The Stonehouse Retreat (Esk Ravensbourne)

This unique hand-built masterpiece of natural stone, raw timbers, recycled materials and polished concrete, sits on the edge of the escarpment at 500m....cool breezes. Fire Place for winter. 80 min from Brisbane CBD Ideal for 3 x couples or 6 people. Sleeps 8 if the optional 4th bedroom (which is more basic and "functional") is added by booking guest numbers 7 - 8. Offgrid power - modern system. Pet Friendly. Close to ESK, RAVENSBOURNE, Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. VERY PRIVATE. The space This house is unique and slightly quirky, in a good way. It is hand build from site quarried stone, timbers milled on site, polished concrete floors, fire place, recycled doors from old railway buildings, windows re-birthed from the Royal Women's Hospital at Herston, FULLY OFF GRID solar design. Set on 175 acres of Australian Bush and INCREDIBLE VIEWS. The standard setup is 3 x bedrooms - all king beds. There is an "optional extra" 4th bedroom - sleeps 2 / King Bed - extra costs apply for additional guests / and or use of the extra / 4th bedroom. This extra bedroom is more basic and best described as "comfortably functional". It is accessed via a shared walkway with one of the other main bedrooms...it is idea for kids or extra members of the same family unit. The house is probably ideal for a max of 6 x people or 3 couples. The 4th bedroom space is available...if it suits and the layout limitations are accepted. Yes we are Pet Friendly... extra PET STAY FEE applies. max 2 dogs. Conditions apply. Your setting - The house is IN the Australian Bush...right in it. It is like being in your very own National Park! In fact there is one across the road and, one up the road and, down the road. AMAZING VIEWS. If you love the bush you will love it! Note: If you hate the bush and the dynamic elements that go with it, it is maybe not a property for you. ie. a goanna cruising past (outside), a micro bat (Terry - tiny critters) visiting on dusk chasing insects, an eagle soaring by, finches flitting about, gheckos keeping spiders under control, a possum (Jazzy) running over the roof, a koala (Reg) running security, general wildlife big and small etc etc. It is an active eco system! VERY PRIVATE. It is also a "working property" (the Stonehouse Retreat... on Wybalena) so there may be activities occurring during your stay but these will not impact the area around the house or your peace and privacy. You would be informed of any other activity likely to be obvious. We like our weekends too so "works activity" on weekends would be very occassional and low impact. Safety / Risks - You will be in a dynamic bush environment. As such there is a need assess and manage risks. Look up, look around, look down...tune in! There are trees that could drop limbs (don't park under them), slippery rocks and leaves on simple bush walking tracks, natural waterbodies / waterhole to enjoy...and where you MUST actively manage kids. These realities are part of the natural bush setting. Only YOU can keep you and yours safe! If floors get wet they will be slippery...dry up spills etc. Note: Being an OFF GRID property means there are a few very simple logistics tasks. All very easy to do....but most certainly part of the experience. If you view this as "part of an interesting experience", great. If you (or members of your group) view this type of task as "troublesome and annoying" the property is maybe not for you / them. None of this is onerous.....there is just no Alexa, Suri or goggle controlled gizmos. WiFi - There is no dedicated in house WiFi but the coverage id great and your hotspot will work fine. Key descriptors our happy guests use: ....wow, private, views, views, views, eco, rustic, very comfortable, repurposed materials all with a story, unique, peaceful, quiet, bird song, Australia, nostalgic, simple, sustainable, earthy, relaxed. If you are looking for descriptors like... sophisticated, ultra modern, white, The Block, the Gold Coast / Versace, central climate control, app controlled lighting etc. it is maybe not going to hit the mark. It is however very very nice. Guest access You get...the house, access to the bush waterhole (competent adult supervision essential), Ravensbourne National Park, local cafes and country pubs, antique stores. On property walking tracks and, off property trails for mountain biking in adjacent State Forest. Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Lakes Cressbrook, Somerset and Wivenhoe dams, and plenty of great day drives. The views from the huge decks are amazing. very private. The house is all on one level. no steps. VERY accessible for people of all mobility levels. Driveway - it is a good all weather dirt road / track. A Mazda 3 would have no hassles. A Ferrari may not like it. 400m from the front gate to the house. No undercover parking. Please ensure the gate is closed and locked after entry or exit. Other things to note IMPORTANT INFORMATION: The house is set in the Australian Bush...right in it! There are critters about. Some may visit. Jazzy the possum may skoot across the roof. Terry the micro bat may visit to help with insects if you leave lights on....tiny and harmless. The wedgies can often be seen surfing the thermals and the magnificent Black Cockatoos love the forest. Native geckos are amazing...and