2 Single Bunk Beds, 1 Single Bed and 1 Queen Sofa Bed
Cabin 3 - Sugar Glider (sleeps 4)
1 Single Bunk Bed and 1 Queen Sofa Bed
3 bathrooms
Cabin 1 bathroom
Toilet · Shower only
Cabin 2 bathroom
Toilet · Shower only
Cabin 3 bathroom
Toilet · Shower only
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Garden
Dining area
About this property
Ben Ricketts Environmental Preserve - quiet mountain hideaways
Ben Ricketts Environmental Preserve offers three self contained cabins surrounded by the rainforest of Jamberoo Mountain. The cabins can be booked separately or together.
**Please note that prices quoted are for single cabins only.** **Please contact us if the calendar does not show availability as only 1 cabin may be booked**
Be woken up by lyrebirds and spend the day enjoying the rainforest, creeks, glades and open paddocks. Ben Ricketts is home to echidnas, wombats, swamp wallabies, greater gliders and a great variety of birds. Listen to the lyrebirds, bowerbirds, catbirds, whipbirds, kookaburras and sugar gliders.
The cabin accommodation at Ben Ricketts is surrounded by abundant bird and animal life. Sitting on the deck of one of the cabins is a great place to watch the birds and listen to the frogs as the sun goes down behind the mountain.
Children are welcome, with plenty of open space for them to play and lots of nature to discover. There are marked walking trails on the property that start close to the cabins.
There are three self-catering cabins at Ben Ricketts, each with a fully equipped kitchen, shower facilities, a slow combustion wood heater.
NOTE: You need to bring your own sheets, pillowslips, towels, personal needs, indoor and outdoor footwear, torch and food. We do not have TVs or Wifi.
The cabins are a smoke-free zone and pets are not permitted.
We have three separate cabins to choose from.
Cabin 1 "Wombat": Sleeps 6 - four single bunks and a double sofa bed
Cabin 2 "Lyrebird": Sleeps 7 - five single bunks (2 in a separate room) and a double sofa bed.
Cabin 3 "Sugar Glider": Sleeps 4 - two single bunks and a double sofa bed
There is plenty to do in the nearby area.
The property is two hours south of Sydney on the Illawarra escarpment, 8 km west of Jamberoo Village. The cabins are in close proximity to the coast and the Southern Highlands, well known areas for great beaches, festivals, markets, arts and crafts and fine dining. Barren Grounds Nature Reserve, Budderoo National Park, Gerringong Falls, Carrington Falls and Minnamurra Rainforest are ideal bushwalking destinations nearby. Illawarra Fly and Jamberoo Recreation Park are also close by for an exciting day out.
Walks on Ben Ricketts: There are several marked walking tracks on the property which pass through rainforest and very tall eucalypts, untouched creeks, and beautful ferns, vines and palms.
Barren Grounds Nature Reserve: There are a variety of walks at this Nature Reserve including the Griffiths Trail, an 8km loop taking in the Natural Stone Bridge and the IIllawarra Lookout.
Carrington Falls has walking tracks to lookouts with spectacular views of the Upper Kangaroo Valley. Nellies Glen swimming hole in close proximity to the falls is a great place to cool off on a hot day
Minnamurra Rainforest offers accessible and easy walks through spectacular rainforest terrain, restaurant facilities and National Parks Visitors Centre
Beaches: There are several popular beaches at coastal town of Kiama approximately 20 minutes drive from Ben Ricketts.
Jamberoo Recreation Park a great place for the family is a short drive from Ben Ricketts.
Illawarra Fly, a spectacular treetop walk, is a few minutes up the road.
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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
Note from host: Not suitable for loud parties.
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 and a first aid kit
About the area
Jamberoo
Located in Jamberoo, this cabin is in a rural area and near a water park. Kiama Seaside Markets and Stocklands Shellharbour are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Barren Grounds Nature Reserve and Budderoo National Park. Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk and Jamberoo Action Park are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Barren Grounds Nature Reserve - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
Jamberoo Action Park - 8 min drive - 11.9 km
Minnamurra Rainforest Entrance - 9 min drive - 11.5 km
Minnamurra Rainforest Centre - 11 min drive - 12.3 km
Kiama Surf Beach - 17 min drive - 19.9 km
Getting around
Robertson Station - 19 min drive
Shellharbour, NSW (WOL) - 27 min drive
Restaurants
Jamberoo Pub - 10 min drive
Kings Patisserie & Cafe - 10 min drive
Jamberoo Bowling Club - 10 min drive
Crust & Crumb - 10 min drive
Café 106 - 7 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Ben Ricketts Environmental Preserve - quiet mountain hideaways pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Ben Ricketts Environmental Preserve - quiet mountain hideaways?
