The Woodbridge, New Norfolk: Small luxury boutique hotel offers historic experience without sacrificing mod-cons
Marking the 200th anniversary of its construction, the Woodbridge property has been restored into a small luxury hotel offering a five-star experience that cannot be missed.
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New Norfolk has experienced its fair share of ups and downs over the past two centuries – and the Woodbridge, a magnificent luxury hotel perched on the banks of the River Derwent, has borne witness to just about all of them.
Built by convicts in 1825 and believed to be one of the oldest homes in Australia, the historic property this year marks the 200th anniversary of its construction.
It’s served numerous functions, including as a residence, an academy for young gentlemen, a guesthouse, and rental accommodation.
When I arrive for my stay at what is now a stunning boutique five-star hotel, I’m greeted by one of the owners, Laurelle Grimley, who bought the property with her husband John in 2003.
She is busily preparing one of the dining areas for the bicentennial celebrations but makes ample time to show me around the property and help me get settled in.
“A guest once described the Woodbridge as less of a hotel and more like being given the keys to a friend’s country mansion,” Laurelle explains. “I like that. There is such an authenticity to the Woodbridge. Every room has its own individual character because all of our rooms and suites are in the actual heritage-listed house.”
Laurelle tells me that the building was in a state of disrepair when she and John purchased it. And it took a decent bit of elbow grease to transform it into the place it is today.
“The building was so close to being condemned but we can now look forward to the next 200 years and people can continue to share this very special place,” she says.
The old Georgian home has been lovingly restored by Laurelle and John, who have paid great deference to its rich history.
Original books and documents dating back to the 1800s line the shelves and walls, giving guests valuable insights into the early colonial days of Van Diemen’s Land.
The building is divided into a series of guest suites, some of which honour notable individuals associated with the property, such as former owners William Stanley Sharland, Thomas Roadknight, and George Lindley.
The Woodbridge also boasts impressive communal spaces for guests, including the elegant reading room and the expansive ballroom.
Once I’ve been shown to my suite, which looks out onto picturesque rolling gardens ambling towards the Derwent, I walk down to the lawn so as to get a better look at the property from a distance.
Constructed of handmade low-fired terracotta bricks, the stately building gazes over the grounds, its windows like eyes opened wide on the world.
After soaking up the view and breathing in the pristine Derwent Valley air, I make my way back up the path to the hotel, taking a seat on an outdoor bench to bury my head in a book.
There I’m greeted warmly by John, who has been tending to the garden.
Like Laurelle, he relishes telling the story of the Woodbridge, talking me through the blood, sweat, and tears that were spent restoring the property to its former glory.
“Thinking of the state it was in, we feel honoured to have breathed new life back into this magnificent old building,” he says.
“During 2004 and 2005 we set about restoring it [and] repurposing it.
“Of course we did not do this single-handedly, and we were fortunate to pull together a select and talented team of predominantly local craftsmen.”
Laurelle and John’s efforts received official recognition in 2006 when the Woodbridge was named the Australian Restoration of the Year by the Housing Industry Association.
“We tried to combine the historical elements of the Woodbridge with the modern amenity required by today’s guests,” Laurelle tells me.
“Thankfully, smooth modern lines and furniture blend quite seamlessly with the no-fuss Georgian architecture, and the warm tones of blackwood floors, original paned windows, stone walls, and handmade bricks offered a beautiful canvas to build on.”
The hotel is a hop, skip, and a jump away from the historic Bush Inn, which purports to be the oldest continuously licensed pub in Australia. After enjoying dinner there, I venture over to the trendy Welcome Swallow brewery, which I’m pleased to see is teeming with people downing Friday knock-off drinks.
I’m struck by how vibrant New Norfolk feels. The main street is almost bustling during the day and there are so many interesting shops, cafes, and restaurants, such as the Black Swan Bookshop and the Miss Arthur homewares store.
Then there’s the award-winning Agrarian Kitchen, which is the town’s crowning jewel and the greatest symbol of New Norfolk’s renaissance.
Returning to the Woodbridge after a pleasant evening seeing the sights feels like being wrapped in a warm hug. The hotel may not have the ‘street cred’ of some of the new businesses and experiences that have cropped up in the area in recent years. But it’s emblematic of the thriving town’s inherent resilience amid periodic dips in the local economy.
What is old can be made new again, even in the face of adversity. No-one knows that better than the Grimleys.
MAKE A NOTE:
The Woodbridge is located at 6 Bridge St, New Norfolk and overlooks the River Derwent.
A stay at the Woodbridge starts at $304 a night for the new Waterfront Rooms (room only).
Local shops and cafes are a 10-minute walk away.
You can book a stay at the Woodbridge by visiting woodbridgenn.com.au.
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Originally published as The Woodbridge, New Norfolk: Small luxury boutique hotel offers historic experience without sacrificing mod-cons
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