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Cosy Heritage Retreat - Pet Friendly Rated as "Exceptional" by previous Guests.
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Reviews
9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
1 bedroom 1 bathroom Sleeps 3
Popular amenities
Explore the area
Geraldton, WA
- Geraldton Visitor Centre1 min drive
- HMAS Sydney II Memorial2 min drive
- Geraldton Beach2 min drive
- Geraldton, WA (GET)12 min drive
Rooms & beds
1 bedroom (sleeps 3)
Bedroom 1
1 Queen Bed
Living Room 1
1 King Sofa Bed
1 bathroom
Bathroom 1
Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo
Spaces
Balcony
About this property
Cosy Heritage Retreat - Pet Friendly Rated as "Exceptional" by previous Guests.
Just the most romantic cottage experience ever!!!
Escape the modern world and stay in the most romantic and unique cottage in the whole of Australia - Monsignor John Cyril Hawes' "THE HERMITAGE"!
Learn more about Monsignor Hawes here: www.monsignorhawes.com
"The Hermitage" was designed by world renowned architect Monsignor John Cyril Hawes. While in Geraldton and the Midwest take time to tour his remarkable buildings including St Francis Xavier Cathedral only 2 minutes away.
This romantic Arts and Crafts cottage is a heritage listed building and deliberately restored to retain its original character and intent as a place of peaceful retreat. If it is escape from the modern world you are seeking, this is the place for you! No TV, no internet, just cosy nooks to read a book and drift away!
As "The Hermitage" is a State listed heritage property, every effort has been made to retain the original character of the building, even down to its original bathroom, toilet and limited kitchen facilities.
The kitchen is not able to cater for full on cooking but there is the basic kettle, toaster, air-fryer, microwave and refrigerator. This all adds to the charm of the place. But who needs a kitchen when literally 100 meters across the road is Best & Western's Hospitality Inn, that provides continental and cooked breakfasts as well as one of Geraldton's best restaurants for an evening meal!
There is a portable water cooler & pedestal fans to keep you cool in the summer and oil heaters to keep you warm in winter.
The hosts live nearby and are available for any queries or assistance anytime.
Although situated close to the CBD "The Hermitage" sits alone on a large piece of fenced land. Monsignor Hawes was a dog breeder and had built into "The Hermitage" a specially designed door to let in his beloved canine companion, Dominie. There was once a carving of his dog on the newel post of the mezzanine stairs, but regretfully, this was stolen many years ago. We hope to replace it one day if we can find a sculptor! So well behaved pets are welcome.
The only neighbours are the very quiet tenants of an adjacent retirement home.
"The Hermitage" provides a perfect place to retreat from the modern world as well as giving easy access to all that Geraldton offers, shops, cafes, laundromats and Geraldton's amazing beaches and of course the heritage of Monsignor Hawes throughout the Midwest and the famous Sydney Memorial.
NOTE WELL: Before booking "The Hermitage", please understand this is a very special heritage listed property of great heritage significance for Australia and internationally. It has been made available for people with a passion for heritage who will take care and treat it with every respect. It is essentially a piece of art, that will give you an authentic immersive experience into the heritage and very person of Monsignor Hawes. If this is what you seek, then please be our guest! If this is not you, then we respectfully request you rent another Stayz property in Geraldton. This way we will all be happy.
Escape the modern world and stay in the most romantic and unique cottage in the whole of Australia - Monsignor John Cyril Hawes' "THE HERMITAGE"!
Learn more about Monsignor Hawes here: www.monsignorhawes.com
"The Hermitage" was designed by world renowned architect Monsignor John Cyril Hawes. While in Geraldton and the Midwest take time to tour his remarkable buildings including St Francis Xavier Cathedral only 2 minutes away.
This romantic Arts and Crafts cottage is a heritage listed building and deliberately restored to retain its original character and intent as a place of peaceful retreat. If it is escape from the modern world you are seeking, this is the place for you! No TV, no internet, just cosy nooks to read a book and drift away!
As "The Hermitage" is a State listed heritage property, every effort has been made to retain the original character of the building, even down to its original bathroom, toilet and limited kitchen facilities.
The kitchen is not able to cater for full on cooking but there is the basic kettle, toaster, air-fryer, microwave and refrigerator. This all adds to the charm of the place. But who needs a kitchen when literally 100 meters across the road is Best & Western's Hospitality Inn, that provides continental and cooked breakfasts as well as one of Geraldton's best restaurants for an evening meal!
There is a portable water cooler & pedestal fans to keep you cool in the summer and oil heaters to keep you warm in winter.
The hosts live nearby and are available for any queries or assistance anytime.
Although situated close to the CBD "The Hermitage" sits alone on a large piece of fenced land. Monsignor Hawes was a dog breeder and had built into "The Hermitage" a specially designed door to let in his beloved canine companion, Dominie. There was once a carving of his dog on the newel post of the mezzanine stairs, but regretfully, this was stolen many years ago. We hope to replace it one day if we can find a sculptor! So well behaved pets are welcome.
The only neighbours are the very quiet tenants of an adjacent retirement home.
"The Hermitage" provides a perfect place to retreat from the modern world as well as giving easy access to all that Geraldton offers, shops, cafes, laundromats and Geraldton's amazing beaches and of course the heritage of Monsignor Hawes throughout the Midwest and the famous Sydney Memorial.
NOTE WELL: Before booking "The Hermitage", please understand this is a very special heritage listed property of great heritage significance for Australia and internationally. It has been made available for people with a passion for heritage who will take care and treat it with every respect. It is essentially a piece of art, that will give you an authentic immersive experience into the heritage and very person of Monsignor Hawes. If this is what you seek, then please be our guest! If this is not you, then we respectfully request you rent another Stayz property in Geraldton. This way we will all be happy.
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Amenities
Pet-friendly
Parking available
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House Rules
Check in after 2:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 10:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Events
No events allowed
Pets
Pets allowed: limit 2 total
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
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 indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
Property Registration Number STRA6530XWEIG20X
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
About the area
Geraldton
Central Geraldton, a neighbourhood in Geraldton, is home to this cottage. Oakabella Homestead and HMAS Sydney II Memorial are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Town Beach and Geraldton Beach.
Geraldton, WA
What's nearby
- Geraldton Regional Art Gallery - 18 min walk - 1.5 km
- Geraldton Visitor Centre - 1 min drive - 1.5 km
- HMAS Sydney II Memorial - 2 min drive - 1.8 km
- Geraldton Beach - 2 min drive - 2.1 km
- Geraldton Fisherman’s Wharf - 4 min drive - 3.5 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- Quiet Life Specialty Coffee - 3 min drive
- KFC - 3 min drive
- Pizza Hut - 16 min walk
- McDonald's - 20 min walk
- Subway - 18 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
9.2
Wonderful
9.2/10
Cleanliness
6.0/10
Amenities
6.0/10
Property conditions & facilities
6.0/10
Eco-friendliness
10/10
Check-in
9.6/10
Communication
9.8/10
Location
10/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
31 Aug 2025
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Lisa H.
24 Aug 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lisa H.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Kaye T.
8 July 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful cottage
Kaye T.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025
8/10 Good
Karen G.
27 Aug 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Karen G.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Tina B.
14 July 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy



Tina B.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Angela D.
16 July 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy




Angela D.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025
8/10 Good
Peter F.
12 July 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peter F.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Callum S.
12 July 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stunning
Callum S.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025
8/10 Good
Rachel W.
9 July 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cute
Rachel W.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Siobhan O.
2 Sept 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Delightful Cottage
Siobhan O.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025
About the host
Hosted by Debra Dianne Mitchell

Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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