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The Mia Mia Newstead - Pet Friendly Country Retreat close to town

Photo gallery for The Mia Mia Newstead - Pet Friendly Country Retreat close to town

The Mia Mia Newstead - view from the front
The Mia Mia Newstead - view from the front
Newly renovated kitchen with microwave and dishwasher.
Newly renovated kitchen leading out to a large outdoor dining and living space.
View of the outdoor dining table from the kitchen.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
Newstead, VIC
  • Place, Muckleford South Bushland Reserve
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Welshmans Reef Bushland Reserve
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Place, Cairn Curran Reservoir
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Airport, Bendigo, VIC (BXG)
    ‪55 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

En Suite Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Main Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

The Mia Mia Newstead - Pet Friendly Country Retreat close to town

Comfortably sleeping four people, The Mia Mia has a separate kitchen area which has a fridge, kettle, chopping board, cups, plates, glasses, wine glasses, and utensils. We provide basic cooking ingredients including salt, pepper, oil and sauce, and complimentary coffee, tea, and long life milk.

COVID: we take the safety of our guests seriously and have introduced enhanced cleaning measures so you can feel assured during your stay.

The Mia Mia will sleep 4 people in two bedrooms comprised of:

1 x Queen Bed with dressing room and en suite
1 x Queen Bed with wardrobe

Both beds are dressed with high quality linen and doonas and have wall heaters and pedestal fans.

The lounge room has two comfortable couches, board games, Singstar Playstation and TV, Netflix and Foxtel. The split system and a wood fire is perfect for those crisp winter nights.

The en suite bathroom has a shower and toilet. The second bathroom has a shower over a bath and a separate toilet. We provide lovely soft high quality towels, and hand wash.

The Mia Mia provides free laundry facilities with fully equipped laundry.

Enjoy a glass of wine or beer in front of the fire, on the verandah or up the hill near the shepherds hut.

The cottage is only 2 minutes drive or 15 minute walk from the town centre. We welcome guests to leave seed out for the multitude of native birds.

The Mia Mia is the perfect place to recharge the batteries amongst the stunning rural farm views, the rustling sound of gum trees after a day of exploring the treasures of the area including Castlemaine, Maldon, Vaughan Springs, Maryborough and Daylesford.

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House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Fenced in backyard; deck without railing.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
Guests to bring bedding & not allowed on furniture
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property, but there are gas appliances; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Newstead

Located in Newstead, this holiday home is in a rural area. Maldon Museum and Archives Association and Old Castlemaine Gaol are local landmarks, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit The Mill Castlemaine and Wesley Hill Market. Travelling with kids? Consider Main Street and Victorian Goldfields Railway -Muckleford Station. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Newstead, VIC

What's nearby

  • Muckleford South Bushland Reserve - 4 min drive - 6.4 km
  • Welshmans Reef Bushland Reserve - 6 min drive - 7.2 km
  • Cairn Curran Reservoir - 6 min drive - 7.6 km
  • Brassey Mine Bushland Reserve - 7 min drive - 8.7 km
  • The Mill Castlemaine - 10 min drive - 15.9 km

Getting around

  • Castlemaine Station - 12 min drive
  • Bendigo, VIC (BXG) - 54 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Guildford General Store - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Guildford Family Hotel - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Dig at Newstead - ‬18 min walk
  • ‪Dig Cafe & Wine Bar - ‬18 min walk
  • ‪Railway Hotel, Newstead - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Mia Mia Newstead - Pet Friendly Country Retreat close to town pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much does it cost to stay at The Mia Mia Newstead - Pet Friendly Country Retreat close to town?

As of 28 March 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Mia Mia Newstead - Pet Friendly Country Retreat close to town on 17 April 2026 start from NZ$299, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at The Mia Mia Newstead - Pet Friendly Country Retreat close to town?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The Mia Mia Newstead - Pet Friendly Country Retreat close to town?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Mia Mia Newstead - Pet Friendly Country Retreat close to town?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Mia Mia Newstead - Pet Friendly Country Retreat close to town located?

This family-friendly Newstead holiday home is located in a rural location, within 3 mi (5 km) of Welshmans Reef Bushland Reserve and Muckleford South Bushland Reserve. Muckleford Nature Conservation Reserve and Cairn Curran Reservoir are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 50 out of 55 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 55 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 55 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 55 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 55 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

6.0/10

Amenities

6.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sam B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Bronwyn was so lovely, easy to communicate with, and the house was perfect. We had everything we needed during our stay, and especially enjoyed the deck’s view and visiting birds of a morning.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lynne C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Friendly and helpful owner, well equipped kitchen
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tina H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing stay

We loved our stay in this relaxing and get away from it place, it has plenty of space and is very quiet at night and during the day it has plenty of birdlife, will be coming back.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

suzette m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely stay

Lovely and quiet
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Erick B.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice older farm house

Great secluded farm house with warm fireplace
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kara B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A gorgeous house and property!

