About Us

Once upon a time…

Imagine stepping into a storybook—a lush retreat where literary dreams take flight and every detail whispers inspiration. The Storyteller’s Nook is a writer’s paradise designed by a writer for creatives seeking complete privacy and inspiration. So, what is the tale behind this gem?

In 2021, I was searching for a place to write but found retreats that were too small, not self-contained, or far beyond my budget for an extended stay with the luxe touch.

So, I daydreamed about what my perfect retreat would look like. And let me tell you, the list of must-haves grew fast. A peaceful, self-contained space with a large writer’s desk, a library stocked with books across all genres, and a beautiful, hygge-style kitchen? Of course.

Who doesn’t enjoy a little luxury, right? The list grew to include luxurious linen and a bed that was “just right” (yes, very Goldilocks of me), along with a deep velvet couch you could practically get lost in. A clawfoot tub to soak in after a long writing session was non-negotiable. And, naturally, there had to be artwork to gaze at when procrastination struck.

My inner child chimed in, too—she wanted some fun. So, in came quirky touches like Fantastic Mr Fox (obviously), pop culture gems, hidden treasures to delightfully discover, and Alice in Wonderland statues scattered through the garden. And there had to be beautiful trees to sit under for a good daydream. As a music lover, an amazing sound system was a must. I mean, that’s just common sense.

Then, St. Brendan’s Church came up for auction a couple of months later. It was perfect. It felt like destiny. All these ideas, quirks, and dreams came together to create a space where I could truly immerse myself in work and find inspiration. I can’t even begin to tell you how much joy this creation brought to my heart. I started to think, “What if I shared this with other creatives?” And that’s how The Storyteller’s Nook was born.

The Storyteller’s Nook offers exclusive use of the entire space, providing uninterrupted tranquillity to let your imagination soar. Privacy is paramount, making it an ideal haven for those seeking complete anonymity. With luxurious yet affordable accommodations, including fast Wi-Fi, that heavenly clawfoot tub, and a full chef’s kitchen, every detail is designed to inspire. Let’s just say the list grew like a beanstalk.

The feedback has been heartwarming. We’ve been honoured to host well-known authors, directors, musicians, and artists from around the world. The Nook has become their go-to place to start—or finish—a project. Privacy is paramount, especially for high-profile guests, so the Storyteller’s Nook has become a trusted place to retreat to.

So, if you’re hunting for a little piece of literary magic, a place to weave your next creation, click this link to apply. The stay is via application only, and subject to availability.

From our Guests:

Just stunning. Storytellers Nook is comfortable and cosy, while also being an enormous space with gloriously high ceilings. The attention to detail in all the furnishings and finishes is off the charts, and the bathroom (complete with gorgeous clawfoot bath) is the most comfortable I’ve seen. The entire place is so much fun and has loads of personality and little surprises. It was hard to leave – we’ll be back! – Kate L

A magical place The Storytellers Nook in Panmure West Victoria was a perfect place to get some writing done in peace, and you bet I did – fire for warmth, misty romantic mornings, books all around, space to beat out ideas …. the local produce exceptional and the Great Ocean Road wild seas so close, and The Best Host, I will be back. -JR

I spent the weekend here and loved it. Kirsten was full of recommendations on top of those already provided in her wonderful guidebook. The place itself is stunning and way bigger than I expected it to be; it also has heaps of land around it. The location is super peaceful and quiet but a great base for touristing around. Panmure is small but picturesque. I felt very comfortable and relaxed staying here. – Brenna

An absolutely stunning place to escape, unwind and recharge. The interiors are absolutely spectacular – walking in was a transformative experience, with all our worries and stresses immediately evaporating. Everything is super clean and well cared for. The bath was allowed for a long, deep soak. The immense selection of books would have had us covered forever, but was lovely to peruse. It was fabulous finding quickly little things all over the house. The bed was super comfortable.- Peta

Some history

St Brendan’s in Panmure was opened in September 1896. At the time, it formed part of the Warrnambool parish. The church committee held fairs, cards, and other social nights to pay for the weatherboard building. By 1898, it was fully paid for. In 1955 the building was extended to become the size it is today.

Purchased in 2009 by Heidi, St Brendans was lovingly restored to create a cosy home.

In January 2022, husband and wife team Travis and Kirsten purchased it to professionally renovate and breathe new life into the historic building. With a passion for literature and music, the new owners set out to create a writers’ retreat that would appeal to a wide range of creatives and guests with a knack for unique stays and accommodations.

Over the following months, the church was transformed with the help of interior designer Maartje Hartveldt and a number of master crafters. Today, the space features a fully decked-out chef’s kitchen, elegant furnishings, an extensive library and an Alice in Wonderland-themed bedroom.

Heritage building restorers were engaged in salvaging the original wood exterior giving Saint Brendans the first repaint since 1956. Interior painting and restoration, plumbing, decorating, and electrical work transformed the church into a cosy nook for people to find retreat and comfort.

ABOUT PANMURE

From https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/panmure :

Panmure is a rural village in western Victoria on the Princes Highway and South Western railway (1890), 22 km northeast of Warrnambool. Panmure is located where the Warrnambool Road (Princes Highway) forded Mount Emu Creek, a long waterway flowing from near Beaufort to the Hopkins River.

It was named after Lord Panmure, English Secretary for War in 1855. Panmure was described in Bailliere’s Victorian gazetteer (1865) as a roadside village situated in thickly timbered country with rich black soil.

A school was opened in 1870. Its teacher in 1873 was Thomas Lowe, whose son, Charles Lowe (1880-1969) was a pupil. Thomas became blind and took up storekeeping in 1880, and his son became a temporary monitor. He later was knighted as Victoria’s Chief Justice and Chancellor of the University of Melbourne.

Thomas also took up a small dairy farm, the main farm use to emerge from the forest clearings. In 1884 the Victorian municipal directory recorded timber splitting, sawmilling, grazing and cheese making as Panmure’s chief occupations. About 8 km west the Hopkins River falls were a venue for excursionists and from about 6 km east the farmers of Laang marketed their produce through Panmure. The Terang to Warrnambool railway, via Panmure, was opened in 1890. Panmure has become a minor district centre, having retained its hotel, general store, post office and school which, with 21 pupils in 2014, serves a wider locality. Panmure also has a public hall, a recreation reserve and a church. Grazing and dairying are the main farm occupations.