Background & Overview
A Visitor’s Introduction
Wallcliffe House sits on the edge of an untouched world, where the ocean meets the river and where the untamed meets the refined. Its prime position acts as a portal to Australia’s best wineries, restaurants, beaches and the natural beauty of the actual Margaret River.
The location of Wallcliffe House is near the mythological waterway associated with the Wooditch and Waugal creation myths of the Noongar people. This site connects guests with the history and culture of the indigenous community in parallel with the colonial world.
Guests can explore the parallel worlds of Wallcliffe House’s history, birth and rebirth, European refinement and Australian ruggedness. The local stories of Wallcliffe House are intricately woven through the property and guest experiences.
To visit Wallcliffe House is to travel into another world, limited only by your interests and desires to explore and discover.
Overview
The story of Wallcliffe House is a story of personal endeavour and a history of place that is inexorably tied to the identity of Margaret River. It connects past, present and future through a strong driving vision and appreciation of place.
When Wallcliffe House was devastated by fire, new owners Alexandra and Julian Burt felt the profound loss of this regional icon. Having the chance to acquire the property and set about establishing a new venture provides the opportunity to share this special place with more people than ever before.
The vision for Wallcliffe House is to build and operate a boutique, low-key, yet luxury hotel on the site with a modest restaurant and guest facilities in keeping with a globally-relevant, heritage house retreat.
The hotel will be across a number of smaller buildings on the site with the main guest services located on the Wallcliffe House site.
In considering the architectural and interior design, the intention is to honour the historical architecture as well as the natural surrounds.
Sadly, the damage from the fire and the intervening years have resulted in a series of ruins that have no remaining structural integrity. However, the intent is to re-use what stonework and timber we can and recycle the remaining material for on-site use.
Additionally, in keeping with the tradition of the families who came before us, we are prioritising the use of local stone and timber in the building materials as well as local craftspeople to help create the new buildings and interiors and bring character to the finished product.
The team that has been brought together to re-create this special place includes some of the finest local and Australian designers, selected for their sympathetic design approaches which celebrate and harmonise with the natural surrounds.