part of the ecosystem, natural pest control. Reg the koala is head of security and covert ops. If this excites you great. If it terrifies you or insults your need for sanitised separation from nature (in all its mystery) it is not a house or property for you. It is real, dynamic..and spectacular! Risks.. This property is set in the bush. It is impossible to remove all risks eg. gum leaves on bush tracks, sloping ground, trees with limbs, trip / slip hazards, a water hole, fences, storms, fire risks etc. YOU (and your guests) are solely accountable and responsible for identifying, assessing and managing the risks associated with all activities you undertake while on the property. Children must be supervised by a competent adult at all times. It is a DYNAMIC bush environment. No liability for loss, damage, injury etc is accepted by the property owner / operator at any point in time. This is a condition accepted by ALL members of your group for duration of the stay, and thereafter. Snakes etc are part of the natural environment and while not generally an issue they are a logical reality / possibility. Be snake wise and prepared, particularly outdoors in spring / summer. Carry a first aid kit / snake bite bandage if outdoors and know how to respond. eg. stay still, apply a pressure bandage appropriately, call 000...stay STILL unless movement is essential due to other significant risks. If you see a snake do not engage with it, stay still and back away slowly if safe to do so. The snake will usually move on trying to escape to safety. NEVER try to kill the snake. Fire Risk... All fire restrictions MUST be adhered to by law. Failure to do so could result in significant liability. Bottomline...if you light it, it is YOUR fire! FIres only in designated fire pit areas and with specific agreement. They must be managed, monitored and fully extinguished after use. HOT ASH can smoulder for some time....apply water to all hot ash. Ticks... They can be common all year but particularly in spring / summer. Check yourself and pets. Tick protection for pets is strongly advised. Water Supply.. All water is harvested on site and is untreated. If you are concerned about "drinking water" please BYO. The water is likely better than the,water coming out of the pipes in Brisbane. Your call. A 5 litre cube on the kitchen bench is easy to set up if you are concerned. Other... Minimum night stays - weekend 2 nights (Friday / Saturday nights) Fri Sat nights not generally spit unless part of a longer booking or, same rate applies if split. All Public Holidays longweekends are a 3 x night min. Easter is a 4 x night min. A standard booking for 6 people assumes the use of the 3 x Main Bedrooms. Use of the optional 4th bedroom "in addition" to 3 main bedrooms triggers costs associated with "additional guests". If preferred, the 4th bedroom could be substituted with one of the other bedrooms if that configuration was more optimal. Most likely swap is the Main Queen / Bedroom 3 for 4th bedroom that has both a queen and a single. NOTE: The "optional extra" 4th bedroom is more functional and basic..not as snazzy...ideal for kids or extra guests. The 4th bedroom is a sleeping space...basic. The 4th bedroom is not supplied unless "booking numbers" exceed 6 or if otherwise agreed by swapping out another bedroom. It is an optional extra that carries an additional cost. Cost is factored in by using guest numbers above 6 and as per reality of group size. ie. 7, 8 or 9. Nightly rates / minimum night stay may vary for peak periods, school and public holidays. 3 night minimum long weekends. Security Bond required: $300. Should be included in Airbnb booking. A Guest Info Pack is provided at the time of booking. If the booking relates to a function or event this will need to be fully disclosed and agreed before a booking is accepted. Special Terms and different rates may apply. Non disclosure would result in cancellation of the booking or being asked to vacate the property without refund. Maximum number of additional "day visitor guests / non - staying" is 4 unless otherwise agreed. Pet Stays. Pets welcome - additional fees apply / $80 - $100 per stay. Max 2 x dogs. Pets allowed inside but NOT in bedrooms. There is a secure "pet lounge room" on the end of the verandah and the verandah is secure. There is no fence around the house itself...just 180 acres of bushland. It is a bush setting. please understand this. If you don't like being in the bush and surrounded by magnificent nature, it is possibly not for you. 12 min to Esk. 10 min to Ravensbourne. 30 min to Crows Nest. 50 min to Toowoomba Inspections are only available by arrangement. Bookings are required in advance. Our cancellation policy shows as Strict / Non Refundable. In reality we always strive for a reasonable win win outcome if demonstrable unforeseen events impact our guests ability to travel or stay as planned. Note: Covid is an unfortunate and unpredictable reality for us all. It is part of our known landscape as a risk...like the weather! While we will always work with guests to find a win win the risk of booking needs to be shared 50:50, not owned by only one party. We can not provide free travel insurance. Getting Covid travel insurance is impossible these days. Guests book accepting at least 50% of the risk. Lets hope it all settles soon. Stay safe.