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Entire apartment

Funky, art-inspired holiday apartment | Emerald, Vic

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

Property grounds
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Terrace/patio
1 bedroom, desk, iron/ironing board, travel crib
Smart TV, fireplace, Netflix, books
Tucked away in a leafy setting, Ferny Hill Retreat offers a whimsical escape in the Dandenong Ranges. Unwind with Netflix, soak in the deep tub, and snuggle up by the garden fire pit or on your private patio surrounded by lush greenery.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire apartment

1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

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

Add dates for prices

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire apartment to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

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 amenities

Beach

  • Beach loungers

Internet

  • Available in the apartment: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Electric kettle
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Free breakfast available
  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • Bedroom
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bathtub
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Netflix
  • Smart TV
  • Streaming services
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Furnished patio
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Dryer
  • Laundry facilities

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a village
  • In the mountains
  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • On a lake

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 2:00 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Remove personal items and remove leftover food and drinks
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Main bed: a messy bed is a good bed. Don't strip it or make it. Sofa bed: place used sheets in the bath
Turn off air conditioners and/or heater
Used towels, robes, etc: place in the bath
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: High chair provided.

Events

No events allowed

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
Onsite 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 there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property Registration Number ABN 22853775898

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

Vrbo Property
Funky Art inspired Holiday Apartment Emerald Vic
Funky Art inspired SC Apartment. Lush Garden Setting
Funky art inspired SC apartment. Lush garden setting.
Funky, art-inspired holiday apartment | Emerald, Vic Apartment
Funky, art-inspired holiday apartment | Emerald, Vic Melbourne
Art inspired SC Apartment w/ Fairy Garden. Puffing Billy Nearby
Art inspired SC apartment w/ Fairy Garden. Puffing Billy nearby.

About the neighborhood

Located in Emerald, a neighborhood in Melbourne, this apartment is in the mountains and on a lake. Puffing Billy Steam Train and Martindale Hall Heritage Museum are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include Australian Rainbow Trout Farm and Tesselaar's Bulbs and Flowers. Consider Swallowfield Winery for a night out or Cloudehill Nursery and Gardens if you're traveling with kids. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Emerald, VIC

What's nearby

  • Emerald Lake Park - 17 min walk - 0.9 miles
  • Dandenong Ranges National Park - 12 min drive - 6.1 miles
  • Sherbrooke Forest - 15 min drive - 8.3 miles
  • Puffing Billy Steam Train - 15 min drive - 7.8 miles
  • Olinda Falls - 27 min drive - 12.0 miles

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Shane on Colby - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Edison Bakehouse - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Bam Bam Italian - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Yarra Ranges Estate - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪The Railway Dog - ‬3 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 Sep 12, 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Funky, art-inspired holiday apartment | Emerald, Vic on Sep 30, 2025 start from $129.05, 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?

Check-out 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. Emerald Bushland Reserve and Gemco Community Theatre are also within 2 mi (3 km).

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Funky, art-inspired holiday apartment | Emerald, Vic Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 31 out of 34 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 34 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 34 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 34 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 34 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jacek M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Emerald

Pleasant stay, a bit small place but clean and tidy. Beautiful cottage garden
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Charlene

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
Amazing property to stay at. The house was clean, tidy and full of amazing little surprises (books, toys, games, etc). The breakfast bar was full of yummy things, and Carmen made sure we had all we needed before leaving us to ourselves. We will be staying here again!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

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

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

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

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

Tony G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful and relaxing

Great place in Emerald
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022

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

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

Yuping L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Good

Good
Stayed 1 night in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

phillip j.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A couple of days away.

We stayed for 4 nights and it was great. Very quiet and peaceful and we got to rejuvenate our batteries. It didn't matter that it rained the entire time. Carmel was very friendly and accommodating and the supplies were plentiful. Enjoyed ourselves so much, we would be happy to return again. With out the rain.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2020

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

Sofya M.

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

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

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