Nestled in a quiet part of Forrest, Coral Fern Retreat is an inviting haven with a peaceful atmosphere, old recycled timbers and unique charm. Relax in the cosy lounge with garden vistas or unwind on the outdoor deck surrounded by bush views and native wildlife like kangaroos and koalas. The timber kitchen is well-equipped for gourmet meals while the grand piano offers melodic entertainment.
Reviews
1010 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
4 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 8
Popular amenities
Spa pool
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Air-conditioning
Outdoor space
Add dates for prices
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
Coral Fern Retreat - bush paradise (free wifi)
Coral Fern Retreat is a unique mudbrick home located in a quiet part of the mountain township of Forrest nestled in a tree-ferned gully. The retreat is inviting with a beautiful, peaceful and restful atmosphere featuring old recycled timbers that give it a rustic feel.
It is a comfortable house with a spacious open planned kitchen/dining room and a sunken lounge room with a loft floor above. There are 3 unique and charmingly decorated bedrooms, 2 with queen-sized beds, 1 double and a queen sofa bed in the loft.
The timber kitchen is well equipped and contains a gas cooktop, electric oven, dishwasher, microwave and a coffee machine with any number of pots, pans and utensils to enable the preparation of gourmet meals for avid foodies.
Relax in the cosy lounge with enticing vistas out into the garden. There is a TV, DVD's, books and a grand piano for any pianists and a Bluetooth compatible stereo. The woodheater is perfect to unwind in front of on cold winter days.
The bathroom has a freestanding cast iron bath to soak away your troubles in, along with a shower, ceiling fitted heat lamp and towel drying rails. The laundry provides a frontloader washing machine and dryer along with a trough and toilet.
With views into the surrounding bush, the outdoor deck is ideal for enjoying meals and entertaining. A Weber is provided for BBQ's along with shade umbrellas for comfort on hot days.
The rambling garden is a mixture of exotics and natives with private areas to sit and enjoy the surroundings. Kangaroos regularly make their morning hop through the backyard and the occasional Koala can be spotted. Night time residents include the cute Ring-Tailed and Brush-Tailed Possums.
A feature of the Coral Fern Retreat is the abundance of birdlife that inhabit the bushland along the creek, the dawn call is an absolute highlight and the beautiful call of the Golden Whistler, Blue Wrens, Yellow Robins, King Parrots and the many Honeyeaters make for a bird watchers paradise.
The township of Forrest and the surrounding area has much to offer visitors with the boutique craft beer Brewery and Restaurant, Jewellery Shop and Bric a Brac shop, all within a short walk. The town is a hub for mountain bikers with many riding trails that cater for all abilities and beautiful walking tracks. Lake Elizabeth is a short drive where Platypus tours are offered and the majestic Stevensons Falls are nearby.
A 30 minute drive through lush cool temperate rainforest and you arrive at the best beaches that the world has to offer along the Great Ocean Road. Beach towels, bag and beach umbrella are provided during those warm summer months. The world class Brae Restaurant near the historic township of Birregurra and the renown Chris's Restaurant near Skenes Creek are a must!
For a place to take a break that is ideal for artists, writers, musicians or thinkers looking to feel inspired, or for those who love to feel close and connect with nature you have found the ideal, magical place.
Property amenities
Beach
Beach towels
Beach umbrellas
Pool/Spa
Hot tub
Internet
Available in the house: WiFi
Parking and transport
Onsite parking options include a garage
Kitchen
Blender
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Electric kettle
Hob
Ice maker
Microwave
Oven
Paper towels
Refrigerator
Spices
Toaster
Bedrooms
4 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Sofa bed
Bathroom
1 bathroom
Bathtub
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Fireplace
Living room
Entertainment
Books
DVD player
Games
Music library
Piano
Stereo
TV
Video library
Outdoor areas
Balcony
Barbecue grill
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washer/dryer
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoke-free property
Note from host: Smoking permitted outside
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
In a rural location
Things to do
Fishing nearby
Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
Winery tours nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Note from host: There are stairs and a split level.
