The Kilns is a totally unique property that has been designed in the style of a contemporary boutique hotel that captures the features of the Oven's Valley. The property features the original Kilnhouse called Cavedon’s and the newest Kilnhouse called Chinaman’s. The Kilns is on the Great Alpine Road near Porepunkah, 1km from Bright. It would be easy to spend an entire stay at The Kilns, staring out one of the vast box-frame picture windows set into the corrugated-iron walls. Beyond the surrounding cattle stud, filled with curious black Angus bulls, cows and calves, lie rows of grapevines, native forest and the granite bulk of Mount Buffalo, above which clouds blow in and out of the valley across a vast tract of sky.

Cavedon's Kilnhouse - The Kilns
Named after the Cavedon family, the former owners of the farm from whom we purchased in 1998, the original kilnhouse was completed in 2006. This kilnhouse features 2 separate living spaces, each contained within separate kilns originally built by Gino Cavedon. The Cavedon family migrated from Italy in the 1930s and grew tobacco on the farm until the 1980’s.

From the road, two old tobacco Kilns and a shed in the middle of the paddock, and you ask - is this it! Up close, the Kilns are an architecturally designed sensation- simple, sophisticated, modern and very luxurious. This is a chic, unique house featuring soaring ceilings, cowhide rugs, a slow combustion stove, a collection of contemporary Italian furniture, deep leather couches, Tolomeo lamps and carved wooden side tables-cum-stools, that captures the features of the Oven’s Valley in north-east Victoria with a crisp and modern twist.

The Kilns is a brilliant concept beautifully executed. The original kilns have been ingeniously made into two luxurious high living spaces each lined with washed grey pine to complement the beautifully polished concrete floors in the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. One offers relaxation in front of the log fire and the other offers informal entertainment along with the best window seat in the north east with imposing views of Mt Buffalo. Each has its own television and DVD player, so two groups can amuse themselves separately.

Behind the kilns are three bedrooms, a full chef’s kitchen complemented by a barbecue for summer months and the dining room. The main bedroom with king sized bed and adjoining bathroom with a spa, has floor to ceiling views of the mountains and the vineyard. The second bedroom has a king sized bed and shares a separate bathroom and the third bedroom has two sets of king single bunks. The spaces are unabashedly modern, designed to take in the landscape and bask in natural light. In the hallways, floor-to-ceiling windows offer sweeping views; from the main spa bath there is enough privacy to bathe with full views of Mount Buffalo. The furniture throughout is modern, cool and comfortable and the views really are some of the best in the North East. In the winter months there is the cosy heat from the heated floors and wood fire and a drying cabinet for ski gear, while in the summertime there are ceiling fans and air-conditioning if needed. The kilns are ideal as a work retreat or a writers haven, offering wireless internet connection, a desk that overlooks snow capped Mount Feathertop and silence (apart from kookaburras and cows). A writer’s retreat: Wireless internet connection; a desk that overlooks snow capped Mount Feathertop; silence (apart from kookaburras and cows) make the Kilns ideal as a work retreat. Note: Due to the success of this high end luxury market unique accommodation, owners Clare and Jim Delany are now building two more kiln-inspired houses on their property. The Kilns - Cavedon's Facilities • 3 bedrooms • Full kitchen facilities • Electric Stove Top • Dishwasher • Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning • Heating • High quality linen • Full laundry facilities • Spa bath • Television • VCR/CD/DVD player • Wood Fire • Internet access • Non-Smoking Indoors Chinaman's Kilnhouse - The Kilns Named after the nearby Chinaman’s waterhole in the Ovens River and accessed from Cavedon’s Lane Chinaman’s Kilnhouse reflects the close association between early Chinese settlement and the Ovens and Buckland Valleys. Chinaman’s kilnhouse was completed in 2009 and sits well away from the original kilnhouse in a separate paddock on the farm. It features a single kiln and is easily recognized by the distinctive “Chinese hat” perched on top of the kiln. Chinaman’s Kilnhouse is adapted from those located a few kilometers away at Eurobin where the Pan Look family grew hops and tobacco for many years after originally migrating from China in the 1890’s. With stunning architectural and design features, the single kiln living space has a soaring ceiling, elegantly lined with pale washed timber. This two bedroom kilnhouse offers 1 x king size bedroom and the other room has 2 x single beds. Chinaman’s Kilnhouse has views of Mt Buffalo on one side, an internal (hutong style) courtyard on another and a panorama that includes snow capped Mt Feathertop. This designer Kilnhouse is modern, light, sophisticated and luxurious. The Kilns – Chinaman’s Facilities • Adult retreat • 2 bedrooms (1 x king bed and 2 x single beds) • Linen provided • Non-smoking indoors • Clothes dryer • Television • DVD/CD/iPod player • Electric stove top • Wood fire • Dishwasher • Separate toilet • Refrigerator • Reverse cycle air conditioning • Floor heating • Wireless internet The Sorting Shed - The Kilns Construction of the third and final kilnhouse is progressing rapidly and completion is expected mid 2012. This exciting new two storey Kilnhouse has been called 'The Sorting Shed" in keeping with the property history. The name comes from the large sheds used to sort Tobacco after it was dried in the kilns. It is located well away from Cavedons and Chinaman's kilnhouses, towards the Rose farm. It has three spacious luxury bedrooms, sauna and fabulous views from the upper level. More details to follow on opening. Note: Minimum two nights at weekends (Fri-Sun) Check- in Time: 3.00pm Check- out Time: 11.00am Dining whilst staying at The Kilns In the north east, food is fresh and quality is important. The Kilns’ gourmet kitchen is modern and well equipped to suit any Chef. All high quality cooking appliances and utensils are available and pantry staples are provided to assist guests to prepare local produce including apples, chestnuts, venison, salami, trout, cheese. Dining inside or outside means overlooking Mount Buffalo, grape vines and sleek black Angus cattle or looking up the valley to Mt Feathertop, with a glass of wine from the King or Alpine Valleys, Beechworth or Rutherglen.

