Entire home

Back Forest Retreat Sunrise Cottage

Photo gallery for Back Forest Retreat Sunrise Cottage

Sun loungers
TV, DVD player, foosball, table tennis
2 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, travel crib, WiFi
2 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, travel crib, WiFi
Dining

Reviews

9.4 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 680 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Outdoor Space
    Outdoor Space

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Back Forest Retreat Sunrise Cottage

One of two beautiful mudbrick cottages close to the Shoalhaven River, Seven Mile Beach and Berry ... just two hours south of Sydney ... five acres, overlooking river flats and Coolangatta Mountain ... walk to a winery!

The self-contained Cottage has a nice open living area with a full equipped kitchen and a terrace with a BBQ. There is a queen-sized bed in one bedroom, a double and a single in the other bedroom and a single in the loft which is up top of the living room. The bathroom has a hot shower.
The cottages were built along passive solar principles. Most of the windows face north to let in the winter sun and there are wide eaves to block out the summer sun. Mudbricks give the cottages a high thermal mass to store heat and smooth out the day-night temperature variation. There is a gas heater in the living room for the extra chilly or cloudy days and fans help to cool down on hot summer days.

In between the cottages is a large games room where your children and you can play foozball or table-tennis, have a barbecue or just relax with a book. Enjoy the view from the terrace of each cottage and spott a beautiful bird.
Or say hi to our two friendly sheep Coco and Mama and our chooks.

Across the street from the end of our driveway is a delightfully quiet place to dangle a line into Broughton Creek, or walk a few hundred metres to its confluence with the Shoalhaven River. Just down the road is a boat ramp.

Put your canoe into Broughton Creek, paddle out into the middle of the Shoalhaven River and over to Numbaa Island. Canoe around it and be astounded by the variety and number of waterbirds. Or take part in the annual Bridge to Bridge regatta from the bridge on Coolangatta Road near Berry.

Walk along the creek, over the hill, up Coolangatta mountain, and far far away. Or just around the property looking for the endangered, green and golden bell frog. Bring your binoculars to look for Black Shouldered Kites, Wedge Tailed or Sea eagles and pelicans. One of our favourite walks is to Drawing Room Rocks, near Berry. Only a 15 minutes walk from here is Two Figs Winery - the view of the Shoalhaven River flowing from the mountains to the sea is spectacular.

One of the many delightful local drives is a circuit past Cambewarra Lookout, through Kangaroo Valley to the historic Hampden Bridge, over the mountains again to Berry, along Beach Road to Seven-Mile Beach, past Coolangatta winery and then back home again. The drive can be done in an hour, but why not take a picnic lunch and make a day of it?

Only 40 minutes away is Huskisson where you can take Dolphin cruises any time of year. And a few kilometres from there is Hyams Beach, recognised by the Guinness Book of Records for the world's whitest sands. In between are a number of beautiful calm beaches which are suitable for swimming and snorkelling.

Seven Mile Beach, Jervis Bay and Morton National Parks are all within half an hour's drive, so whether you like to explore nature near the surf, still water or the mountains, you will not be disappointed.

Now open every Sunday, Bundanon was Arthur Boyd's home. His studio is set up the way he left it and it doesn't take much imagination to visualise him there, painting the beautiful vistas of his beloved Shoalhaven. Book first at the Information Centre on (02) 4421 0778

Property manager

Alan Robinson

Languages

English

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach sun loungers

Internet

  • WiFi available

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking options include a garage
  • Onsite parking
  • Car required

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Electric kettle
  • Toaster
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Coffee/tea maker

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 1 bathroom
  • Shower
  • Shampoo
  • Toilet paper
  • Hair dryer
  • Soap
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • TV
  • Pool or billiards table
  • Foosball table
  • Table tennis
  • Arcade/game room
  • DVD player
  • Video library
  • Music library
  • Books
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Patio
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Firepit

Laundry

  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near the sea
  • On the waterfront
  • Next to a golf course
  • Near the bay
  • In a village

Things to do

  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Winery tours nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Swimming 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 installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Unit size: 861 sq ft (80 sq m)