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Smoking permitted outside
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
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Frequently asked questions
Is Coral Fern Retreat - bush paradise (free wifi) pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at Coral Fern Retreat - bush paradise (free wifi)?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Coral Fern Retreat - bush paradise (free wifi)?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Coral Fern Retreat - bush paradise (free wifi)?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Coral Fern Retreat - bush paradise (free wifi) located?
This family-friendly Forrest holiday home is located in a rural location, within 2 mi (3 km) of Forrest Brewing Company and Great Otway National Park. Barwon Downs Bushland Reserve and Murroon Bushland Reserve are also within 9 miles (15 km).
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Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
The house was large and beautifully furnished. The cottage garden was lovely and sitting at the table on the back deck we enjoyed the many birds that came to drink the nectar from the adjacent trees. We also enjoyed the fis and chips at the lical brewery. In all, it was a fabulous stay.
Absolutely stunning stay. The house is a fantastic size, beautifully presented with top quality linen, kitchenware, furnishings with every small detail considered. Very well equipped with thoughtful touches throughout. Impeccably clean, comfortable beds, peaceful location on the most stunning property. The photos don’t do it justice, great value for our family, we will definitely be back
This is the second time staying, this time with children and their partners. It is the most amazing and lovely home and honestly could not be more clean or better equipped. Highly recommend it.
This gorgeous retreat has been crafted & styled with care. A tranquil & beautiful place to relax, unwind & enjoy the scenery through picture book windows to delightful surrounding gardens. And rooms styled with extra flair to help you feel the serenity. Extremely clean & well appointed we had the best stay!
We enjoyed a lovely stay at Barb’s house. The place is gorgeous, spotlessly clean and surrounded by a lovely garden and bush land.
The house is so well set up and has everything you could possibly need. We will definitely be back!
Coral Fern is an absolute delight. A stunning home set in beautiful bushland. Spotlessly clean with every amenity carefully considered. The owners have created an inspiring place where you are able to be one with naturee. Communication and check-in was fantastic. Thank you for the most superb stay.
What an absolute gem of a location and property! Everything we needed was provided along with a few unexpected extras which really show how willing the owners are to go the extra mile. We will be back, thank you for making our birthday holiday so wonderdul 😊
We were absolutely delighted with the home we stayed in. It was beautifully and lovingly built with a great country feel. Impeccably clean and very comfortable! Barb was great to deal with. We only wish we had stayed longer. Many Thanks.
Impeccably designed and decorated mud brick house with top shelf mod cons. Owners are great communicators. So much care has gone into every detail of the garden, outdoor spaces and every part of the house. This house is so comfortable and beautiful it’s hard to leave! Thank you Barb!
This property was beautiful and had everything we needed! The bed was super comfy, the bird life was superb and my partner loved playing your grand piano! In over 20 years of staying at self contained properties, yours by far has to be the best we have stayed in! We are looking forward to coming back when it is warmer in Forrest! Thanks so much Barb and Greg! :-)
Coral Fern Retreat is a beautiful home in gorgeous, loved, bush forest garden. We loved our stay and would've gladly stayed longer had we had more time - we'll definitely be coming back! And Barb is just the easiest and friendliest hostess-with-the-mostest to communicate with. 10/10 from us!! Ian & Yvonne
We had a wonderful time at Coral Fern Retreat. There is so much beauty in the house and gardens. We loved tinkering on the piano and playing in the cubby house. The stunning mud brick design kept us cool despite it being a hot weekend. Barb is a kind and attentive host, and we were very grateful for the delicious chocolates and sparkling wine on arrival!
