GLENROWAN’S BEST ACCOMMODATION.

BILLY’S B&B APARTMENT – AT BILLY TEA ROOMS.

OK, you are here online and looking for a great place to stay in Glenrowan.
You have been reading all about Ned Kelly and you are travelling to
Glenrowan to see where it all happened.

The checklist is complete, see the ‘Big Ned’…visit Kate’s Cottage and
look over the recreated ‘Kelly Homestead’….buy a few souvenirs in the
various Glenrowan shops….have a yarn to local historian Gary Dean to
hear what he has to say about Ned….walk across to the Inn site and
actual site of Ned’s Last Stand.

The only remaining question now is, ‘where do we stay?’

For many years in the past, if you were to stay in Glenrowan you had
but one choice, the local motel. The motel is fine enough for a stop
over, is like any small country motel run by locals who are more than
happy to see you. There is also a caravan park not too far from town
that may suit people who enjoy staying at parks across Australia.

New to Glenrowan however is a wonderful B&B Apartment attached to and
above Billy Tea Rooms owned by Linda Sutton. Visitors to my site here
at Glenrowan1880 will have read an article titled ‘Linda’s Scones’ and
over the years heard me rave about her food and great prices.

Well now I am here to tell you that a night or two at Billy’s
Apartment is not only fantastic value (roughly the same price as
surrounding town motels and only slightly more expensive than
Glenrowan’s motel) it is also a fantastic place to ‘bailup’ in
Glenrowan.

I stayed there for the first time overnight for the inaugural Kelly
Country Festival.

As I have mentioned on my site previously, I always stop off here for
a bite to eat when in Glenrowan, in fact, even if not hungry, I stop
off to say hello to Linda and grab a couple of Ned Kelly candy sticks
(imported from Liverpool, England) for my sweet-toothed son. So when I
told Linda recently that I was returning soon she informed me all
about her apartment and I decided to stay next time I was in
Glenrowan. That time was now.

I can and will tell you all about the facilities but before that I
would like to relate a story that will say it all. I had just arrived
for the Festival, it was at least 34 degrees Celsius and I had my
youngest son with me who was starting to feel the heat. We parked the
car under the carport provided for us at B&B apartment. A short walk
from the car and we entered the apartment via the rear door. ‘Ah
coolness’, as the bedrooms are above, the lounge room was very cool.
Once inside we turned on the split system air-con and made it even
cooler! We unpacked our bags and took a look around. At the same time
a mate of mine was in town for the festivities and I could see him
from the window as he was over at the site of the Glenrown Inn. A
quick mobile call and I learned he was frying over there, ‘come over
to the apartment mate, its cool’. It did not take long for him and his
girlfriend to come over. The look on their hot and burnt faces said it
all, they wished they had known about this place.

And that is the aim of this write-up, to inform people coming to
Glenrowan worldwide via the internet, that this apartment is available
for your stay in Glenrowan and if you do stay be sure to let Linda
know that Dave sent you and that you heard about it here at
Glenrowan1880!

OK, WHAT DO YOU GET? WHAT ARE THE FACILITIES.

This accommodation has been RATED 3 OUT OF 4 STARS BY THE RACV.
(three stars for AAAT) That is a pretty good rating to get.
Once inside you can see why.

There are two bedrooms, one with a queen bed (and furniture) the other
with bunks (double bed below, single above). Said to sleep 7.

There is a bathroom complete with a huge shower (unlike most places I
have stayed), toilet etc.
The towels were large and soft with matching hand towels and face
washers topped off with individual bars of soap. That was a relief
after staying elsewhere recently only to find that there was no soap.

The beds were as good if not better than what most of us have at home,
extra comfortable and ample spare pillows and blankets were provided.
With the heat however all I needed was an air conditioner and was
relieved to find one in each room. In a recent visit to Tasmania a
heat wave had me seeking relief only to learn the motel I was staying
at only had table fans, and you had to fight to get one of those!

The apartment is situated in the main street and after business is the
quietest place to relax. Unlike most towns, after the businesses close
there is not a soul on the street. Hence no noise, mind you being at
the rear and above the Tea Rooms means it is quiet regardless.

I asked Linda if she had forgotten some milk (2 litre) in the fridge,
‘no love, that is for you, use what you like’. I always bring my own
cereal for breakfast and having a good supply of milk was a real bonus.

The internet is available as you can see here.

If you are a long way from home, or someone like me who enjoys online
social networking, you will be happy to learn that there is a computer
there with broadband and all for your use. This is at no extra charge
and really came in handy for me to send out details of the days events
without even having to leave Glenrowan.

Another bonus of staying here is that you have the wonderful tea rooms
attached and your own door to enter. Linda is not open for dinner but
all your other meals are just a few steps away.

Outside there is a nice courtyard complete with swinging lounge and
outdoor table setting.

Thank you Linda for your hospitality and providing us all with a
great, well priced place to stay in Glenrowan.

Well I think I have covered it all, if you reckon I am a bit long
winded here is a brief list of what I said:

Air-conditioned.

GREAT COMFORTABLE BEDS

Two bedrooms & a bathroom upstairs.

A LOUNGE, DINING AREA, KITCHEN AND LAUNDRY.

Great bathroom with huge shower.

All LINEN AND TOWELS PROVIDED.

Four star rated. (RACV)

FULLY EQUIPPED KITCHEN. (including stove with oven)

Large fridge – freezer. (not a small bar fridge)

LARGE WASHING MACHINE & DRYER.

Private BBQ area with outdoor furniture.

The PT safe under the carport, out of the heat.

Wishing everyone well for their time in Glenrowan, Dave.

Thanks as always to Sharon Hollingsworth for checking over this article for me.

(Anyone who stays at the apartment after reading this and would care
to leave comment on their stay please send me an e-mail so I can
publish your thoughts here.)