Entire home

Willowhaven - Rustic & Vintage

Photo gallery for Willowhaven - Rustic & Vintage

Beach
Living area
Living area
Living area
Dining

Reviews

7.2 out of 10
Good
5 bedrooms0+ bathroomsSleeps 13

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
Skenes Creek, Apollo Bay, VIC
  • Great Ocean Road Waterfront
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Centre
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Apollo Bay Harbour
    ‪8 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 13)

Room 1

1 Queen Bed

Room 2

1 Queen Bed

Room 3

1 Double Bed

Room 4

1 Single Bunk Bed

Room 5

3 Single Beds and 1 Single Bunk Bed

1 half bathroom

Room 6

Shower only

Room 7

Toilet

Spaces

Balcony
Garden

About this property

Willowhaven - Rustic & Vintage

Imagine your family and friends relaxing in this rustic, classic 1950's beach house. Situated in a semi-rural location within a magnificent 5 acre garden setting, with expansive lawns and European style gardens, enclosed by Skenes Creek where you can fish for trout or paddle down to the beach. This property is set back 200m from the surf at the Skenes Creek Beach, giving privacy and access.

Guests can also wander through the orchard, where lemons and apples grow in abundance, or can observe koalas and other wildlife over the creek. You can also enjoy the rustic tennis court or play cricket or croquet on the rolling lawns. You will love the privacy, location, peace and tranquility on offer at Willowhaven, as well as everything you expect of a traditional beach holiday.

Enjoy a picnic and a glass of wine at one of the many spots dotted along the tree lined creek bank, in the outdoor BBQ area, or on the balcony overlooking the garden. The expansive and picturesque garden surrounds have also provided the perfect back drop for weddings and other functions, and many other successful and memorable events.

If you are interested in booking this property for an event or wedding, please enquire with our office to check availability and terms and conditions.

A short 5-minute drive will see you at Chris Beacon Point restaurant where you can indulge your passion for fine dining with family and friends. A 6km drive away is Apollo Bay, where you can sample the delights of the many cafes and restaurants in the town centre, play a round of golf, stock up with essential items from one of the 2 supermarkets, or buy or rent your fishing and beach gear.

The main house features 4 bedrooms for 8 people, plus a timber cottage for 5 adults or children, with a main bathroom, laundry, open kitchen, dining and lounge area plus additional second dining/lounge area with wood fire, parking for 4/5 vehicles and all the items you will ever need to enjoy your holiday. The great attractions of this property are its maintained garden, creek setting and its location near the beach. The house is comfortable with a great layout for an older style rustic beach house.

The location is perfect for Otway Mountains cycling, hiking and destinations such as the Otway Fly and the Redwood Forest. It is midway along the Great Ocean Rd so well placed for accessing sites such as the 12 Apostles as well as the beaches and towns of the Surf Coast. It can be visited via the Great Ocean Rd or through the Otways via Forrest Colac Road.

Note, the cottage that sleeps 5 guests is located separately from the house across the lawn and does not have its own bathroom facilities or fireplace.
There will be an extra person fee for any groups of more than 8 guests.

Linen not provided (Hire is available)

Firewood is only supplied from May to October.

Strictly no fire on the grounds or in the cottage, fire is to be restricted to the fireplace in the main house.

Pet friendly outside only; yard not fully fenced.

No tents allowed on the property.

Strict No Party Policy (schoolies, hens, bucks etc)

Forced move in days may apply over peak times. See terms and conditions

Charging of electric vehicles is not permitted and this is done the cost will be charged in full plus a 50% service charge.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Washing machine
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue
Fireplace

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
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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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Skenes Creek

Located in Skenes Creek, this holiday home is near the beach. Great Ocean Road Waterfront and Apollo Bay Harbour are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Apollo Bay Coastal Reserve and Wild Dog Creek Streamside Reserve. Discover the area's water adventures with surfing/body boarding and fishing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling and mountain biking.
Map
Skenes Creek, Apollo Bay, VIC

