The Royal Mail Hotel delivers new cottages
The Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld, Australia has welcomed a series of Deluxe Mount Sturgeon One Bedroom Cottages, all designed by Byrne Architects.
Retaining the integrity of the 1850s bluestone structures, the refurbishment pays homage to the cottages’ origins as shearers’ quarters, emulating the design language of Western Victorian woolsheds while adding touches of luxury. Furnishings emphasise the raw beauty of the original bluestone walls, with a palette of warm earthy tones, natural textiles and rich timbers accentuating its connection to the outside world. In cooler months, the fireplace is central to the room experience, while summer months draw guests out to an expansive private courtyard, enclosed by nature and overseen by the eternal presence of Wugarri (Mount Sturgeon).
“We wanted the spaces to embody the true essence of a cottage experience, creating an environment where you feel like you’re in your own little world,” says Nicholas Byrne, Managing Director at Byrne Architects and a longtime collaborator of Dunkeld Pastoral Co, who is also behind the design of Wickens at the Royal Mail Hotel.
Byrne adds: “Our design philosophy takes cues from the hotel itself, celebrating a sense of place, Australian character and craftsmanship from local and European artisans.”
Providing access to the hotel’s F&B offering, and just steps away from the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, the cottages are set within the 91-hectare Mount Sturgeon Biodiversity Reserve, where wallabies and kangaroos roam the bucolic landscape. As part of the hotel’s sustainability efforts, its conservation team are also returning native flora and fauna to the land.
