The Stonehouse Retreat

The Stonehouse Retreat is a rustic hand-crafted eco stone lodge perched atop a mountain ridge near Ravensbourne National Park, with jaw-dropping sweeping vistas as far as Brisbane.

Ideal for group gatherings and dog-friendly, this charming secluded property on 175 ha is accessed via a 400m dirt road and is a world away from city life and the madding crowd.

The L-shaped property comprises 2 wings with views from every room and a wrap-around front verandah with plentiful nooks for gathering.

Three gorgeous stone-walled bedrooms with king and queen-size beds and plush bedding (one with stained glass porthole window) are complemented with a basic bunk room-come-utility room on the end (with its own bathroom) while dogs can be accommodated in a lock-up wood-slatted enclosure on the verandah outside the main bedroom.

The main living room features a wood stove, leather lounges and flat screen TV and can be partitioned off in winter, the adjacent indoor ding room seats 8 and out on the verandah is another large dining table and BBQ for cook-ups.

Meanwhile the spacious indoor kitchen is about as good as it gets, equipment wise, with dishwasher, plentiful cutlery, crockery and cooking equipment and a Nespresso coffee machine.

Owner Cam has compiled a comprehensive and informative guide to the area, from bush walks in the Deongwar State Forest across the road or nearby Ravensbourne National Park and picturesque lakes for water sports.

Things to do nearby include exploring the charming town of Esk with its antique stores, cafes and delis and Fernvale, or pop into Crows Nest for some local soft drink spiders. Enjoy some water activities on Somerset or Wivenhoe Dam, or nearby Cressbrook or Perserverance Dams.

At Ravensbourne National park are graded walks ranging from 1 to 2-3 hours through rainforest and eucalypt forests and a must do is a picnic or BBQ and stroll at stunning Beutel Lookout  (500m up the road from Ravensbourne National Park).

Nice to know: In keeping with the country outdoor lifestyle, a campfire site near the house makes a great spot for toasting marshmallows.

Need to know: The Stonehouse Retreat is fully solar and wind-powered.