What's nearby

  • Skenes Creek Beachfront Park - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Great Ocean Road Waterfront - 6 min drive - 6.4 km
  • Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Centre - 8 min drive - 7.2 km
  • Marriners Lookout - 8 min drive - 7.5 km
  • Apollo Bay Harbour - 8 min drive - 7.9 km

Getting around

  • Melbourne, VIC (AVV-Avalon) - 108 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪George's Food Court - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Great Ocean Road Brewhouse - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Apollo Bay Hotel - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Apollo Bay Fishermen's Co-Op - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Chopstix Asian Noodle Bar - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Willowhaven - Rustic & Vintage pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Willowhaven - Rustic & Vintage?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Willowhaven - Rustic & Vintage?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Willowhaven - Rustic & Vintage located?

Situated near the beach, this holiday home is within a 10-minute walk of Apollo Bay Coastal Reserve and Skenes Creek Beachfront Park. Old Cable Station Museum and Wild Dog Creek Streamside Reserve are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

7.2

Good

5.8/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Check-in

8.8/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

7.2/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 3 out of 18 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 18 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 18 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 18 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 18 reviews

Reviews

8/10 Good

Olena Z.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

Excellent location, views and property land and garden area.wished house to be cleaned a bit better.

Excellent anyway
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

2/10 Terrible

Nick L.

Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stay Away!

Pics are deceiving. Very run down and dirty. BBQ is absolutely disgusting. Very disappointing.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

6/10 Okay

Jenn and andre M.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy

Need to update photos

We stayed at skenes creek which they have no photos of the actual house but when we asked they said it just needed a bit of maintenance but when we arrived it needed more than just a bit of maintenance. And seriously need to update photos of property and some renovations but the land and the scenery and overall atmosphere it was good just need to fix the house for it to be fit for people be comfortable like need new mattresses and a new couch because the springs in the bed are poking through the bed into your side and the couch your better off sitting on the floor
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2022

8/10 Good

Renee T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Perfect location

Absoloutley stunning gardens.. the house is older and had quite a strong damp, musty smell.. (i just sprayed essential oils around the rooms and lounge area) that was the only fault.. We enjoyed our stay and would go again..
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022

4/10 Poor

MELANIE H.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Willowhaven Skenes Creek

We stayed here for 7 nights over xmas. The grounds were amazing. The house however needs heaps of work, very rundown! Very expensive for what you get. House needs to be bowled over or a massive renovation. Couch in lounge needs to go to the dump, toilet leaks, needs repainting inside and out. Bit dissapointed for the money we paid.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2021

8/10 Good

Sarah I.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

Family getaway

Relaxing getaway, very old house (and dirty in some parts) but lovely garden, nice to explore, no wifi and poor telephone coverage which wasn’t too bad apart from the teens, would be lovely in summer. On the more expensive side considering cleanliness, no linen and bedding. Great to be able to take our dog however.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021

2/10 Terrible

Joey M.

Liked: Location
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy

A Farcry from Rustic Beach House #dump

"Complete Misrepresentation" would be an understatement when describing the property in comparison to the images contained within the property listing. The property itself is stunning and the photos probably don't do it justice. However, that is where it ends. The house itself is a bit of a dump and in much need of a renovation. The carpets, beds and window coverings are dusty, stained and stink like mold. Nothing in the house is square. The tiles are all cracked. It leaks like a sieve. The electric cooktop is total garbage. Barely any of the doors actually close. The toilet is rooted. The TV is the very first inception of a flat panel TV that was released Circa 1982. I would rather sit / lay on a bed of nails instead of the couch that sits in front of TV. The max output of any of the light fittings is approx 140 lumens and gives you the look and feel of a horror movie set. There are absolutely zero basic amenities provided. There were some good points. The fireplace worked ok. The cottage came in handy. All in all, we still had a good time and it didn't stop us punishing copious quantities of well drinks.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

