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Garden Hill Retreat: Beautiful Sandstone Cottage: Swimming pool & Tennis court

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Property grounds
Exterior
Outdoor dining
Exterior
Property grounds

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 2

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Cambewarra, NSW
  • Shoalhaven Zoo
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Nowra Golf Course
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Kangaroo Valley Golf Club
    ‪21 min drive‬
  • Nowra, NSW (NOA)
    ‪21 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Garden Hill Retreat: Beautiful Sandstone Cottage: Swimming pool & Tennis court

The Connoisseur's Cottage @ Garden Hill Retreat is a well-appointed, aesthetically designed and tastefully decorated two-storey sandstone masterpiece, which nestles at the foot of the Cambewarra Mountains. Straddling between picturesque Kangaroo Valley and fashionable Berry, it has been meticulously conceived to give the most demanding connoisseurs a most memorable experience in country living.

Standing elegantly on the western end of the property, the Connoisseur's Cottage enjoys a panoramic view of Brown's Mountains, the mirror lake and the French-inspired kitchen garden.

Enjoy breakfast at the sun-drenched courtyard and feast on the breathtaking view of the Australian bushland amidst the manicured rose and gourmet kitchen gardens. Recharge with an energising game of tennis. Swim in the indoor pool. Relax with a game of croquet. Wind down with your favourite Shiraz or Chardonnay at the sun-drenched courtyard and watch the ducks dive in and out of the mirror lake.

Book at table at the fabulous restaurants in Berry: South on Albany, Burrows, or the Silos Estate.

Awaken your senses with a visit to the delicious wineries: Two Figs, Silos Estate, Coolangatta Estate, Cambewarra Estate and Mountain Ridge.

Leave your footprints on the exhilarating walking trails at Shoalhaven Heads, Nowra Grotto Walk or Bomaderry Creek Nature Reserve. You will be blown away by the sheer majesty of these spectacular and subtly hidden heritage sites.

Read our wonderful reviews on our sister property Garden Hill Spa Retreat (The Magnolia Cottage). Visit our blogs and video clips on Garden Hill Spa Retreat on wordpress and youtube.

To make your holiday relaxing, we provide farm fresh eggs, breakfast provisions, a bottle of wine and chocolates, linen and towels. Simply chill out and be mesmerised by the sublime beauty of Garden Hill.

Message or email us if you have a special celebration: birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, honeymoons and even babymoons, and we would do our best to help make your stay unforgettable.

Following is the wonderful review we received from a very happy guest:

Connoisseur's Cottage
The Connoisseur "Sandstone" Cottage is a love affair between the Arts and English heritage. The dwelling features an indoor wood fire place, master bedroom, shower amenities, indoor plus outdoor dining, veranda with a garden patch that have various herbs such parsley, coriander, mint, and thyme. In addition to the above luxury amenities the stay included an outdoor wood fire "sandstone" oven.

As my wife and I sat outdoors during breakfast we can we see the transition from the dwelling to the lake and were taken away by the hills in the backdrop. There afterwards, we played a sporting game of tennis then took a wonder around the garden and the lake. Later the evening we would relax by the indoor pool, which can be used throughout the year. In addition to the above, we learnt the site will feature a playground for Croquet, which is a gentleman's/woman's game.

The Garden Spa is also within proximity via vehicle to Queen Street in Berry, which has diverse restaurants and cafes plus much needed body message services in the area. Berry has a local history of both English convicts and Aboriginal settlement so check out the local museum (Free entry).

My wife and I travel quite a lot and we rarely give 5/5 but this place is an exception. Overall, we loved it and look forward to coming back!

Red October 2016


Confirmation and Cancellation

We are pleased to confirm your reservation as soon as full payment has been made.
We have blocked the calendar for you and rejected all other applications in your favor and will not be able to offer the cottage again for the same dates.
Please note the Cancellation Policy applicable.

Minimum Stay

The minimum stay is 2 nights except for the Christmas season, which is 7 nights.

