Can’t get to Italy? This Tuscan village is only 40 minutes from Sydney

Looking for places like Italy in Australia? Just a short drive from Sydney, you’ll find cobbled laneways, Juliet balconies, and an authentic Italian kitchen. We take the GWM Ora for a weekend living la dolce vita.

When it comes to travel, I used to think the only way to experience an authentic Italian holiday was to board a 24-hour flight via Dubai.

And yet, seeing social media photos from friends and influencers enjoying a European summer had me craving la dolce vita. So, what to do?

While staring down the barrel of a bank account that couldn’t support my European dreams, a cost-of-living crisis, and the challenge of finding a destination for a girl’s weekend within a short distance from Sydney, I knew I had my work cut out for me.

How could one enjoy a Roman holiday, in Sydney? And were there even any places like Italy in Australia?

Thankfully, my journey down an Instagram rabbit hole led me to Guestlands, a charming bed-and-breakfast located not far from Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, that’s modelled after a quaint Italian village.

My choice of wheels for the weekend was the all-electric GWM Ora. This stylish, pint-sized EV might be the perfect city car, but it was exactly what we needed to feel thousands of kilometres away from Sydney when, in reality, we were only 42km from the city centre, which meant we didn’t even need to stop to charge.

My next task was to plan an itinerary that would show my friends how travelling a mere 40 minutes from Sydney could be just as good as a trip to Tuscany… but without jet lag.

A taste of Tuscany (in Sydney)

Being Italian — well, half Italian — myself, I had high expectations for Guestlands, and I wasn’t disappointed.

The bed and breakfast is run by Peter and Jenny Guest, who originally built Guestlands for family and friends before deciding to turn it into accommodation for the public.

Originally opening to the public just before the Covid-19 outbreak in early 2020, the couple has since welcomed hundreds of guests in the last few years.

“We’ve been on the property for 29 to 30 years,” Mr Guest told Drive.

It wasn’t until the last few years that the couple decided to transform their humble abode into a beautiful home away from home for hundreds to experience.

“The inspiration came from our first trip ever to Italy, which was about 10 years ago,” he added.

“I remember getting off the plane, and then when we started driving through tiny little villages and stuff, I said, oh my gosh, these are like storybook towns, and people actually just live in them day to day and have been for hundreds of years.”

The initial build started with the garage, where Jenny and Pete tested materials and builders on a small scale before moving to the large project.

The whole project, including the garage, the village, and the main house, took close to three years to complete.

When we arrived, we were greeted by large iron gates that led onto a pebble-filled driveway with plenty of space for multiple cars. Whether you are planning a romantic night for two or inviting 10 of your nearest and dearest, the couple has thought of everything right down to the pebbles that line the paths around the property.

Guestlands sits on an acreage and even has its own lake, which I will add is perfect for a picnic during your stay. When the couple originally moved into the property, there wasn’t much there after the previous owners moved out. Having previously been avid landscapers, they got to work and created the enchanting gardens that sprawl across the property today.

In fact, the picturesque pool and gardens have served as a location for countless wedding proposals.

There are four rooms, each unique and oozing cosiness. With high ceilings, wood panelling, and a bath that calls your name any time of the day, it’s hard to justify leaving your room.

The couple built the village first before expanding their main house. Their residence sits next to the village and has easy access to guests should they require assistance during their stay.

The village includes a rooftop balcony open to all guests, a minibar and breakfast room, and an outdoor alfresco kitchen complete with a woodfire oven and retro refrigerator.

It’s worth mentioning that Guestlands will provide breakfast and happy-hour drinks, but guests must BYO any other food. There are cooking facilities and the option to hire a private chef if you really want to witness a real-life Italian chef’s kiss.

Getting there

Having grown up in Sydney, I know a thing or two about the Hills District and surrounding suburbs, so I wanted our trip to be equal parts a new experience as well as combining some nostalgia from our younger years.

The trip to Guestlands is fairly straightforward from the city centre, provided you’re happy to fork out $13.66 each way for tolls. However, taking Epping Road, then Beecroft Road and Boundary Road (all main roads) will add about 10 minutes to your trip (off-peak) but save you the tolls.

I wanted to spread the drive out a little bit and take the scenic route, which, let’s just say, meant a few added stops.

We took a pottery class in Baulkham Hills first up, for which we adopted an Italian-inspired theme.

Next was Lollies and Stuff in Windsor to pick up some road trip snacks in the form of a pack and mix, which meant a paper bag full of potential cavities. It wasn’t too long before the sugar crash hit, so my advice would be to pace yourself.

When it was time for us to make our way to our accommodation, the scenic back roads allowed us to see the rural farmland and animals between Maraylya and Glenorie before arriving at Guestlands.

On the way back, we caught the free Berowra Waters Ferry and fed the Kangaroos at the Koala Park Sanctuary in Castle Hill before hopping back on the M2.

Windsor, Dural, and Kellyville all have the closest EV chargers if you need a quick charge. If you plan to travel within the region, it’s best to pack your AC charging cable as back-up, or charge before heading into Glenorie. Guestlands does offer emergency charging facilities, but it’s best to rely on public chargers during your stay.

Pricing and inclusions

Each Guestlands villa can sleep between two and four people and can cost between $390–$780 per person for a two-night stay.

There are currently four queen-bed suites available. Each room comes with an ensuite, as well as a balcony or private courtyard.

Guests will be offered a self-serve breakfast, complimentary daily happy-hour drinks, and an antipasto platter.

The facilities include a shared media room, wine bar, outdoor kitchen, pool, and spa.

It’s worth mentioning that Guestlands doesn’t allow pets or children.

The GWM Ora

When it comes to staycations, there is a massive opportunity to reduce emissions and avoid range anxiety.

The entry-level GWM Ora Standard Range offers 310km of range (WLTP) on a single charge – which was more than enough for us to get to our destination and back without having to worry about charging. If you want more range, the Extended Range variants of the Ora will offer up to 420km on a single charge.

All up, our journey totalled roughly 110km, which meant we returned to Sydney having only used under 50 per cent battery capacity.

We only had a couple of bags for an overnight stay, which meant we didn’t need an SUV – although we still managed to pack the Ora’s 4254mm-long footprint to the brim.

Technology can be crucial on a drive out of town – and the Ora comes standard with Apple CarPlay via its 10.25-inch infotainment system, which also features some quirky animations.

It also had a useful 360-degree-view camera, as well as front and rear parking sensors, which came in handy on Guestlands’s narrow pebbled driveways.

The compact footprint meant the Ora was easy to park at crowded tourist hotspots.

Importantly, I wanted a car that had personality and character like Guestlands. If you’ve ever had the opportunity to travel to Italy, you would understand the need for smaller cars with the country’s narrow laneways and winding roads.

Having been to Italy a few times myself and falling in love with the pint-sized ’90s Fiats, the Ora’s retro appearance was something of a callback to one of my favourite eras of car design.

For a small car, the Ora has excellent ride comfort and my friend in the back seat had plenty of headroom and legroom, despite the car being packed full with luggage and snacks.

The GWM Ora also holds the title of Australia’s most affordable electric car, priced from (at the time of writing) $35,990 drive-away – with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and an eight-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty to cover the battery pack.

With so many of us time-poor and cash-strapped, a quick weekend out of town can do a world of good… and it doesn’t hurt that the photos will make your friends jealous.

The post Can’t get to Italy? This Tuscan village is only 40 minutes from Sydney appeared first on Drive.

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