UK to Yarrawonga via New Zealand.

Auckland, New Zealand, Christmas 2004 ‘that’s it’ Chris said I’m going to Australia !!! So with some help from www.google.com.au she decided to investigate an area she had never visited before – The Murray. A few months later on her way back to Albury to fly back to Auckland, having seen several business properties that didn’t fit the bill, she stopped in Yarrawonga for breakfast.

It looked such a pretty place she walked into the agents and asked if there were any motels for sale. ‘nope’ he said ‘but there are some holiday units’.

Armed with a tourist street map Chris drove around to Coghill Street.

Suspecting she looked like a crazy English woman who had had too much sun she took the owner (Rhonda) by surprise and asked to have a look around. Rhonda laughed and happily agreed.

There it was a great home on ½ acre, 2 minutes walk from a beautiful lake and just a stroll to a town offering somewhere different for lunch everyday for a fortnight, 3 large comfortable units, a swimming pool – this could be it.

So as well as breakfast Chris also bought Loughaven Units.

Then it was all on – back to NZ, to sell an existing home maintenance business, lots of garage sales. In late June 2005, Chris and her two dogs ROXY and SCRAPPY had one-way tickets to Australia.

Now, two months later the three of them are almost settled in.

There has been a name change to Coghill Cottages, a web site www.coghill.com.au has been published, new furniture and DVD players have been added. Wireless broadband Internet access is in place so things are ready to roll.

Chris has more improvements planned for 2006. She also hopes to be adding a couple of studios to offer guests more accommodation choices.

Being new to the tourist industry Chris is approaching her first season with a mixture of trepidation and excitement.

She is looking forward to meeting people from all over Australia as well as visitors from overseas and hopes to help make their stay in the beautiful town of Yarrawonga comfortable, happy and memorable.

September 2005