Wattle Hill Holiday House - perfect for hikers, bikers, rest and relaxation
Welcome to Wattle Hill, a holiday house designed for rest and relaxation surrounded by natural beauty and the wonders of the Australian bush.
Our house is only a 5 minute drive from the Forrest township, but you will feel a million miles from anywhere. You are surrounded by stunning scenery, with views from most rooms.
You are guaranteed to see a variety of colourful native birds, and we regularly see wallabies, kangaroos, koalas and echidnas.
Our 30 acre property sits on the edge of the Otway Ranges National Park and you will have the whole property to yourselves. You can stroll along the Barwon River that forms one boundary of the property. Or go through a gate into the national park where you can walk, ride or drive in the magnificent forest. Or simply chill out on the hammock or day bed on the deck, or cosy up in front of the fire.
The house is warm and comfortable, with decks on three sides of the house. On the western side of the house is a large covered deck with outdoor dining setting, day bed and barbeque.
There are three bedrooms, two with double beds, and one with a set of bunks. We love to cook and the kitchen features modern appliances, quality cookware and a wide range of sauces, herbs and spices.
It's a great place to come all year round. In summer you can swim in the river, walk, mountain bike and generally make the most of the outdoors. In winter, you can cosy up by the fire or explore the local area with its wineries, historical sites and towns.
We are keen walkers and mountain bikers and have explored much of the local area - and will be happy to assist you with information.
Great location
Forrest is a small town nestled in the Otway Ranges that is a two-hour drive from Melbourne, 20 minutes from Colac (the nearest big town) and 45 minutes from Lorne and Apollo Bay.
It has a general store where you can get a good coffee that is well stocked with gourmet supplies, a pub, brewery/cafe. The town has become well known for its range of high quality single track mountain bike trails. There are over 60 km of marked tracks that have been designed for mountain bikers. The trails offer experiences for all rider levels with trail grading from Easiest to Extremely Difficult.
The Otway Ranges National Park is a large wilderness area famous for beautiful walks, drives, lakes and waterfalls. We particularly recommend a visit to Lake Elizabeth, which is a 10 minute drive from the house and features magnificent scenery and lovely walks. You can also do guided kayak platypus tours.
The house is 45 minutes from the world-famous Great Ocean Road (Lorne/Skenes Creek/Apollo Bay), with its pristine beaches and wonderful scenery and great places to visit and eat out.
Features and pricing
Features
Sleeps 6 people in three bedrooms (2 x double bedrooms, 1 x bunk) Beautiful vintage furniture Cooks kitchen House available with linen or without Gas barbeque Dishwasher Microwave Lounge with Coonara wood heater TV and NBN wireless internet CD player and radio Books and board games Braun coffee machine Bathroom with separate toilet Linen available for hire
Early check in/late check out You can arrive at the house at 4pm on your day of booking (or possibly earlier by arrangement). Check out is 11am on the day of your departure, however, if no other guests are due, we are happy to make this later.
Gravel access road Please note that the house is accessed via a 1.5 km gravel road that is generally fine for 2WD vehicles but is not suitable for cars with a low ground clearance. We get the road graded usually annually, however, with the big storms we are having regularly, please expect that there will be some pot holes and bumps.
Prices
The house sleeps a maximum of 6 people.
There is a 2 night minimum booking. Rates are as follows:
$330 per night plus $100 cleaning fee
These costs do not include the supply of linen. Pillows and doonas are supplied. Linen is available at an additional cost of $40 per room or $100 for the whole house.
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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 indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a first aid kit
About the area
Forrest
Located in Forrest, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Forrest Brewing Company and Gosling Creek Winery are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Great Otway National Park and Barwon Downs Bushland Reserve. Explore all the area has to offer with mountain biking, hiking/biking trails and ecotours.
Is Wattle Hill Holiday House - perfect for hikers, bikers, rest and relaxation pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Wattle Hill Holiday House - perfect for hikers, bikers, rest and relaxation?
