R On The Downs

R on the Downs at Yangan is a luxury rural retreat that offers guests good old fashioned hospitality and the perfect location to Rest, Rejuvenate, Relax, Reconnect and a whole lot of other "R" words that describe the experience here. 

A warm welcome from owners, Liz and Doug and the offer of a cup of tea and Liz's homemade scones set the scene for a truly delightful stay at this traditional B&B. Catch the perfume of lavender on the passing breeze and check out the lavender products for sale at the homestead.

A chat with Doug reveals the history and some of the characters connected to the region. Possibly the most famous of these would be early explorer, Allan Cunningham, who passed through the valley in 1826 - a year before discovering Cunningham's Gap.

Three accommodation options are offered at R on the Downs. The grand federation homestead offers four unique suites, individually themed and beautifully decorated. The views from the Homestead's generous verandahs are amazing, particularly at sunset. Guests choosing this option enjoy a home-cooked, hot breakfast in the homestead's dining room each morning. The homestead also offers a library which boasts a great variety of reading material for all tastes.  An elegant lounge room features a welcoming fireplace, with an impressive mantle from the 1890's.

For those looking for complete seclusion and privacy, the luxury Treehouse Hideaway ensures both. This pole home sits high on the hillside with panoramic views of the Swanfels Valley. With a rustic fireplace and a double spa overlooking the surrounding countryside, Romance is sure to be in the air.

And last but by no means least, is the quaint Early Settler's Cottage which is full of country charm with its fireplace, polished timber floors and decorative wooden features. The cottage's fully screened verandah takes in 180 degree views of the sweeping plains and scenic Swanfels Valley and is a great spot to Relax with a book. From here guests can spot Double Top Mountain and the Lost Pyramid. The cottage's double spa also enjoys these views.

Guests at both the Tree-House Hideaway and the Early Settler's Cottage receive a country hamper, full of breakfast provisions (sausages, eggs, bacon, tomato, yoghurt, fresh seasonal fruit and orange juice) and Liz also treats guests to a loaf of her freshly baked bread. Both accommodation options have their own BBQ, making a leisurely cooked breakfast easy. Prearranged meals made with fresh seasonal produce are also available - enquire at time of booking. Doug and Liz love to surprise their guests and leave little extras to be discovered - just another example of the generous hospitality to be found at R on the Downs.

This 40 acre rural property is home to a wide variety of birdlife, pretty faced wallabies, lizards and echidnas. Take a leisurely stroll through the beautiful gardens and discover a collection of old farm equipment, large clusters of blooming lavender bushes, Doug's wildlife corridor, and the homestead's courtyard.

Whilst it's tempting to just sit and enjoy the stunning view of patchwork fields, grazing cows In lush fields and breathtaking scenery, there's plenty to discover here and Doug will happily point you in the right direction. In the town of Yangan visitors can discover original timber architecture - dating back to the 1800s. Check out the Masonic Hall (also known as "the temple with the long stairs"), the School of Arts and the Yangan General Merchants where cabinets of old fashioned lollies will take customers on a journey down memory lane. A drive through Yangan will also reveal the source of beautiful sandstone which is used in many of Queensland's iconic buildings.

Close to R on the Downs is Mick Bradford's property (well known for the annual Heavy Horse Day), the Veggie Hut - where local farmer, Graham Nicholls sells his fresh produce and the Swanfels Pioneers Memorial Park where the play shed from the Swanfels State School (opened in 1892) stands. Explore the unique three tier road system and enjoy stunning views of the Swanfels Valley.

A little further afield, drives to Emu Vale, Killarney and Warwick reveal more history, stunning waterfalls, bush walking opportunities and beautiful national parks. For those with a 4WD, the Cambanoora Gorge is well worth exploring, with 14 crossings of the Condamine River making the journey a lot of fun. 

This region is known for its four distinct seasons and for its bright golden fields of sunflowers. Autumn sees leaves on trees begin to change colour, snowflakes flowering, lavender adding a picturesque purple hue to the gardens, white cedars blooming and fantastic weather for enjoying those rustic fireplaces.

In a nutshell - R on the Downs is a great base for discovering the Southern Downs and Liz and Doug's hospitality, beautiful accommodation and knowledge of the area ensures that those who visit enjoy their time in this breathtaking yet little known region of South East Queensland. There's one more R that applies to a stay at this unique, multi award winning, green star country retreat - Reluctance (to go home).

Need to know: R on the Downs is a luxury couples retreat, children are not accommodated for.

By Sandy Ludinski

Must Do Brisbane.com was a guest of R on the Downs