THE ECO
RETREAT
The Land
The Home & Permaculture Garden
Set behind a sturdy hardwood fence, the farmhouse sits nestled within an indigenous and native cottage garden, anchored by a few special trees, including Eucalyptus, Crabapple, and Silver Birch. A tree-lined drive creates a welcoming avenue leading directly to both the studio and the main home.
At the rear of the house, a lovely deck overlooks expansive views of the ranges. The central home and garden footprint encompasses the organic garden, shed, compost area, and potting shed, alongside the creative studio and vibrant native flower garden.
Further behind the house lie the orchard with nine new fruit trees and medicinal herb garden, while the front lawn features a dedicated fire pit area and space for glamping tents and outdoor gathering during retreats.
The Four Paddocks & Two Dams
Two of the four paddocks sit adjacent to the house and garden, while the remaining two extend toward the rear of the property, one on the far side and another positioned directly behind it. We are slowly building wildlife coridoors and food forests across the land and will introduce some livestock to help the soil regeneration.
Water is well-integrated across the land, with spring-fed troughs in the two outer paddocks supplied by the main functional dam. A second dam in the far paddock, while no longer in active use, thrives as a natural wetland and habitat for local frogs and native birds. We are regenerating the dams with plants and creating a pond for water foods.
You'll often see deer, wallabies, kangaroos, brush tail posoms, birds and other animals grazing in the paddocks, especially at dawn and dusk.
The Bushland & Creek
Exiting the gate in the far rear paddock and stepping into the bush, a walk along the crest of the ridge eventually leads to an opening marked by deer tracks, a path down to creek. Here, among moss-covered stones, fresh spring water flows freely, offering quiet spots to wade and paddle in the cool stream.
To the right of the gate lies 50 acres of untamed bushland defined by steep, rocky ridges and rugged terrain. Deep within this landscape flows Painkalac creek, while adjacent to the property runs the Rennicks Spur Track, providing access to public bush walking trail that will take you all the way to Aireys Inlet.