Edwina Bartholomew wants you to stay at her tranquil rural retreat, but there is a very big catch.
The Channel Seven star and husband Neil Varcoe purchased the idyllic 42-hectare property dubbed Warramba back in January 2016.
The couple then spent years restoring the circa-1890s farmhouse and surrounds into a tranquil rural retreat.
Set on 100 acres of regenerated farmland in the Greater Blue Mountains, Warramba features a three-bedroom homestead that is described on the property’s website as ‘a bolthole for the world-weary.’
The spacious bedrooms feature one king and two queen beds, while the king can be converted into two single beds to accommodate more guests or little ones.
Old world charm meets modern sensibilities at Warramba, too, with the interiors of the homestead designed by Melbourne-based architects Studio Esteta.
Edwina Bartholomew wants you to stay at her tranquil rural retreat, but there is a very bizarre catch
‘We wanted something reflective of our tastes – quite modern but classic at the same time,’ Edwina told Homes To Love in 2024.
‘I was determined to have a bookshelf that covered the whole wall and I really wanted a beautiful bath.’
The interior design includes a safari-inspired theme, with wooden light fixtures, French doors, outdoor furniture inside the bedrooms and an immaculate kitchen.
The property also boasts ducted heating and cooling, but those looking for a more rustic approach to warmth can also enjoy a wood fireplace.
There are also two fire pits outside near the river and at the ‘Swag Deck’ atop a nearby hill.
There is also a heated mineral pool on the property, to help visitors make the most of the stunning rural vistas.
Located three hours west of Sydney, Warramba is nestled in the heart of the Capertee Valley – the widest enclosed valley in the world.
It is surrounded by the Wollemi, Capertee and Gardens of Stone national parks, as well as the Mugii Murum-ban State Conservation Area.
The Channel Seven star and husband Neil Varcoe purchased the idyllic 42-hectare property dubbed Warramba in in January 2016
Set on 100 acres of regenerated farmland in the Greater Blue Mountains, Warramba features a three-bedroom homestead that is described on the property’s website as ‘a bolthole for the world-weary’
The interior design includes a safari-inspired theme, with wooden light fixtures, french doors, outdoor furniture inside the bedrooms and an immaculate kitchen
Those wanting a glimpse of Edwina and Neil’s enviable rural lifestyle can do so for a rather hefty price.
A night’s stay at Warramba comes in at $700 per couple, with an extra $150 tacked on per night for each extra person.
It appears that Edwina and Neil have a hard time saying goodbye to guests, with the property’s Airbnb listing stating that there is currently a 90-night minimum stay at the property.
While possibly a glitch, people willing to carve out three months to stay at Warramba will have to mark their calendars.
The property is not available to rent again until July 2026.
Aside from Warramba, Edwina and Neil are also in the process of renovating a country pub in Carcoar in the New South Wales Central West.
The couple bought the property for just over $1 million in 2023, and, earlier this year, finally received approval to move ahead with their dream to convert the building into a luxury getaway dubbed ‘Saltash Farm’.
Writing in his bi-monthly column for Galah magazine in July, Neil revealed the protracted renovation is still not complete.
There is also a heated mineral pool on the property, to help visitors make the most of the stunning rural vistas
Located three hours west of Sydney, Warramba is nestled in the heart of the Capertee Valley – the widest enclosed valley in the world
A night’s stay at Warramba comes in at $700 per couple, with an extra $150 tacked on per night for each extra person
It appears that Edwina and Neil have a hard time saying goodbye to guests, with the property’s Airbnb listing stating that there is currently a 90-night minimum stay at the property
‘We expected to be open by now. We were fools,’ he wrote.
‘Everyone is a fool at the start. You pluck a timeline out of the air, then tell yourself that you’re in front or behind. Mostly behind. How strange.’
Neil added that he has stopped putting an end-date on the project, as its aesthetic will take a while to ‘pull together’.
‘Saltash Farm is a big, beautiful, complex creature. It’s a heritage build in a village protected by the National Trust,’ he wrote.
Speaking to realestate.com.au in 2024, Edwina said the couple was determined to finish the project despite recently being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia.
‘We are forging ahead with this incredible project despite this health setback,’ Edwina said.
‘I adore being in the country. It will be lovely to have a bit more time with family to enjoy life at a slower pace.’
She added that working on the home would help keep her busy and take her mind off her cancer diagnosis.
Aside from Warramba, Edwina and Neil are also in the process of renovating a country pub in Carcoar in the New South Wales Central West
The couple bought the property for just over $1million in 2023, and, earlier this year, finally received approval to move ahead with their dream to convert the building into a luxury getaway dubbed ‘Saltash Farm’
‘This is a condition I will manage and live with. Our renovation has been a beautiful distraction and will continue to be in the months to come,’ Edwina continued.
Edwina also revealed that she only sees her husband of seven years on weekends and public holidays.
She also revealed to Daily Mail in May that her family does indeed plan to leave Sydney for good one day – but that is still quite a way off.
‘We are very keen to eventually settle in the country, but we are in no hurry,’ she said.
‘We have the best of both worlds and will continue to juggle the back and forth for the foreseeable future.’