A gorgeous house and property, in a great location to explore! It's great to find such interesting places to stay with family (and the dog as well).
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dean L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful country retreat

Great location, 10-15 mins walk into Newstead which was a lovely quaint little town
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Linda M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Bronwyn was so friendly and attentive. The house was clean and comfortable , equipped with everything we could possibly want or need. The garden and deck were a highlight with the native bird life and the chance for star gazing at night! A very easy walk to town every day for a coffee at Digs Cafe or to pick up supplies at the local shop.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sharon

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
The tranquility was perfect
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nerida G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very comfortable dog friendly home

We loved Mia Mia and would visit again A comfortable home for human or pooch super accessible to great walks, food and wine.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Martin S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Newstead Farm House

Great property, nice comfortable clean house, good town, great weather.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

jana K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

great

great Country retreat,very relaxing,cozy fire and comfy beds
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Julie T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely house very well set up.

Lovely property nice to be able to walk around the paddocks. Lovely to have fire wood.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Glenn T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved it!

Perfect place to get away from the city and relax. For curious people there is plenty to do in the area - it's central to Castlemaine, Maldon, Daylesford, Maryborough, et al. For the non-curious, settle down in front of the firebox and read or watch the bird life through the window. We explored both options and enjoyed a very relaxing mid-winter getaway.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

DAVID B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Mia mia

Lovely, very well presented, perfect location, great place to relax and recharge one's batteries.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jo C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cosy and delightful

Beautiful property, great amenities, excellent communication. Thank you, Bronwyn
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennie D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Mia Mia Homestead bliss

We had a wonderful stay at Mia Mia Homestead. Bronwyn was so easy to deal with and was very responsive. Mia Mia is ideally located to access the Central Goldfields are and all its attractions as well as being a warm and cosy place to stay, surrounded by rolling hills and pastures.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lesley V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved the property

We really loved our stay at the property. The house is charming, with spacious and comfortable living areas and a newly refurbished kitchen, well equipped for self catering. Our favourite was the big, open deck with lovely views - a great spot for kangaroo and bird watching. Bronwyn provided good communication and was very helpful with recommendations on local attractions and services. We hope to visit again soon.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jannion K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A beautiful stay.

This is the second time I have stayed at The Mia Mia. I love it - the sense of peace on entering the driveway, the comfortable old home with everything that is needed. To sit outside watching the many, many birds is such a joy. The owners are wonderful, kind and thoughtful. Lovely that dogs can stay too. My favourite place to stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tara H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely country home

Set on a beautiful bush block, this home is authentically Australian. The fire was lit and place warm and welcoming. Birdlife added to the ambience. Thanks for a calming few days away.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kristy S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family weekend at the Mia Mia

We had a fabulous stay at the Mia Mia. Bronwyn was a fantastic host, providing comprehensive information about the property and recommendations for the area. The house was beautiful, clean and well equipped with everything we needed, and we appreciated the extra touch of arriving to a cosy warm fire. The Mia Mia was a great base for exploring Castlemaine, but we could have easily enjoyed spending the entire time at the house (which we hope to do on a future visit). We would definitely stay again!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Annette B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Weekend unwind

Mia Mia was a delightful place to stay. A gorgeous renovated farmhouse. We had a walk into town, sat in the sun on the large outside deck and relaxed by the wood fire. House was well stocked with cooking equipment, magazines, books, games. Loved watching the kangaroos and enjoyed a meal at the local pub. Hosts were very pleasant and very easy to converse with. Highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Graham A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect and quiet with plenty of space to relax

We simply loved the place with clean surroundings, lots of though in the layout and the use of the property. Bronwyn was very accommodating in our needs and assisted in every way. Our dog loved the new surrounding and plenty of places to sniff and explore. Lots of space for storage including in the kitchen area which can be critical when bringing your food. The deck outside is shaded and a great place to relax with a drink as the sun goes down. Overall a very enjoyable stay. Thank you.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

2/10 Terrible

Angelo

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Untidy, un-kept gardens, run down home, overall very poor interior conditions, even the access to property had a 'couldnt care' attitude...extremely disappointing weekend away that we really were looking forward to.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Shelley S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This little hideaway is a treasure beyond belief. We have had the best stay here everSo well equipped, friendly and spaciousWe will be back
Stayed 60 nights in Jan 2026

About the host

Hosted by Bronwyn Laughlin

Host profile image
Hi, we are Bronwyn and Kieran

We have always wanted a country escape from Melbourne and it has finally become a reality. Kieran is a fanatical North Melbourne fan. I love animals and crave escaping Melbourne! We met in London at work and have travelled a lot around Europe and now many road trips within Australia with our two dogs.

We enjoy day trips exploring new areas, reading, continuing the UNO Championship we do every holiday, and lots of walks along the beach or bush.

Being new to HomeAway we welcome your honest feedback and suggestions on how we could improve The Mia Mia. We hope you find your stay a peaceful relaxing place to reconnect with nature and recharge your batteries, and hope you love it as much as we do.

If you have any questions or would like to know anything else we'd love to year from you.

Why they chose this property

I grew up in Tassie and since moving to Melbourne after university I craved a country escape and got a fixation with Castlemaine.

Twenty years later my dream came true. I love The Mia Mia. It is surrounded by 17 acres yet benefits from town water and electricity and is walking distance from the town. Newstead is a lovely friendly community packed with history. It has everything you need - a supermarket, cafe, butcher and newsagent.

Beyond Newstead, there are plenty of towns and local markets to explore - something we do often.

What makes this property unique

I love being up on the hill, watching the sunset over the paddocks in summer, and star gazing around the fire pit in winter. There are plenty of spots inside and outside to relax with a good book.

Languages:

English

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