Lush, tropical splendour

The Canberra Times - September 9, 2007

Enjoying the lush gardens that surround the Ulladulla Guest House confirms just how depressing gardening in Canberra is. Oh how I envy Elizabeth and Andrew Nowasad’s beautiful garden with its palms that sway above the rooftops and its striking protea framing the deck. Elizabeth tells me that the palms were planted as $2 pot plants 10 years ago and the protea is only six years old. There is also a flourishing garden with tropical fruits such as mango and pawpaw, passionfruit, avocado and even pineapple – quite extraordinary in this very temperate climate. It’s enough to make a Canberra gardener weep.

Produce from the garden is used in the dishes served in the guesthouse’s fine dining restaurant, Elizans. Chef Billy-Jo Richardson is tender in years but has a deft hand when it comes to creating beautiful food. My entrée of Salmon and dill mousse with hollandaise sauce and baby herbs takes us back to the 70s in the nicest possible way, but while the menu has a definite lean towards French cuisine, there’s a modern Australian touch too. The beef for my main comes with potato rosti, beetroot and red wine jus, with bok choy for greens. We’ve escaped to the coast to celebrate an important milestone and it’s recognized in the form of “Happy Birthday” written in chocolate around the edge of the dessert plate, a thoughtful touch.

Dining at Elizans is a definite highlight of staying at the Ulladulla Guest House, which is really a boutique hotel with the intimacy of a B & B and the privacy of a hotel. Andrew is a wine connoisseur and this means a great treat for Elizans’ diners, with very low mark-ups on the wines. Here’s your chance to try Penfolds Grange 1995 for $420 – the same price it was when released in the shops. But they’re not all expensive. There’s a staggering choice from as low as $20. Andrew deliberately keeps his prices low because he wants his customers to appreciate and experience fine wines.

We are staying in one of the luxury rooms, which in the often confusing way of hotel speak, is not one of the top rooms. Those are the executives rooms, which come with king-size bed and spa bath. Ours is very comfortable nevertheless, with cottagey décor, a small deck overlooking the pool, and our own television, CD and DVD player. All the rooms have ensuites. There’s a good selection of DVD and videos to borrow, free of charge, inviting us to nestle in for the night with the chocolates and port that were provided when our beds were turned down. There’s also a good library of books to borrow from, and a cosy guest lounge with newspapers and magazines to read.

The outside pool and spa are heated but despite the fact that the area is beautifully landscaped and very inviting, it takes a brave soul to go for a dip at this time of year. Better to stick to the indoor jacuzzi, try out the gym equipment or relax in the massage chair. The guest house doubles as an art gallery, with every inch of wall space, even the guest rooms, featuring paintings for sale. Just a hundred metres or so south of Ulladulla harbour, it doesn’t have water views but there’s plenty to see and do without traveling too far. For us, we’re content with being well-fed and well-rested.

IF YOU GO

Where: 39 Burrill St, Ulladulla, NSW
Phone: (02) 4455 1796
Website: www.guesthouse.com.au
Cost: Garden suite $208 per couple; luxury room $248 per couple; executive room $298 per couple.
Pets: In one of the garden suites.
Smoking: No.
Children: By arrangement.
Disabled access: Ramp to restaurant and upstairs rooms.

© Christine Salins

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