Cabin
Ben Ricketts Environmental Preserve - quiet mountain hideaways
Photo gallery for Ben Ricketts Environmental Preserve - quiet mountain hideaways





Reviews
9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 7
Popular amenities
Rooms & beds
3 bedrooms (sleeps 7)
Cabin 1 - Wombat (sleeps 6)
2 Single Bunk Beds and 1 Queen Sofa Bed
Cabin 2 - Lyrebird (sleeps 7)
2 Single Bunk Beds, 1 Single Bed and 1 Queen Sofa Bed
Cabin 3 - Sugar Glider (sleeps 4)
1 Single Bunk Bed and 1 Queen Sofa Bed
3 bathrooms
Cabin 1 bathroom
Toilet · Shower only
Cabin 2 bathroom
Toilet · Shower only
Cabin 3 bathroom
Toilet · Shower only
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Garden
Dining area
About this property
Ben Ricketts Environmental Preserve - quiet mountain hideaways
Ben Ricketts Environmental Preserve offers three self contained cabins surrounded by the rainforest of Jamberoo Mountain. The cabins can be booked separately or together.
**Please note that prices quoted are for single cabins only.**
**Please contact us if the calendar does not show availability as only 1 cabin may be booked**
Be woken up by lyrebirds and spend the day enjoying the rainforest, creeks, glades and open paddocks. Ben Ricketts is home to echidnas, wombats, swamp wallabies, greater gliders and a great variety of birds. Listen to the lyrebirds, bowerbirds, catbirds, whipbirds, kookaburras and sugar gliders.
The cabin accommodation at Ben Ricketts is surrounded by abundant bird and animal life. Sitting on the deck of one of the cabins is a great place to watch the birds and listen to the frogs as the sun goes down behind the mountain.
Children are welcome, with plenty of open space for them to play and lots of nature to discover. There are marked walking trails on the property that start close to the cabins.
There are three self-catering cabins at Ben Ricketts, each with a fully equipped kitchen, shower facilities, a slow combustion wood heater.
NOTE: You need to bring your own sheets, pillowslips, towels, personal needs, indoor and outdoor footwear, torch and food. We do not have TVs or Wifi.
The cabins are a smoke-free zone and pets are not permitted.
We have three separate cabins to choose from.
Cabin 1 "Wombat": Sleeps 6 - four single bunks and a double sofa bed
Cabin 2 "Lyrebird": Sleeps 7 - five single bunks (2 in a separate room) and a double sofa bed.
Cabin 3 "Sugar Glider": Sleeps 4 - two single bunks and a double sofa bed
There is plenty to do in the nearby area.
The property is two hours south of Sydney on the Illawarra escarpment, 8 km west of Jamberoo Village. The cabins are in close proximity to the coast and the Southern Highlands, well known areas for great beaches, festivals, markets, arts and crafts and fine dining. Barren Grounds Nature Reserve, Budderoo National Park, Gerringong Falls, Carrington Falls and Minnamurra Rainforest are ideal bushwalking destinations nearby. Illawarra Fly and Jamberoo Recreation Park are also close by for an exciting day out.
Walks on Ben Ricketts: There are several marked walking tracks on the property which pass through rainforest and very tall eucalypts, untouched creeks, and beautful ferns, vines and palms.
Barren Grounds Nature Reserve: There are a variety of walks at this Nature Reserve including the Griffiths Trail, an 8km loop taking in the Natural Stone Bridge and the IIllawarra Lookout.
Carrington Falls has walking tracks to lookouts with spectacular views of the Upper Kangaroo Valley. Nellies Glen swimming hole in close proximity to the falls is a great place to cool off on a hot day
Minnamurra Rainforest offers accessible and easy walks through spectacular rainforest terrain, restaurant facilities and National Parks Visitors Centre
Beaches: There are several popular beaches at coastal town of Kiama approximately 20 minutes drive from Ben Ricketts.
Jamberoo Recreation Park a great place for the family is a short drive from Ben Ricketts.
Illawarra Fly, a spectacular treetop walk, is a few minutes up the road.
**Please note that prices quoted are for single cabins only.**
**Please contact us if the calendar does not show availability as only 1 cabin may be booked**
Be woken up by lyrebirds and spend the day enjoying the rainforest, creeks, glades and open paddocks. Ben Ricketts is home to echidnas, wombats, swamp wallabies, greater gliders and a great variety of birds. Listen to the lyrebirds, bowerbirds, catbirds, whipbirds, kookaburras and sugar gliders.
The cabin accommodation at Ben Ricketts is surrounded by abundant bird and animal life. Sitting on the deck of one of the cabins is a great place to watch the birds and listen to the frogs as the sun goes down behind the mountain.
Children are welcome, with plenty of open space for them to play and lots of nature to discover. There are marked walking trails on the property that start close to the cabins.
There are three self-catering cabins at Ben Ricketts, each with a fully equipped kitchen, shower facilities, a slow combustion wood heater.
NOTE: You need to bring your own sheets, pillowslips, towels, personal needs, indoor and outdoor footwear, torch and food. We do not have TVs or Wifi.
The cabins are a smoke-free zone and pets are not permitted.
We have three separate cabins to choose from.
Cabin 1 "Wombat": Sleeps 6 - four single bunks and a double sofa bed
Cabin 2 "Lyrebird": Sleeps 7 - five single bunks (2 in a separate room) and a double sofa bed.
Cabin 3 "Sugar Glider": Sleeps 4 - two single bunks and a double sofa bed
There is plenty to do in the nearby area.
The property is two hours south of Sydney on the Illawarra escarpment, 8 km west of Jamberoo Village. The cabins are in close proximity to the coast and the Southern Highlands, well known areas for great beaches, festivals, markets, arts and crafts and fine dining. Barren Grounds Nature Reserve, Budderoo National Park, Gerringong Falls, Carrington Falls and Minnamurra Rainforest are ideal bushwalking destinations nearby. Illawarra Fly and Jamberoo Recreation Park are also close by for an exciting day out.
Walks on Ben Ricketts: There are several marked walking tracks on the property which pass through rainforest and very tall eucalypts, untouched creeks, and beautful ferns, vines and palms.
Barren Grounds Nature Reserve: There are a variety of walks at this Nature Reserve including the Griffiths Trail, an 8km loop taking in the Natural Stone Bridge and the IIllawarra Lookout.
Carrington Falls has walking tracks to lookouts with spectacular views of the Upper Kangaroo Valley. Nellies Glen swimming hole in close proximity to the falls is a great place to cool off on a hot day
Minnamurra Rainforest offers accessible and easy walks through spectacular rainforest terrain, restaurant facilities and National Parks Visitors Centre
Beaches: There are several popular beaches at coastal town of Kiama approximately 20 minutes drive from Ben Ricketts.
Jamberoo Recreation Park a great place for the family is a short drive from Ben Ricketts.
Illawarra Fly, a spectacular treetop walk, is a few minutes up the road.
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Outdoor space
Parking available
Mountain view
Fireplace
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- Kitchen
- Washing machine
- Dryer
- Air-conditioning
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (2 reviews)
House Rules
Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 12:00 PM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Events
No events allowed
Not suitable for loud parties.
Pets
No pets allowed
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
Note from host: Not suitable for loud parties.
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
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
We should mention
A car is required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Jamberoo
Located in Jamberoo, this cabin is in a rural area and near a water park. Kiama Seaside Markets and Stocklands Shellharbour are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Barren Grounds Nature Reserve and Budderoo National Park. Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk and Jamberoo Action Park are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Jamberoo, NSW
What's nearby
- Barren Grounds Nature Reserve - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
- Jamberoo Action Park - 8 min drive - 11.9 km
- Kiama Surf Beach - 17 min drive - 19.9 km
- Wollongong City Beach - 37 min drive - 46.3 km
- North Wollongong Beach - 39 min drive - 48.6 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- Jamberoo Pub - 10 min drive
- Kings Patisserie & Cafe - 10 min drive
- Jamberoo Bowling Club - 10 min drive
- Crust & Crumb - 10 min drive
- Café 106 - 7 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window9.6/10
Cleanliness
9.6/10
Check-in
9.8/10
Communication
9.4/10
Location
9.4/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
Verified
21 September 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Ghina K.
20 July 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place
Ghina K.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Matthew D.
13 April 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great family friendly
Matthew D.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Mary Jane M.
3 March 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect for Barren Grounds visits
Mary Jane M.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Judi C.
24 June 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family getaway
Judi C.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Caroline M.
7 August 2019
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Weekend family getaway
Caroline M.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019
Verified
8/10 Good
Cristina P.
9 July 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quiet and close to nature
Cristina P.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Beau S.
21 January 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quiet and Cosy
Beau S.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Michelle V.
20 April 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Rainforest and bird watching getaway
Michelle V.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025
Verified
6/10 Okay
Robyn H.
11 January 2026
Disliked: Communication, location, listing accuracy