Garden Hill is sublime beauty. You will have a fabulous stay.

Property manager

Rosalind & Nicholas Drake

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a first aid kit
Property Registration Number 2540, PID-STRA-3482-2

About the area

Cambewarra

Located in Cambewarra, this cottage is next to a golf course. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Tapitallee Nature Reserve and Bomaderry Creek Regional Park, while Nowra Museum and Meroogal are cultural highlights. Take the opportunity to explore the area for water adventures such as fishing and other activities like winery tours.
Map
Cambewarra, NSW

What's nearby

  • Red Rocks Nature Reserve - 8 min drive - 8.0 km
  • Shoalhaven Zoo - 9 min drive - 7.9 km
  • Nowra Golf Course - 9 min drive - 8.9 km
  • Kangaroo River Nature Reserve - 20 min drive - 19.0 km
  • Kangaroo Valley Golf Club - 21 min drive - 21.3 km

Getting around

  • Berry Station - 17 min drive
  • Shellharbour, NSW (WOL) - 44 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Chooksy's - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Red Rooster Bomaderry - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Bomaderry Bowling Club - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪KFC - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Hyper Hyper Coffee - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Garden Hill Retreat: Beautiful Sandstone Cottage: Swimming pool & Tennis court have a pool?

Yes, this property has an indoor pool.

Is Garden Hill Retreat: Beautiful Sandstone Cottage: Swimming pool & Tennis court pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Garden Hill Retreat: Beautiful Sandstone Cottage: Swimming pool & Tennis court?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Garden Hill Retreat: Beautiful Sandstone Cottage: Swimming pool & Tennis court?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Garden Hill Retreat: Beautiful Sandstone Cottage: Swimming pool & Tennis court located?

Situated in Cambewarra, this golf cottage is 1 mi (1.7 km) from Tapitallee Nature Reserve and within 3 miles (5 km) of Cambewarra Estate Winery and Bomaderry Creek Regional Park. Cambewarra Range Nature Reserve is 3 mi (4.8 km) away.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 43 out of 44 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 44 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 44 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 44 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 44 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Geraldine O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Mountains & Sea
Beautiful location, sandstone cottage with character & wonderful hosts
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Gary B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
GB Review
Great property & great hosts - really appreciated the opportunity to relax.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tiff B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Delightful!!
A beautiful cottage in a fabulous setting. Thanks for a lovely stay!!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Mike M.

Words cannot describe the beauty and tranquility of this place!
Feeling in Paradise is just the beginning...
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Michelle K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Glorious long weekend
The perfect escape. Gorgeous cottage retreat with magnificent grounds and lovely hosts. An excellent spot from which you can explore this beautiful part of the world. Look forward to visiting again.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kent H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cozy stay
A beautiful cottage. We had horrendous weather (during the NSW floods) and were kind of “forced to wind down” in the circumstances. Very comfortable and cosy fire, perfect to catch up on a few books. Friendly hosts, lovely gardens. Highly recommend.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Vicki K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful vista
What a wonderful place to escape from all the madness of Sydney! We had a relaxing time taking in the view, superb garden and lily pond. The pool is really special - inside a beautiful conservatory. This was the first time that I have ever stayed in a holiday home and not needed to unpack the knives etc that I always take with me. Hope to get back there soon.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2021

