Forest Creek Lodge and Spa

You have to travel a long way over gravel roads, then take a slow, rocky stretch to reach the lodge. There’s no cellphone signal or even data once you arrive. Still, the scenery and peace are exceptional, with unbelievable birdlife and the gentle quiet of nature.

The staff were lovely, friendly and helpful with whatever we needed, and they made us feel really welcome and special. I could tell they did their best. We loved our room, the views and the hikes, and had a lovely bush bath. One evening we watched the sunset from the star gazing platform, then had a romantic dinner in the gazebo, just the two of us. Getting to the lodge over the pass was a lot, definitely not for the faint hearted. I wouldn’t recommend it without diff lock. On arrival, we found empty yoghurt tubs and egg shells along the path, and they were still there when we left. The website prices for our lovely dinner were wrong and need updating. We lost our way on the hiking trails, started in the wrong place, or both, so we ended up bush-bashing, though we still enjoyed it. We did enjoy our stay. I’d have liked to meet Anita, who I’d been in contact with. I think her presence might have sorted out the rubbish that greeted us.

It’s a small lodge, so there aren’t many people around, and each room is separate, which gives you plenty of privacy. There’s no cell reception or wifi, except at the owner’s house, where you can check messages from a comfortable deck with a beautiful view. The rest of the time, enjoy the forest, the scenery and the hike to the waterfall, then settle by the fire with a glass of wine in the evening. The lodge is pristine and clearly well maintained, and our room was beautiful and tastefully decorated. The staff were attentive. A real hidden gem if you want to unplug and reconnect. We loved it and will be back.

Anita has put years of care into the details of every unit and the guest experience. The hosts and staff are friendly, and the views are exquisite. Forest creek is a sublime retreat from the stresses of everyday life, better suited to couples than families. Be sure to book the outdoor bath. We’ll keep coming back. It’s exquisite.