As of 4 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Ben Ricketts Environmental Preserve - quiet mountain hideaways on 25 May 2026 start from AU$167, 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 Ben Ricketts Environmental Preserve - quiet mountain hideaways?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Ben Ricketts Environmental Preserve - quiet mountain hideaways?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Ben Ricketts Environmental Preserve - quiet mountain hideaways?
Checkout is at 12:00 PM.
Where is Ben Ricketts Environmental Preserve - quiet mountain hideaways located?
Situated in the mountains, this cabin is 1.7 mi (2.7 km) from Barren Grounds Nature Reserve and 2.2 mi (3.5 km) from Budderoo National Park. Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk and Minnamurra Falls are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
This was exactly the kind of location and accommodation we were looking for. Beautiful country side and bush in a cosy cabin with a log fire. We loved it.
It was easy to find and easy to organize with owner. Great family time close to nature. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city I really enjoyed it.
A great getaway from the city in a peaceful spot in the rainforest. It's close to multiple rainforest walks and some beautiful waterfall picnic locations at Minnamurra and Carrington. Also a short drive to multiple beaches. We didn't take advantage of the outside or indoor fireplaces so we would recommend visitors bring bbq or marshmallows to make the most of the location.
Two of us stayed in the Sugar Glider cabin. Small but cosy and had everything we needed for a 2 night stay. There was no distractions with TV so we happily played board games and chatted all night. Daytime was spent at numerous bushwalking locations not far from our cabin. The air was filled with bird calls during the day and frogs at night. So peaceful. We saw numerous finches, lyrebirds and kookaburras. The best couple of nights sleep for a long time (not because of the beds). We'll happily come back.
Our expectation of having our bed in a separate room to our grandson was instead a sofa double lounge as you entered the cabin where the dining table was. We were told the garbage bin refuse had to be removed from the cabin. The caretaker told us it was our responsibility not his and a charge would incur if not done. We were also told we had to vacuum before we left. Once again not the caretakers duty.
Tidy Little Cottage with all the basic necessities. Quiet setting on the edge of rainforest with light traffic within 100mtrs of Property. Suited to short stays for those wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle, bushwalkers etc. No Wifi or TV. Patchy Mobile Phone Coverage.
The listing undersells the property! We had two cabins and it was totally private,the third cabin and Homestead located over the road. Well equipped for cooking etc, fast more than expected. Good size rooms etc. Would definitely go again!
We came for a mums' weekend away, and returned refreshed and relaxed! We spotted lyrebirds, wombats and roos on and around the property, and enjoyed the views and rainforest walks. The cabin was cosy and provided all we needed. We will definitely visit again!
One highlight was the walking trail within the property itself, which was well marked with just the occasional enjoyable challenge of finding the next marker. The outdoor fire was another highlight with the kids (big and small) enjoying the whole process from collecting the wood to enjoying the marshmallows. Overall a great getaway in the mountains for our city family.
So much better than advertised, highly recommended when you need time to escape and relax, and to admire the beauty of the area, both fauna, and flora.
Loved our stay! Superb location with so much to do in surrounding area! Birdsong abounds!
Really enjoyed it! Peaceful pleasant setting!
Mark H.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2019
Verified
6/10 Okay
Marie L.
10 Oct 2018
Great nature getaway with the kids
We had a great few days going on bush walks and exploring the area. Kids loved the camp fire with the mandatory marshmallows. The cabin was quite basic but had a well equipped kitchen and comfortable bedding.
Marie L.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Karen T.
9 Aug 2018
Peaceful...
loved cabin 3..
the peace, serenity, wood fire..
Nearby bush walk, water fountains,
carly has thought of everything that ones needs being away..from home..
Karen T.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2018
About the host
Hosted by Matt Corcoran - Caretaker
Ben Ricketts is owned by a group of families who have been staying here since the late 1940s. The original owners, Ray and Peter Page welcomed guests to Ben Ricketts for more than 50 years.
'Ben Ricketts Environmental Preserve' came into being when these several families came together to preserve Peter & Ray's legacy. We care for the property's cabins and 40 hectares of rainforest and have a voluntary conservation agreement with the NSW government, protecting the rainforest and its inhabitants in perpetuity.
Why they chose this property
Ben Ricketts is a hugely important part of the life of its shareholders, many of whom have visited for three generations. We came together to preserve both the environment and this community, and to share it with others.