Ridge Cottage, Binna Burra Lamington National Park

If you love escaping into nature and are looking for a place of peace and solitude, in a unique setting, then Ridge Cottage is your perfect destination. It is a hand built house, constructed of many recycled elements and features a ferro cement roof. The composting toilet and hot shower are in a separate room on the verandah. Over 100km of walking tracks are just 3km further up the road at the Binna Burra section of Lamington National Park. Truly a one of a kind experience. Enchanting, tranquil, magical, surreal. Just a few words used by recent guests to describe the cottage. Since welcoming our first guests in 2018, we have found many don't want to go anywhere once they arrive. There's something about immersing yourself in nature, in a unique building nestled in the landscape, that allows you to slow down and become aware of the simple pleasures in life. You have complete privacy as there are no neighbours (apart from the wildlife in 22 000 hectares of National park) and your hosts live in the main house at the entrance to the property. You access the cottage via your own private driveway. The comfortable couches, hammock on the verandah and views into Numinbah Valley below, help you forget the hustle and bustle of life and allow you turn off, rest and relax. There is a breville coffee machine to make your morning espresso (bring your favourite coffee blend) a fully equipped kitchen to cook up a storm, tv, stereo and a selection of books and board games to keep you entertained. Being surrounded by National Park means there is abundant wildlife in the area. The open eucalypt forest is home to many bird species, reptiles, wallabies and koalas. You have total private access to the entire cottage, as well as the surrounding outdoor deck and garden area, that leads up to the edge of lamington National Park. Ridge Cottage is aimed at guests who are looking for a private, quiet retreat in an idyllic setting. Once you have confirmed your booking, Dave your host will send you details that include directions and tips for you to enjoy your stay. If Dave is at home he will meet you on arrival to help you settle in, otherwise he will give you the key location so you can checkin yourself. Dave is generally available though if you need anything. Scenic areas close by. Apart from Lamington National Park, the cottage is also located near the beautiful Beechmont plateau, where you can book a horse ride or massage or spend a morning enjoying the spectacular mountain views. The Tea House at Binna Burra and Flying Bean Cafe on Beechmont are great spots for breakfast or lunch. You can even book a tandem hang gliding or paragliding flight when conditions are right, to see this amazing landscape from the air. Mt Tamborine is a 40min drive north from the cottage, where you can choose from several short walks in the National Park areas or explore the many galleries, cafes and shops on Gallery Walk. There is also a treetop walk and wineries. Canungra is the nearest town, just a 20min drive, on the way to Mt Tamborine. It is a lovely country town which features several cafes, an art gallery and book shop and the Canungra Hotel. This is also the closest town for petrol and a supermarket. Springbrook is the next mountain east of Beechmont and has a number of walks to choose from including Purlingbrook Falls and the short walk to Best of All Lookout, which is 1000m above sea level. It makes a good full day trip. Dave Groom Studio Gallery. All of the artwork in the Cottage is by your host, local landscape artist, Dave Groom. Adjacent to Ridge Cottage is the Dave Groom Studio Gallery, which is open to the public. The Gallery is generally open between 10am – 4pm. Please contact Dave to arrange a time to visit. A car is essential for visiting the area. It is also important to remember to bring all your food with you and to have a full tank of petrol, if you're planning on driving around to sightsee. The nearest town is Canungra, which is 25km away and its a scenic country town with basic shops, a service station and cafes. Nerang is the closest large urban area, which has a good range of shops including supermarkets. Most guests will drive through Nerang on their way to Ridge Cottage. Coolangatta is the nearest airport, a 70 minute drive away. Nerang is the nearest train station, a 40 minute drive away. The driveway to the cottage is narrow and gravel, with a steep section at the end that has concrete tracks. A normal 2wd car is fine but the driveway is not suitable for low sports cars or long wheel base vehicles. There is alternative parking for unsuitable vehicles near the main house and Dave can help you with luggage out to the cottage. If you arrive after dark or are inexperienced at driving on country driveways, Dave can assist you. There is no wifi, but good mobile phone signal. If you are booking for two people but do not want to share the queen bed, please advise us so we can provide linen for the spare single bed in the loft. If you want to sleep in the single bed in the loft, access is via a wooden ladder and there is limited head space once in the loft. Being a handbuilt house made of stone and natural timber there are rough surfaces and stairs to negotiate, including gravel steps from the carpark, which is 20 metres from the cottage. Not suitable for people with mobility issues. A limited supply of firewood is included in your stay for the fireplace between April and September. You are welcome to bring your own firewood if you'd like to have a fire in the warmer months. We do not sell firewood. There is also an oil heater, heated blanket (winter months) and spare blankets, so you will always be warm.