Top-rated for creating memorable stays with your pets.
Firepit available
One of the few properties with a dedicated outdoor firepit.
Centrally-located
You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
3 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 3
Popular amenities
Onsite parking available
Pet-friendly
Kitchen
Washing machine
Barbecue
Balcony or patio
Explore the area
Cockatoo, VIC
Wright Forest Bushland Reserve
Place, Wright Forest Bushland Reserve
4 min drive
Emerald Lake Park
Place, Emerald Lake Park
8 min drive
Puffing Billy Railway
Place, Puffing Billy Railway
10 min drive
Rooms & beds
3 bedrooms (sleeps 3)
Bedroom 1
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 2
1 Single Bed
Bedroom 3
1 Single Bed
1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom
bathroom
Shower only
Bathroom 2
Toilet
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area
About this property
Trickle Hill - enjoy bush, wine and relaxation on a hidden farm
Trickle Hill is a lovely cottage tucked away at the edge of our bush. You have your own little patio, and can go for adventurous walks straight from your living room !
We are located on the edge of the Dandenong ranges, very close to Kurth Kiln and Bunyip National park. Yarra Valley is a short drive away- vineyards are also close, while bushwalking is literally at your doorstep. It is the ideal location for a relaxing break in the bush- hiking, cycling, horseriding or 4 WDing- it is all possible close to our property- or a short drive away. Avalon castle is very close, so we are ideally situated if you attend a wedding. We are of course LGBTI+ friendly !
The cottage has three bedrooms, a lovely living area and a cosy woodfire. We have a sheltered outdoor area, where you can have a barbeque, or have a small fire in a firedish. (not on code red days) You will be at the edge of the bush, so you hear, or walk out, and try to find our resident breeding pair of Lyrebirds, echidnas, wombats, wallabies and kangaroos or the deer that live in our 'back yard'. Or just roam, which shouldn't be too hard on 67 acres :-)
We are close to massive areas of bush with trails. We love dogs, but cats can't come, as we do love our lizards and birds too, and for allergy reasons. We do our best to keep everything as 'green' as we can- so please don't use harsh chemicals. Living in the bush brings with it that you cannot light a fire in fire danger periods, and, heating on a woodstove, means there is a hot stove in the room. (watch those little fingers...) We are happy for you to pet our horses when we are present, play with our dogs- but be aware- we have dams on the property, so keep an eye on your children. Our animals are very friendly but you always need to keep an eye out when you don't know them!
The cottage is down the hill from our house, so there is plenty of privacy. We both have a workshop near to the cottage but will do our best not to disturb you too much. (we are both artists). Aukje offers workshops in clay- so let us know if you are interested! Our aim is to give you a place of rest and enjoyment. We love to share our space as we love it here so much- and hope you love it too. As life is a project - don't expect 10* linen and luxury, state of the art gardens and clipped lawns, but a friendly welcoming atmosphere where you can be yourself and relax.
You will have access to the cottage and the outdoor area, all the bush around the house and the area around our animals if you like. The area around our own house we would like to keep private.
This a working hobby farm- with machinery, animals (pigs in season, dogs, horses, ducks and chickens). Please keep off the machinery, and the horse paddock is out of bounds, unless we are there to read our horses body language, and invite you in.
DOGS; Our dogs are very friendly, well socialised, love to play with visitors, and will visit you as they run free at all times. If your dog is reactive, we are happy to do a slow introduction, but we prefer not to lock our dogs up for yours. Our property is stock fenced- dogs are able to roam if they are not staying with you. You are expected to be in full control of your dog at all times, to protect our animals. Discuss if you are not sure.. Dogs cannot be left alone in the cottage, unless contained. We are working on a fenced dog yard.
We are a rural property with animals, and there are dams on the property, (not close to the cottage) so please keep an eye on children - we cannot take responsibility for your persons or animals.
Living on a farm means that not everything is safe, flat or person-proof. Coming here is entirely at your own risk, but of course- if there is anything we can do to make your visit more pleasurable, we will do our best to do so!
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The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights
Remove all cigarette butts, empty ashtray, and place in bin at the road.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 9205713
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
Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector 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
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
About the area
Melbourne
Located in Cockatoo, a neighbourhood in Melbourne, this cottage is in a rural area. Monbulk Winery and Carlei Estate are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Puffing Billy Railway and Gemco Community Theatre. Australian Rainbow Trout Farm and Puffing Billy Steam Train are also worth visiting. Fishing offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking, hunting and ecotours nearby.
