Arrival 

Moira Station is found on the Cobb Highway and after giving your host Jess Smith an estimated arrival time you’ll find her waiting when you drive through the gates and up to the buildings. In this family run business, Jess is sometimes joined by her mother in law, Leanne, and after a warm welcome you’ll be guided to and through your apartment.  

After receiving your keys you can either choose to say goodbye to Jess for the duration of your stay, or better yet, ask her for a little history lesson and tour of the Homestead, along with tips for your stay.

The Homestead 

A popular wedding and events venue, the Homestead features historic red brick and old hardwood timber buildings around a central courtyard area. There’s a stage and enough space for outdoor dining and a dance floor, plus a new bathroom block where red gum timber and galvanised tin are accessorised with a sparkling chandelier. 

As Jess shows you around you can hear stories from the station’s old Cobb and Co stop days, and see original old ledgers that date back to the mid 1800s and other pieces from the past. Guests staying in the Starry Nights apartments can bring BYO drinks to share at the long wooden bar, by the fireplace in winter or in the fresh air in the courtyard in warmer months. 

The rooms

While there are some simpler rooms in the Homestead and camping for larger groups, the main accommodation at Moira Station is the Starry Nights Apartments. The four apartments are all the same generous size and layout, but they each have their own individual touches including cocktail making stations and vintage typewriters. 

There’s a large kitchen with Smeg and DeLonghi appliances and a living area with a couch that can be converted into a bed for an extra $60pp. The private deck has a BBQ and cupboard packed with games while the spacious bathroom has a claw foot tub and dual shower. The bedroom touches include Catherine Martin drapes, soft king size beds with 1,000 thread sheets and pure Australian wool blankets, all under my favourite feature – a huge retractable skylight so I could I happily lay in bed and look up at the stars. Picture: Amanda Woods

Drinking and dining

The kitchen comes stocked with supplies including bacon and eggs, prosciutto and blue cheese, yoghurt and fruit, fresh bread, cereal and more. You can pick up more supplies in town for a BBQ lunch or dinner on your deck, or do as we did and dine out. Three local spots we loved, the Junction at Moama, Morrisons Winery and Restaurant and The Timbercutter are all just a 20-minute drive away. Picture: Junction at Moama

Activities 

Before coming to stay chat to Jess about the things you like to do so she can come up with a list of suggestions for you. Moira Station has stand up paddleboards that you can borrow to float down the Murray River where you can spot wildlife and pass historic paddlesteamers that have been on the river for more than 100 years. And there’s no need to struggle back upstream when Jess can pick you up and bring you home.

You can bush walk and bird watch in the national park that’s right next to the property, borrow mountain bikes for a ride through the forest or along the Five Mile Mountain Trail, or take a gentle walk along the wetlands boardwalk of the Horseshoe Lagoon. Or just hang out at the homestead and play lawn games including skittles, bocce and Giant Jenga while sharing a few drinks at the Homestead bar.

What’s hot 

Gazing up at bright stars in a clear country sky from the comfort of a soft king size bed. 

What’s not 

That big claw foot tub takes a while to fill so make a cuppa and sit back and relax while you wait. 

The Verdict: 9/10

This historic working farm has created a luxurious way to stay full of charming touches with excellent attention to detail. 

Starry Nights Rooms at Moira Station start at $345 per night. 

The writer was a guest of Destination NSW.