Hotels near The Mechanics Institute, Harden

Check us out on Insta: @mb.homesteadLocated just 90mins from Canberra and 4hrs from Sydney, this lovingly restored historic homestead is nestled among an acre of idyllic gardens, giving you a private sanctuary away from the everyday. This is your secret hideaway, where you can slow down, breathe the country air and do as much or as little as you like.A starter pack of fresh eggs, bread, butter, milk & a bottle of wine is our gift to you. Welcome.The spaceYour escape is an architecturally designed 4 bedroom federation-style homestead, with polished cyprus timber floors, 11ft pressed tin ceilings, & 3 marble fireplaces.The house includes two generous indoor living spaces, plus a separate kitchen, dining area, & WFH spaces. Guests love the many locations for gathering as a group or recharging alone, & easy walks to local cafes.It is a true country hideaway, fully decked out for a luxury stay. The multi-room design with wide hallways means that the homestead can be cosy for couples or spacious for families & groups. There are spaces to read, dine, work, & play. You can cook up a storm in the kitchen, walk to the local café, have a fully catered meal brought in, or drive 30 min in any direction for wineries, pubs, & towns to explore.Original stables and an expansive outdoor entertaining area add to the rural getaway experience.This homestead has everything you need to unwind and relax.Easy parking right outside homestead. Plenty of room for multiple cars, horse floats and trailers.Distances (driving) from main centres:Sydney – 4 hrsCanberra- 1 ½ hrsWagga – 1 ½ hrsGriffith – 2 ¾ hrsTemora – 1 hrAlbury – 2 ½ hrsMelbourne – 6 hrsGuest accessEasy parking right outside homestead. Plenty of room for multiple cars, horse floats and trailers.Other things to noteThe homestead was designed by architect William (Billy) Monks, from Wagga, & built in 1908. It was built for the town's first Mayor, John Bourke, & was named Broadford for the Irish town that John's family came from. The house was passed onto John's son Peter, who raised his family there before moving to Sydney in his later years. We are only the 4th owners since then, & we feel blessed & amazed to be its current custodians. We have been delighted to have the previous owners come & explain to us all the love & labour that they have poured into this beautiful old girl. Everything has been done with great care, & to honour the original design.Our decision to buy this house in 2020 was simple. Craig grew up & Cootamundra & I grew up on a farm near Harden. Whilst we don't live in the area now, we still have strong ties & wanted to put our own "stake in the ground" by investing in the area. Who knows, maybe we'll get back there to live in our later years?Since buying the house in 2020, the only change we have made is to add heat panels, which are fixed to the walls, & split system air-conditioners. We chose these because they were the least invasive solution, & allowed us to avoid cutting the gorgeous pressed metal ceilings which are such a feature of the house.We have renamed the house Murrumburrah Homestead. It's thought that the name Murrumburrah comes from the Wiradjuri Murrumboola, meaning 'two waterholes'.Our most favourite thing about Murrumburrah homestead is its energy. There is something serene about this place, something that allows you to truly rest. We hope you love it as much as we do.CathLicence numberPID-STRA-8460About pets:Pets allowed: limit 1 total.About checkOut:Check out before 11:00 AM.About children:Children allowed: ages 0-17.About customRules:Please clean up after your pet.Please refer to the folder in the house for local information, fire exits, and checkout details..About checkIn:Check in after 3:00 PM.About smoking:Smoking is not permitted.About events:Events allowed: family gatherings and birthday parties.Maximum event attendees: 12.