Relax and connect with nature in the Margaret River Region.
As any visitor to the area knows, the Margaret River Region is a special place.
It’s the perfect spot to indulge in a little ‘me’ time, with forest walks, outdoor baths under the stars, and cosy evenings in front of a roaring woodfire. If seclusion is the goal, these places will deliver it in spades.
Get away from it all with these rural retreats where privacy rules.
Escaping the rat race never looked so appealing. Forest Rise Chalets & Lodge is eco-accredited accommodation with the motto of ‘rest, revival and reconnection’ – and you’ll be glad to know, it’s exactly what it says on the tin.
The team at Forest Rise Chalets & Lodge have won a ton of awards in their category, and it’s not hard to see why. Guests can reserve either self contained chalets or an entire homestead on this 97-hectare lakeside forest property. King beds, spas, and wood fires come as standard, as well as spa bathrooms with skylights so guests can enjoy the night sky in the privacy of the chalet.
Being eco-friendly isn’t just an empty catchphrase at Yelverton Brook Eco Spa Retreat & Conservation Sanctuary. As the name suggests, it is located within a 40-hectare conservation sanctuary, and the chalets are literally surrounded by native wildlife, including kangaroos, ringtailed possums, and the critically endangered woylie.
Indeed, for more than 10 years owners Joy and Simon have been running a woylie breeding program with the assistance of DPaW and Perth Zoo, helping to add to the local population of this adorable yet threatened creature, and guests are invited to make donations to improve the property’s predator-proof fence.
When it comes to human care, products are bought locally and organically whenever possible, and visitors are encouraged to be mindful about their energy consumption. While this might sound a little like an eco-warrior boot camp, the reality couldn’t be further from the truth.
Old-fashioned country hospitality and charming private cottages make a stay at Yelverton Brook a stress-free break. Each chalet has its own outdoor hydrotherapy massage spa, best enjoyed under the stars (which you can actually see, being well away from the light pollution of the big smoke), and guests can enjoy beauty and massage treatments in the privacy of their own cottages.
Guests are actively encouraged to feed and pet the local animals that invariably come snuffling around, or go for walks and picnics in the many trails and quiet spots the untouched bushland provides. The peaceful atmosphere explains why Yelverton Brook is popular with honeymooners, but it’s just as appealing for anyone looking to reconnect with the natural environment.
Privacy is the key at Harmony Forest Villas. The property offers eight self-contained cabins dotted about between the thick karri forest, placed in such a way as to ensure seclusion for every visitor. With large windows, a fully-equipped kitchen and dining area, the two-bedroom cottages are the perfect place to kick back and switch off from the pressures of the urban grind.
Each of the property’s cabins are hidden within a grove of karri trees, obscuring the rest of the world from sight. The cabins are designed to take advantage of this ultra privacy, with every single bedroom looking directly into the forest. It’s possible to check in and enjoy an entirely self-contained break for the duration of your stay with a barbecue and iPod-compatible entertainment system encouraging you to stay put and enjoy the brilliant bush setting.
Your only visitors will be of the furry or feathered kind; kangaroos and possums as well as local wild birds are your neighbours. Wine buffs will also enjoy the fact that Harmony Forest Villas has its own vineyard, producing a highly regarded quality sauvignon blanc bottled by Devil’s Lair Wines under the label Dancing With The Devil (available at the property). The vineyard itself was one of the first in the region to introduce grazing sheep as a way of keeping weeds down and naturally fertilising the root system, and guests will frequently spot Shaun and his friends wandering about among the vines.
So if relaxation and calm is top of your list, Harmony Forest Villas is singing from the same song sheet.
A bona fide hidden gem located off the beaten path a little south of Margaret River township, Karridale Cottages & Hop Farm is the perfect place to live out your fantasy of escaping to a beautiful cabin in the forest.
The rammed earth construction and exposed wooden beams give the cottages a rustic, homey feel but don’t be fooled – there are all the little luxuries you need for a cosy and restorative stay. From the luscious linen to the dreamy claw-foot bath in the couples cottage, this is the kind of place where you can retreat from the world and truly recharge your batteries.
Set on 25 hectares of forest and bush, spend the day exploring the bushwalking tracks through the majestic Karri trees and spotting the local kangaroos, while kids will love the Nature Scavenger Hunt. Jump in the car and visit the iconic Boranup Forest, where you can witness the incredible beauty of natures regeneration after fire. Visit a cave, walk along the coast, or visit a local winery, then retreat back to your little oasis.
A soak in the outdoor bath under the stars is a life-affirming experience that you won’t forget, before relaxing in front of the fireplace. The cottages are self-contained with kitchenettes, and have many eco-friendly features such as solar power and rainwater harvesting.
