WHEN you love the work of a particular architect and a property of his comes up for sale, sometimes there’s nothing to do but follow your heart and buy it.
Michael Minshall was 63 and happily retired in 2014 when he and his wife Sue saw a newspaper advertisement for a Glen Murcutt designed property at WattleValley, just off the Great Ocean Road on the unspoilt south-west coast of Victoria.
Long-time fan of the award-winning architect’s work, the couple couldn't resist buying the property, even though Michael admits feeling at the time “a bit old for getting into a brand new industry”.
Now known as Alkina Lodge, the property is the only property in the world that Murcutt and his architect wife and partner Wendy Lewin have designed that is available for short-stay rental.
The property, which comprises three four-bedroom lodges of brick, wood and stone, needed “a little TLC” when the Minshalls bought it. Undaunted, they set to work on installing new water tanks, repairs, electrical work, extensive painting and new furniture and appliances.
“There will never be any changes to the property, only maintenance,” Michael said. “You don't make changes to something designed by one of the world’s greatest architects.”
Murcutt’s creed of “touching this earth lightly” has been used to striking effect here. Heating in the luxury lodges is passively solar, supplemented by gas-fired hydronics, underfloor heating in the bathrooms, as well as bespoke fireplaces.
In summer, cooling comes from the southern ocean breeze, expansive screened doors and windows, Dyson bladeless fans and by venting hot air up through the roof.
“There is no air-conditioning,” Michael said. “You simply open the windows.”
Those expansive windows open on to a vista of rolling grass and trees on the secluded 40-hectare property.
Each of the three lodges has been sited in such a way that you cannot see the neighbouring lodge or any other house for that matter.
Kangaroos regularly come up to crop on the grass and it is only a short walk to join the track that makes up the Great Ocean Walk.
Michael said the key to Alkina's success has been appointing great on-site managers, Cindy and Jordan. French-Canadian Cindy is a trained chef and can provide hampers or cook a delicious meal for you in your lodge kitchen.
Another key to success is Michael and Sue’s determination that everything should be perfect for guests. “I’d rather have a vacancy than an unhappy guest,” Michael said.
Last year the couple's passion for their new venture earned them the Inspiring Exhibitor award at Luxperience, Australasia’s leading luxury and experiential travel trade exhibition. The award recognises excellence in the planning and development of innovative products and services and experiential and discerning travel products.
Michael admits their new venture has been more work than they anticipated. “But we're having fun.”
If you go...
EACH lodge has four bedrooms and two bathrooms. You can have a lodge entirely to yourself regardless of whether you are using one or all of the bedrooms.
If you want extra space, for example for a family gathering, a group of friends or fellow walkers (Alkina Lodge is the closest luxury accommodation to the Twelve Apostles) you can book the other lodges and have 24 guests based on double occupancy.
The lodges have luxurious features such as Gaggenau equipped kitchens, bespoke wood fireplaces, Nespresso coffee machines, Bose entertainment systems, European furniture, and Villeroy & Boch bathtubs positioned to take in views of the night sky. Chef-prepared meals must be booked in advance.
- 0401-056-031, www.alkinalodge.com.au
* Sue Preston was a guest of Alkina Lodge.