Robyn H.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Donna B.
1 October 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy




Donna B.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
ANTOINE B.
26 April 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great and beautiful region
ANTOINE B.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
Verified
8/10 Good
Zyta E.
1 October 2023
Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Helpful
Zyta E.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified
8/10 Good
T A.
1 January 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quiet Retreat
T A.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
doreen b.
6 November 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing bush setting stay
doreen b.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Susan M.
30 October 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great spot for adults and kids!
Susan M.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Kate T.
12 June 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cosy retreat
Kate T.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Yvonne W.
29 April 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location
Everything you need for a refreshing break
Yvonne W.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Michael I.
21 March 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice cabin
Michael I.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Damien W.
25 April 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great little cottage in the mountains
Damien W.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2021
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Penelope F.
18 March 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
picturesque, most amazing weekend away.
Penelope F.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2021
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jennifer G.
28 January 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Thanks
Jennifer G.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2021
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Mark H.
24 October 2019
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Loved our stay! Superb location with so much to do in surrounding area! Birdsong abounds!
Mark H.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2019
Verified
6/10 Okay
Marie L.
10 October 2018
Great nature getaway with the kids
Marie L.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Karen T.
9 August 2018
Peaceful...
Karen T.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2018
About the host
Hosted by Matt Corcoran - Caretaker
Ben Ricketts is owned by a group of families who have been staying here since the late 1940s. The original owners, Ray and Peter Page welcomed guests to Ben Ricketts for more than 50 years.
'Ben Ricketts Environmental Preserve' came into being when these several families came together to preserve Peter & Ray's legacy. We care for the property's cabins and 40 hectares of rainforest and have a voluntary conservation agreement with the NSW government, protecting the rainforest and its inhabitants in perpetuity.
'Ben Ricketts Environmental Preserve' came into being when these several families came together to preserve Peter & Ray's legacy. We care for the property's cabins and 40 hectares of rainforest and have a voluntary conservation agreement with the NSW government, protecting the rainforest and its inhabitants in perpetuity.
Why they chose this property
Ben Ricketts is a hugely important part of the life of its shareholders, many of whom have visited for three generations. We came together to preserve both the environment and this community, and to share it with others.
Languages:
English
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