As of 13 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Wattle Hill Holiday House - perfect for hikers, bikers, rest and relaxation on 26 May 2026 start from NZ$568, 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 Wattle Hill Holiday House - perfect for hikers, bikers, rest and relaxation?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Wattle Hill Holiday House - perfect for hikers, bikers, rest and relaxation?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Wattle Hill Holiday House - perfect for hikers, bikers, rest and relaxation?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Wattle Hill Holiday House - perfect for hikers, bikers, rest and relaxation located?
Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 2.7 mi (4.4 km) from Great Otway National Park and 2.8 mi (4.5 km) from Forrest Brewing Company. Barwon Downs Bushland Reserve and Murroon Bushland Reserve are also within 9 miles (15 km).
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Had a lovely peaceful country retreat - Nicola gave fab advice and was super helpful. The house was v comfortable and well equipped - excellent walks , birds and kangaroos . We loved it!
This is the second time we have stayed at this property and we highly recommend it! Fully equiped kitchen with lots of pantry items. Fire wood was ready and waiting for us. Beautiful views over the rolling hills. The kids had so much fun exploring the river at the bottom of the paddock. Easy and short drive to town and the mountain bike tracks.
A beautiful place tucked far away in the bush with incredible view across the valley with not a soul to be seen other than the roos and cows. The house is lovely and comfortable, we loved the outside deck area too. Beds are comfy, kitchen had everything we needed (loved the coffee machine) and the bathroom shower is great. The perfect retreat to escape the world, it was hard to leave.
Rachel M.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 6 May 2025
We're so pleased you enjoyed your stay. It was a pleasure hosting you.
We had a wonderful few days at Wattle Hill. Beautiful house with amazing views and lots of gorgeous nature walks on the property or a short drive away! Nicola's directions for getting to the property were so helpful! Would absolutely recommend this place for anyone needing some space away from the hustle and bustle of the city!
Our family had a tech free weekend and enjoyed the many mountain bike tracks and exploring along the river with our young boys.
Fantastic weekend and we will be back.
Andrew A.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 9 October 2024
So glad you enjoyed your stay and thank you for looking after the house so well. I hope we can welcome you back another time. Nicola
Loved this little slice of peaceful heaven! Great spot of our family to be with nature - the kangaroos, deer, koalas, so many birds and even a few snakes made our stay constantly surprising and exciting. We loved the quiet selcusion but loved being central to so many activities and attractions around the area.
Nicola was so easy to deal with.
A truly amazing place with spectacular views of the Otway's. Daily visits from Kangaroos, Deer and variety of Birdlife. Even the rain could not take away the beauty of the property. Highly recommend.
My friends and I needed a quiet, get-away-from-everything type place to relax and breathe the fresh air. This place was perfect! The hammock on the deck, the river at the bottom of the property, the wildlife (gorging themselves on apples), the scenery - so peaceful. The house itself had everything you could want, especially if you didn’t want to go anywhere, like we didn’t. Kitchen has every utensil to make or heat up food. Lovely mid-century furniture. The beds are comfy with stunning views to wake up to in the morning. Blue wrens, Gang-gang cockatoos, black cockies, koalas, kangaroos and deer - all very entertaining. If only we could have stayed longer. We will be back.
Diana S.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023
Verified
8/10 Good
Corinne L.
10 January 2024
Liked: Communication, location, listing accuracy
Review comments
The house is really beautiful with an amazing view.
We had trouble finding the house since we had saved on maps the address given on the website which takes you on a track in the middle of the forest with no possibility to turn around and no internet connection. We were travelling and I hadn’t checked my emails, thus the latest message from the owner explaining how to get there and giving an accurate address.
We don’t mind some dust but we had to give a good clean to the outside furniture, the oven, the pots,...
Once the cleaning done we did love the place. Pleasant retro feeling inside and amazing views from inside and the big terrasse.
Thanks for being so accommodating Nicola. I stayed with family for first half of booking and friends for second half.
