There was already no shortage of reasons to visit Aravina Estate in Yallingup. Idyllic scenery, world-class wines and beer, an excellent restaurant, the WA Surf Gallery, extensive wedding and function facilities, live entertainment, festivals . . .
But now you can stay there, with 21 sleek, modern cabins having come online in December last year. Scattered artfully above the lake on Wildwood Ridge, the cabins command beautiful views of the vineyards and are just far enough away from the main facilities and operations to feel secluded.
Pulling into our private parking space next to a King Cabin for an overnight stay — there are also Twin Cabins, Accessible Cabins and two Honeymoon Cabins — we imagine this feeling of seclusion will only be enhanced as the saplings and other landscaping features mature.
Using our access code to gain entry, we step inside and are immediately impressed by the intelligent use of the approximately 38sqm space — and by the spectacular views through the one-way floor-to-ceiling windows.
There’s still a generous lounge and kitchenette area, and a bedroom with skylight; in between, the bathroom with shower and toilet. The vibe is contemporary, comfortable, four-star hotel with a meticulous attention to detail.
But rather than a flat screen TV, there’s an AV projector with retractable screen and access to streaming services. Rather than a wardrobe, movable pegs on the wall for hanging clothes. The sofa bed is small, really just for children or teenagers. The kitchenette has a microwave and fridge but (understandably) no stove. The BBQ on the decking should however suffice for most cooking needs.
As I discover later that afternoon, during an extensive tour of the estate — and that’s definitely a story for another time – the Honeymoon Cabin utilises the same space differently, the lounge area snugly compressed to allow for a larger bedroom with a translucent red bathtub near the window.
After settling in, we head down to the restaurant for lunch (the sourdough pizza base is a marvel). The short walk is quite beautiful — as was an earlier meander along the boardwalk snaking through a paradisiacal garden whose green is punctuated by splashes of blues, pinks and violets courtesy of bigleaf hydrangeas, crepe myrtles and spur-flowers.
Following the tour, time to shower and relax before enjoying one of the best sleeps I’ve had in a long while. The bonus is waking to a glorious sunrise, a fresh coffee from the coffee machine and then stepping outside to savour the crisp, clean morning air. Before again walking down to the restaurant, this time to indulge in a hearty breakfast.
aravinaestate.com
+ Will Yeoman was a guest of Aravina Cabins. They have not influenced this story, or read it before publication.