If you prefer to take a night off from self catering at The Kilns, it will not be difficult to locate a suitable restaurant nearby. The property’s location makes it the perfect base camp for foodies, given its proximity to the scenic towns of Bright, Myrtleford, Beechworth, Milawa and Whitfield, as well as dozens of wineries and other food producers dotted along the country roads.

There is now an onsite Manager at The Kilns and this enables us to offer some additional information services and now breakfast packages including seasonally available local bread from Milawa, jams from bright berry farm, butter and muesli from Myrtleford bakery and free range eggs from neighbouring farms are an option for guests staying at The kilns.

Activities at The Kilns
The north east is famous for wine, food, walking, skiing, bike riding, hiking, living and eating well. The Kilns is ideally located with the Ovens River and wineries within walking distance. Across the Great Alpine Road; the trail bike path gives convenient access to Bright /Myrtleford /Beechworth and beyond via the Great Alpine Road. 65 kms to the ski fields of Mount Hotham, 75km to Falls creek, 35km to Mount Buffalo. Easy access to the walking trails of Mt Feathertop and Mt Bogong. The Kilns provides a modern and stylish base to return after a day of activity.

The Kilns Location
Cavedons Lane, Porepunkah, Victoria

The nearest airport is Melbourne. The distance from the airport is 3 hours drive. From Sydney - 7 hours drive

Getting to The Kilns
Cavedon’s Kilnhouse is located in Cavedon’s Lane Porepunkah. Cavedon’s Lane is approximately 20 km from Myrtleford. As you are travelling towards Bright, you will pass the Bright Berry farm on the right, followed by the Rose farm and the next farm is Alpine Angus. Just before the pine plantation, you turn right at Cavedon’s Lane and Cavedon’s kiln house is the third driveway on the right.

Chinaman’s Kilnhouse (with 1 kiln) is the second driveway on the right. Arrival/key instructions will be given prior to arrival

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