Bushland Retreat - experience nature

A covered porch with wooden railings, a green chair, and a bench.

A view of a grassy field with a pond and trees in the background.

A room with a wooden paneled wall, a sofa with a floral cover, a metal chair, and a door leading to another room.

A compact kitchen with a single sink, a window with a curtain, a small dining table with a chair, and a black stove.

A bedroom with a bed, a bedside table, a lamp, a wardrobe, and a shelf with items.

Exceptional

1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

Onsite parking available
Pet-friendly
Kitchen
Washing machine
Deck or patio
Balcony or patio

Explore the area

Portland, VIC

Place, Bats Ridge Wildlife Reserve
‪1 min walk‬
Place, Cape Nelson Lighthouse
‪26 min drive‬
Place, Budj Bim National Park
‪42 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Deck or patio

Kitchen

Garden

Dining area

About this property

Bushland Retreat - experience nature

Bushland Retreat is the perfect place to relax and forget about the demands of life for a while. There is 20 acres to explore with wallabies and kangaroos are often seen grazing, and are found koalas in trees or meandering across the property. There is abundant birdlife and nearby walks, caves & spring wildflowers. It is a place to call home while you enjoy the immediate environment or wider area.

Eco-friendly self-contained cottage. Linen provided. Gas stove with standard oven & cooktop. Large bar fridge with freezer. Washing machine. TV/DVD.Able to accommodate those travelling with children - futon in lounge area. Conveniently located only 10 minutes from Cape Bridgewater Beach (seal colony, petrified forest, Bridgewater Lakes,Tarragal Caves) or Portland township (first settlement in Victoria). Take a drive through or walk in our wonderful forests including the Mt Richmond & Cobboboonee National Parks. Appreciate the Budj Bim National Heritage Landscape of the local Aboriginal people Gunditjmara, at Lake Condah where you can see eel and fish traps, and the only remaining permanent houses built by an Indigenous community in Australia.

Not far along Telegraph Rd from Bridgewater Rd (approximately midway between Portland and Cape Bridgewater Beach). Please contact owner to obtain exact location at time of booking.

The cottage is set on 20 acres of undulating landscape. There are vistas over the reserve and water (dependent on rainfall) and ample stars on clear nights. There are over 100 species of birds recorded on the property. A pair of Wedge-tailed Eagles often glide over. Come and enjoy the tranquil environment that is near Portland.

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Ocean view
Kitchen
Washing machine
Pet-friendly

House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM

Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Have futon that folds down in living area (double)

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed

Must check suitability with owner prior booking.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property # 9032884

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 not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Portland West

Portland West is home to this cottage. Bats Ridge Wildlife Reserve and Tarragal Education Area reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Discovery Bay Marine National Park and Portland Arts Centre. Take the opportunity to explore the area for water adventures such as fishing.

View more Cottages in Portland West

Portland, VIC

What's nearby

Bats Ridge Wildlife Reserve - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
Great South West Walk - 18 min drive - 16.8 km
Powerhouse Motor & Car Museum - 19 min drive - 16.8 km
Cape Nelson Lighthouse - 26 min drive - 29.9 km
Budj Bim National Park - 42 min drive - 60.5 km

Restaurants

‪Bridgewater Bay Cafe - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Bushland Retreat - experience nature pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Bushland Retreat - experience nature?

As of 14 Aug 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Bushland Retreat - experience nature on 15 Aug 2026 start from AU$394, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Bushland Retreat - experience nature?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Bushland Retreat - experience nature?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Bushland Retreat - experience nature?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Bushland Retreat - experience nature located?

Situated in Portland West, this cottage is steps from Bats Ridge Wildlife Reserve and 1.9 mi (3 km) from Tarragal Education Area. Mount Richmond National Park and Bridgewater Bay Beach are also within 6 miles (10 km).

9.4

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.4/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Verified review

8/10 Good

Adam M.

10 June 2026

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

Excellent stay. Very enjoyable

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Craig B.

16 Mar 2023

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

Just Beautiful and Relaxing

Was such a great place to stay... Beautiful surroundings... Cabin was immaculate... Great price... Will book again if we are back in area...

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Ian M.

30 Nov 2022

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

Awesome Place yo stay, tramqillity and isolation.

Great, one of a kind.

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

Response from VrboOwner on 30 Nov 2022

Thank you too Ian, wonderful to have you stay! We enjoy people experiencing Bushland Retreat, where they can forget about their busy lives, and relax in a peaceful setting.