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 12:00 PM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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
Onsite 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 there is a smoke detector on the property
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
Property Registration Number PID-STRA-7494-2

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

Back Forest Retreat Sunrise
Back Forest Retreat Sunrise Cottage Cottage
Back Forest Retreat Sunrise Cottage Back Forest
Back Forest Retreat Sunrise Cottage Cottage Back Forest
178250

About the neighborhood

Map
Back Forest, NSW

What's nearby

  • Two Figs Winery - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Coolangatta Estate - 4 min drive - 5.3 km
  • Mountain Ridge Wines - 6 min drive - 7.5 km
  • Seven Mile Beach - 7 min drive - 8.5 km
  • Culburra Beach - 32 min drive - 33.6 km

Getting around

  • Berry Station - 13 min drive
  • Shellharbour, NSW (WOL) - 39 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Growers Shoalhaven - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Bomaderry Bowling Club - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Shoalhaven Heads Bowling & Recreation Club - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Hyper Hyper Coffee - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemen's Club Ltd - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Back Forest Retreat Sunrise Cottage pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Back Forest Retreat Sunrise Cottage?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Back Forest Retreat Sunrise Cottage?

Check-out is at 12:00 PM.

Where is Back Forest Retreat Sunrise Cottage located?

This family-friendly Back Forest cottage is located on the waterfront, 0.2 mi (0.4 km) from Two Figs Winery, and within 6 mi (10 km) of Seven Mile Beach and Nowra Golf Course. Coolangatta Estate and Mountain Ridge Wines are also within 6 mi (10 km).

Back Forest Retreat Sunrise Cottage Reviews

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 27 out of 37 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 37 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 37 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 37 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 37 reviews" "

8.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Cody S.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Great potential
While the cabin and the surrounding area were both lovely, the cleaniness and maintenance was a major issue, the kitchen and lounge absolutely reeked of grease and fat from an uncleaned stovetop, the first 45 minutes of our stay was spent airing out and cleaning the kitchen. The garden outside was completely overgrown and would have been beautiful if properly maintained. They is also no internet reception and no wifi. Once we had settled in though it became a much more enjoyable experience, exploring nearby berry and Shoalhaven heads Being the best parts. At least the room was cheap
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Danielle M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Weekend away
We were in town to visit family at the local hospital. The cottage was a welcome respite. It was clean, beds were comfy and the kitchen had all we needed.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Virginia J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Getaway!
We had a lovely stay at Sunrise Cottage. Very quiet and relaxing location. Alan was a fantastic host and always there to help with any enquiries we had. Just a very small point, as we were staying for 6 nights we could have done with an extra towel each :) but other than that we were very impressed with the property and our stay
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Renee S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Our little getaway
A lovely, cozy, homely place to stay, felt like we were miles away from anywhere. Comfy bed and great facilities. The serenity was pure, and the games room provided a much needed platform for fun and connection playing pool, table tennis and chatting. If i had one suggestion it would be a more substantial welcome pack with milk, bread, eggs, oil and butter but otherwise an excellent stay. Alan was very welcoming, warm and accommodating. Highly recommend
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ingrid P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cosy farm stay
A quirky older style mud brick apartment with glorious views to watch birds, butterflies and flowers. Close to all the other joys like Berry and beaches.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bob C., Australia

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful Solitude
A lovely cottage in a quiet, secluded location. We had a delightful time.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Emily C.

Liked: Cleanliness
The perfect farm stay away from the city
The property was exactly what we needed - clean, cosy, great location. Alan was exceptionally helpful with our questions and their recommendations for things to do in the area were awesome. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Thank you Alan!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness
Back Forest Retreat
Our time at BFR hosted by Alan met all our hopes. The cleanliness of the property was first class. Alan could not have been more helpful in meeting all our requests and we shall certainly consider returning for another visit. The wines that we purchased from Two Figs Winery next door are also of excellent quality.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful rural stay
Close enough to Nowra and all the surrounding beaches. Most important for us however, was the peaceful view of cattle and hills. Everything we needed for a short stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Disliked: Cleanliness
Not as good as the photos
The property is very dated and does not match the pictures very well. The grass was very overgrown as was the front garden. There were warnings about snakes which we did not see but were concerned about due to the height of the grass. There were a few wasps around close to the doorways which was a concern. We were given the impression that you could throw the kayak in the water across the road but this is not the case. You must go down the road about a kilometre away to drop the kayak in the water. Overall a bit disappointing.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

David S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely quiet setting
Very much enjoyed the stay and a nice change from the city.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

8/10 Good

walter s.

