During Ausfly, a gentleman by the name of Bradley approached me at the AOPA stand and declared I must visit his new bed and breakfast, Hangar House, in Mudgee. He left me a card, said, “you’ll love it” and went on his way.
A week later, I received an email saying, “Are you coming to visit?”
I was, of course, intrigued. With weather too blustery for me to fly, I engaged a more experienced pilot - my friend Andrew, with his trusty C182S - and embarked on the 50 minute flight from Bankstown to Mudgee.
Upon landing on runway 22, I spied a fabulous looking building, which I quickly deduced must be the bed and breakfast. It turns out Hangar House is as minimalist and intriguing as Bradley himself.
After collecting us in a luxury 4WD, Bradley introduced us to his partner, Alex, and we began the tour of the dream project they have dedicated three years to building.
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| Alex and Bradley |
“In Australia, the concept of an airpark has been fairly limited,” explains Bradley. “The pioneers were developments at Narromine and Temora Airports, where you could hangar your prized aeroplane and live basically alongside it or attached to it. These types of airport developments are common in the United States and have proved very popular with the general aviation enthusiasts there. A notable example is John Travolta, although his house is more airline than general aviation!”
The hangar is the integral focus of Hangar House, with magnificent curved beams, covering an area suitable for four to five light aircraft. The hangar space makes a unique, attractive venue for a variety of aviation themed events, and has already been home to an AirTourer convention and an Australian Women’s Pilots’ Association social event.
“Hangar House is situated on a small subdivision tendered out by the Mid Western Regional Council. When the opportunity presented on the proposed subdivision, Brad and I jumped at the idea of setting up their dream,” said Alex.
The house itself is a two story steel structure designed by Sydney based architect, Maurice Patten of Patten Design - (www.pattendesign.com.au).
The hangar is accessable from the western end of the living area, where the first suite, The Skymaster, is located. The Skymaster suite consists of an intimate lounge with Jetmaster fireplace joining a large open kitchen and dining area flowing to an informal TV/lounge area. The first floor is the home of the Airtourer, Bonanza, Baron And Constellation suites, where is a tea/coffee station at the top of the stairs for guests.
The layout is spacious and airy, with an impeccable eye for detail. The furniture is a wonderful blend of modern, antique and exotic (as Alex hails from Cuba), with the décor having a distinct aviation focus. A giant mural of the sky, onto which each visitor’s aircraft is laminated, fills an entire wall. Alex is in the process of organising an aviation themed bar, and of course, each suite is named after an iconic aircraft type.
Were I to offer three superlatives to describe this remarkable living work of art they would be: Fabulous, stylish and cutting edge.
Hangar House also offers accommodation for students; conference facilities and a private chef for dinner parties, functions or corporate events. A courtesy car is available for fly-in guests and as well as hangarage for up to five aircraft, allowing you to taxi right up to the hotel.
Located on the northern apron of picturesque Mudgee Airport and only less than a 5km drive north of the town centre, the Hangar House is an ideal location to explore the area’s 35 plus vineyards as well as Mudgee’s cafes, restaurants, pubs and nearby historic villages such as Gulgong and Rylstone.
To host your avation event here, please visit www.hangarhouse.com.au
For the aviators, location YMDG - S32 33.7 E149 36.7
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