Wright Forest Bushland Reserve - 4 min drive - 3.1 km
Emerald Lake Park - 8 min drive - 6.8 km
Mount Majestic Bushland Reserve - 10 min drive - 7.2 km
Puffing Billy Railway - 10 min drive - 9.5 km
Dandenong Ranges National Park - 17 min drive - 17.8 km
Getting around
Cockatoo Station - 5 min drive
Melbourne, VIC (MEB-Essendon) - 71 min drive
Restaurants
The Railway Dog - 10 min drive
Bam Bam Italian - 7 min drive
Penny & A Pickle - 10 min drive
The Motorist Distillery
Forest Edge - 12 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Trickle Hill - enjoy bush, wine and relaxation on a hidden farm pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Trickle Hill - enjoy bush, wine and relaxation on a hidden farm ?
As of 7 October 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Trickle Hill - enjoy bush, wine and relaxation on a hidden farm on 6 November 2026 start from NZ$665, 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 Trickle Hill - enjoy bush, wine and relaxation on a hidden farm ?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Trickle Hill - enjoy bush, wine and relaxation on a hidden farm ?
Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Trickle Hill - enjoy bush, wine and relaxation on a hidden farm ?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Trickle Hill - enjoy bush, wine and relaxation on a hidden farm located?
Located in Cockatoo, this cottage is 1.4 mi (2.3 km) from Wright Forest Bushland Reserve and 2.8 mi (4.5 km) from Gembrook G203 Bushland Reserve. Gembrook G204 Bushland Reserve and Emerald Lake Park 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.
we loved our cost weekend at Trickle Hill, it's a beautiful quiet spot! super dog friendly, our dogs loved having friends to play with that came and visited. The fireplace kept us toasty and beds were comfy. Our baby daughter loved exploring the trees and looking at the horses, we'd love to stay again! Also nice and close to eateries and attractions but you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere.
Unfortunately I was in the area for a family emergency not a holiday. Everything was as described. Being winter, the wood stove kept the living area cosy, but the bedrooms were very cold, so bringing an electric blanket would be a good idea.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 12 July 2026
hi Marilyn,
I'm so sorry you were cold in the bedroom. We always ask our guest to tell us if they need anything, and we could have very easily brought you an electric blanket. We personally love a cold bedroom, but if you leave the door open to the livingroom during the day, the bedrooms warm up quite well, as the heater is dimensioned to heat a house triple the size of the cottage.
Aukje and Arthur are very kind and welcoming. They have 3 beautiful dogs and Horses on the property that will come say Hello. The cabin itself is well furnished. Well stocked kitchen and comfortable beds.You can hear the sound of Kookaburras in the morning. The beautiful towns of Emerald and Gembrook are a short drive with great spots for lunch and dinner. The local IGA is high quality if you need to stock up on groceries.All in an amazing spot, for some peace and quiet.
We had a lovely farm house stay at trickle hill with Aukje proving to be a knowledgeable guide about the area. The unit is quaint and has everything you could need to enjoy your stay 😊
Comfortable home, surrounded by nature, quiet, lovely visiting pack of dogs. Owners are very easy to reach if needed. Close to Kieth Kiln regional park so worth a visit!
Once again thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Trickle Hill. Really appreciated the warm welcome we received from Aukje and Arthur, the comfortable accommodation and friendly furry friends.
Love the property, the surroundings, the forest, friendly hosts and their 4 dogs. Went for walks from Kurth Kiln picnic area both days we stayed. Thoroughly enjoyed it, so did our dogs. There are nice restaurants nearby too.
Thank you Aukje and Arthur for a lovely stay.
A very peaceful getaway. Pretty cabin with everything you need plus a wood burning fire for cold nights. Loved walking around the property meeting the owners 3 dogs, and the horses. Would love to go back soon
Trickle Hill was the perfect property for our little family holiday. Our hosts Aukje and Arthur were delightful, friendly and welcoming. The wood heater, groovy decor, bush setting and friendly farm animals were all highlights. We had a wonderful stay and thank Arthur and Aukje for all their help and local recommendations of places to visit, especially the walking tracks at Kurth Kiln.
Trickle Hill is a great cottage, very well appointed with comfortable beds and a gorgeous wood heater. Very peaceful location with plenty of bird song and no traffic noise whatsoever. Hosts Aukje and Artur are friendly and hospitable, along with their gorgeous doggies Bailey, Morph and Helmut. A wonderful peaceful place with plenty to see and do nearby.
This is a lovely peaceful place. Our dogs and I enjoyed exploring the property. We said hi to the pigs and discovered a pond with water lillies in flower and ducklings. The bush around is lush and green. You forget how much you need this until you are there.
