Overview
When you need an actual escape, not one that just sounds good on paper, travelling far beyond city limits sometimes feels like the only way forward. But the good news is that you won't have to spend hours on the road with the Aruna Estate ready and waiting for your arrival. Just a 90-minute drive from Sydney, this luxury farm stay offers 70 secluded acres of bliss-filled serenity, tucked into the rolling hills of the Southern Highlands.
Bringing together architectural design, sustainability and easygoing sophistication, owners Antony and Chris Spanbrook imagined Aruna Estate as a place to reconnect with nature without sacrificing comfort. What's more, they envisaged a stay where slowing down felt genuinely restorative. That means by the time you're back behind the desk, you won't feel more exhausted than when you first hit the road.
"The name Aruna carries a layered cultural meaning," says Antony. "In Thai, 'Arun' signifies dawn or daybreak, and in Japanese, 'Aruna' translates to 'moon love'. For Chris and I, the name reflects the beauty we see here from dawn through to night. It captures the sense of stillness, connection and quiet magic that this landscape offers."
Yet there's no singular way to experience Aruna Estate, with the accommodation available suited to a range of stays, from romantic weekends to group celebrations. You'll have to painstakingly choose between four modern villas, complete with cosy fireplaces and outdoor fire pits, or a pair of custom-designed off-grid cabins made for peaceful bush immersion — think private decks with fire-powered bathtubs. Meanwhile, The Residence is a boutique guest lodge, featuring en suite rooms and a communal lounge.
But it's the on-site experiences that ultimately set Aruna Estate apart. During your stay, you're invited to indulge in yoga or meditation sessions on a purpose-built deck surrounded by bushland. There are also in-villa wellness treatments, a tennis court and an infinity-style pool overlooking the valley. Further afield, abundant walking and cycling trails wind through the property and into the surrounding forest.
While there's plenty around the estate to keep you occupied, this part of the Southern Highlands is flush with acclaimed wineries, cellar doors and gourmet producers. With this in mind, you can ease through the days in quiet isolation, then explore the region's celebrated food and wine scene once you've worked up enough energy. Grounded in nature yet defined by quiet luxury, Aruna Estate is an escape worth seeking out.
Aruna Estate is now open at 200 Kareela Road, Penrose. Head to the website for more information.
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