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Three families with small children made the trek for a weekend away. We could have stayed longer - the kids had a fabulous time at the pool, the rooms were comfortable and everything seemed easy. More specifically: this property has a large communal area with conference rooms, cosy lounges and a pool table as well as a swimming pool with fully equipped outdoor kitchen. The hosts are lovely people, generous with their time. They also sell pecan nuts grown in their orchard and home made preserves. It's quite a drive there and check in is at 2 so we went to an animal farm in Dural on the way as. On our last day, with check out at 11, we spent the say at the pool and cooked our own lunch. I'd do this again but stay longer. An again with friends. Would also be sure to spend an evening playing pool.
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Date of stay: November 2014
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â There are about 10 rooms of varying sizes. Room 1 is large with huge bed and sofa bed and spa...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is our second visit to Bandusia and I've booked to go back again. We visit St Albans each year for an event held in the village and I have been lucky enough to stumble across Bandusia. The hosts are lovely and welcoming, the rooms are lovely and exceptionally clean, beds very comfortable and communal areas are also very comfortable with plenty to do, whether its a game of pool, reading, watching the tv or sitting around the open fire playing a board game or reading a book. There is no mobile phone coverage in the area, but we needed to make an important work related phone call, and the host were very accommodating and had no problem with us using their landline and also giving us access to the internet so we were able to use our laptops. Looking forward to my next visit :)
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Date of stay: May 2013
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The location is wonderfully peaceful and remote, despite the proximity to Sydney. Once you cross the Hawkesbury River at Wiseman's Ferry you can already feel yourself relaxing into a slower pace.
On arrival, Geoffrey made sure we felt at home with a roaring fire in the hearth and coffee, cheese and biscuits before serving a home cooked evening meal.
We stayed in the Honeymoon suite for 2 nights and made full use of the suite's wonderful spa bath with bush views.
If you don't mountain bike, horse ride or 4x4 there is still lots to do around St Albans. We did a 2 hour walk up Jack's Track to take in the stunning views from the top of the escarpment, down into the valley below. Afterwards, the Settlers Arms was the perfect spot to enjoy a beer in the spring sunshine.
The owners are building an amazing sustainable garden on the property, and Bandusia would definitely appeal to anyone with green fingers who is looking to get far away from the city on the weekend.
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Date of stay: September 2012
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â The Honeymoon Suite has an amazing spa with bush views
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Staff were very friendly. Honeymoon room is great. Truly in the "middle of nowhere". Shared a dinner table with staff & other guests, loved it. Had lunch at Settlers Arms at St Albans which is about 11km away.
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Date of stay: October 2016
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have stayed at Bandusia a number of times, and have even done a Permaculture beekeeping course, which was professional, hands-on, informative and great fun. Not to mention the honey to take home! Penny and Geoffrey always do a fabulous breakfast, with fresh eggs from the chickens who live in a straw-bale construction hen house! There's a food forest, and many other creatures: ducks, quails, a Turkey called Chunto who follows Penny around like a dog; and the wildlife is stunning - the little forest birds come in droves to a birdbath which can be seen from the dining area; on our last visit, a French family were delighted to see a family of Kangaroos hopping past the window as they breakfasted. The Permaculture weekends are varied and reasonably priced - dry stone walling; straw bale construction; vertical wall gardening; home preserving; making vinegar and home made cheese. All hands-on workshops. Or you can just do what we do: chill out. Most of the rooms have a spa bath, there's a larger outdoor spa, and best of all, a large swimming pool. The kids love it, especially on hot summer days. Recreation is what you make it: chilling out, reading, playing billiards on a full-size table; a sing-along around the player piano! There are cards, books, and people to talk to; walks down to the river for bird-spotting, and bring your bike for a country cycle. There are various local events during the year; our favourite is the St Albans Folk Festival, always on Anzac weekend, centred on the Settlers Arms Pub at St Albans village, 10 mins drive away. I love that old pub - it has a rare old atmosphere from long ago. It is just a short drive from Wiseman's Ferry, and the ferry trip across the river is where the adventure begins... One of our favourite places in the world.
