Unique railway retreat

Immerse yourself in a bit of railway history in this unique converted carriage. Located in the heart of the Avenel township, you'll have everything you need for the perfect getaway. Relax on the deck and watch the trains go by, or wander down the road for a cocktail or woodfired pizza. Avenel is a great launching pad for all that the Strathbogie region has to offer - art, history, wine and some fabulous restaurants. The space This guard's van was in operation across Victoria throughout the 70s and 80s - originally numbered 2ZF then renamed to 2VVDY. It's now been carefully restored into a cosy and quirky retreat with bespoke furniture and touches of Victorian Railway memorabilia throughout the van. The home is fully equipped with everything you might need, including: ... a compact but fully functional galley kitchen and bbq to give you plenty of options to cook up a storm ... a well-appointed bathroom - the vanity has been handmade from local timber ... a cosy loungeroom with a dedicated workspace (rebuilt from the van's old parcel shelf!) ... a luxurious queen bed for a great night's sleep. (There's also a sofa bed in the lounge, but it does take up most of the room when open). ... a generous deck where you can watch the sunrise with your morning coffee, or enjoy a glass of wine on a balmy evening You'll have plenty of options to stay entertained, including: ... your own private fire pit, perfect for toasting some marshmallows ... a range of board, card and outdoor games ... access to shows and movies on Netflix, Stan and Amazon Prime The guard's van is only a few minutes walk into the centre of Avenel, where you can go to The Daily Dose cafe for a Saturday morning brekky, pop into the Harvest Home for a cocktail or meal, or try one of the famous woodfired pizzas at Bank St. Guest access You'll have the carriage all to yourself during your stay, with a private yard, fire pit and onsite carpark. You're welcome to have a meander through the netted orchard (but make sure you check for fruit fly before you bite!). Please avoid wandering through the yards of the stone house next door or the house at the end of the driveway - these are private residences. Other things to note There's nothing nicer than sitting on the deck of the carriage watching the trains rattle by - we get the Melbourne to Albury sprinters, the XPT train to Sydney and a range of goods trains. Please note however - there are a few trains that run overnight and the guard's van isn't entirely soundproof, so if you're a light sleeper, you might want to consider bringing some ear plugs. The guard's van is ideal for two people. There's a double fold-out sofa in the living room which is available for a small additional fee if you have kids or a couple of extra people in your party. Do be aware, the carriage is by nature a cosy and compact home and when the sofa is folded out it takes up most of the living room.