Bellthorpe Stays

The cabins are tucked away so you can't see or hear the neighbours, though they're close enough for a walk over to a porch for afternoon charcuterie if you make friends. Ours were cute, clean and comfortable, with spectacular valley views. We saw something stunning or simply special almost every half hour we were awake. Birds of all sorts flew past the windows, while lorikeets, king parrots and cockatoos ate the seed snacks left for guests to put in the feeders. We also spotted threatened, vulnerable, endangered and critically endangered species across many taxa, alongside plenty of common species that people like me often overlook. David and Wendy Clark do a wonderful job blending gentle agriculture with vital conservation, and the setting made it easy for me to connect with nature. There are long, beautiful walks and some spectacular 4WD options. I hate hikes myself, but going with naturalists means stopping every 100m to look at something special. The old dairy shed has about 500 DVDs to borrow, seriously, plus lots of books and reference material about this natural paradise. Bellthorpe Stays is beautiful and so welcoming. It's well worth visiting if you're into plants, birds, frogs or butterflies, or just want to relax in lovely scenery. Or maybe you simply need a reason to smile.

Wendy and David made us feel very welcome, and they're full of knowledge. We loved exploring the different landscapes along the well-maintained walking tracks. The cosy cabins were well stocked, with a fireplace and comfy beds. Can't wait to come back.

The property feels like a special haven for wildlife, and the hosts are so thoughtful. I found peace and quiet surrounded by lovely bird calls and sightings, and the walks were beautiful. Bellthorpe was just the place to recharge. Thanks for sharing your little paradise with us. We're looking forward to returning and exploring more!

We had a great weekend at this peaceful oasis. The king parrots were a friendly welcome committee, and feeding them over the weekend was fun. As bird lovers, my friend and I enjoyed seeing different species both around the cottage and on our walk down to the creek. The cottage was really comfortable and well appointed, and the owners were lovely. I couldn't walk as much as I wanted because of an injury, but I'll definitely be back.