A night in the ZOO”

We booked the Wombat cottage, which is inside the little zoo. The cottage is surrounded by animal cages, houses and wondering animals. We have been provided a large pack of carrot for feeding wallabies and other animals. My daughters played with the little animals day and night. We also have the chance of touching and feeding the little koalas. Suggestion: 1 Wombat cottage is within the zoo, but not all other rooms. 2 If you want to cook, buy all food you need before going up the hills. No supermarket in Laver Hill.

Lovely Place”

This place is fantastic. The staff were very friendly and happy to show you around and inform you about the wildlife. My 12 year old said this place was her highlight of the whole trip of the Great Ocean Road.

Great family fun!”

We had a great night away. The owners, Dean and Kirsten, were fantastic and we loved meeting and feeding the animals! The room was as described - clean and comfortable with basic cooking facilities. A wonderful family experience and close to lots of attractions on the Great Ocean Road.

Fun Farmstay”

Good location to Great Ocean Road, excellent time with so many different animals.. Active koalas, wallabies, wombats, bats, parrots who greet you "Hello Hello" and my first time hugging a wombat! What an experience! Very close to the Melby National Park for glow worm experience.

Accommodation with access to the wild!”

We had an amazing time here as we were given ample opportunity to feed and touch the native animals in the retreat (wombats, koalas, wallabies). Children would love to stay here as compared to my experience in the zoo, we were able to carry koalas and feed them more easily than in the zoos (expensive price to pay just for a photo opportunity). Owners gave us a bag of carrots to feed the animals in the compound at our own time and pace. Room was not like a 5-star hotel, but the experience with the animals is so much more worth it. No phone coverage and no restaurants too close, so would be good to have your own meals ready.

Awesome location and great wildlife experience”

Wonderful. Our 4 yr old son loved the place so much that he didn't want to leave after staying 3 nights. The visit to Melba gully at 9.30pm was worthwhile. Our son got to see glow worms! He had so much fun stroking the wallabies, feeding the hairy-nosed wombats, close up with the koalas, ponies, deers, hearing for himself the Lory calling out Hellos to him. Simply wonderful wildlife experience that is incomparable. We went to the G.O.R. Eco wildlife park and felt that fauna's still better. Hosts are wonderful and friendly!

Older property that really needs some TLC, but was clean and comfortable.”

Heaters had been turned on in our room in readiness for our arrival. We had a free room upgrade from Joey to Koala. Kirsten (the owner) was fabulous; very obliging and gave us a fantastic koala experience. Property is a little isolated with no other venues "next door". A short drive in either direction will take you to good eating establishments. We drove to Beech Forest and dined at the hotel - a good old country pub. Overall, this venue was well suited to our needs for a one night stay and the koala experience was a great bonus. In all fairness, for us a longer stay may have been problematic, but depending on individual plans and needs it is well worth consideration.

A quiet weekend”

We had a lovely quiet weekend and even though the animals are in cages , they are friendly and given that the retreat runs a breeding program there is really no alternative to the cages so it was fine. Our 10 year old learnt so much and had a great time

Excellent location in the middle of the otways”

Room was situated in the middle of the otways national park, not too far from 12 apostles and just short drive to Melba gully glow worms. Hosts were very friendly and informative. You get an up close and private encounter with the animals. Room was warmed up for arrival. If you have the opportunity, I would recommend staying here if visiting the area. Only downside is no wifi, but this has probably to do with lack of network coverage in the forest in the first place.

Above average”

Damien was great when showing us the animals and gave a really personalised experience, the reason we booked was to see the animals and we didn’t have high expectations for the room so expected them to be basic. Unfortunately, we did feel like the room was extremely expensive for what we got at $235 for a room for 3 people. It was smelly, felt unclean (there was a used bar of soap and shower gel in the bathroom and stained towels) and we found hairs in our bed sheets. We arrived early evening and only stayed for one night so we did not feel like we could complain as there simply weren’t any other hotels within a 50km radius - we also then read other reviews more thoroughly to learn that the lady owner had infact asked previous customers to leave when they complained and we didn’t want to risk being chucked out so we apprehensively stayed the night. As stated, the animal experience was good but the overall stay was not worth the money due to the lack of cleanliness.

Great for kids”

Stayed at the wombat cottage which was cozy and comfortable for a farmstay. Very friendly host who brought out koalas and wombat for petting. Nice collection of animals within the farm made it interesting for kids. Our cottage has a standard bed + 2 singles with ample hot water for shower and reverse ac unit for heat and cooling.

Not to be missed!”

This is an enchanting experience - feed and pet koalas, treat wallabies to carrots, listen to a large parrot speak Chinese, and visit the wombats - especially Wilma. Dean is very knowledgeable and you will learn a lot. The location is also very convenient to Melba Gorge and the glowworms. Don't miss it!

Great for family ”

My parents and I stay two nights here, the staffs were very friendly and happy to show you around, it’s really good for animal lovers, you can see wombats, wallabies, super cutie koalas. My parents can’t speak English, so we were sorry to skip the keepers ‘ presentation of koalas’ welfare.

Value for money for animal lovers”

We met & hug the animals and which is v awesome (carrot incl.) the location is a bit far from main attractions so Better prepare for your own dinner with you as there is no meal facility nearby (at least 1x km away and close quite early) i prefer room that is not next to the road and its a value for money option for animal lovers

Amazing wildlife experience”

The interactions with the animals that they raise and care for here is priceless. We learned so much about the animals thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Very private and comfortable.

who can resist the cutest animals”

It is amazing to stay so close to koala wallaby and wombat.

Awesome animal experience”

24 hr. Access to a wonderful variety of Aussie animals.

Good experience to stay with the fauna”

It is always good to have a close interaction with the animal, you may get the small kangaroo to hop around and feed them. Kids were so happy with the stay.

Acceptable”

Great location. Very dirty room though.

Above average”

encouter with kangaroo and koala is a bonus. just for a night stay is all right, be prepared for blackout if strong wind and heavy rain.