Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area
About this property
Broken Gum Country Retreat - 150 acres of beautiful bush and countryside
Nestled in country South Australia, just 50 minutes East of the Adelaide CBD, lies a unique bed and breakfast country retreat called 'Broken Gum'. The property accommodation lies in the centre of 3 main regions, namely Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu Peninsula and the Murray Lands. On 150 acres of rolling tree studded countryside, stands our beautiful 3 bedroom, limestone and recycled timber loft homestead, which is a fully contained bed and breakfast with stand alone solar power and rainwater. The open plan downstairs kitchen and relaxation area, boasts a slow combustion plus wood stove, great for cooking delicious meals in winter and providing piping hot water. There is also an LP gas stove for cooking during summer months. The upstairs loft is a beautiful open area, great for relaxing with spectacular views. This area can also sleep 2 more people.
Individuals, couples, groups and families love this property. Kids delight in collecting eggs from free range chickens and a favourite pastime is spotting kangaroos, sheep, lambs, a variety of lizards and abundant birdlife. The camp fire setting is perfect for sharing stories, toasting marshmallows and star gazing on still clear nights.
20 acres of virgin scrub houses some of the rarest native orchids and wildflowers in the region and is a delight for wildflower enthusiast during springtime.
This property also houses South Australia's first Carbon Neutral Canopy Project of 14,000 eucalyptus, acacia, melaleuca and other native species.
There are stunning panoramic views of Mount Barker and Lake Alexandrina, plus breathtaking sunrises, sunsets and moonrises.
Whether going on a family holiday adventure around the property, a picnic in the top paddock or a short leisurely stroll up the hill where wild daisies in season display a magic carpet of yellow, you will love the experience of just getting back to nature.
Re pets? Sorry, no pets.
For a change of pace, DVD player, a collection of DVD's, CDs, TV, iPod docker and radio, plus internet access is available. All in all a unique and restful holiday accommodation awaits you!
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The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Remove personal items
Turn off the lights
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
No weddings, parties or events allowed.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 9148762
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
This property uses solar energy
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 indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
About the area
Hartley
Located in Hartley, this cottage is in a rural area. Monarto Conservation Park and Monarto Woodlands Conservation Park reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Monarto Zoo and South Side Wakeboarding. Take some time off to enjoy the winery tours in the area, or get some fresh air with adventures like hiking/biking trails nearby.
Monarto Woodlands Conservation Park - 16 min drive - 16.7 km
Delta Force Paintball Adelaide - 18 min drive - 21.4 km
Monarto Zoo - 20 min drive - 24.0 km
Monarto Conservation Park - 20 min drive - 24.4 km
Howard Vineyard - 24 min drive - 34.4 km
Getting around
Strathalbyn Station - 24 min drive
Restaurants
Elephants Rest - 13 min drive
Callington Hotel - 13 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Broken Gum Country Retreat - 150 acres of beautiful bush and countryside pet-friendly?
No, only service animals are welcome at the property.
How much does it cost to stay at Broken Gum Country Retreat - 150 acres of beautiful bush and countryside?
As of 9 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Broken Gum Country Retreat - 150 acres of beautiful bush and countryside on 7 August 2026 start from NZ$312, 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 Broken Gum Country Retreat - 150 acres of beautiful bush and countryside?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Broken Gum Country Retreat - 150 acres of beautiful bush and countryside?
Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Broken Gum Country Retreat - 150 acres of beautiful bush and countryside?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Broken Gum Country Retreat - 150 acres of beautiful bush and countryside located?
Located in a rural location, this family-friendly cottage is within 12 mi (20 km) of Monarto Conservation Park, Monarto Zoo and Monarto Woodlands Conservation Park. Delta Force Paintball Adelaide is 11.6 mi (18.7 km) away.
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We had a great time. Beautiful spot, great to wake up to nature. Awesome views. Has everything you need need
Amanda W.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
Archival
8/10 Good
MICHAEL K.
6 June 2016
Great family retreat!
A short but brilliant holiday - great for the kids & very cosy in winter weather.
Bill & Norma made us all feel welcome and loved the 'Eco' experience.
MICHAEL K.
Response from VrboOwner on 1 April 2020
Glad you enjoyed the break Michael with the family and the fires kept you all toasty!
Great break from the city life. Relaxing, beautiful nature and a fabulous cottage accomodation with surprising and lovely little touches in every room. Thanks Bill and Norma for a beautiful stay.
Eva G.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 1 April 2020
So glad you both enjoyed your stay at Broken Gum Eva. Thanks for coming!
Bill and Norma.
Wonderfully kind and friendly hosts who had thpught of everything one might need during their stay. The most gorgeous property. Soothing atmosphere. Plenty of walking spaces, and the fire pit was perfect. The only negative was having to leave when our weekend finished.
The location was amazing, out in the bush with the kangaroos and other native birds and wildlife. The brumby and her sheep companion came for treats and a visit. Serenaded each night by an owl. The house resembled a historic home and was beautiful.
Patricia H.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 10 December 2024
Thanks Patricia. Glad your stay was a good bush retreat for you and you enjoyed the location. Thankyou for staying!
We wanted peace, quiet and tranquility and we were not disappointed. The house was amazing and well appointed. It's had everything we needed and more. When we walked in we felt at home immediately. We will definitely be back!
