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Bushland Retreat - experience nature

Photo gallery for Bushland Retreat - experience nature

Terrace/patio
Living area
Private kitchen
Room
Bathroom

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Deck or patio
  • Balcony or patio

Explore the area

View map
Portland, VIC
  • Place, Bats Ridge Wildlife Reserve
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Cape Nelson Lighthouse
    ‪26 min drive‬
  • Place, Budj Bim National Park
    ‪43 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Bushland Retreat - experience nature

Bushland Retreat is the perfect place to relax and forget about the demands of life for a while. There is 20 acres to explore with wallabies and kangaroos are often seen grazing, and are found koalas in trees or meandering across the property. There is abundant birdlife and nearby walks, caves & spring wildflowers. It is a place to call home while you enjoy the immediate environment or wider area.



Eco-friendly self-contained cottage. Linen provided. Gas stove with standard oven & cooktop. Large bar fridge with freezer. Washing machine. TV/DVD.Able to accommodate those travelling with children - futon in lounge area. Conveniently located only 10 minutes from Cape Bridgewater Beach (seal colony, petrified forest, Bridgewater Lakes,Tarragal Caves) or Portland township (first settlement in Victoria). Take a drive through or walk in our wonderful forests including the Mt Richmond & Cobboboonee National Parks. Appreciate the Budj Bim National Heritage Landscape of the local Aboriginal people Gunditjmara, at Lake Condah where you can see eel and fish traps, and the only remaining permanent houses built by an Indigenous community in Australia.

Not far along Telegraph Rd from Bridgewater Rd (approximately midway between Portland and Cape Bridgewater Beach). Please contact owner to obtain exact location at time of booking.



The cottage is set on 20 acres of undulating landscape. There are vistas over the reserve and water (dependent on rainfall) and ample stars on clear nights. There are over 100 species of birds recorded on the property. A pair of Wedge-tailed Eagles often glide over. Come and enjoy the tranquil environment that is near Portland.

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House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM

Check out before 10:00 AM

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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Have futon that folds down in living area (double)

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Events

No events allowed

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Pets

Pets allowed

Must check suitability with owner prior booking.

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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property # 9032884
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
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Portland West

Portland West is home to this cottage. Bats Ridge Wildlife Reserve and Tarragal Education Area reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Discovery Bay Marine National Park and Portland Arts Centre. Take the opportunity to explore the area for water adventures such as fishing.
View more Cottages in Portland WestOpens in a new window
Map
Portland, VIC

What's nearby

  • Bats Ridge Wildlife Reserve - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Fawthrop Lagoon - 19 min drive - 16.8 km
  • Nelson Bay Coastal Reserve - 20 min drive - 20.6 km
  • Cape Nelson Lighthouse - 26 min drive - 29.9 km
  • Budj Bim National Park - 43 min drive - 61.2 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Bridgewater Bay Cafe - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Bushland Retreat - experience nature pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Bushland Retreat - experience nature?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Bushland Retreat - experience nature?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Bushland Retreat - experience nature?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Bushland Retreat - experience nature located?

Situated in Portland West, this cottage is steps from Bats Ridge Wildlife Reserve and 1.9 mi (3 km) from Tarragal Education Area. Mount Richmond National Park and Bridgewater Bay Beach are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.4

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. 27 out of 38 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 38 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 38 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 38 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 38 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.6/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Craig B.

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

Just Beautiful and Relaxing

Was such a great place to stay... Beautiful surroundings... Cabin was immaculate... Great price... Will book again if we are back in area...
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Verified

6/10 Okay

rishi j.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Location was great, but the house needs an update. Lots of unnecessary clutter.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 8 February 2026
Glad you liked the location. The property is per photos on the website and set up for those getting away to experience the tranquility of nature, it is not intended for those seeking a modern city experience. Not sure what you mean by clutter, most contents have a functional purpose, with only the bookshelf containing items gifted by visitors, books to reference(nature and a few novels) etc.. Thank you for staying and wish you well.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ian M.

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

Awesome Place yo stay, tramqillity and isolation.

Great, one of a kind.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 30 November 2022
Thank you too Ian, wonderful to have you stay! We enjoy people experiencing Bushland Retreat, where they can forget about their busy lives, and relax in a peaceful setting.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Svetlana

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
The property was clean and the Host was wonderful. It’s pet friendly but you need to keep your dogs on lead as the wildlife is close by. We had an enclosure with us to put around the patio. Would have loved to have a toaster for toast.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jenny P.

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

Peaceful getaway

Bushland Retreat is the perfect place to enjoy a break. It is peaceful and quiet with beautiful views over the lake. The house was comfortable and warm for our winter holiday. We enjoyed watching the kangaroos and sunrises.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ben H.

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

Lovely place for a break.

A nice cabin overlooking a lagoon with black swans and paddocks filled with kangaroos, both close to Portland and Cape Bridgewater and beautifully isolated. Recommended.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amanda N.

