At the sprawling, one-story Daylesford Longhouse, guests are welcomed to experience a working farm and partake in private cooking classes—all while unwinding in the comforts of a bed-and-breakfast.

Located minutes from the quaint town of Daylesford in central Victoria, the property sits on an elevated 20-acre parcel overlooking the vast plains and bushland. “We fell in love with the area for its views,” says Ronnen Goren, who owns and resides in the property with his partner, Trace Streeter. “When we first saw [the location], we immediately could envisage a rural life together where our interests in food, family, and design would converge.”

“The Daylesford Longhouse is essentially a salon for food, conversations, learning, and reinventing rituals,” states Ronnen, who is also the director and founding partner of the design firm Studio Ongarato. “As a food and lifestyle destination, we aim to set a new standard for organic farming and nourishment in all senses—physical, mental, social, and cultural.”

To transform their vision into reality, Ronnen and Trace called upon the team at Partners Hill Architects. The Australian firm worked with the duo to design a 328-foot-long greenhouse that incorporates all of the project’s agricultural and hospitality facilities under one enormous roof.

According to architect Timothy Hill, the shed-like structure was designed to be “big enough and protected enough for the landscape to flourish inside.” Translucent panels of glass-reinforced polyester wrap around the exterior, while a specially sized roof harvests rainwater that is collected in tanks around the site for daily use, as well as for defense against bushfires.

“By generating its own favorable ecosystem, the Daylesford Longhouse provides a container for living and entertaining, as well as nurturing farm animals and fresh produce,” adds Ronnen. “While most houses provide a sense of retreat from the outside world, this volume brings the outside in.”

During their stay, guests are invited to indulge in fresh picks from the indoor garden, which includes everything from herbs to a giant avocado tree. The guest rooms—dubbed The Stableman’s Quarters—are nestled at the eastern end of the building near the homeowners’ private living quarters, which are referred to as The Lodge.

The living quarters include fully furnished bedrooms, a functional kitchen, and a low-key dining area that accommodates up to four people. Other notable amenities include a sauna, an oversize clawfoot bathtub, and a viewing platform that offers a bird’s-eye view of the property.

In addition to providing overnight accommodations, the Daylesford Longhouse also offers workshops, symposiums, and week-long intensives that appeal to food enthusiasts, novices, and professionals alike. “While here, you’ll also get to meet our broad array of farm animals—from dairy cows to goats and pigs,” Ronnen adds.

To inquire about booking your own stay, please visit the Daylesford Longhouse website or Instagram.

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Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Timothy Hill, Partners Hill Architects

Builder/General Contractor: Nick Andrew Construction

Interior Design: Partners Hill Architects

Cabinetry Design/Installation: Evan Goldsmith

Photography: Phillip Huynh

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A Bed-and-Breakfast in Australia’s Bushland Hosts a Cooking School and Farm Within a Greenhouse