Nutmeg House chickens, breakfast, heritage

Nutmeg House has been described as the destination, not just somewhere to stay. Guests are delighted with its comfort, amenities and chickens. It's an ideal location for a few days peace and quiet, an extended stay for work, or a holiday with children. It's located in a tree-lined residential street within walking distance of the city and Sovereign Hill. Collect eggs still warm from the nest for your breakfast. Pick rhubarb and herbs from the garden. Watch the sun set over the city. The space The house was built in about 1890 and is now restored and renovated for comfort and peace, while retaining federation and art nouveau features. Warm and cosy in winter, cooled and insulated for the summer. It has a very solid, gracious air to it. Original artworks line the walls. Indoor plants grow happily. There are three comfy bedrooms and a lounge room with sofa couch. TV , wi-fi, ethernet facilities in loungeroom, as well as a piano to keep up with your daily practice. The bookcase is full of antique books and music. Browse through these old books and imagine what life was like when the house was first built. Some lighter reading materials and local travel brochures also available. Record player can be used just for fun. Board games and jigsaws are kept in the loungeroom bookcase. Children love staying here. There are toys and books, gumboots and chooks, a big, big bath and snuggly beds at the end of a long day. The bathroom has a toilet, shower enclosure and a large antique bath. There is also a second toilet inside. Full laundry with washing machine and dryer and an outside line. Dish-washer, microwave, stove and oven in the kitchen; you can cook full meals and bake cakes. Enjoy coffee outside on the patio using the coffee grinder and beans provided, or use the silver teapot for a proper cup of tea. Breakfast foods provided include eggs, toasting-bread and butter, weetbix and muesli, and milk. You can pick herbs to add to the omelette you cook or maybe make a batch of rhubarb muffins. There is a garden for your play and relaxation with vegetables, rhubarb and herbs for your use, and chickens to feed and provide you with fresh eggs. In wet weather the chook-yard can get wet and muddy so there are children's gumboots provided. The chickens love scratching and digging for worms, and dust-bathing in drier weather. Your hosts usually check the chickens are safely enclosed each evening so guests do not have to take the responsibility. The pantry has basics such as cereals, oil, sauces, spices and oats. We try not to buy overpackaged single-serve items, and are careful to reduce, re-use and recyle. There are 2 queen size beds and 2 single beds. A travel cot is available on request. For extra guests the pull-out sofa in the lounge can be used, but bear in mind there is only the one loungeroom and one shower in the house. Guest access The house and garden is yours for your stay. There is a small locked tool shed not accessible and the outside toilet is "out of order". The driveway, although narrow, will take 2 cars and a trailer. Other things to note The exterior of the house is not yet perfect... an outside room is to be completed, the rose garden is just a lovely thought, and a front garden and fence is planned to fully restore the beauty of this gracious home.