42 | LUXlife Magazine Best Rural Retreat 2024 – Australia Are you looking for an escape to the countryside that promises an authentic rural retreat with the added luxury of a resort break? Look no further than Elm Cottage, a four-and-a-half-star retreat located in Tumut, New South Wales. Following Elm Cottage receiving its title in the Resorts and Retreats Award 2024, we catch up with CoOwner David Sheldon below. For years, David and Deborah Sheldon longed to establish a holiday destination in a rural location. In 2003, the dynamic husband and wife duo took the first steps towards making their dream a reality with the purchase of a plot of land on the Goobarragandra River. What was once a drought ravaged, overstocked property is now known as a multi-award winning rural retreat. For over two decades, Elm Cottage has remained steadfast in its mission of providing guests with an authentic regional experience that displays the awe-inspiring beauty of Tumut and the Snowy Mountains. Now, the retreat consists of five luxury cottages that are self-contained and individually designed with a rural aspect in mind, guaranteeing a tranquil stay no matter which cottage you choose. Each cottage has been positioned 60 metres apart to allow for privacy for the duration of the stay, and all are pet-friendly so the entire family can enjoy the vacation. As a small accommodation provider, Elm Cottage has a higher ability to be nimble and adaptable in the face of emerging trends. Visitors are increasingly interested in sustainability, a trend that Elm Cottage noted 14 years ago. In response, the retreat developed a business plan so that it could effectively progress with this trend, implementing many green initiatives over the years. Elm Cottage has made various accommodations to remain in alignment with sustainable practices, including sourcing over 60% of its power through solar and battery storage; being the only accommodation provider within the region to supply both universal and Tesla EV charging stations for guests to use free of charge; and undertaking an extensive revegetation programme involving over 6000 native plantings that saw the return of the endangered platypus and over 135 species of birdlife to the area. “Our core values revolve around a sustainable approach to tourism,” says David. “They revolve around current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts and address the needs of our visitors, the industry, the environment, and the community. This includes the managed approach to sustainability, environmental, and climate action, respecting culture and creating a positive social impact.” Working alongside David and Deborah is a team of staff who all share the same passion for hospitality and commitment to sustainability. When recruiting, the couple do not see experience as a necessity, rather opting for candidates that possess a drive, a willingness to learn, and the ability to take ownership of their work and actions. “Our staff, along with our guests, are part of the Elm Cottage family,” David says. “They understand that we are not happy if they are not happy with anything and have full confidence in discussing ideas and issues with us. They understand that we rely on them, and we believe the culture at Elm Cottage is prime to our success, perhaps being why we have had very little staff turnover within 20 years of operation.” The hard work and dedication displayed across the team at Elm Cottage has certainly paid off and the retreat boasts a remarkable five-star rating on Tripadvisor. Clients rave about the tranquillity of the retreat, the cleanliness of the cottages, and the incredible experience provided by the team. “We spent four nights in the Rivers Edge cottage, and it was amazing,” writes Debbie. “The sound of the river was so relaxing, and the cottage was well-fitted out. There was plenty of room for five adults. The nights were spent relaxing around the fire pit cooking, listening to the river, and waiting for the fish to bite. Such a beautiful part of the world.” “What an amazing place to stay,” Verena says. “This is a hidden gem that perhaps I shouldn’t be sharing. We stayed with our two kids and two dogs for two nights. It certainly wasn’t enough, and we booked a return visit before we even left. This is a place to unwind and relax, there is space and serenity and I found it a glorious time out from the everyday. The sounds of the river were so peaceful, time here was so precious.” If you, too, dream of escaping to the Snowy Mountain’s best kept secret, visit Elm Cottage’s website and book your retreat, today! Contact: David Sheldon Company: Elm Cottage Web Address: https://www.elmcottage.com.au
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