Royal Mail Hotel

The highlights

• Situated in the hamlet of Dunkeld, at the southern tip of the Grampians, the hotel is a 260-km drive west of Melbourne.
• The Royal Mail Hotel seamlessly blends traditional and contemporary elements on its expansive property.
• Structures include the original 19th-century inn, a bluestone homestead and a modern timber-and-glass building for the award-winning restaurant.
• Despite accolades, the hotel remains true to its rural roots, offering authentic and warm hospitality.
• Key attractions include exceptional food and wine offerings, sommelier-led wine cellar tours (£14, inclusive of tastings), chef-led organic kitchen garden tours and native wildlife-feeding tours.
• The accommodations feature intelligent, spacious and modern designs that are furnished simply with neutral tones and timber furniture.

You should know

• Only some of the accommodation available is pet-friendly. If you would like to bring your pet, let the owners know when you make your booking. Pets are charged at an additional fee.

The detail

Located in the hamlet of Dunkeld, at the southern tip of the Grampians - an ancient, myth-laden mountain range - the hotel is a 260-km drive west of Melbourne, with a three-hour airport transfer from the city.

The Royal Mail Hotel seamlessly blends traditional and contemporary elements on its expansive property adorned with native flora and fauna. The diverse collection of structures includes the original 19th century inn, a bluestone homestead and architect Nick Byrne’s modern timber-and-glass building housing the award-winning restaurant. Here, local timber and sandstone create a striking contrast with designer Italian lighting.

Despite the numerous accolades, the Royal Mail Hotel remains rooted in its rural origins, providing authentic and warm hospitality. The primary attraction lies in its exceptional food and wine offerings, with sommelier-led tours of the nationally renowned wine cellar (priced at £14, inclusive of wine tastings) and chef-led tours of the organic kitchen garden, the largest of its kind in Australia. Visitors can also partake in native wildlife-feeding tours, gaining insight into the Royal Mail's captive breeding program.

The accommodations boast intelligent, spacious, and modern designs. However, in harmony with the small-town ambiance, they are furnished simply with neutral tones and unassuming timber furniture. Among the seven accommodation categories, the Deluxe Mountain View rooms stand out for their panoramic vistas of Mt Sturgeon and grazing wallabies.

For those seeking romantic seclusion, the bluestone cottages are an ideal choice, featuring fireplaces, expansive sofas and unobstructed mountain views. Situated on Mt Sturgeon Station, 3.5km from the primary accommodation complex (with a dinner shuttle service available), both accommodation categories offer sublime A.H. Beard beds.

Embarking on a picturesque three-hour journey westward from Melbourne, the approach to Dunkeld unveils the striking peaks of Mt Sturgeon (Wurgarri) and Mt Abrupt (MudDadjug), piercing through the fertile surrounding soils, capturing immediate attention and evoking awe.

Dunkeld's main thoroughfare, Parker Street, exudes charm with its quaint shop fronts, notably the Dunkeld General Store - a go-to destination for stocking up on local produce, deli treats, farm-fresh ingredients and daily essentials. Other establishments lining the main street include a pharmacy, a weekend-open bookshop and shops specialising in giftware and galleries.

The Dunkeld Arboretum has a walking trail encircling a petite lake adorned with timber bridges, a modest pier and a historic sawmill. The area is graced by magnificent red gums and an assortment of trees sourced from various corners of the globe, creating a sanctuary for birdlife and local native fauna.

Features

Essential