Best on show

Cosy cottage ... Burnbrow Manor, a comfortable base for exploring Warrnambool.

One Saturday morning I heard about the three-day Warrnambool agricultural show. It would be open until late that night, with fireworks after dark. We unexpectedly had a weekend off and decided to go west.

Would we find accommodation in Victoria's western district at such short notice? A quick check of stayz, wotif and the Warrnambool visitor centre website did not look promising. There were only two listings that would accept single-night bookings and I telephoned the first.

The call was answered by Robert Burns who handed over to his wife Bev. Together they run the Burnbrow Manor and Burnbrow Cottage accommodation, which is at Allansford, east of Warrnambool. The cottage was booked out.

They were about to pack their car to visit a newborn grandchild. They hadn't intended to book any new guests for the manor, where they live on the ground floor, but they would leave a key for us if we decided to book. We would be the only guests in the brick and tile dwelling.

So, we had the run of the top floor. It was exceptionally generous and trusting of them.

It was like we were visiting an aunt in the country in her absence. Yet we didn't even have to feed the aunt's dog. Somebody came and fed it and spent a little time watching television with the dog downstairs. And of course we'd kick in a few dollars to go to the usage of water, electricity and food. For two adults and a child, it was a very reasonable $140.

I explained that we would probably not get there until after 2pm and we would not be able to meet them. Nevertheless they arranged for us to let ourselves in.

We had a pitstop at Colac on the way to Warrnambool and, like moths drawn to a light, we followed the locals to Culture Cafe. We were the only people dining outdoors and found out why when the blossoms off the plane trees were blown down in gusts of wind and we had to shield our soup and dips from being peppered with unwanted seasoning.

We travelled westward again and peeled off at the farming area of Allansford.

The Burnbrow property is just off the Princes Highway and while there is some traffic noise it does not disturb a peaceful night's sleep.

Visitors there on some weekends ought to be mindful of the nearby speedway, about two kilometres closer to Warrnambool, which would perhaps bring some serious engine noise.

The accommodation is exceptionally clean and comfortable.

It is well stocked with brochures, maps and guidebooks that detail attractions and has central heating, air-conditioning and pedestal fans.

The four en suite manor rooms upstairs are next to a central living area and kitchenette, equipped with two bar fridges, a microwave, toaster, kettle and a generous range of goods for continental breakfast.

One of the rooms has a spa and there is a wide selection of videos and DVDs, as well as pay television in the living room. The eclectic guest library includes a full set of Encyclopedia Britannica and the songs and poetry of Robert Burns, as one would expect from a namesake host.

Although Allansford is some distance from Warrnambool, good food is available at the Allansford Hotel and menus for other local cafes and tourist attractions are in the room.

From Allansford, there are two roads into Warrnambool. We take the coastal road that runs past Logans Beach, where an elevated viewing platform has been set up for visitors to watch the whales each winter. Also nearby is the Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory and museum at Allansford, on the Great Ocean Road. Follow the signs to Cheese World.

The agricultural show in Warrnambool is good value at $12 an adult ticket and children under five free. There are free circus performances, the usual sideshow attractions and the obligatory steam engine displays for old farmhands to marvel at.

The feature event is the shearing and wool-handling competition, which includes local teams of shearers and woolclassers as well as interstate and New Zealand competitors. For those considering a visit to a genuine agricultural show in the countryside, visit the Victorian Agricultural Shows website (vicagshows.com.au) and look for the 2008 and 2009 calendars. There are shows or field days on during every month next year except June.

Many are driving distance from Melbourne.

Consider visiting shows at Yulecart (today) Kingston (tomorrow), Kilmore, Penshurst and Dartmoor & District (December 6).

Allansford

Burnbrow Manor and Cottage, 1 Hopetoun Street, off Princes Highway, Allansford.

5565 1380, 0418 346 305, burnbrowmanor.com.au.

Allansford is 10 minutes' drive east of Warrnambool, just off the Princes Highway. Travelling from Melbourne take the Princes Highway past Geelong via Colac, Camperdown for a journey of about 261 kilometres, or take the Great Ocean Road for a journey of about 350 kilometres.

Good location to scout around the Great Ocean Road, Warrnambool and the Western District of Victoria. Choice of four en suite rooms.

For two people from $140 a night.

welcome by arrangement.

16

19-20 excellent; 17-18 great; 15-16 good; 13-14 comfortable, well run.

All weekends away are conducted anonymously and paid for.