It’s rare that a holiday rental surpasses expectations, but this one sure did. Coral Fern is the perfect tranquil retreat from which to explore the magnificent Otways. Everything has been thought of here—the home is immaculately presented with oodles of character, the gardens are exquisite, and if we needed anything (which we didn’t) Barb was only a phone call away. We loved every minute and we’ll definitely return.
A beautifully presented and well equipped property. The kitchen and laundry equipment easily enable self-catering and clothes washing if needed. The large living space and comfortable furniture make for a very pleasant and relaxing base from which to explore the Otway National Parks. The peaceful setting, expansive and well maintained garden, and nearby forest also allow for an enjoyable time when not out exploring. Barb and Greg are excellent hosts. Highly recommended.
We totally LOVED our stay at Coral Fern Retreat. It is paradise. The house is magnificent; it feels so solid and welcoming with everything being beautifully furnished and decorated, plus super comfortable beds and all the equipment we could possibly need. The garden and the backdrop of bush really charmed our hearts. We totally relaxed! Barb and Greg are top hosts and we thoroughly enjoyed the added bonus of contact with them. Additionally, the town of Forrest is ideal - small and with the great offerings of the Brewery, Da Teta (Middle-Eastern) restaurant, the cafe/general store, bike hire and many local walks. We very much hope to come back. Thank you Barb and Greg :)
Absolutely stunning!
From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by the beauty of the house and it's surroundings. The house itself has a unique charm, is spacious, very beautifully decorated, quality linen and comfortable beds. The house has everything you could ask for.
The garden is beautiful and very well maintained. Overlooking the enormous ferns from the window was my favourite spot in the house.
Close to the General store and Brewery. Stevenson Falls is only about a 10min drive and well worth a look. The falls are gorgeous, so is the drive.
Barb and Greg were incredible hosts. They went well out of their way to make sure we were catered to and well looked after.
We can’t recommend this place highly enough. We will most definitely be back.
Thanks so much for having us!
Our family had an unbelievable stay at Barb and Greg’s property. The gardens look gorgeous this time of year and visible through the windows throughout the house but really the dining and living area has the best viewing through the tall and wide windows. You could just sit and watch the flowers and the small chittering birds among them. The house itself is kept immaculately clean and free of stains and dust. Barb and Greg adorned the house with fresh bunches of flowers for our visit including welcome card, bottle of wine and chocolates. High end Miele appliances and luxurious bedsheets just to top it off! I couldn’t ask for more. Thank you Barb and Greg for making our stay so enjoyable. We will be back one day soon ❤️❤️❤️ Henrietta and Family.
Friends celebrating big birthday - platypus tour and e bike tour in Beech Forest
The large 4 bedroom bush retreat property is set in a large block with mature plants and flowering shrubs surrounded by birds and rabbits ( sometimes kangaroos)
Bird nerd and gardener paradise.
Fairy Wrens, Spinebills, Satin Bower Birds, Kookaburras and Butcher birds are some of the visitors.
There is a little brook at the edge of the property, not really accessible but beware if kids will investigate.
Peace and quiet is almost guaranteed; lots of space and comfy beds and sofas to relax on and watch the birds, read or watch a dvd.
Bedroom 4 is on the mezzanine above the lounge and not totally private which may not suite everyone, but ok for us 4 mates.
The Grand piano was unfortunately not utilised by us - so bring a Bluetooth speaker along if you’re musically challenged too.
The kitchen and bathroom are well- supplied.
Forrest General Store is a short walk open most days for coffee, snacks and fantastic bread.
The Forrest Brewery is at the top of Turner Rd, but was closed whilst we were there for holidays Usually we go there.
Beware The Terminus pub which is the only other pub option- it is almost “the pub with no beer” and an hour wait for not great food.
Explore the Otways
We highly recommend Otway Eco Tours - we saw a lot of platypus thanks to Max.
Also totally loved our Otway E Bikes tour with
Nathan very knowledgeable about the history, fauna and flora of the area.
Loved our Stayz accommodation right in the heart of the Otways