FOLLY FARM RURAL RETREAT

Just one cottage, perfect for two!

A romantic cottage featuring all of the luxuries of today with the ambience of a long established hill station property of ten acres. Enjoy views across to Mt.Dandenong, stroll the Edna Walling gardens or relax in front of the fire. 

Setting the mood is a beautiful wrought iron chandelier hand made by a local blacksmith and romantic four poster bed, hand turned by local craftsmen.  The polished spotted gum floors and original leadlight French doors complement the light and sunny aspect. A chic cottage for any occasion.

Hearty breakfast provisions of home baked bread, eggs from our chooks, bacon, yogurt, juice and more. Sleep late, breakfast on the veranda and linger over a second cuppa. The little things have not been forgotten with air conditioning to keep you cool, a gas log fire for nippy evenings, spa, and DVD& CD selections….
 
In autumn, collect chestnuts from our plantation. A true hills tradition, there’s nothing better than roasted chestnuts and a glass of Yarra Valley red! In summer, guests are welcome to pick blueberries for their breakfast. For a total break, leave the car behind and walk a few minutes to OlindaVillage. Here you will find great restaurants, shops and galleries. Opposite our gates, you will find the entrance to The National Rhododendron Gardens.  These beautiful gardens built by volunteers offer the opportunity to walk, paint, and bird watch or simply picnic!

Casual elegance…..simple pleasures

A garden full of history!

Today, these gardens have matured into a truly special treat.  Wander past the dry stone walls and follow the little pathways.  The garden is brimming with special delights…..look closely and see dainty anemone nemorosa, woodland cyclamen and erythronium.  Gracious trees including English Ash, Poplar, Juniper, Deodar and of course Walling’s favorite Silver Birches are there too!

The true test of a great garden comes in autumn and winter.  The wonderful textures of tree trunks, dry stone walls and autumn colours are testimony to Walling's vision. Edna Walling painted and executed two plans for Folly Farms owner Dr. Leonard Cox.  Eric Hammond and Ellis Stones both worked their magic with Edna Walling in 1936.

The summer perennial garden around the cottage is designed to be drought tolerant and features salvia, phlox and rugosa roses.  This garden was designed by talented plantsman, Craig Wilson of Gentiana Nursery, Olinda

Your hosts would be delighted to walk around the garden with you and explain its history.

Simple pleasures

In the cottage garden guests will find our English shepherds hut.A special space to snooze on the daybed and watch the garden grow. 

The shepherds hut is a cosy escape in winter or a delightful summerhouse during the warmer weather!
Shepherds huts were designed to be home to the shepherd who could not afford to leave his flock for long. A warm place to nurture a sick baby lamb. These days, our shepherds Hut offers our guests a special vantage to enjoy the garden in all seasons. A beautiful daybed and fire add to the romantic ambience

Designed and built by Robert at Folly Farm with traditional workmanship including amazing wheels forged by a local hills, third generation blacksmith.

Perfect for meditation or a romantic dinner.