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Funky, art-inspired holiday apartment | Emerald, Vic

Photo gallery for Funky, art-inspired holiday apartment | Emerald, Vic

A modern living room with a black leather sofa, colorful pillows, a white coffee table, and a wall decorated with framed pictures.
A garden with two blue Adirondack chairs, a bird feeder, and a variety of flowering plants.
A bedroom with a large bed, a view of trees through a window, and a painting on the wall.
A garden with two large bird sculptures, surrounded by lush greenery and trees.
A bathroom with a freestanding bathtub, a wooden tray with magazines, a glass of water, and a blue vase on a wooden countertop.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Firepit available
    One of the few properties with a dedicated outdoor firepit.
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Laundry room
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue
  • Balcony or patio

Explore the area

View map
Emerald, VIC
  • Place, Emerald Lake Park
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, Gemco Community Theatre
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Emerald Bushland Reserve
    ‪4 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Master bedroom

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Luxe Bathroom

Bathtub · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Funky, art-inspired holiday apartment | Emerald, Vic

Tucked away in a leafy setting, Ferny Hill Retreat is only minutes from Emerald's many cafes, shops and attractions. Artistically decorated throughout and designed with privacy in mind, this spotless apartment has all you need for a fabulous stay in the Dandenong Ranges.

UNWIND
Watch a movie snuggled up on the living room sofa, or laze in the deep soaking tub before slipping into your cloud-soft bed. Ferny Hill Retreat caters for a variety of guests with free WIFI, Netflix, a mini office and a fully equipped kitchen. Yummy breakfast supplies are included. Your private patio, with seating for four, sits beside a lush fernery.

EXPLORE
Warm yourself by the garden fire pit, or be swept away to an enchanted land - our Fairy Village is as much a hit with grownups as it is with the kids. Wander the garden paths to take in the quirky statuary or, if that sounds like too much work, just grab a seat and feed the birds. You may even spot Eddie, our resident echidna wandering around.

EXPERIENCE
The artistry and enchantment of Ferny Hill Retreat are hidden behind a bright green gate in Emerald. Less than an hour from Melbourne and only 5 minutes to Puffing Billy, this whimsical holiday apartment can be yours for a weekend, a week or longer...

Ferny Hill Retreat - a truly magical getaway in the Dandenong Ranges!

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House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
High chair provided.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Remove personal items and remove leftover food and drinks
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Main bed: a messy bed is a good bed. Don't strip it or make it. Sofa bed: place used sheets in the bath
Turn off air conditioners and/or heater
Used towels, robes, etc: place in the bath
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Important information

You need to know

Property Registration Number ABN 22853775898
Property # 9290319
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 fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
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 Emerald, a neighbourhood in Melbourne, this apartment is in the mountains and on a lake. Puffing Billy Steam Train and Cape Schanck boardwalk are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include Australian Rainbow Trout Farm and Tesselaar's Bulbs and Flowers. Consider Sooki Lounge for a night out or Cloudehill Nursery and Gardens if you're travelling with kids. Power boating and fishing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with mountain climbing and hiking/biking trails nearby.
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Map
Emerald, VIC

What's nearby

  • Emerald Lake Park - 2 min drive - 0.8 km
  • Wright Forest Bushland Reserve - 3 min drive - 1.9 km
  • Clematis Park Bushland Reserve - 4 min drive - 3.4 km
  • Gemco Community Theatre - 4 min drive - 3.4 km
  • Emerald Bushland Reserve - 4 min drive - 3.4 km

Getting around

  • Emerald Station - 3 min drive
  • Belgrave Station - 19 min drive
  • Melbourne, VIC (MEB-Essendon) - 65 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Edison Bakehouse - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪The Railway Dog - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Bam Bam Italian - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪The General Food Store - ‬20 min walk
  • ‪Big Al's Pizza - ‬2 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Funky, art-inspired holiday apartment | Emerald, Vic pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Funky, art-inspired holiday apartment | Emerald, Vic?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Funky, art-inspired holiday apartment | Emerald, Vic?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Funky, art-inspired holiday apartment | Emerald, Vic?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Funky, art-inspired holiday apartment | Emerald, Vic located?

This family-friendly Melbourne apartment building is located on a lake, within 2 mi (3 km) of Emerald Lake Park and Mount Majestic Bushland Reserve. Sassafras Creek Nature Conservation Reserve and Cardinia Reservoir are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

9.8

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. 32 out of 35 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 35 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 35 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 35 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 35 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.6/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sheryl C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This property was a beautiful, quiet place to stay. Had everything you needed for either a long or short term stay. Carmel was a great host and nothing was too much trouble. I would definitely stay again if we are ever in the area.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Michelle T.

