Kangaroo Valley is a slice of paradise only two hours from Canberra and Sydney, which is blessed with abundant wildlife, ancient landscapes and breath-taking natural beauty. This amazing destination is also taking steps to become one of the world’s first carbon neutral tourist destinations – ensuring the survival of its treasures for future generations.
Kangaroo Valley is a mix of wildlife corridors, native forests, pastoral land and national parks. With an awe-inspiring landscape of high escarpments, river valleys and eucalypt forests, treasures appear before your eyes … cascading waterfalls, quiet creek pools and a range of bush walks to suit most ages and abilities.
Banksia Park Cottages is the ideal place to stay and savour the beauty of the area, with its array of self-contained cottages, great play areas for kids and its own olive grove, now producing amazing extra virgin olive oil, which is available for tasting and sale to guests.
The property covers 100 acres, with 30 acres being pristine bush rolling down to the Kangaroo River. You will see plenty of wildlife without ever leaving Banksia Park and the 200-year-old ferns tell the story of the ancient beauty of this land.
This property does more than cater for children … it welcomes them and keeps them entertained with three separate play areas, which include activities such as volleyball, trampolining, table tennis and solar-heated swimming pool and spa. Bring your bikes along, as there is no traffic and plenty of room to explore. Nights are memorable with campfires, roasting marshmallows and damper, and then wombat spotting under the canopy of stars – so bright away from the city lights.
In fact, this is camping without the tents – making everyone happy. The six cottages are fully self-contained, spacious and rated as 4 star accommodation. You can choose from the three bedroom lodge, four cottages with two bedrooms or the one bedroom cottage. All the main bedrooms have a queen-size bed, and the second bedrooms have either a double bed or a set of bunks. There is a disabled cottage, which means that Banksia Park is a place where everyone can enjoy the feast of natural beauty.
There are BBQs as well as the campfire facilities, and all linen is provided – making it easy to start your holiday as soon as you arrive. For those keen to spot the local wildlife, dusk and dawn are optimum viewing times and it is common to come across wallabies, wombats, echidnas, goannas and an amazing array of birdlife. Wander down to the Kangaroo River through the macrozamias and banksias and forget that stress was ever part of your life.
The owners moved from Sydney many years ago and are committed to sharing their slice of heaven in a friendly, nurturing and responsible manner. This wonderful property offers so much for family holidays and yet treads so lightly on our landscape … truly the best of both worlds.
About the Author
Lisa Monk is a marketing communications writer with a diverse background that includes experience in travel, hotel, finance, public relations and advertising. She has worked with Club Med, the Holiday Inn group and on a number of other travel projects on a freelance basis. Lisa has travelled throughout Asia Pacific, North America and England.
Lisa now works with TakeABreak.com.au as editor of the Holiday Inspirations newsletter and other publications. She lives in Sydney with her husband Andy, and sons Joseph and Nicholas.
Bookings:
Make an enquiry for your holiday at
Banksia Park Cottages
through TakeABreak and the property operator will get back to you directly to confirm
pricing and availability. Visit their listing for more pictures, further information
on rates, the availability calendar and guest reviews.
Lisa is a professional editor for Holiday Inspirations.
