey kangaroos and their joeys dot the grounds like an ethereal Australian landscape painting. Ducks and their ducklings scurry across the lawn. There are wombats, too - three of them (Warwick, Wilbur and Walter) - although we spot just the one during our weekend stay.

It's immediately obvious that this house is designed, built and styled with love and skill - and it was, in 2021, by a husband and wife builder-architect team. The polished concrete (heated/cooled) floors and beautiful mix of woods including curved Australian hardwood walls and lush furnishings all scream luxurious comfort, but the house is also extremely sustainable, running mostly on solar, tank water and a bio-friendly septic system. The decor is warm, with African artworks and artefacts and an overall feel of peace and tranquillity: it is so quiet!

There are four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a huge open-plan lounge/dining/kitchen made for entertaining (which is lucky, as it rains the entire weekend, meaning we mostly eat, drink and laugh at home) with a giant wood-fired heater and even more giant flat-screen television. A separate teenagers retreat has another TV. The owners have thought of everything - there are games, books and puzzles, spare work boots and loan hats, as well as a comprehensive guide to what's good in the 'hood. The best thing, though, is those views: wonderful and ever-changing vistas from almost every room - even the walk-in wardrobe.

Although it feels a world away, nestled as we are in our two-hectare holiday home, the village is only a six-minute drive. Head to the very popular The General Cafe for breakfast, luxuriate over a pub lunch in the beer garden of The Friendly Inn, which lives up to its name, and have dinner at Jing Jo, an unassuming little restaurant with fabulous Thai food.

Leaving such a perfect home is made a little easier during this chilly weekend by the limited heating of the spa, from just 5pm-7pm, for energy saving reasons (you can request longer before your stay). So leave we do and such a beautiful valley is made for walking. We hit up McPhails Trail around the corner, full of lovely old-world trees and spectacular views, before wandering into town for fudge from Sweet As. There are several vintage clothing stores and, at the general store and newsagent, we load up on tomato chutney from the community market and delicious curries made by Narelle from Berry. Across the road, the bottle shop is busy with a gin tasting on the footpath.

A few minutes drive away, there is a winery, Yarrawa Estate - go there if only for the views, although we also picked up a very drinkable bottle of pinot noir.

What: Jumulu Lodge, Jim Edwardes Place, Kangaroo Valley, NSW

How much: From $2100 per night

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