Apartment

Funky, art-inspired holiday apartment | Emerald, Vic

Photo gallery for Funky, art-inspired holiday apartment | Emerald, Vic

The chic living room features art galleried walls.  TV and free Netflix.
Sit quietly and await the arrival of the birds. Seed provided.
Relax in a fresh, comfy bedroom overlooking the garden. Queen size bed and TV
Art abounds in the gardens.  Wander the paths to see them all.
Luxuriate in the deep soaking tub. There's also a separate shower.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Breakfast included
  • Dryer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Emerald, VIC
  • Emerald Lake Park
    ‪13 min walk‬
  • Dandenong Ranges National Park
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Puffing Billy Steam Train
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Moorabbin, VIC (MBW)
    ‪44 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Master bedroom

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Luxe Bathroom

Bathtub · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Funky, art-inspired holiday apartment | Emerald, Vic

Tucked away in a leafy setting, Ferny Hill Retreat is only minutes from Emerald's many cafes, shops and attractions. Artistically decorated throughout and designed with privacy in mind, this spotless apartment has all you need for a fabulous stay in the Dandenong Ranges.

UNWIND
Watch a movie snuggled up on the living room sofa, or laze in the deep soaking tub before slipping into your cloud-soft bed. Ferny Hill Retreat caters for a variety of guests with free WIFI, Netflix, a mini office and a fully equipped kitchen. Yummy breakfast supplies are included. Your private patio, with seating for four, sits beside a lush fernery.

EXPLORE
Warm yourself by the garden fire pit, or be swept away to an enchanted land - our Fairy Village is as much a hit with grownups as it is with the kids. Wander the garden paths to take in the quirky statuary or, if that sounds like too much work, just grab a seat and feed the birds. You may even spot Eddie, our resident echidna wandering around.

EXPERIENCE
The artistry and enchantment of Ferny Hill Retreat are hidden behind a bright green gate in Emerald. Less than an hour from Melbourne and only 5 minutes to Puffing Billy, this whimsical holiday apartment can be yours for a weekend, a week or longer...

Ferny Hill Retreat - a truly magical getaway in the Dandenong Ranges!

Property manager

Carmel Hill

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Breakfast included
Kitchen
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
High chair provided.
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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 indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property Registration Number ABN 22853775898

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Melbourne

Located in Emerald, a neighbourhood in Melbourne, this apartment is in the mountains and on a lake. Puffing Billy Steam Train and Cape Schanck boardwalk are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include Australian Rainbow Trout Farm and Tesselaar's Bulbs and Flowers. Travelling with kids? Consider Cloudehill Nursery and Gardens and Cream at Sassafras. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Emerald, VIC

What's nearby

  • Emerald Lake Park - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Australian Rainbow Trout Farm - 11 min drive - 8.0 km
  • Dandenong Ranges National Park - 11 min drive - 10.4 km
  • Puffing Billy Steam Train - 14 min drive - 12.8 km
  • Sherbrooke Forest - 14 min drive - 14.0 km

Getting around

  • Melbourne Emerald Station - 3 min drive
  • Belgrave Station - 19 min drive
  • Melbourne, VIC (MEB-Essendon) - 65 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Edison Bakehouse - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Bam Bam Italian - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Penny & a Pickle - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Yarra Ranges Estate - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Peter's Fish and Chips - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Funky, art-inspired holiday apartment | Emerald, Vic pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Funky, art-inspired holiday apartment | Emerald, Vic?

As of 15 Apr 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Funky, art-inspired holiday apartment | Emerald, Vic on 23 Apr 2025 start from AU$195.0, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

What time is check-in at Funky, art-inspired holiday apartment | Emerald, Vic?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Funky, art-inspired holiday apartment | Emerald, Vic?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Funky, art-inspired holiday apartment | Emerald, Vic located?

This family-friendly Melbourne apartment building is located on a lake, within 1 mi (2 km) of Emerald Lake Park and Wright Forest Bushland Reserve. Mount Majestic Bushland Reserve and Emerald Bushland Reserve are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Reviews

9.8

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. 29 out of 32 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 32 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 32 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 32 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.6/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Sofya M.

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Michelle T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful and quiet
Was a lovely place to stay. Carmel was a great host and definitely recommend staying there. Plenty to see and a beautiful area of Victoria.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Gren J., Melbourne Australia

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
Good hideaway in emerald
Lovely place and great to unwind. We like our privacy so it was good to relax. It’s probably a good idea to mention to the owner if you would rather not be disturbed during your stay, as the owner also lives on the property.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Peter W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quiet hideaway in the hills
Great property, in a quiet and peaceful location with a garden, rosellas and cockatoos. Close to Puffing Billy and other attractions. Has all the facilities you need for more than just an overnight stay - bedroom, lounge room, and full kitchen. Highly recommended.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Yuping L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Good
Good
Stayed 1 night in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sandra H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful location and home
We absolutely loved our stay. Carmel was a perfect host and provided us with a lovely tour and handy information. We loved the board games and the beautiful garden.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2023

4/10 Poor

Michelle I.