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

Bushland Retreat

Had a lovely time staying here. A beautiful and peaceful spot with kangaroos and koalas at your doorstep. Only a short drive to Portland and Cape Bridgewater. Thanks to Helen for being so welcoming and helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sharon B.

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

Peaceful

Bushland Retreat is just that..the perfect place to relax and enjoy the peace while the weather was cooler... then as the weather warmed up we were able to swim at the beautiful Cape Brigewater beach.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Greg N.

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

Bush retreat

Beautiful location. The luxury of this accommodation is the large covered deck set amongst native trees and flowering shrubs. Wonderful bird and marsupial watching. Indoors is clean, very minimal fuss living that offers a peaceful base to explore Portland area or to read and walk.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tom B.

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

Great for getting away from it all

Wonderful place for nature-lovers. Koalas, a big mob of kangaroos and many different waterbirds were in residence during our stay. Cottage was very comfortable, despite the cold, and the large deck was well suited for living in nature. Host welcoming and very helpful. This place exceeded our expectations for a great nature-based holiday.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mariese B.

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

Awesome

This was exactly what we needed. Loved every minute of our stay. Nature, nature, nature, peacefulness galore. Loved it. Definitely we will be back.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Katherine D.

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

Comfortable, great location, perfect host.

Our 4 night stay was filled with nature walks, birdwatching, Koala spotting, reading and painting. The accommodation was clean, comfortable and oh-so delightfully quiet. Helen was the perfect host - friendly, attentive and full of local knowledge. The location is ideal; easy drive to both Portland and Bridgewater. On top of all that we were able to bring our dog; what more could one want?! We love visiting Portland and are thrilled to have found Helen and her property. We will definitely be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Katherine D.

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

Relaxing and enjoyable

This is our second time staying here and we just love it. Our dog can come and we thoroughly enjoy sitting on the verandah watching the birds, roos and wallabies do their thing. Koala in tree outside the house was the icing on the cake! Highly relaxing! Easy drive into Portland or to the beautiful beach at Cape Bridgewater. Highly recommended.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michelle F.

Wonderful natural experience

This property is perfect for nature lovers! On our night walk we spotted 4 koalas in the gums, including a mother and her baby, possums, and of course kangaroos. We did some stargazing and we listened to the frogs. Helen was very lovely and helpful, giving us great suggestions for dinner and sightseeing nearby. This little gem is a peaceful slice of heaven.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Geoff B.

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

Relaxing with koalas…

Wonderful experience relaxing with complete privacy in an eco environment. There was an inquisitive koala in the tree overhanging the deck and kangaroos at the steps. We were serenaded by the birds during the day and the koalas at night. 15 minutes to Portland and 8 mins to the beach at Cape Bridgewater. Loved it !
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Christine B.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location

Absolute peace and quiet

Bushland Retreat is off the beaten track and is wonderful for total peace, quiet and relaxation. There are so many birds and it is a refreshing change to see so many stars at night The property is located not very far out of Portland.Some items in the property were a little outdated. The host was very helpful and her directions excellent.If you want to get away from it all and don't mind no internet, this is the place to be.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lee B.

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

A perfect escape

No neighbours, no noise (except birdsong), just nature and tranquillity. We had a wonderful stay with our 2 dogs (who we kept on lead when outside due to the prolific wildlife). The cottage had everything we needed (shower was glorious), and it was an easy drive to all the local attractions Phone reception was minimal, and the driveway uneven, so this wouldn't suit a sports car or those who need internet, but for anyone looking for peace and quiet in comfort and gorgeous surroundings it is just perfect.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mrs Leanne A.

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

Great spot

Lovely location will stay again
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Geoffrey C.

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

Peaceful and private setting

The property was comfortable in a natural bus land setting.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Darcy P.

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

This property is more than i imagined.

When we arrived at this property we instantly felt relaxed, what a beautiful secluded location. The home is clean, has all requirements and is perfect. There is a large pergola, kangaroos roaming freely and a beautiful view. Helen the owner is kind, easy to make contact with and really accommodating. We had a fantastic 2 night stay and cannot wait to return. Thank you.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

fiona a.

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

Lovely property with perfect surroundings

Excellent holiday with wildlife experiences and views -peaceful and calmkng
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Terry W.

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

Hooley dooley

The description and photos of this place wildly understate it. Just wonderful. Highly recommend it.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sally M.

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

Peaceful Retreat

Very peaceful place to stay, lots of wildlife to see. Would stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

sharon s.

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

Excellent

Really enjoyed our stay beautiful quiet and relaxing Frogs put you to sleep at night Definitely be back again
Stayed 8 nights in May 2021
Verified

8/10 Good

Vera C.

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

Peaceful

Clean basic property

About the host

Hosted by Helen Phillips

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Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests

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