I have a lovely couple of nights at this property. The place is clean and nice, and the surrounding forest is beautiful.
The wood heater was super impressive! So easy to use and kept the whole house warm all night (in winter!) Best indoor wood heater I've ever seen by far!
The hose was lovely as were her dogs, who were very friendly with mine.
A+++ !!! Looking forward to returning one day, I highly recommend this place
My grandson loved playing with the dogs and so did our dog
Lovely people who own the stayz everything we needed. Weather not very good so perhaps some extra paving to keep the mud down. However with dogs etc this may be hard
Hideaway cottage in the forest.... overwhelmingly beautiful
What a beautiful, peaceful and relaxing holiday my partner and I had. The kookaburras were singing at 8pm and early in the morning. The fresh air was invigorating and the hosts were down to earth, helpful and friendly. This property is full of heart and beauty. Be sure to head here for a retreat away from the busy day to day world that we live in. Escape and enjoy every moment. Be sure to play and pat the gorgeous friendly dogs. Thank you for having us stay : )
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2021
Verified review
6/10 Okay
Maryann S.
1 November 2023
Liked: Location
Disliked: Listing accuracy
Secluded junk yard,first impression disappointing
Only heating is a wood burner..plenty of wood but uncut.Cosy interior, average amenities. Unnecessary rules and restrictions...Not suitable for everbody!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 7 November 2023
We are sorry your were not happy. Reading the ad before booking will help avoid surprises - we are very clear on what we offer :-)
Verified review
6/10 Okay
Glenda B.
14 March 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, communication
Disliked: Check-in, location
2 night getaway
The cottage itself was clean & well appointed. The beds were comfortable & the shower water hot.
Some longlife milk on arrival would have been appreciated.
The access was steep & narrow, difficult to navigate at night. The access code for the gate was not received so had to ring the owner to get it. The key pad is not lit at night so difficult to find the right buttons without getting out of the car & using a torch.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 14 March 2023
Hi Glenda,
I am sorry to hear you were not completely satisfied .
Most communication happens through the app, which you didn’t use, so you indeed didn’t see the entry code I sent in the morning, together with a request for your approximate arrival time , which, if we know, we use to welcome you, show you around, tell you some things about the area, and, to ask you if you need anything- which we then can provide.
we couldn’t be there for you, as you didn’t communicate at all. We tried to meet up through the weekend, but you arrived very late, ( probably after the lights at the keypad stopped working- they are solar, but don’t go all night) and left very early.
I can only advise you to use the way of communication VRBO has put in place. It will probably make subsequent visits less disappointing- for you and your host.
Overall good.
I misread the fine print thinking there was central heating. As an urban dweller I was at first disappointed at having to chop wood and light the wood fire but very quickly I found it rewarding. The wood fire did not heat the entire house and we only used one bedroom. That said, the cottage and it’s bush setting had a charm of its own. The property did have a dilapidated bus and caravan, not sure if this was very pleasing! The location was great, very close to other wonderful mountain suburbs and their own attractions and eateries (Bam Bam—-Italian, The Independent—-Argentinian both super).
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 12 October 2023
Thank you for your review Daryl, I am so sorry you didn't get the woodfire properly- it is designed to heat an area 4 times as large as the cottage, so it can certainly heat the whole house and more! As you said, reading the ad is so important, so you know exactly what to expect. This is a working farm, and there are always many projects on the go. Most people this its pretty cool there is so much happening here. I am sorry you didn't find our next accommodations in progress not charming, I hope they will be once they are finished! Imagine sleeping in an old Bedford Bus :-)
About the host
Hosted by Aukje Van Vark
We are a family of 5, who love dogs and horses. We also love travelling, making Art, living life to the fullest, and always have plans. We love to share our piece of paradise with people love nature , so everyone can enjoy their own bush here :-)
Why they chose this property
Living here is wonderful- in this nice community full of lovely locals, animals and abundance of nature. We love the sound of the bush, going for walks, eating out in the amazing cafes and restaurants, drinking local wines, and being only an hour away from Melbourne cbd is a definite bonus!
What makes this property unique
this is a working farm- in there middle of the bush The cottage is at the edge of the bush, so you will have a lot of ( not total) privacy , and can go for walks in Bushland that doesn’t get accessed often. Our workshops are close, so some noise of animals and machines and will be encountered and sometimes we have to walk past the cottage. Our dogs are always loose, and will visit you. We can feed horses together, if you wish, on days we have time.