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Travel Review: Mansfield on the Manning Tinonee
As I drove up the gravel road towards Mansfield on the Manning I knew straight away I was in for a treat, the scenery was beautiful and when I made it to the gates of the property, I started to immediately wind down!
I was greeted by Jane, and then by Bob and Doug, the two resident dogs of the premises. Jane gave me instructions on where to find my cabin and said she would meet me down there. As I drove down the dirt road I came to a cute little cabin that was going to be my home for the night.
I was staying in the Lagoon Cabin that offers views of the Manning River, valleys and the lagoon that attracts lots of beautiful birds. The cabin has a veranda with outdoor furniture, a loft with two beds, a well equiped kitchen, bedroom with Queen sized bed, ensuite and comfortable lounge room. I was impressed with the decor and detail this cabin has and it's obvious that Mansfield on the Manning has high standards. There is air conditioning in the bedroom for the cold nights (guests are asked to switch off when not in the cabin), a dining area and a day bed with a luxurious rug that I found great to wrap around me later in the night when it got cold. I was very impressed with the bathroom, it has a heated towel rail, lots of room and the hot water heats up very fast. If you have kids, it's very hot so take note of that. The toiletries are organic and luxurious made by Grown Alchemist. The water is tank water, so guests are also asked to be mindful of not wasting it.
Outside the cabin there is a gas bbq on the veranda and a fire pit with two benches to sit around it just below the veranda.
Scroll through the gallery below to see the interior of The Lagoon Cabin, Mansfield on the Manning.
I was already in my element but there was more good to come! A freshly baked bread and Anzac biscuits by Neil! Neil is Jane's husband, and as well as maintaining the property he's also a chef! In fact, guests can order meals prepared by Neil. Only local produce is used in meal preparation as well as what is grown on the property. You can also order picnic hampers, breakfast hampers etc.
The property has its own vegetable garden and guests are welcome to help themselves. As well as the bread, there was Neil's passionfruit butter, butter, eggs from the chooks on the property, milk and a range of cooking condiments. A Nespresso machine sits on on the bench and a range of T2 teas are also available. The French Earl Grey is my favourite.
The smell of the bread was so intoxicating that I had to cut a piece straight away and enjoyed it with the delicious passionfruit butter! So good!
Now it was time to explore Mansfield on the Manning and work off some of that bread! Apparently there had been a koala in the tree next to my cabin for a few days, but it wasn't there now so I was hoping that I might get a glimpse of one on my walk. Unfortunately, I never got to see a koala but they are around in this area.
I had the chance to take a look at one of the three bedroom cottage so I headed off towards it. On the way I detoured to the vegetable patch and the chook pen. Neil was resting the patch as it is winter, but there were some green vegetables growing. The citrus trees were full of fruit and then I saw the chooks! A range of beautiful chickens that have a great pen and nesting boxes.
I wandered down to the three bedroom cottage and took a peak inside. This cottage is perfect for a larger group of people. It has a marvellous veranda to sit and enjoy the views and tranquility. Inside the cottage has a combustion fire to keep warm. The cottage also has a fire pit outside like the cabins do. All the cabins and the cottage have firewood available outside.
I headed down to the lagoon and then over to the river before deciding to light my fire pit. The lagoon is a peaceful area with chairs to sit and look over the water.
A short walk over the hill took me to the Manning River. It was a little late in the evening for me to venture out on the river in one of the boats but I was tempted. This is another activity guests are welcome try if they like.
I headed back up to my cabin and decided it was time to light the fire pit. Neil came down to say hi and he told me he was quite impressed with my fire lighting skills, apparently some people don't know how to light a fire. So here's how you do it!
Gather very dry kindling, some sticks need to be really thin and others a bit thicker. They must be dry i.e. aged not freshly fallen or green inside.
Place the heavier sticks below the lighter ones and form a tee pee sort of structure (like my photo below).
Place some scrunched up paper under the sticks.
Then light the paper. You might need to fan the flames but obviously make sure you are not wearing anything that will easily catch fire.
Once your fire starts to get momentum then add a couple of pieces of firewood.
Ta da!
At sunset I marvelled at the beauty of this amazing property.
I spent some time enjoying my fire and then went inside and relaxed in the lounge and had more bread!
I slept very well that night and woke up to the fresh air and sounds of birds. For breakfast I sliced a piece of my homemade bread for toast and boiled those very fresh eggs.
After enjoying some time on the veranda I reluctantly packed up my things and made my way back up to say goodbye to Jane and Neil.
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Mansfield on the Manning and highly recommend for anyone who wants to escape the dramas of every day life and enjoy a truly remarkable experience.
Weddings, events, corporate functions enquiries etc are welcome.
Visit www.mansfieldonthemanning.com for more information and bookings.
Beauly Road, Tinonee, NSW 2430
Tel: +61 (0) 2 6553 1800
Mobile: +61 (0) 4 0164 4757
Email: mansfieldonthemanning@gmail.com
To find out what to do in the area hop on to my other blog North Coast NSW Leisure and Life.
Read my review and others on Trip Advisor.
