WEEKEND // Road Tripping + The Pill Factory Bundanoon
Photos by Natalie Hayllar
Road Tripping to The Pill Factory Bundanoon.
Last weekend we hit the road with some of our closest friends and headed for a road trip to the Southern Highlands. We were fortunate enough to be reviewing the fabulous Pill Factory, a historic building in the main street of Bundanoon accommodating from up to 36 people (which is very hard to find). In the heart of the main street of Bundanoon, The Pill Factory is the perfect Winter escape and provided a wonderful opportunity for our family to catch up with friends over a few relaxing days of open fires, red wines, kids games and adventures in the bush. The Pill factory has been lovingly restored into an unique large group accommodation offering. Kitted out with a large screen movie room in the loft upstairs (perfect for the kids) a thousand bedrooms, games room and private bar, 4 bathrooms (each with rockstar shower curtains from David Bowie to Dave Grohl) a huge 62 seater dining table, kitchen and gas stoves, open log fires and firepit, everything has been carefully considered here for a relaxing weekend away with family. The furnishings are rustic french with beautiful carved timber bedheads, wooden flooring and rugs, large cosy leather chesterfields by the fire and a few quaint and quirky decorations. And while everything looks great, there is nothing too delicate either, so you can relax and unwind without worrying the kids might ruin the carpet or break something - it is all very family friendly and fun, but still elegant and timeless. And there is loads of extra bedding, heaters , electric blankets so the place is surprisingly really warm even on the coldest of Winter nights. We organised for a local caterer and babysitter team to come along and cook for all of us adults, and look after the kids so we could enjoy a long overdue catch up. The kids got to play games and stay up late and we got to sit and relax with no cooking, cleaning or pestering to be heard of. It was HEAVEN.
The Pill Factory has a great story to tell. It began it's life as the Golden Cross Pill factory back in the 1800's, going on to have many different careers before falling into disrepair. It was once the place for the local Doctor to make his pills and medicines (opiate based). There is definitely an old world feel and presence to the place and if only the walls could talk they would have a lot to tell no doubt!
After a fun night by the fire and a huge big breakfast cook up, we spent the morning exploring the nearby Morton National Park and local town of Bundanoon. I have been so fortunate to be given a brand spanking new Ford Kuga Titanium to test drive for the next 6 weeks as part of the Kidspot Voices #FordThinking Challenge, so this was the perfect opportunity to take this baby on the open road. (I have to say it is going to be very hard to part with).
I am not usually a car person at all, but I have quite literally fallen in love with all of the Ford Kuga features and extras that my little car doesn't have. How will I ever go back now. The seat warmers have been my most favourite feature, and I keep finding new little features that make life easier. Like the blind spot information system that flashes an orange light if the car beside me is too close, the adaptive cruise control which means when I am driving on cruise control the car stays an automatic distance from the car in front, and starts beeping madly if the rear camera senses anything nearby. It really is the perfect size for zipping around town why the kids - big enough to be 'Mums taxi' and hit the open road, but small enough to park in the busy streets of Alexandria. The boys are in love with the sunroof and tray tables in the back seats - they say it is a bit like taking off on a flight. We took the Kuga for a drive to explore the nearby Echo Point, before heading off on foot on a bush walk with the kids. Then it was back home via the Jumping Rock cafe and bakery, to put the Ford Kuga to bed and head for the fire pit for an afternoon of silliness with life long friends.
A huge thank you to Claudia at The Pill Factory for providing the beautiful accommodation for our weekend adventures. We will definitely return again and again. I can highly recommend this for your next family gathering, large birthday party celebration, long table dinner, rustic wedding, girls weekend or friends getaway. Claudia can help you out with bookings and discuss all of the options with you. Click here to find out more or book the Pill Factory.
*Thank you to Ford for the fabulous wheels too. I will be sharing more adventures with you in the coming weeks for the #fordthinking challenge.