Liked: Cleanliness, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy
I won't be returning
The amenities were adequate, although 2 people could not fit into the bathtub comfortably, even though Carmel stated they could. My main issue is the fact that Carmel specifically stated that we should open all the drawers in the bedroom and lounge room and see what's inside them all. So once Carmel left, looking through the bedroom we found tarot cards, reading runes, a ouiji board and dream dictionary all in the bedroom drawers she told us to open. It really felt like her spiritual views were pushed onto us and made me and hubby feel very uncomfortable. I messaged Carmel afterwards to inform her that we felt very uncomfortable about what was found and there was no response. If someone has spiritual beliefs that welcomes items such as a ouiji board and tarot cards, this place would be a great oasis, if not I suggest skipping this place and finding something else. Maybe you can speak to Carmel about removing those items if its not your thing. Honestly I won't be going back.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Phil R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Definitely Funky
Great stay from start to finish. Delightful ,informative ,unobtrusive host . Lovely breakfast provisions . We will be back
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michelle B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Complete Serenity
Such a beautiful gem. Carmel is a great host, thinking of everything you may need. Her home has so many interesting books and artwork, it was great to explore. We had breakfast watching a king parrot and rosella's eating seat just metres from our seat. Plus, perfectly located in Emerald to explore the Dandenong Ranges.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Siyong L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Awesome stay!
This is a well-decorated artistic and lovely place to stay! Carmel is an amazing host! I 200% recommend this place!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tony G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful and relaxing
Great place in Emerald
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kate S.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy
Picture perfect
Fantastic. Even better than the pictures
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kerry A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely getaway
A beautiful tranquil setting, the cottage was beautiful with every detail accommodated for. The Host Carmel was warm and welcoming. And a beautiful walk to a lovely private lake is on offer. Thank you for a lovely stay Carmel
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jennie P., Wyndham Vale

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing place
What a gem, from the soft towels to the covers and quilts and the finer details of how this place is decorated and fitted with essentials its an amazing place for the family to hide out and relax to enjoy the beautiful gardens and nature surrounding it. We loved every corner of this place. We must return to discover more local places as we only stayed 1 night for a family wedding but fell in love with the place. Thank you so much for your hospitality it was a pleasure.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Pete

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Carmel, the host, has thought of everything and was extremely helpful and friendly. We loved exploring both the apartment and the grounds.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

R F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quirky, clean and cosy.
Carmel was a wonderful host and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. All of the small touches didn’t go unnoticed and were much appreciated. The kids loved the uno cards and the breakfast provisions were a lovely addition. We wouldn’t hesitate to stay again when in the area next. Thank you!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Isabel P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely stay
Had a lovely stay! Property is clean and has a lot of character. Great location, close to the main shops and things to do. Breakfast supplies was a nice touch, would definitely stay here again. Thank you Carmel.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Rachael J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great home!
Fabulous property, very lovely owner!
Stayed 1 night in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Accommodating accommodation
We really appreciated the way a request for something a little extra was delivered so graciously. Loved the food available for breakfast. Garden and birds delightful. Thanks. Would definitely recommend.

10/10 Excellent

Jasmine S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing family stay
Our little family of 4 had a wonderful stay. The tree house & tree swing were a big hit with our kids (ages 4 & 7) & we all loved the massive bath. Would definitely recommend.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Melissa F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely home in a quiet place
Our stay at Carmel's place was very relaxing. The house is very nice, tucked away between the forest and a lovely garden. Carmel was helpful and very accommodating with us, having to reschedule our visit because of lockdown. Would definitely recommend and would stay here gain.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Pam R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely stay
Loved the decor . Carmel is an excellent host .fruit and breakfast supplies were provided and we both felt very relaxed. Decent sized televisions and a beautiful garden. Too much to describe but well worth staying
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jeremy K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful stay
Great place for a weekend retreat! We had a wonderful recharge.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

maryanne H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great break
Fantastic Welcomed by a fabulous host Beautiful clean and fun arty cottage so comfortable fully equipped peaceful garden
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2021

10/10 Excellent

Ujjval M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful and Peaceful
This was very relaxing stay. The place is charming and well kept. All the small details are worked on from candles to kitchen supplies. Overall this was great experience and we would highly recommend this place. thank you again Carmel!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2021

About the host

Hosted by Carmel Hill

Host profile image
Hi, I’m Carmel and I love having guests stay at Ferny Hill Retreat. Sharing the beauty of Emerald and the Dandenong Ranges with others is a genuine pleasure.

Born and raised in Melbourne, I caught the travel bug after completing university and have done a fair bit of globe-trotting since.

These days I'm into all sorts of things: gardening, reading, meditation, interior design, nature, writing, country drives, travel, art galleries, social media, movies, geeky stuff, dining out, friends, family and making a mess in my art studio.

So that's a snapshot of yours truly. It would be lovely to have you stay at Ferny Hill Retreat. Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.

Why they chose this property

Not long after my tree-change to beautiful Emerald, I said to myself, “I’d love to share my quiet corner of nature with others.“ At the time I didn’t realise this small wish would become the inspiration for a self-contained, holiday apartment that everybody could enjoy. Today, Ferny Hill Retreat offers guests a private, self-contained getaway – with special touches of whimsy and magic – right in the heart of the Dandenong Ranges.

What makes this property unique

Art-inspired, inside and out
Quiet, leafy location, yet close to all the action
Fully equipped - just like a home away from home
Designed with complete privacy in mind
Recently renovated - fresh, trendy style
Garden setting with whimsical statuary and fire pit
A Fairy Village to add a splash of enchantment
Spotless - professionally cleaned between each visit
Only minutes from Puffing Billy and Emerald Park Lake
Outdoor security cameras for extra peace of mind.

Languages:

English