Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
breakfast. Ask about packages. AE, DC, MC, V. Take West Swan Rd. to Henley Brook and turn right at Little
River Winery into Forest Rd. Hansons is on the left at the end of the road. No children under 15.
Amenities:
Restaurant; small outdoor pool; limited room service; in-room massage (with 2 hr. notice); laundry/dry clean-
ing service; nonsmoking rooms. In room:A/C, TV/VCR, minibar.
Novotel Vines Resort
This rural retreat is one of the best resort golf
courses in Australia, and is the most upscale place in the Swan Valley. Most
rooms or apartments in the low-rise accommodations have balconies looking
onto one of two 18-hole courses where kangaroos often join the players, or over
the pool or vineyard. The rooms are of a high standard, if a bit stiff and citified.
A suite consists of a room with a living area and a Jacuzzi.
Verdelho Dr., Belhus near Upper Swan, WA 6069.
&
Accor,
1300/65 6565
in Australia, 800/221 4542 in the
U.S. and Canada, 020/8283 4500 in the U.K., 0800/44 4422 in New Zealand, or 08/9297 3000. Fax 08/9297
3333. www.novotelvines.com.au. 147 units. A$220-A$415 (US$143-US$270) double; A$265-A$444
(US$172-US$289) suite; A$300 (US$195) 2-bedroom apt; A$375 (US$244) 3-bedroom apt. Extra person A$33
(US$21). Children under 16 stay free in parent's room with existing bedding. Ask about packages. AE, DC,
MC, V. Take West Swan Rd. to the Upper Swan and turn left on to Millhouse Rd. The resort entrance is about
1.5km (1 mile) on the right.
Amenities:
2 restaurants (1 open Fri-Sat night only); large outdoor lap pool,
w/adjacent children's pool; 4 all-weather tennis courts (2 floodlit); 2 squash courts; exercise room; Jacuzzi;
concierge; tour desk; salon; limited room service; same-day laundry/dry cleaning service. In room: A/C, TV
w/pay movies, dataport, minibar, hair dryer, iron.
WHERE TO DINE
Hansons
MODERN AUSTRALIAN This new restaurant attached to
Hansons Swan Valley (see “Where to Stay,” above) seats 80 inside and 120 out-
side. You can choose from a prix-fixe blackboard menu (with a glass of wine)
(noon-2pm, or 6:30-8:30pm) or the a la carte menu, which includes hearty fare
such as venison bourguignon or grilled milk-fed pork sausages with caramel
onion soubise and royal blue potato mash. For something lighter, there's warm
poached ocean trout with potato cakes and herbed salad. Desserts include a
wickedly “adults only” hot fudge sundae.
60 Forest Rd., Henley Brook, WA 6055.
&
08/9296 3366.
Reservations recommended. www.hansons.
com.au. Breakfast A$16-A$35 (US$10-US$23). Main courses A$15-A$25 (US$9.75-US$16) dinner. AE, DC,
MC, V. Daily from noon for lunch, and from 6:30pm for dinner. Take West Swan Rd. to Henley Brook and turn
right at Little River Winery into Forest Rd. Hansons is on the left at the end of the road.
Lamont's Winery, Restaurant & Gallery
MODERN AUSTRALIAN
This highly regarded restaurant is housed in a rustic timber building at Lamont
Winery. Full-flavored main courses such as chargrilled beef with field mush-
rooms, beet and walnut tapenade, and delicious desserts such as white chocolate
parfait with poached stone fruit and almond biscotti, ensure lots of regulars
make the drive from Perth. Marron, a local crustacean, is a specialty. An alfresco
menu serves up casual fare like pizza or antipasto to eat outside at the farm tables
on weekends. A gallery on the grounds shows Western Australian art and crafts.
85 Bisdee Rd. (off Moore Rd.), Millendon near Upper Swan.
&
08/9296 4485.
Reservations recommended,
especially for dinner. Main courses A$29-A$32 (US$18-US$21). Alfresco menu A$8.80-A$18
(US$5.70-US$12). AE, DC, MC, V. Wed-Sun 10am-5pm; open for dinner 1st Sat of month 6:30pm-late.
Closed Christmas to New Year's Day. Take the Great Northern Hwy. to Baskerville near Upper Swan, take a
right onto Haddrill Rd. for 1.6km (1 mile), right onto Moore Rd. for 1km (just over
1
⁄
2
mile), and right onto
Bisdee Rd.
NEW NORCIA: A TOUCH OF EUROPE IN AUSTRALIA
132km (82 miles) N of Perth
It's the last thing you expect to see in the Australian bush—a Benedictine
monastery town with elegant European architecture, a fine museum, and a