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

Beautiful and quiet

Was a lovely place to stay. Carmel was a great host and definitely recommend staying there. Plenty to see and a beautiful area of Victoria.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 5 April 2025
Thanks for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed your stay. Welcome back any time.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cath B.

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

Cozy and Fun

We had a great stay at Carmel’s cozy BnB. Lovely and warm on a cold night, generous breakfast and Emerald is a great place to visit. Highly recommended.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 8 November 2025
So pleased you enjoyed your stay. thanks for being great guests. welcome back any time.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Charlene

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
Amazing property to stay at. The house was clean, tidy and full of amazing little surprises (books, toys, games, etc). The breakfast bar was full of yummy things, and Carmen made sure we had all we needed before leaving us to ourselves. We will be staying here again!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jacek M.

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

Beautiful Emerald

Pleasant stay, a bit small place but clean and tidy. Beautiful cottage garden
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 30 April 2025
Glad you liked your stay and pleased u explored the garden too. thanks for being awesome.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Siyong L.

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

Awesome stay!

This is a well-decorated artistic and lovely place to stay! Carmel is an amazing host! I 200% recommend this place!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 31 July 2022
Can't top 200%! LOL. Thanks for the great review. So pleased you enjoyed your stay :)
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jasmine S.

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

Amazing family stay

Our little family of 4 had a wonderful stay. The tree house & tree swing were a big hit with our kids (ages 4 & 7) & we all loved the massive bath. Would definitely recommend.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 26 April 2021
It was lovely having you stay. So glad the kids enjoyed their time here. Thanks for being such great guests.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sandra H.

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

Beautiful location and home

We absolutely loved our stay. Carmel was a perfect host and provided us with a lovely tour and handy information. We loved the board games and the beautiful garden.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 8 July 2023
So pleased you enjoyed your stay, Sandra. Thanks for being great guests and welcome back anytime :)
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tony G.

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

Peaceful and relaxing

Great place in Emerald
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 15 July 2022
Thanks Tony! Welcome back any time :)
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Phil R.

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

Definitely Funky

Great stay from start to finish. Delightful ,informative ,unobtrusive host . Lovely breakfast provisions . We will be back
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 24 August 2022
Thanks so much for the great feedback. It makes me truly happy to know that you enjoyed your stay. Welcome back anytime :)
Verified

8/10 Good

Gren J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Good hideaway in emerald

Lovely place and great to unwind. We like our privacy so it was good to relax. It’s probably a good idea to mention to the owner if you would rather not be disturbed during your stay, as the owner also lives on the property.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Peter W.

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

Quiet hideaway in the hills

Great property, in a quiet and peaceful location with a garden, rosellas and cockatoos. Close to Puffing Billy and other attractions. Has all the facilities you need for more than just an overnight stay - bedroom, lounge room, and full kitchen. Highly recommended.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 25 August 2023
It was great having you both here and lovely to hear you enjoyed the property. Hope the Puffing Billy conference went well.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michelle B.

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

Complete Serenity

Such a beautiful gem. Carmel is a great host, thinking of everything you may need. Her home has so many interesting books and artwork, it was great to explore. We had breakfast watching a king parrot and rosella's eating seat just metres from our seat. Plus, perfectly located in Emerald to explore the Dandenong Ranges.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 31 July 2022
It warms my heart to hear that you enjoyed your stay. I love watching the birds too. Thanks for being great guests :)
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Yuping L.

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

Good

Good
Stayed 1 night in May 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 8 July 2023
Glad to have had you as guests :)
Verified

10/10 Excellent

phillip j.

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

A couple of days away.

We stayed for 4 nights and it was great. Very quiet and peaceful and we got to rejuvenate our batteries. It didn't matter that it rained the entire time. Carmel was very friendly and accommodating and the supplies were plentiful. Enjoyed ourselves so much, we would be happy to return again. With out the rain.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 27 December 2020
Would love to see you back anytime! Thanks for being such great guests.
Verified

4/10 Poor

Michelle I.

Liked: Cleanliness, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy

I won't be returning

The amenities were adequate, although 2 people could not fit into the bathtub comfortably, even though Carmel stated they could. My main issue is the fact that Carmel specifically stated that we should open all the drawers in the bedroom and lounge room and see what's inside them all. So once Carmel left, looking through the bedroom we found tarot cards, reading runes, a ouiji board and dream dictionary all in the bedroom drawers she told us to open. It really felt like her spiritual views were pushed onto us and made me and hubby feel very uncomfortable. I messaged Carmel afterwards to inform her that we felt very uncomfortable about what was found and there was no response. If someone has spiritual beliefs that welcomes items such as a ouiji board and tarot cards, this place would be a great oasis, if not I suggest skipping this place and finding something else. Maybe you can speak to Carmel about removing those items if its not your thing. Honestly I won't be going back.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 24 August 2022
Everyone has different preferences and I am very sorry you did not find the little "extras" to your taste. Just to clarify, I have no strong spiritual beliefs and have no intention of pushing any ideology on anyone. I don't even know how to read Tarot or Runes LOL. The items in the bedroom are provided just to offer a bit of fun for guests - to explore if they so choose. One key point to note is that there is definitely no Ouji Board! There are however many other quirky things in the drawers like funny books, puzzles and card games, in addition to the items you mentioned. Again, I apologise if 3 of our many little surprises offended you. We've had nothing but positive feedback about the special extras from past guests.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kate S.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Picture perfect

Fantastic. Even better than the pictures
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 21 May 2022
Thanks very much, Kate. So glad you enjoyed your stay. Welcome back any time :)
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kerry A.

