Bishop's Court Estate — Hotel in Bathurst

As Americans traveling in Australia multiple times during the past 15 years, my husband and I never had occasion to visit Bathurst until recently. Both of us agree the few days spent at Bishop’s Court Estate were the best of our entire five weeks abroad this year.||On arrival, we found the owner, Christine LeFevre, in the exquisite gardens within which this elegant 1870 Victorian gem is nestled. She welcomed us warmly before showing us around the property, with all its rich architectural detail. Among my favorite features is the wraparound veranda, accessible from the three upstairs guestrooms, giving the sensation of stepping into a treehouse among the treetops. One has only to peruse the gallery of historical photographs in the downstairs hallway near the staircase to appreciate the care and significant effort Christine has taken in rescuing and restoring the house.||Moreover, Christine overlooks not a single detail in seeing to the comfort and enjoyment of her guests, from the ever present, but never intrusive, soft background music throughout the ground floor to fresh eggs for breakfast from the hens in the kitchen garden; restorative cups of tea and home-baked cookies in the afternoon; cashmere-blend bathrobes in the guestrooms; and more.||Also on deck is Christine’s right arm, Barbara, who’s been helping keep all four wheels on the operation for two decades. Early in the morning, Barb—who claims she never cooks at home—can be found in the kitchen rustling up Bishop Court’s signature blueberry breakfast parfaits followed by poached egg on a bed of baby spinach on toasted rustic bread topped with crisp, shredded maple-cured bacon. All was served with fresh orange juice and a pot of English Breakfast tea. I have two words for you: simply scrumptious!||Contributing to the congenial atmosphere, as well, were Christine’s friends and neighbors, Joette and Brian, who dropped by in the early evening to share a glass of champagne and conversation with us around the fireplace. The half dozen or so clocks on the mantlepiece, all stopped at exactly the same time, reminded me of Agatha Christie’s mystery The Clocks (without, of course, the dead body on the floor). I wouldn’t have been surprised had Poirot turned up, too.||Christine and Barb even shared some tips on how they keep those gardens flourishing: be sure to ask them how to use leftover tea and used tea leaves!||Colin & Laura Matthews|Castleton,...

As Americans traveling in Australia multiple times during the past 15 years, my husband and I never had occasion to visit Bathurst until recently. Both of us agree the few days spent at Bishop’s Court Estate were the best of our entire five weeks abroad this year.

On arrival, we found the owner, Christine LeFevre, in the exquisite gardens within which this elegant 1870 Victorian gem is nestled. She welcomed us warmly before showing us around the property, with all its rich architectural detail. Among my favorite features is the wraparound veranda, accessible from the three upstairs guestrooms, giving the sensation of stepping into a treehouse among the treetops. One has only to peruse the gallery of historical photographs in the downstairs hallway near the staircase to appreciate the care and significant effort Christine has taken in rescuing and restoring the house.

Moreover, Christine overlooks not a single detail in seeing to the comfort and enjoyment of her guests, from the ever present, but never intrusive, soft background music throughout the ground floor to fresh eggs for breakfast from the hens in the kitchen garden; restorative cups of tea and home-baked cookies in the afternoon; cashmere-blend bathrobes in the guestrooms; and more.

Also on deck is Christine’s right arm, Barbara, who’s been helping keep all four wheels on the operation for two decades. Early in the morning, Barb—who claims she never cooks at home—can be found in the kitchen rustling up Bishop Court’s signature blueberry breakfast parfaits followed by poached egg on a bed of baby spinach on toasted rustic bread topped with crisp, shredded maple-cured bacon. All was served with fresh orange juice and a pot of English Breakfast tea. I have two words for you: simply scrumptious!

Contributing to the congenial atmosphere, as well, were Christine’s friends and neighbors, Joette and Brian, who dropped by in the early evening to share a glass of champagne and conversation with us around the fireplace. The half dozen or so clocks on the mantlepiece, all stopped at exactly the same time, reminded me of Agatha Christie’s mystery The Clocks (without, of course, the dead body on the floor). I wouldn’t have been surprised had Poirot turned up, too.

Christine and Barb even shared some tips on how they keep those gardens flourishing: be sure to ask them how to use leftover tea and...

Beware of the cancellation policy! Don’t book this place if there is any chance that you may need to cancel your trip. The cancellation policy allows them to keep half your money! My wife and I were caught out by this one when the venue for a conference that I was attending was suddenly changed a couple of days after making the booking. We’re out of pocket now to the tune of hundreds of dollars even though we gave them more than three months notice.

I was given all sorts of excuses for this such as the online booking engine keeping the commission on the accommodation despite the fact that there was no provision of an actual service. They even had the hide to suggest that I should have taken out travel insurance to cover this situation! I have never come across anything so outrageous in over thirty years of domestic and international travel so fellow travellers please...