Tucked away on 100 acres of native bushland, Wollemi Retreat offers the ultimate off-grid escape on the edge of Wollemi National Park. This award-winning eco-retreat accommodates up to six guests and is perfect for a weekend getaway surrounded by nature. Powered entirely by solar energy and supplied with spring-fed, filtered water, it’s a peaceful sanctuary where you can truly disconnect and unwind.
The natural environment is the star of the show at Wollemi Retreat. The property is self-sustaining with 100% solar power and a filtration system that purifies water from a natural spring on the property. At every turn, the surroundings are incorporated into the guest experience.
Kick back with a glass of delicious locally produced red wine in the lounge, a modern open-plan space with a double-sided wood-burning fireplace to add an extra touch of rustic charm and a warm glow on those winter nights. Let time stand still as you enjoy the sweeping views of the nearby mountain ranges including famous Wheelbarrow Mountain through the floor-to-ceiling glass.
Thanks to the vast windows, you can even take in the breathtaking views as you lounge in bed or soak in the elegant freestanding bath in the main bedroom’s ensuite bathroom where there is also a relaxing overhead rainfall shower.
Stroll out onto the expansive deck area to the front of the house where you can sink into the comfortable lounge chairs as you spot the resident kangaroos across the lawns. The best time to see them is early morning or around dusk. There’s also a jacuzzi set into the decking which bubbles away at a toasty forty degrees with plenty of space to fit up to six people. Filled with filtered water from our spring, it really is the perfect spot to take in the serenity.
Feeling peckish? Gather some fresh rosemary, basil or coriander from the herb garden, then rustle up a meal using fine local produce in the ultra-modern kitchen featuring a SMEG oven and cooktop. The kitchen is fully equipped for those with a passion for cookery and comes complete with espresso machine and juicer for those morning cravings. Prefer to eat al fresco? Then fire up the barbecue or head over to the stone wood-fired pizza oven.
Chances are you may not want to leave the idyllic surrounds of Wollemi Retreat, but if you do decide to venture further afield, there are plenty of things to do. Head into nearby Rylstone, a heritage village with charming boutiques and producers where you can stock up on goodies to take back to the house.
A little further is Mudgee with its fabulous wineries. There are more than 40 family-owned cellar doors to visit so take a wine tour if you are unsure where to start. It’s a great place to eat too, with fine dining restaurants, plenty of wine bars, pubs and a vibrant café culture.
Nature lovers will enjoy exploring Dunns Swamp, or Ganguddy as it is known to the local Aboriginal people. This pocket of the UNESCO World Heritage Wollemi National Park is set on a tranquil waterway on the Cudgegong River, surrounded by pretty woodlands and striking rock formations. Pause here for a swim, hop in a canoe or do a little fishing. There are also number of easy walks here which offer great views and the chance to spot wildlife like wallabies or purple swamp hens or even long-necked turtles and platypus.
Whatever your passion, you’ll have the opportunity to reconnect with nature, yourself and your companions in this untouched wilderness during a stay at Wollemi Retreat. It truly is the ideal place to get away from it all and find your inner Zen.