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jenny P.

23 July 2023

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

Peaceful getaway

Bushland Retreat is the perfect place to enjoy a break. It is peaceful and quiet with beautiful views over the lake. The house was comfortable and warm for our winter holiday. We enjoyed watching the kangaroos and sunrises.

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Ben H.

28 Dec 2023

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

Lovely place for a break.

A nice cabin overlooking a lagoon with black swans and paddocks filled with kangaroos, both close to Portland and Cape Bridgewater and beautifully isolated. Recommended.

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Amanda N.

3 May 2024

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

Bushland Retreat

Had a lovely time staying here. A beautiful and peaceful spot with kangaroos and koalas at your doorstep. Only a short drive to Portland and Cape Bridgewater. Thanks to Helen for being so welcoming and helpful.

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

Verified review

6/10 Okay

rishi j.

8 Feb 2026

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

Location was great, but the house needs an update. Lots of unnecessary clutter.

Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2026

Response from VrboOwner on 8 Feb 2026

Glad you liked the location. The property is per photos on the website and set up for those getting away to experience the tranquility of nature, it is not intended for those seeking a modern city experience. Not sure what you mean by clutter, most contents have a functional purpose, with only the bookshelf containing items gifted by visitors, books to reference(nature and a few novels) etc.. Thank you for staying and wish you well.

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Svetlana

10 Nov 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication

The property was clean and the Host was wonderful. It’s pet friendly but you need to keep your dogs on lead as the wildlife is close by. We had an enclosure with us to put around the patio. Would have loved to have a toaster for toast.

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Sharon B.

21 Jan 2025

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

Peaceful

Bushland Retreat is just that..the perfect place to relax and enjoy the peace while the weather was cooler... then as the weather warmed up we were able to swim at the beautiful Cape Brigewater beach.

Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2025

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Greg N.

21 Oct 2024

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

Bush retreat

Beautiful location. The luxury of this accommodation is the large covered deck set amongst native trees and flowering shrubs. Wonderful bird and marsupial watching. Indoors is clean, very minimal fuss living that offers a peaceful base to explore Portland area or to read and walk.

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Tom B.

23 Sept 2023

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

Great for getting away from it all

Wonderful place for nature-lovers. Koalas, a big mob of kangaroos and many different waterbirds were in residence during our stay. Cottage was very comfortable, despite the cold, and the large deck was well suited for living in nature. Host welcoming and very helpful. This place exceeded our expectations for a great nature-based holiday.

Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Mariese B.

5 Nov 2023

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

Awesome

This was exactly what we needed. Loved every minute of our stay. Nature, nature, nature, peacefulness galore. Loved it. Definitely we will be back.

Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Katherine D.

2 Apr 2023

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

Comfortable, great location, perfect host.

Our 4 night stay was filled with nature walks, birdwatching, Koala spotting, reading and painting. The accommodation was clean, comfortable and oh-so delightfully quiet. Helen was the perfect host - friendly, attentive and full of local knowledge. The location is ideal; easy drive to both Portland and Bridgewater. On top of all that we were able to bring our dog; what more could one want?! We love visiting Portland and are thrilled to have found Helen and her property. We will definitely be back!

Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Katherine D.

25 Feb 2024

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

Relaxing and enjoyable

This is our second time staying here and we just love it. Our dog can come and we thoroughly enjoy sitting on the verandah watching the birds, roos and wallabies do their thing. Koala in tree outside the house was the icing on the cake! Highly relaxing! Easy drive into Portland or to the beautiful beach at Cape Bridgewater. Highly recommended.

Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Michelle F.

23 Jan 2019

Wonderful natural experience

This property is perfect for nature lovers! On our night walk we spotted 4 koalas in the gums, including a mother and her baby, possums, and of course kangaroos. We did some stargazing and we listened to the frogs. Helen was very lovely and helpful, giving us great suggestions for dinner and sightseeing nearby. This little gem is a peaceful slice of heaven.

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2019

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Geoff B.

22 Dec 2024

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

Relaxing with koalas…

Wonderful experience relaxing with complete privacy in an eco environment. There was an inquisitive koala in the tree overhanging the deck and kangaroos at the steps. We were serenaded by the birds during the day and the koalas at night. 15 minutes to Portland and 8 mins to the beach at Cape Bridgewater. Loved it !

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

Verified review