Otway Eco Retreat

Offering stunning views of the Otways and surrounding countryside, this modern and architecturally designed house gives you privacy and tranquillity, creating the ideal getaway. Completely off-grid, you get treated to nature and abundant wildlife, all while perfectly located to explore the surrounding local eateries, lush rainforests and beaches on the Great Ocean Road. Only a couple of minutes off the main road, the property is bordered on two sides by the Great Otway National Park. The space This architecturally designed contemporary house is entirely off grid, utilising passive solar design, with ceilings that rake up towards the views and draw in the valley below through floor to ceiling windows, creating a space that is peaceful and open. Perched up on the top of a hill, the light filled house offers stunning 360 degree views over farmland and the Otway Forest with unbeatable sunrises and sunsets. Please note, as we are off-grid there is a limit to power usage of split systems for heating and cooling and electric vehicles cannot be charged at the property. Living and Entertainment The living room and kitchen feature polished concrete floors and a beautiful island bench made from reclaimed timber from the old Northcote Bowling Alley. The fully equipped kitchen comes with a wood-fired aga, perfect for slow cooking in the colder months. The interiors are furnished with a mix of vintage and modern furniture, warm colours offset by the textured grey rendered walls. The generous built in bookshelf has a large selection of books for your enjoyment. There is a smart tv for all your bingeing desires, however we wager that you’ll be unable to tear your eyes away from the view or the roaring fire. The Otway Eco Retreat has a way of slowing down time and enabling you to enjoy life at a different pace. This spacious home has something to offer in all seasons, from warm evening bbq’s on the Weber in summer, to curling up in front of the fire and watching thunderstorms roll through in winter. Stocked with games for young and old, the large garden is the perfect place to enjoy Bocce, Kubb, cricket and badminton. Surrounded by forest, you can experience plenty of local wildlife around the house, including eagles, koalas and echidnas. Kangaroos regularly drop by the house early in the morning and evening, and can often be spotted stealing apples from the orchard. You’ll have a restorative night's slumber under the expanse of stars in calm surroundings with the sounds of the nearby pobblebonk frogs. We love animals and dogs are welcome to stay in the house (strictly no cats please). Be aware it’s a working farm and cattle are often in the paddock next to the house, so dogs must only be off lead if they won’t run under the wire fence. Note that most fences on the farm are electric and be mindful that kangaroos frequent the garden in the morning and at night. This is also worth being aware of when driving on the surrounding roads Bedrooms and Bathrooms The house comfortably sleeps 6 adults, with three generous north facing bedrooms that all take in the incredible views. It can be increased to 8 occupants with the use of the pull out sofa bed in the study. Please note that the master bedroom is accessed through the study so if this is used as a bedroom the occupants will need to either walk through the study to get to the kitchen/living areas or exit the bedroom through the external sliding door and enter the living room via the deck. The master bedroom has floor to ceiling windows that open out towards the east and north, perfect for enjoying the beautiful sunrises from the comfort of your bed. It features a walk-in robe and a spacious ensuite with a deep bath and a view of the forest. This is the perfect place to switch off and enjoy a glass of red wine. The study has a comfortable couch that can fold out to a double bed. There is a desk for if you choose to work and a bright play area for kids, complete with chairs & table, games and toys. The second wing of the house contains a further two bedrooms, creating privacy from the communal areas. The middle bedroom has two king single beds while the west bedroom has a queen bed. This wing also contains a powder room and a spacious bathroom complete with walk in shower. The laundry is located at the end of the house and doubles as a mud room during the winter months. Guest access The whole house and garden is yours to enjoy for the duration of your stay Other things to note Whether you are a foodie, nature lover or wanting an active break, there is a wealth of experiences in the area. If you plan on cooking, the Forrest General Store Café and Yield Provisions Store in Birregurra both offer locally sourced gourmet produce and ready made meals, plus make delicious coffee. If you’d like to explore the region's food and drink, stop in at the iconic Forrest Brewery for a meal or enjoy the beautiful garden at At Dar Tèta, where you’ll find authentic homestyle Mediterranean food and local wine. For an unforgettable culinary experience, we are just 15 minutes from Brae, which is regularly voted one of Australia’s best restaurants with 3 chef hats. If you stay over summer, be sure to drop into Very Berry Orchid to pick up organic berries from Wally, or a little further away is the Pennyroyal Raspberry Farm and Cidery. Directly from the doorstep you can enjoy a multitude of bushwalks and bike rides, and if you venture only a little further to Forrest you will be able to access an array of mountain bike trails for beginners to experts that weave through the Great Otway National Park. On foot you can explore the beautiful rainforest walks along the Forrest rail trail or around Lake Elizabeth. With so many hiking trails to choose from it can be difficult to decide which to try, however the incredible Californian Redwoods towering on the sheltered river flat at the Aire Valley Plantation are a worthy day trip. If you are feeling adventurous head to Live Wire Park, with a 120 meter suspended pathway through amongst the native Blue Gums, an elevated trampolining net park and Australia’s most extreme zip line. The pristine beaches of the Great Ocean Road are a short, serene drive away with Lorne just 30 minutes through the forest and Apollo Bay 45 minutes. The drive itself through the beautiful Great Otway National Park would be worth the trip alone but the beaches are famed for good reason. However, if you are like us you’ll find yourself trying to time your return to the house so that you get to have a drink on the deck at sunset. We hope you love your stay as much as we always love being there.