It was suitable for both.
I would take note of the kind of vehicle required for the gravel driveway, our Mazda 6 didn't love it but it was advised in property description that low vehicles are not recommended.
There were a few spiders that we had to contend with but overall a lovely experience.
This property is amazing - it is so serene, so remote, such beautiful scenery.
Stay there!
Maree D.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Sarah B.
16 March 2019
Peaceful
This place is a little gem. Kitchen is stocked with items that I didn't think to bring. Views are beautiful and a peaceful veranda to sit on. Saw lots of wild life for the kids...koala in the tree right out the front of the house, deers, kangaroos and heard the halarious kookaburras. Woodfire at night. A peaceful getaway, I can see our family going back there in the future.
Sarah B.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2019
Verified
8/10 Good
Rebecca M.
3 March 2019
quiet and tranquil hideaway
We had a thoroughly enjoyable stay at Wattle Hill. The location is wonderfully quiet and tranquil (though beware the unsealed access road is fairly long and bumpy), and the house is very comfortable and thoughtfully stocked. I loved the mid-century furniture and the big covered deck looking out over the valley. My 2 year old daughter loved the bath, the bunks, the toys and the wonderful collection of books. We saw an echidna, kangaroos, lots of birds, and deer during our stay.
Rebecca M.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Gopi R.
21 January 2019
Liked it
This house was a wonderful destination for a weekend stay. Not too far from 12 apostles and Lornes beautiful drive. The house itself is the perfect size and design for family and Friends.
Gopi R.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
NIKITA D.
19 January 2019
Amazing place, amazing view and just perfect for get togethers
Simply superb!
NIKITA D.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2019
Verified
8/10 Good
Josh G.
28 October 2018
Lovely house in a beautiful location
Large family size house and spacious deck area overlooking the adjacent farmland but right next to national park. Great for groups.
Josh G.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2018
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Job v.
10 October 2018
Great place
Great remite place with magnificent views. Loved it
Job v.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Narelle M.
10 September 2018
Perfect wend escape
This property was a perfect for our family of 5. Clean, warm, homely and ideal for exploring all the Otways have to offer.
Narelle M.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2018
Verified
8/10 Good
Aaron L.
23 April 2018
Nice country retreat
Nice family home with enough room to spread out
Aaron L.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2018
Archival
8/10 Good
KIM B.
30 April 2017
quiet location, close to town
Recently stayed here with our young daughter and had a great stay. House is very comfortable and all that we required, but don't go expecting luxury accommodation. House has 3 bedroom and plenty of room with a wood fire for heating. It was quite cool when we went so couldn't make to most of the outside decking but would be a glorious spot to sit in summer/spring and enjoy the wonderful views. It also has a well stocked kitchen and linen if required. Location is great, a 5 minute drive into Forrest but feels like you are in the middle of nowhere with lots of wildlife around. Overall we had a wonderful stay, although be warned that the driveway is really a bush track and wouldn't be suitable to slow to the ground cars.
KIM B.
Archival
8/10 Good
Rose D.
8 January 2017
Gorgeous spot
We had a lovely stay here, we were two families and fit comfortably. It is a gorgeous spot, with great views and a very well stocked kitchen. We had one or two very hot days which was a bit uncomfortable but otherwise just what we wanted.
Rose D.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Rebecca N.
24 October 2016
Beautiful property
We loved our stay. The view is fabulous, the house warm and very comfortable. Everything there that we needed. We'll be back!
Rebecca N.
About the host
Hosted by Nicola
We are a family of 5 and Wattle Hill is our holiday house. We think it is a slice of heaven and hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
Why they chose this property
You'll have complete seclusion while on the property. You can access the national park with great walking, mountain biking and drives direct from the property. The township of Forrest is only 5 minutes away.
What makes this property unique
You are guaranteed to see a range of wonderful birdlife and we regularly see kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas and koalas. It's not unusual to have a koala in the trees next to the house.