10/10 Excellent

Judith S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful and beautiful.
What a wonderful weekend away. The cottage was quaint and In the valley with beautiful views to the Cambewarra escarpment. We were met by our hosts and shown around. Nicholas and Rosalind were so welcoming. The gardens are lovely and as we are both gardeners, we enjoyed Nicholas showing us around. They were the perfect hosts and made us feel so welcome. They even enjoyed our music. :-). Lovely touches in the cottage and we appreciated the eggs, sourdough, wine and chocolates. It’s so. Lose to Berry, kangaroo Valley and seven mile beach. All round, a great place to stay. We look forward to returning. Thanks Rosalind and Nicholas for making our anniversary weekend special. Jude and Tony.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Rosalind T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Magnificent Gardens and Beautiful Sandstone Cottage : A 6-Star Property!
Garden Hill Retreat is truly the hidden gem with magnificent and magical gardens and a wonderful well-appointed sandstone cottage with a wood-burning stove. The cottage is serene and sublime. It overlooks the beautiful veggie garden, rose garden, Mediterranean garden and lotus pond. There are wonderful features: croquet lawn, tennis courts and an indoor swimming pool to enjoy. There are amazing birds twittering in the camellia hedges and rose bushes. You can see Mama Duck waddling down the lotus pond with her ducklings watched over by Papa Drake. The whole 20-acre property is embraced by stunning magnolias, jacarandas, maples, eucalyptuses, Norfolk pines, Pin oaks, Bunya pines and even the oldest species: gingko trees! It is indeed a privilege that Nicholas and Rosalind the gracious and hospitable hosts are immensely generous and kind to make my stay such a memorable experience! I would highly recommend that you stay at this magnificent property at the foot of beautiful Cambewarra Mountain, close to Jervis Bay, Berry, Bowral and Kangaroo Valley.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A perfect country escape
On the wettest weekend of the year Nick and Rosalind offered a warm and hospitable welcome to their cosy and well-appointed sandstone cottage. It was the perfect location to explore the stunning Kangaroo Valley region and retreat to home-cooked, fireside meals. We would not hesitate to recommend this beautiful weekend retreat. Thank you - Elizabeth & Liam
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Victoria H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stunning
My husband and I had the pleasure of staying at Garden Hill for our secret elopement. Rosalind and Nicholas were beyond welcoming, providing a basket of goodies on our arrival, and excitedly helped us prepare for our marriage. They went above and beyond as hosts to make our day extra special. We felt so much support balanced with being given the space to enjoy our day in secrecy. The property is beautiful, albeit less private than we expected - but the hosts were respectful and gracious at all times. There was some renovating happening on the property that we were not aware of ahead of time, but this did not affect our stay or ceremony. We will always cherish the memories we made at Garden Hill. Thank you again Rosalind and Nicholas!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Danielle F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Divine
Great setting, beautiful cottage, excellent hospitality.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Roman E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely amazing time - could not have been better!!
We are so happy that we discovered this hidden gem of Shoal Haven, it exceeded all our expectations. Nicholas & Rosalind are incredible hosts, welcoming, friendly, informative and very generous. We stayed over christmas and they shared their christmas cake with us :) We felt very spoiled during our stay The accommodation is luxurious and extremely comfortable, this place has everything that you could possibly need or want. The garden was AMAZING - sitting in the garden left us feeling so relaxed and rejuvenated, we highly recommend this place for anyone looking to stay in a super comfortable and calming environment. The location is also very convenient, we could spend the day at the beach and the evenings relaxing in a garden paradise.Our overall experience was 10/10 and we would love to come and stay again in the future. Thank you Nikolas & Rosalind for making us feel special!
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2021