The 3 of us were in the area for a cattle judging trip. We loved the fact that we were a little way out of town. It was quiet..rustic..and large. Lots of room... well appointed ..Bill supplied us with first morning breakfast.. and a semi full kitchen...bread,butter, milk, spreads, bacon,tomatoes etc. In fact it was the home they lubed in for a long time. Beautiful views from verandah. If your looking for quiet retreat atmosphere then this is perfect. Thanks Bill and Norma.
Awesome holiday, fantastic get away! Peace and quiet! Breathtaking views!
We all (4 of us plus the dog) really enjoyed our stay at Broken Gum Retreat. Absolutely stunning 360 degrees views, big country house with vintage feel and the most comfortable beds. Friendly chooks roaming around, wild birds coming to have a bath and drink some water... A few sleepy lizards scavenging for spring flowers... No main road anywhere near, huge revegetated property with a horse paddock at the end of it. The horses loved apples and carrots we brought for them. A flock of sheep and occasional kangaroos wondering around... It's so peaceful... We will be back!
Tania P.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 1 April 2020
Thanks for your comments Tania, Sam and children. Really lovey sharing with you all and we wish all the best for the girls study and career pursuits. Thanks for helping find the lost puppy! Look forward to see you again at broken Gum.
Bill and Norma.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Will F.
23 November 2015
Always a pleasure to stay at Broken Gum
My partner and I have stayed at Broken Gum a number of times now. It's such a beautiful place to stay no matter what the season. In winter we enjoyed getting cosy with the fire on inside and had a bonfire one night while we sat under the stars and enjoyed a cuppa. In summer it's lovely sitting on the balcony enjoying the breeze.
For our last stay there we had my whole family come to celebrate our birthdays. The kitchen is the perfect size to have everyone helping out with meals. Everyone had a fantastic time, which was made even more memorable thanks to the gorgeous friendly red hens, the proud parading peacock, and Gemma the faithful sheep dog who took it upon herself to give us a guided tour of the property, even rounding up a few sheep for us ;)
Bill and Norma are lovely and we happily recommend a stay at Broken Gum to friends and family.
A perfect get away if you want some peace and quiet away from the city.
Will F.
Response from VrboOwner on 1 April 2020
Thankyou Emily and Will for your very kind review of your time at Broken Gum. It is always a delight to welcome you to our property and we are thrilled it is always a great break for you both. Looking forward to your next stay, Bill and Norma.
My only regret about this weekend was having to leave. I've spent the rest of the week since at my dull desk job dreaming that I was back on that beautiful verandah enjoying the delicious peace and serenity. Bill and Norma are two lovely people who have curated something quite precious with Broken Gum, and their love for the property and what they do there shines through. They could not have been more welcoming.The cottage itself is spacious, clean and so full of character. Everything you need is supplied for a short or long stay. The outdoors is equally as delightful, I lost count of the number of bird species I saw, made friends with the adorable chickens and Safari the brumby, and watched as the slow stumpy tailed lizards shuffled around under my feet. Even a couple of kangaroos came to visit. The views are spectacular and make for amazing sunrises and sunsets, and if you get a clear night the stars fill the sky. Our first night we got perfect views of storms rolling in over the valley while we stayed cosy and warm in front of the combustion heater.I honestly wish I could stay forever, not many places feel like home but Broken Gum certainly does. I'm already looking at dates to stay again, and I'm sure we will be repeat visitors more than once. Thanks Bill and Norma for a truly wonderful experience.
Andrea S.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 28 November 2025
Well done for getting the most out of your stay at Broken Gum. There is much to offer for those in need of a restful break to indulge in peace, quiet and serenity as well as the beauty of the Ozzie bush. Thanks for a great review and we look forward to welcome you again. Bill and Norma.
A lovely cosy place to relax and explore. Very friendly chickens and peacocks.
We had trouble keeping the water hot but Bill and Norma kept the fire going for us.
We had a fantastic time at this beautiful retreat amidst lush nature. Thanks, Bill and Norma for letting us stay in this property. We made some good memories here. Great location, kind and welcoming hosts and plenty of oxygen. We highly recommend this place !!!!!
We absolutely loved our stay at Broken Gum Retreat. What Bill and Norma have created here is something very special indeed. The dwelling built with their own hands is something to be seen and experienced and left me in awe to be fair. Not only does it tick all the boxes but the setting, surroundings and serenity enable a very unique stay that was hard to leave.
Thanks Bill and Norma for the experience and opportunity to meet you both, and my kids loved it too..
Mark M.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 12 May 2022
Thanks Mark for your kind words. We loved meeting you and the children and so happy that you enjoyed your stay.
Kindest regards,
Bill and Norma
The only sad thing was not having an extra day or 2 to just chill and enjoy the amazing property. Sitting in the veranda really allows one yo take in being part of “god’s country’ with vastness all around. The actual property is real country rustic feel and has everything one can ask For (maybe other than wifi for kids) but that meant it gave us time to get closer. Will ensure we come again if we travel through this parts of SA
We loved every minute of our stay at this property. Such an interesting story of how they developed the cottage and land. We take our dog on holiday locations to stretch his legs and this 150 acre property wore him out! We sat outside by the campfire and inside by the fireplace admiring the views in every direction. A beautiful option for a weekend getaway.
Lovely, cozy retreat. A warm welcome to a very beautiful property. A perfect place to unwind a forget about the hustle and bustle of life but not far away from it. Excellent.
Fabulous place to take the kids and dogs. Loved the horses, camp fire, chickens and freedom to roam the beautiful property. Thank you to Bill & Norma for your kind hospitality.