Thumb Creek House and private swimming hole

A secluded cottage on the bend of a crystal clear river at the end of a dirt road, Thumb Creek is paradise. There is a bbq, open shower & outdoor bath on a deck overlooking a paddock which reaches down to the river rainforest. Your private swimming hole has a little jetty, deck chairs & a bbq. And it is isolated - an hours scenic drive from the closest town, past Taylors Arm village with the last ten minutes being dirt road & then a shallow river crossing to access the property. The space The beautiful little cottage is in a secluded spot on a farm far away from the nearest town. Influenced by Japanese architecture and the traditional Aussie shed, the cottage opens front and back to allow a cool breeze to flow from the river through rainforest and then through the house during the summer. The house can also be shut up and cosy in the winter - although the shower and bath are both open to the elements. The cottage has an open deck with bbq, deck chairs and bath from which you can gaze up at a starry night sky. If, on a full moon, you are tempted to walk down to the river for a night swim, please take care and keep an eye out for snakes. The comfortable queen size bed has quality linen - and views over the paddock down to the rainforest through which the river threads. The kitchenette is equipped with a three in one oven (convection, air fryer and microwave), a convection hot plate, ceramic water filter, pot, pan, plates, glasses, coffee, tea, milk and sugar plus condiments. There is Starlink wifi and mobile reception in the cottage but not on the river. This is a bush dwelling and the cottage is open to the elements. There are times - seasonal and very occasional - when flying ants or moths visit the valley. When that happens, we will install a net around the bed. We are very lucky in that mozzies are rare. Down on the river, via a short walk through rainforest, there's a private swimming hole with jetty and deck chairs. We usually have a kettle bbq down at the jetty but during extreme fire days, we remove this. The bbq on the cottage deck is always available. We are near the top of the river in a catchment area, and the water is crystal clear and regularly monitored for impurities. Please be aware when swimming that there are submerged logs, and rocks in the river. Absolutely no diving or jumping. Swim at your own risk. Guests assume all responsibility for themselves. River shoes recommended for a walking up river bed. Please no fishing on the river - Thumb Creek Cottage and neighbouring farms provide sanctuary for fish and platypus. There is quite a bit of wildlife on the property - paddy melons and wallabies, blue tongue lizards and goannas, currawongs, regent bower birds, willy wagtails, kookaburras, wompoo pigeons, turtles and snakes. The little house is 2wd accessible unless we are in flood. If the river is too high to drive safely across (ie above 60cm), you can leave your car on the other side of the river, and we will bring you and your gear across with the tractor. Its only a 300m distance across the paddock to the house. This happens rarely and we will notify you in advance. Of course, if this is your preference at any time, we are happy to provide this service. (the tractor has a trailer with a seat). The main house is out of sight but close enough to call on if you run out of anything or have any questions - and questions are especially welcome if you would like to know more about this magical place. We built the cabin as we love to share the incredible story of rejuvenation of this block of land from a to a rainforest retreat. When my parents bought the farm 30 years ago, it had been logged out and was denuded of trees. Regular floods swept huge tracts of land down stream. My parents embarked on an extraordinary project rejuvenating the rainforest along the river, planting more than one thousand trees and reclaiming tonnes of earth swept down from upstream to create the beautiful retreat that they live on today. If you are interested in forest and river rejuvenation, my mum would love to walk you through the property and tell you about the project. Places to visit in The Valley area The famous Pub With No Beer in Taylors Arm, 25 mins up the road, is open every day and often has bands on a weekend. Check out their website for details. Bistro Lunch: 12-2pm every day Bistro Dinner: 5-8pm Wednesday - Saturday Wood Fired Pizzas: 12pm - 8pm everyday Bowraville is a 60 minute drive from Thumb Creek Cottage. This heritage town is in the centre of the Nambucca Valley and is commonly known as ‘The Verandah Post Town’. Bowraville’s main street is lined with veranda-shaded footpaths, cafes, museums, art galleries and a treasure trove of Indigenous art and culture. The town developed around the timber industry which is responsible for the unique streetscape and architecture of Bowraville. It is well known for tourism with attractions such as a folk museum, a war museum, a historic theatre, and other historic buildings Eungai Buffalo Farm and Cafe is 70 minutes drive away at Eungai Creek. A working farm that produces a variety of delicious cheese, gelato, yoghurt and other buffalo products, all available from the Cafe. Opening Hours Friday to Sunday 10 am - 3pm Friday and Saturday nights from 6pm-close Bookings are essential. Please call 6569 9448 Kosekai Lookout is currently a 90 minute steep and rocky drive from the property (4wd only) as the direct and short route to Thumb Creek is currently closed due to land slippage. Near the top of the Bowra Sugarloaf Mountain, Kosekai Lookout has a brilliant view on a clear day toward Nambucca Heads and the sea, and south-east across forests, valleys and many mountain peaks from Yarrahapinni to the Brothers at Port Macquarie. One of the mid north coasts most spectacular 4 wheel drives will take you through Dunggir National Park. Please check out the current driving conditions online by looking up Alerts NSW National Parks - and don't attempt the trip in a 2 wheel drive. Nambucca Valley has a number of growers of organic vegetables and, if you order ahead online, they will leave the produce at their farm gate on your trip out to the cottage. Search Dolly's Run or North Arm Farms online for information. Other things to note Places to visit in The Valley area The famous Pub With No Beer in Taylors Arm, 25 mins up the road, is open every day and often has bands on a weekend. Check out their website for details. Bistro Lunch: 12-2pm every day Bistro Dinner: 5-8pm Wednesday - Saturday Wood Fired Pizzas: 12pm - 8pm everyday Bowraville is a 60 minute drive from Thumb Creek Cottage. This heritage town is in the centre of the Nambucca Valley and is commonly known as ‘The Verandah Post Town’. Bowraville’s main street is lined with veranda-shaded footpaths, cafes, museums, art galleries and a treasure trove of Indigenous art and culture. The town developed around the timber industry which is responsible for the unique streetscape and architecture of Bowraville. It is well known for tourism with attractions such as a folk museum, a war museum, a historic theatre, and other historic buildings Eungai Buffalo Farm and Cafe is 70 minutes drive away at Eungai Creek. A working farm that produces a variety of delicious cheese, gelato, yoghurt and other buffalo products, all available from the Cafe. Opening Hours Friday to Sunday 10 am - 3pm Friday and Saturday nights from 6pm-close Bookings are essential. Please call 6569 9448 Kosekai Lookout is currently a 90 minute steep and rocky drive from the property (4wd only) as the direct and short route to Thumb Creek is currently closed due to land slippage. Near the top of the Bowra Sugarloaf Mountain, Kosekai Lookout has a brilliant view on a clear day toward Nambucca Heads and the sea, and south-east across forests, valleys and many mountain peaks from Yarrahapinni to the Brothers at Port Macquarie. One of the mid north coasts most spectacular 4 wheel drives will take you through Dunggir National Park. Please check out the current driving conditions online by looking up Alerts NSW National Parks - and don't attempt the trip in a 2 wheel drive. Nambucca Valley has a number of growers of organic vegetables and, if you order ahead online, they will leave the produce at the farm gate on your trip out to the cottage. Search Dolly's Run or North Arm Farms online for information. Registration Details PID-STRA-73914