Rustige locatie en interessante plaatsen op korte afstand. Kortom: prima plek
Goede keuze voor leuke uitjes en rust! Behulpzame gastheer en -vrouw.
Stayed 11 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ruth P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great family experience
Two cottages, one with a games area made for a great stay for our two families. Alan welcoming and available.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Darcee M., Davenport, Iowa, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing, quiet retreat
Back Forest Retreat is just that! A quiet place to recharge and relax. As a base for exploration, the property was a great fit for us, close to multiple natural areas of interest and far enough from town to be convenient but not “in town”.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Juliet A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice place to relax
Good for family and friends
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Beverley F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely outlook
We were lucky to have good weather to enjoy the sunny patio and gorgeous aspect.Nicely warm at night and comfortable beds.Fairly central to touristy things though you need a car to get supplies. Thanks Alan
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Vicki M., Forde, Australia

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely place to stay
We really enjoyed our stay. The property is in a great location to travel around the Kangaroo Valley. Alan and Naomi are great hosts and looked after us well. When we had a problem with the TV, Alan came over straight away to sort it out. Would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

James R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great spot and great hosts
A really nice spot, close and easy drive into main Street of Berry. Nice and quiet and picturesque location amongst farms. Easy drive to beaches and anywhere else you would like to go. Alan and Naomi were great hosts, really friendly and happy to help.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Roberta H.

Liked: Cleanliness
BAck Forest Retreat
Lovely place to stay- very peaceful.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2022

8/10 Good

Hannah C., Sydney, Australia

Liked: Cleanliness
Charming farm stay
When we arrived the owner (Allan) came over and gave us figs from his orchard. Flowers are beautiful. Birdlife, native blue bees, lizards, chickens, cattle and sheep - so lovely, and you can contribute to feeding some of them. Very eco friendly, good air flow in house, pretty stained glass windows. Lovely stay, peaceful, and friendly owner. Thanks again Allan!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2022

8/10 Good

Sally H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family stay over Easter weekend
Fantastic location - country tranquility with farmstay feel, but also close to beaches, bush walks, fishing spots and so much to explore. The sunrises over the hills are stunning, equally the sunsets through the trees. We had fresh eggs each morning from the hens, and enjoyed the wide open space and a true nights sky - ideal for stargazing. Thanks Alan for the warm welcome on arrival. We had a lovely time
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2021

8/10 Good

Jerome K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet and convenient
A lovely little getaway away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Property was simple and basic and clean with a really good hot shower that we appreciated during the rainy days - beautiful surroundings. A few of the items in the games room and the games chest are a little worse for wear (e.g. missing Scrabble tiles) and could do with an update :-) Location was convenient and a short drive to Berry, Kiama and Huskisson. We particularly enjoyed walking to the neighbouring Two Figs winery for a tasting and the superb view from the winery.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness
Peace and Beauty
This was a delightful few days. We were slightly early arriving and were warmly greeted. The bird life, orchard and garden were a delight. The setting cannot be beaten. It is not a chocolates on the pillow experience but is actually so much more.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful views and location
This property was perfect for our needs - the beds where comfortable ,the view was fantastic. We loved seeing the cow’s and sheep grazing and the very friendly chooks wondering around . Short drive to Berry for great coffee and bakery. Also many great walks just a short drive away. Our hosts where very friendly and accomodating - we will recommend this property to friends.

8/10 Good

Sally S., Sydney

Liked: Cleanliness
review
we had a lovely time. the cottage was nice and the property was lovely - very peaceful and nice to see all the birds and animals. would definitely recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2020