Mount White, New South Wales | 4 days / 3 nights

Just beyond Sydney, tucked into the bushland of Mount White, a new Australian retreat is preparing to welcome its first guests. And having recently had a sneak peek, I can tell you there’s something rather special taking shape here.

During my recent visit to Australia, I had the pleasure of touring Grand Saddles Lodge with General Manager Adrian Levy, followed by a wonderful lunch at Saddles Restaurant. What struck me wasn’t simply the attention to detail in the accommodations. It was how thoughtfully the whole experience had been put together.

Behind Grand Saddles Lodge is John Singleton, one of Australia’s best-known advertising entrepreneurs and businessmen. While his name will be familiar to many Australians, international visitors may know less about him. His interests in art, horses, the Australian landscape and good hospitality are reflected throughout the lodge, giving it a personality of its own.

This is somewhere to relax, certainly, but also to discover a fascinating part of New South Wales through its food, art, animals, landscapes and local stories. For this month’s Journey, I’ve imagined a three-night escape beginning and ending in Sydney, with private transfers arranged and time to enjoy the hosted experiences offered at the lodge.

Day 1 — From Sydney to the Australian Bush

Your journey begins with a private transfer from Sydney, leaving the city behind as you travel north towards Mount White. As the scenery changes to bushland, there’s a real sense of escape without having to venture too far.

Arrive in time for lunch at The Hawkesbury Restaurant, then settle into your accommodation. Later, discover the stories behind this remarkable place on the John Singleton Art, Animal and History Tour.

Wander through Singleton’s private art collection and the Saddles White Mountain precinct, visit the colourful resident macaws and hand-feed horses in the paddock. As the afternoon softens into evening, the experience ends beside the outdoor firepit with wine and canapés. What a lovely welcome.

Then enjoy a pre-dinner drink at Ned’s Bar, with the lounge pianist setting the mood, before a daily changing five-course dinner at The Hawkesbury Restaurant, accompanied by sommelier-matched wines. And the nice thing? No driving afterwards. Your accommodation is close by.

Day 2 — Oysters, Waterways & the Hawkesbury River

After breakfast at Saddles Homestead Restaurant, today takes you to the Hawkesbury River. A hosted transfer brings you to the water’s edge, where you board a boat for Sydney Oyster Farm – Immersion on the Hawkesbury.

Visit a working oyster farm and learn from expert guides how Sydney Rock and Pacific oysters are cultivated in these estuarine waters. It’s a chance to appreciate the knowledge, patience and hard work behind something most of us only encounter on a plate.

For those who would like to extend the experience, an optional seafood lunch on a secluded beach can be arranged at an additional cost. Picture freshly shucked oysters and carefully prepared local seafood, with the Hawkesbury River stretching out in front of you. For someone who enjoys food with a genuine sense of place, that could be a memorable addition.

The oyster farm visit itself is included in the lodge’s hosted experiences; the beach seafood lunch is an optional extra. Lunch at The Hawkesbury Restaurant is part of the lodge’s standard full-day dining inclusions, with timing to be coordinated if the beach lunch is chosen.

Return to the lodge during the afternoon and enjoy some downtime before another evening of pre-dinner drinks and a changing five-course menu.

Day 3 — The Thunder of Hooves Through Glenworth Valley

Today brings a different encounter with the Australian landscape. After a leisurely breakfast and some time at the lodge, head to nearby Glenworth Valley for the Running of the Horses.

From a dedicated premium vantage point, with wine and canapés, watch as up to 250 resident horses move through the valley on their way to graze. I imagine you’ll hear them before you see them: that rush of hooves and movement across the open landscape must be quite something.

The experience is fully hosted, with return transfers in the lodge’s Mercedes Sprinter fleet. Back at Grand Saddles, settle in for your final evening — perhaps with stories of the day over a drink at Ned’s Bar, followed by dinner.

Three nights, three very different encounters with the region, and no need to manage the local logistics. That’s my kind of travel.

Day 4 — A Gentle Start Before Returning to Sydney

For those who wish to join, the final morning begins with seasonal yoga. Drawing on classical Hatha yoga, Taoist chi movement and Japanese seasonal traditions, this gentle session welcomes both beginners and experienced participants.

After breakfast, there’s time for an unhurried departure. Your privately arranged transfer returns you to Sydney, or the journey can continue elsewhere in Australia.

The Little Details That Make a Difference

Part of the appeal of Grand Saddles Lodge is how much has been considered before guests arrive. The lodge’s stated inclusions are:

Daily full breakfast at Saddles Homestead Restaurant.

Lunch at The Hawkesbury Restaurant on arrival day and each full day, but not on departure day.

A daily changing five-course dinner at The Hawkesbury Restaurant with sommelier-matched wines.

A pre-dinner drink at Ned’s Bar with the lounge pianist.

An in-room minibar stocked with local treats and premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

All four hosted experiences — the John Singleton tour, Hawkesbury oyster farm immersion, Glenworth Valley Running of the Horses and seasonal morning yoga — plus their local transfers in the lodge’s Mercedes Sprinter fleet.

Please note: the secluded-beach seafood lunch associated with the oyster farm excursion is an optional upgrade at additional cost. Private transfers between Sydney and the lodge would be arranged separately as part of your Travel Like Jenny journey.

Why Three Nights?

Although Grand Saddles Lodge has a two-night minimum stay, I would choose three nights. With the oyster farm, Glenworth Valley, the art and history tour, dining, and time to appreciate the lodge itself, it would be a shame to feel rushed.

Isn’t that one of the real pleasures of travel? Having time to enjoy where you are rather than constantly thinking about where you need to be next.

My Personal Take

After spending time with Adrian and seeing Grand Saddles Lodge firsthand, I came away genuinely impressed by the vision behind it. It isn’t simply the accommodations or dining that appeal to me. It’s how the experiences connect guests with the Hawkesbury’s working oyster farms, its horses, the art collection and the stories of the region.

John Singleton’s personal connection adds another layer: this is a place with a story behind it, reflected in what guests are invited to experience.

For travellers beginning or ending a longer Australian holiday in Sydney, this could make a wonderful addition. Equally, it would suit anyone wanting a short escape and a different perspective on New South Wales.

Sometimes the most memorable journeys aren’t the longest. They’re the ones where every experience feels like it belongs.

Experience Grand Saddles Lodge with Travel Like Jenny

This three-night Journey can be tailored to your travel plans, including private transfers from Sydney and onward travel arrangements throughout Australia. The day-by-day sequence is illustrative; accommodation categories, hosted experience timings, inclusions and optional additions are subject to availability and confirmation at the time of booking.

If Grand Saddles Lodge sounds like somewhere you’d enjoy discovering, I’d be delighted to help make it part of your Australian journey.

Travel Like Jenny — Thoughtful journeys, personally designed.