Business Details
23 Years
experience
Heritage Guesthouse & Restaurant in Canowindra
Established in 2003, our family-run heritage guesthouse combines historic charm with modern comforts to deliver exceptional hospitality. We pride ourselves on preserving the architectural legacy of this 1865 building while offering contemporary amenities across 15 ensuite rooms and two self-contained units. Our team has cultivated strong relationships with local artisans and producers to create immersive experiences that showcase regional culture through art, food, and wine. With multiple NSW Tourism Awards recognising our service excellence, we maintain rigorous standards for cleanliness, safety, and guest satisfaction.Our function spaces accommodate events from intimate celebrations to corporate conferences, supported by tailored catering and unique location-based activities like ballooning and vineyard tours. Through three generations of operational experience, we ensure every visitor receives authentic country hospitality aligned with the building's storied past.
Services
Accommodation
Restaurant
Function Venue
Art Exhibitions
Ballooning Packages
Wine Tours
Conference Facilities
Details
- Year established: 2003
Highlights and features
- Family-run with 20+ years of hospitality experience in heritage tourism
- Preserved 1865 architecture featuring iron lacework and cypress floorboards
- Award-winning venue with 10+ NSW Tourism and Inland Tourism accolades
- Dedicated art space showcasing local artists since 2003
- Tailored packages combining accommodation with ballooning and wine tours
Services
Heritage Accommodation
Our 15 ensuite rooms and two self-contained units preserve original 1865 architectural features while providing modern comforts. Each room features quality linen, climate control, and select units open onto verandas overlooking Canowindra's historic main street. The heritage-listed building maintains cypress floorboards, iron lacework, and high ceilings.
Regional Dining
The licensed restaurant showcases seasonal menus using produce from the 'food basket of Australia'. Beef, lamb, and fresh produce are paired with award-winning wines from Canowindra, Cowra, and Orange districts. The menu changes quarterly to reflect regional agricultural cycles and culinary traditions.
Function Venue
Our function room accommodates 70 guests for banquets or cocktail events, with wireless internet and AV equipment. We specialise in weddings, milestone birthdays, and corporate conferences. Packages include venue hire, catering, accommodation, and off-site activities like vineyard tours and hot air ballooning.
Art Exhibitions
The entire building operates as a dedicated art space displaying works by local artists. Rotating exhibitions focus on regional themes and are curated without formal gallery requirements. Visitors can view contemporary art within heritage architecture, with exhibition details available through our blog or direct inquiries.
Tourism Packages
Curated packages enhance stays with regional experiences including hot air ballooning, golf, and wine tasting tours. These offerings connect guests with the area's agricultural heritage and natural landscapes. Packages include accommodation, meals, and activity coordination.
People
Alison Beasley
Proprietor
With over 20 years operating heritage tourism businesses, Alison oversees daily operations and guest services. Her commitment to regional hospitality has earned multiple NSW Tourism Awards. She ensures the property maintains its architectural integrity while meeting modern service standards.
Graeme Beasley
Proprietor
Graeme manages facilities and event coordination, leveraging his construction expertise to preserve the 1865 building's features. He works closely with local suppliers to maintain authentic country hospitality standards. His leadership contributes to the venue's decade-long tourism award success.
Jennifer Beasley
Operations Manager
Third-generation hospitality professional managing bookings and marketing. Jennifer developed the property's art exhibition program in 2003, establishing partnerships with regional artists. She coordinates tourism packages connecting guests with local cultural and agricultural experiences.
Questions
What accommodation options are available?
We offer 15 heritage ensuite rooms and two self-contained units. Room types include king, queen, family, and accessible options with veranda access available.
Can you host large events?
Our function room accommodates 70 guests for seated or cocktail events. We specialise in weddings, conferences, and milestone celebrations with tailored catering and accommodation packages.
Are art exhibitions open to the public?
Yes, the entire building operates as a dedicated art space showcasing local artists. Exhibition details and opening dates are available through our blog or direct inquiries.
What dining options exist?
The licensed restaurant features seasonal menus using regional produce paired with local wines. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served daily with dietary requirements accommodated upon request.
What historical features can guests explore?
Original 1865 features include iron lacework, cypress floorboards, high ceilings, and the boarded-up 1967 barmaid escape window now incorporated into our art gallery space.
What nearby attractions exist?
We're central to Canowindra's art galleries, museums, and historic pubs. Regional attractions include ballooning, vineyards, the Age of Fishes Museum, and bushranger heritage sites.
Reviews (7)
Dewi Rahmat-Pitt
Jun 14, 2021
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The foods in the dinner time from the restaurant were exceptional. Especially their Surf & Turf with their pepper sauce, their lambs, and their chocolate lava dessert and pear on the red wine. Their local shiraz wine The Mill also too good to be true. The bedroom and the breakfast made you feel home. Serve yourself and make your home.
Lisa Mackay
Jun 13, 2021
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We stayed at the Old Vic Inn on Saturday and Sunday nights over the long weekend and wow what an experience!! From the moment we arrived our hosts Graeme and Alison made us feel so welcome. Our room was beautiful old charm, extremely clean and the bed was so comfy. It was a very cold weekend and even though split system heating was provided we didn't need it our room was toasty warm and the fireplace in the lounge area downstairs was cozy and a great atmosphere. Graeme and Alison took time out to come and chat with us on both nights while we had drinks in the lounge before dinner which was lovely
Greg Drury
May 27, 2021
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Thank you so much to the head waitress for educating us about the expectation to provide feedback one-on-one to the chef. I might have gone through life oblivious to such protocol.
Kevin Christian
May 22, 2021
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Wonderful old "inn". Heaps of old world charm and atmosphere. Excellent upstairs verandah to have an afternoon drink. The place is certainly showing it's age but that's the point of staying in something built in 1865 (I hope I have remembered that year correctly). Comfortable beds.
Katherine Ho
Dec 08, 2020
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Great atmosphere here, classic and clean establishment, after signing in, there's a lovely small bar and sitting room with a roaring fireplace and a solid selection of alcoholic beverages. Had a Kozel dark beer (Czech) and then two excellent local ciders, one a pear and the other applr, which seems to be rare in this town as the locals appear to be drawn to familiar drinks like Strongbow. The dining room is just as warm and welcoming and the food is delicious, well cooked and full of flavour. Loved my lamb rump, tender and hearty, although I would say the spring rolls are tasty but rather overpriced
Cassie Chien
Nov 12, 2020
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For an international traveler, this place is fantastic! Its old, but everything is neat and tidy, the staff is very friendly. Feel like a big family here! These are the key things I look forward to when visiting a town/new place.
Country Cooper'S.
Oct 18, 2020
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Had a beautiful 3 course meal, great ambience, atmosphere and hospitality. The meals were elegant, flavoursome and filling!
Cant wait to do it again. Thankyou oldvic.
Cant wait to do it again. Thankyou oldvic.