8/10 Good

Danielle E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely
We had a really relaxing and enjoyable stay, the gardens along with the pool make it that much more special!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Charlie H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful property and fantastic hosts
It was an absolute dream staying at Garden Hill. The indoor pool was the perfect relief from the summer heat, the gardens were beautifully kept and made for a wonderful stroll. The cottage is at an ideal location where you feel isolated and relaxed yet only a short drive to local shops, wineries and cafes. Nick and Rosalind were really friendly hosts and gave us plenty of great suggestions on where to eat and drink. We'd love to visit again when the weather is cooler and make use of the fireplace and pizza oven!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Anne H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stunning and so relaxing
We had a fabulous stay in Cambewarra. The cottage was exceptional. Very clean and comfortable with all the facilities you could desire. Such a beautiful place to wake up and to spend a night relaxing by the fire. The hosts were fantastic and made everything easy. We also had a lovely surprise when we found a gift basket full of goodies on our doorstep one morning. Thanks Rosalind and Nick. We hope to return one day soon xx
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Danny B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful
Exactly as described, a little slice of paradise and perfect for a quiet weekend away from it all. Nicely located between the coast/Jervis Bay and the highlands, if feels remote but is 5 mins from a Woolies and civilisation if you need supplies. Rosalind and Nick were the perfect hosts, right down to providing local eggs and veges fresh from their garden. Welcoming and friendly but also leaving you to yourself. Would certainly recommend it
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Venette F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Gatsby elegance in a tranquil location
We had an amazing weekend at this picturesque getaway retreat. Arriving late afternoon on the Friday, we immediately soaked up the idyllic, tranquil atmosphere as we prepared ourselves a decadent feast of cheese, pate and champagne which we enjoyed on the well positioned outdoor seated area. It was a warm night so we gazed up at the clear night sky while listening to John Lennon ballads thoughtfully left for us to enjoy along with a CD player. The next day we woke to spectacular bright blue skies enjoyed as we opened the quaint window box window in the top floor bedroom towards the lovely lily-covered pond. I sent my husband up to the nearby Cambewarra Estate Winery to pick up our High Tea "To go" just 5 mins up the road. I had checked out the photos of this property prior and thought it would be a lovely spot for a high tea and I wasn't wrong. We then took off and explored the beautiful area including the gorgeous Cambewarra Lookout where we enjoyed lunch with a magnificent view. It was a warm day and we got back just in time for a quick dip in the gorgeous glass covered swimming pool which we had all to ourselves. Watching the clouds roll in through the paned glass we then went inside to enjoy the soothing sound of rain on the tin roof and a chorus of kookaburras marking the occasion. Berry is just 15 minutes away so we had a late dinner at a cute little restaurant called SOUTH on Albany enjoying a delicious 3 course meal with wine pairing. The hosts at the property were lovely and made sure we were comfortable without being intrusive. Since posting photos of our lovely weekend I have had numerous enquiries from my friends wondering where I found such a lovely place. I would highly recommend "The Connoisseur's Cottage" to anyone that appreciates a beautiful setting in a lovely tranquil environment.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Greg S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic short stay
Perfectly positioned between Kangaroo Valley and the coast. Lovely cottage. Everything clean and tidy. Amazing gardens in a very quite setting. Would not hesitate to have a return visit.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2021

10/10 Excellent

Nazila J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a gorgeous place, lovely hosts. Will definitely be back 🥰
Excellent well maintained, lovely hosts, very easy stat

10/10 Excellent

Evan T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect getaway
We had a fantastic time staying at the Connoisseurs Cottage. Nicholas and Rosalind are great hosts and made us feel very welcome. The cottage was spotless and had everything you could need and more. The cottage is very private and is a great base to explore the south coast, from Gerringong to Jervis Bay. Thanks again Nicholas and Rosalind, I’m sure we’ll be back some time!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2021

10/10 Excellent

Vanessa K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A magical stay
This property is absolutely gorgeous - the location is stunning and the cottage is appointed beautifully. The owners Rosalind and Nick are such warm and hospitable hosts, leaving us wine, chocolates, breakfast provisions including delicious homemade marmalade. We spent time relaxing, swimming, playing tennis and just enjoying the scenery - a perfect weekend getaway. If you're looking at this listing, just book it. You won't regret it! Can't wait to come back myself :)
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Mahmoud E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing getaway
Had an amazing time. Beautiful location. Photos do not do it justice. The property owners are extremely friendly and made us feel very welcome. Highly recommended. Will definitely return in the near future.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2020

10/10 Excellent

JULIE A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Sandstone cottage
A beautifully presented sandstone cottage surrounded by lawn and gardens, with views to the escarpment in the distance. The cottage is well equipped and the hosts easy to contact and lovely to deal with. Would definitely stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2020

10/10 Excellent

Jamie K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Spectacular beuatiful place to relax
Very relaxing place to unwind an enjoy the country side

About the host

Hosted by Rosalind & Nicholas Drake

Host profile image