6/10 Okay

Greg E.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy

Great location. Poor accommodation

The location and grounds of this property are fabulous. The house however is ready for the wrecking ball. It is downright dangerous for small children, broken bunk beds, rusty steel fixtures and one bedroom is 150 meters from the main house! Doors don’t close. The septic tank smells. Wooden windows are rotten and don’t open. Drafts when it’s cold. Floor surface broken and uneven. Furniture is straight from hard rubbish collection. Doona covers and mattresses protectors are dirty. Lamps flicker with electrical faults. Branches rubbing on the house keep you up at night. No price point can justify this very low standard.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2021

8/10 Good

Georgia B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

Fabulous property with gorgeous land. House had a definite charm to it, beautiful fireplace and great social areas. The highlight was definitely the garden, it’s perfect for a game of rounders or a spot of fishing. Thanks for the stay! We’ll be back

10/10 Excellent

Alison R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great get away

Stayed with friends and kids and had the best time exploring
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Rosie S., Melbourne

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely time

We stayed 6 nights at Willowhaven. The grounds were magic and we had a great time as did our dogs. The house has everything we needed. Located close to the beach for walks and swims, we embraced the tennis court, bbq, fireplace and endless space. Would definitely return. Thank you! Rosie
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Elly P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Magical Weekend Getaway

We couldn't have asked for more! Booking this property was a breeze. I even recieved a phone call from the agent ensuring I was aware that the property was very 'rustic'. That said, in all honesty the house itself was a little run down however, it had it's own charm and the grounds were spectacular. It felt like we were in a dream. Just beautiful. The shack that is on another part of the property was very cool. It sat on the rambling Skenes Creek and opened on to the perfectly manicured grass and open field of the grounds. I recommend this property to bigger groups (there were 8 of us) who want to have a beautiful getaway. Luckily we had great weather but I would imagine that in winter it would get rather chilly. Fortunately this has been thought about and there are heaters everywhere, as well as a large woodheater in the entertainment area. We will be back. Thank you for the perfect weekend
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2021

8/10 Good

Nicholas B.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

Incredible gardens

3 families comfortably stayed in the property. The children had a wonderful time playing in the expansive gardens and creek that runs around the property. The location is perfect for both the beach goers and mountain bikers alike with waves aplenty as well as great bike trails 30 mins away in forrest. In spite of this the house is ageing and is in need of a good clean but don't let this sway your decision
Stayed 10 nights in Jan 2021

8/10 Good

RENEE C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing property and location

Willowhaven is an amazing property with stunning gardens. The house is old and rustic as described, but is comfortable and has everything you need. Lots of heaters, pillows and extra blankets provided. The grounds really sell the place, perfect for kids and families, dogs and picnics under the trees. There is plenty of space for large groups to escape to. The beach is a super close walk as well. BBQ could be updated. Not much ph reception but that can be a good thing! We really enjoyed our stay. Think it would be better in summer than winter though as gets very cold and wet that close to the Otways.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2020

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful garden

We loved the beautiful garden and rowing to the beach.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2020

8/10 Good

Rachel B.

Liked: Communication, location, listing accuracy

Needs repairs

Great place very old accommodation. But the grounds make up for this. The main house needs some work done as we had a part of the door frame come down and hit one of us in the head. The cabin beds could have been cleaner. Other than that everything else was great. Second time visit and we will come again

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful garden and charming House

The garden was charming and luxurious. The house was comfortable and plenty of spaces in the garden and around the house to enjoy and savour. Was relaxing and unwinding. There was however limited internet and would have been nice to be informed prior to arrival. One bathroom which was a touch limiting. Flush needed attention, taps needed washes and attention to cleaning would have been good. We loved the place and was adequately furnished with cutlery, crockery and amenities. Loved it
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2019
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

6/10 Okay

Karen

Beautiful garden area

Beautiful garden area, fantastic location. The house needs a lot of work to make it safe. Tiles lifting, cracks in floors, mice in kitchen snakes in the garden which is expected being close to the creek in the summer months. A local dog decided to swim across the creek and do a 30 min patrol of every bush and wood pile in the property. Property is big enough for 3 families to enjoy at the same time.

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Hosted by Great Ocean Road Real Estate

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