The location was tranquil and conveniently located to shopping centers and various beaches. It is an ideal place for nature lovers, as several kinds of wildlife are on the property (such as birds, spiders, opossums, snakes, and other species). The little opossum house just outside our cottage was a nice touch. The in-room spa and kitchenette made the prospect of staying inside even more appealing as we were able to cook a meal and enjoy the sounds of different animals in the evenings.

The oven and the barbecue weren't working as the temperature dial for the oven wouldn't turn and despite starting the gas for the barbecue, and pressing the ignition, there was no fire (other than a slight spurt the first time I used it). The barbecue also seemed quite dilapidated as the insides were filled with soot and it seemed that they have not been used for quite some time.

We have stayed here 4 times before. The new owners have done an amazing job with upgrading the cabin and spa. The work done on the grounds is truly incredible. It’s like acres of gardens. It’s so serene, and having your own possum box and multiple possums visiting you in the spa is unique and special experience. Don’t forget to bring some fruit for the possums when you stay. We already loved the place, now it’s even better.

No complaints really. Having a drying rack for your swimmers and towels if you’re staying in a spa cabin would be handy. It was raining when we were there and the newly pained and renovated cabin could do with a floor mat to wipe your feet on as you come in so you don’t get the new flooring dirty. We just used one of our towels.

Location is excellent. Our cabin was near the pool which was perfect for the kids. The pool was always immaculate and noise was not an issue since the cabin was still set back from the pool. Our hot tub was always clean and was wonderful to jump into after the pool. It is set in a beautiful leafy area and every cabin was private. We loved the visit from the local resident possum. Very close to One Mile Beach. The staff were excellent.

I felt that the cabin could do with an upgrade. It was dark due to the leafy surrounds and rainy/cloudy weather, so needs a little more light. There were 5 of us, 3 adults and 2 young children so we were a little cramped. I expected the cabin to be a bit larger.

We loved our stay at Wanderers Retreat and were sad to leave on departure day. Our tree house was nestled amongst the properties gum trees providing a shady recluse to come home to each day. As tourists to Australia we loved nothing more than sitting out on the elevated deck watching the wildlife, bird spotting and listening to the dawn chorus. We even had a visit from one of the resident possums! Our tree house had everything we needed and was comfortable and spacious for two people. The grounds are very quiet and relaxing and the pool is perfect for cooling off. The retreat is 5 mins walk from One Mile Beach which is the perfect swimming spot for young and old alike, with the surf club offering morning coffee, breakfast and lunch. We also enjoyed exploring the kilometers of stunning coastal walking tracks, right from our doorstep. For restaurants, Nelson Bay is an easy 10mins drive away. Our stay at the Wanderers Retreat was the highlight of our holiday and we would not hesitate to stay again.

The forest setting was beautiful, private and peaceful. The short walk to One Mile Beach was convenient. Anthony was a welcoming host and was happy to let us check in early because the cottage was ready. The cottage kitchen was well equipped so we could cook. We had 2 magpies that visited us daily and the sounds of the forest were delightful. The aircon was much appreciated.

The couches in the lounge are really uncomfortable and the wifi was useless, so couldn't pay any bills or do any work, which can be a good thing too. The cottage needs a potato peeler barbecue tongs and perhaps some games, like scrabble.

What's not to like? The owner was so accommodating! He left everything ready to go and warm inside. Even the spa was left warm and running for our arrival :) This place was peaceful and very relaxing. Just the right size for my partner and I. We loved the secluded feel and the pretty coloured lights leading up the entrance way. The bathroom spa worked really well, but was a bit small for 2 people... I liked the idea of the doors leading from the outdoor spa to the bedroom. There was relative privacy for the outdoor spa but could've been more screening. We were initially concerned about the lack of the curtain on the windows in the bathroom but realised that there was a wooden fence screening everything anyway. I would definitely book here again and recommend friends and family to come and stay here. It's very close to beaches and only a short drive from Port Stephens. Another thing I liked about the owner is how helpful he was in upgrading us to the spa cabin and explaining more about the facilities. Check out was seamless with a secure lock box to deposit the keys. He was even flexible with the check out time if we had wanted to stay later (we didn't this time as we wanted to explore and make the most of our time). I note that the cabin we stayed in did not have a washing machine. This was fine for us as we only stayed for 1 night. We didn't utilise the BBQ, cooktop, microwave or TV. We actually had decent phone coverage so we never required the wifi. Air con worked as expected and I liked the faux fireplace. Thankyou for the welcome lindt chocolates and the wine 🍷 We will be back in the warmer months to make full use of the outdoor spa!

Bathroom fan never worked. Possibly the wind had blown in some debris into the bath/spa which we quickly rinsed away.

Great location for a lovely relaxing stay. Quiet and like being in a Rain Forest. Cabin well set out for a couple. Bed comfortable. Well maintained. Close to all the little towns. Highly recommend.

If I had to be picky, our only gripe was the spa had way too much Bromine/sanitiser in it. It's nice to know it was sanitary but the after smell was a bit much. I am being very picky with this. Overall was a lovely stay.

Wonderful stay. Perfect hosts and lovely comfortable cabins with kitchen and bbq. Quiet, close to the beach. Couldn't ask for much more. Wonderful escape and look forward to coming back again.

Not a massive problem for us, but the WiFi was unreliable and I struggled to get reception with my Optus sim, and you need Internet to stream to the TV, and so could be an issue if you're combining work and holiday.

Great Wi-Fi, Easy parking. Loved the hot tub, although we prefer a warmer temperature, we enjoyed it. Shower pressure great. Lady who checked us in was very nice and informative about the local area. Very peaceful. Beautiful birds came to the porch to visit in the morning. Very lovely.

Our unit (closest to the office, facing the street) was wet inside when we returned from dinner (we didn’t notice this when we checked in…as all the windows and doors were screened but open for fresh air). Our pillows were damp, the bedroom and bedding had a really damp smell and by the next morning, our unused bath towels were damp. Major condensation on the inside of the windows when we woke up. Carpet felt damp. It was uncomfortable. Room needs a major dehumidifier! Never experienced this before. This situation should have been disclosed. Unit next door had building supplies in the entry…perhaps they are updating these cabins during the winter months.

We came for a 3 night secluded holiday and it turned out to be the most romantic comfortable forest cabin stay with brand new hot tub, a pool and was walking distance from the beach. The owner was fantastic, providing everything we needed in the cabin including a tv you can cast to, local knowledge and immediately helped if we asked. The local area has ParkRun, trail walks, spectacular beaches, camels, sand boarding, great food and more. If you love nature and relaxing and/or like to walk or run, this is the place for you. We'll be back. This is officially one of my favourite places to stay - THANK YOU!!!