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

Lovely getaway

A beautiful tranquil setting, the cottage was beautiful with every detail accommodated for. The Host Carmel was warm and welcoming. And a beautiful walk to a lovely private lake is on offer. Thank you for a lovely stay Carmel
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 28 May 2022
So pleased you enjoyed your stay and took the time to venture to the lake. It's a little local surprise. Thanks for being great guests. Welcome back any time :)
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennie P.

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

Amazing place

What a gem, from the soft towels to the covers and quilts and the finer details of how this place is decorated and fitted with essentials its an amazing place for the family to hide out and relax to enjoy the beautiful gardens and nature surrounding it. We loved every corner of this place. We must return to discover more local places as we only stayed 1 night for a family wedding but fell in love with the place. Thank you so much for your hospitality it was a pleasure.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 13 January 2022
Lovely to have had you here. Thanks for being great guests and so pleased you enjoyed your stay. Welcome back any time.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Pete

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Carmel, the host, has thought of everything and was extremely helpful and friendly. We loved exploring both the apartment and the grounds.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

R F.

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

Quirky, clean and cosy.

Carmel was a wonderful host and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. All of the small touches didn’t go unnoticed and were much appreciated. The kids loved the uno cards and the breakfast provisions were a lovely addition. We wouldn’t hesitate to stay again when in the area next. Thank you!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 6 December 2021
Thanks so much for the lovely review. It would be a pleasure to have you back any time.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Isabel P.

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

Lovely stay

Had a lovely stay! Property is clean and has a lot of character. Great location, close to the main shops and things to do. Breakfast supplies was a nice touch, would definitely stay here again. Thank you Carmel.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 6 December 2021
So glad you enjoyed your stay, Isabel. It was a pleasure having you here.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rachael J.

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

Great home!

Fabulous property, very lovely owner!
Stayed 1 night in May 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 28 May 2021
Thanks for your kind words and glad you enjoyed your stay.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth N.

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

Accommodating accommodation

We really appreciated the way a request for something a little extra was delivered so graciously. Loved the food available for breakfast. Garden and birds delightful. Thanks. Would definitely recommend.
Response from VrboOwner on 28 May 2021
So pleased you enjoyed your stay and thanks for being such great guests.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Melissa F.

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

Lovely home in a quiet place

Our stay at Carmel's place was very relaxing. The house is very nice, tucked away between the forest and a lovely garden. Carmel was helpful and very accommodating with us, having to reschedule our visit because of lockdown. Would definitely recommend and would stay here gain.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 20 April 2021
Thanks for being such great guests. Welcome back any time.

About the host

Hosted by Carmel Hill

Host profile image
Hi, I’m Carmel and I love having guests stay at Ferny Hill Retreat. Sharing the beauty of Emerald and the Dandenong Ranges with others is a genuine pleasure.

Born and raised in Melbourne, I caught the travel bug after completing university and have done a fair bit of globe-trotting since.

These days I'm into all sorts of things: gardening, reading, meditation, interior design, nature, writing, country drives, travel, art galleries, social media, movies, geeky stuff, dining out, friends, family and making a mess in my art studio.

So that's a snapshot of yours truly. It would be lovely to have you stay at Ferny Hill Retreat. Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.

Why they chose this property

Not long after my tree-change to beautiful Emerald, I said to myself, “I’d love to share my quiet corner of nature with others.“ At the time I didn’t realise this small wish would become the inspiration for a self-contained, holiday apartment that everybody could enjoy. Today, Ferny Hill Retreat offers guests a private, self-contained getaway – with special touches of whimsy and magic – right in the heart of the Dandenong Ranges.

What makes this property unique

Art-inspired, inside and out
Quiet, leafy location, yet close to all the action
Fully equipped - just like a home away from home
Designed with complete privacy in mind
Recently renovated - fresh, trendy style
Garden setting with whimsical statuary and fire pit
A Fairy Village to add a splash of enchantment
Spotless - professionally cleaned between each visit
Only minutes from Puffing Billy and Emerald Park Lake
Outdoor security cameras for extra peace of mind.

Languages:

English

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