Duckmaloi Park Lodge

My family rented the property, and at first I thought it was charming. They seemed to love it, and the owner came across as charming too. The house has older materials, which may not suit everyone. I wrote that soon after our visit, trying to give credit to the care that had gone into the place. Weeks later, I bitterly regret the 24 hours we spent there and want other people to know what happened so they can decide whether to avoid it. We used the property normally. The kids played in the garden, I cooked in the kitchen, and my eight-week-old baby and I used the bath. I also washed his clothes, along with some bedding and towels, in the laundry. Dust we took home got onto our skin, into our car, and onto other clothes and bedding, really everywhere. From how it behaves and my long experience with materials used in inland properties, I’m fairly sure it came from the old Super Six roof. It’s expanding and broken in places, and may or may not supply water to a tank serving the property. I don’t want to know. Bringing back a little asbestos wouldn’t be the issue, but it seems we brought back quite a lot. Some people may not be troubled by this, but I can’t recommend the place for children, especially very young ones.

There’s no real phone reception or internet, which made it a proper escape. The old house is full of trinkets, with a great kitchen and lovely grounds, and it works well for a large group. Even the outdoor toilet has a view. Nothing like a poo with a view.

Gerard was a great host, and we appreciated being trusted with this home. The rustic farmhouse gave us a chance to see a part of Australia we otherwise wouldn’t have experienced, with family history all around us. We had a great weekend and would highly recommend staying here.

A calm, serene place, just right for a quiet holiday and some time to relax.