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Date of stay: February 2016
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â Loads of rooms, most have a spa bath, a lounge (pulls out to make an extra bed), TV, fridge, tea...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
When my friends and I left it til the last minute to book accomodation for the annual Convict mountain bike race which is hosted in the small country town of St Albans we fast realised how few options there were for accomodation in this small town let alone anywhere that would be half decent until I stumbled across Bandusia, from the initial email correspondence with the host Geoffrey I found him most helpful in trying to help choose the most appropriate room for our stay. Upon arrival to the lodge we were greeted by Chunto the Turkey who roams around the property freely and made me laugh on every occasion, we were told we could park our car on the lawn right across from our room less than 10 metres so conveinent. The room was quite large and very comfortable and exceeded my expectations. the bathroom was also good size although the shower head is positioned quite low, people above 6ft would have to duck but it's a very minor complaint, my only negative remarks about the lodge is simply the remoteness of it being a 13 minute drive north of the township of St Albans on a gravel road which at night is treacherous with no lighting on the roads, if only they'd fix that road! That said i think Bandusia more than makes up for the extra drive and i consider it excellent value for money with the awesome breakfast included which was delicious and cooked fresh every morning includes fresh tea & coffee, porridge, eggs, toast, bacon, sausage and just about anything else you can think of, if you give them notice the night before they'll even prepare a wholesome homemade dinner for you for a very reasonable fee. The fireplace is the star of the show in winter and it felt like every time we entered the common area Geoffrey was there to stoke the fire for us, awesome! I didn't realise until near the end of the stay they also had an outdoor jaccuzi, spa, pool, sauna and BBQ which i'll be taking full advantage of next year! upon check out we were told not to rush and to sleep in if we wished.. All in all the stay was amazing and i couldn't have asked for a better host our trip highlights were... 1 Breakfast 2 The fire place 3 the huge king bed in room 1 4 hit the brief of cosy, traditional lodge 5 the amazing host
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Date of stay: August 2015
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wanting to get away from the bright lights of Sydney I came across Bandusia. As it was only 1 night I opted for the Honeymoon suite if only for the sunken bath. As I had booked this as a surprise my first reaction on arrival was hesitant as it does not have the wow factor of a luxury resort.. as it is now an eco resort and the offer of chicken and veg for dinner was not going to cut the mustard for a wife expectant of a nice weekend break. However, this was quickly rectified with a trip back to Wisemans Ferry for an early dinner and to stock up on supplies for the evening. As for getting away from it all, there is no telephone or 3G reception in the valley, no TV and no Wifi. For us this was a blessing as without the constant updates from around the world you can focus on the moment. Needless to say, the bath overlooking the forest provided the highlight of the trip and was the prelude to an evening of ultimate relaxation. The breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast was home cooked and adequate. It's also nice to be greeted first thing by the chickens rushing to meet you in the hope of some food.
This is a resort in transition as the previous owners had grander intentions and as it now moves towards a self sustainable eco lodge there are a few aspects that im sure will be ironed out. So go prepared, it is a B&B after all, be ready to be unconnected and bring a good book and let the tranquillity of the forgotten valley in!
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Date of stay: September 2014
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Pay the extra for the Honeymoon Suite if Available, the sunken bath is completly worth it!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My husband, toddler and I stayed one night here due to my work as a hair and makeup artist. We found Geoff and Penny delightful and their breakfast worth waking up for! We opted for the budget room so for obvious reasons can't say it was lovely but I was working in the honeymoon room the next day and that was great. It had a big spa bathroom with two mirrors and plenty of light making it an ideal work station for hair and makeup and this also gave the bridal party room to move around. The location is so peaceful and I'm sure Penny and Geoff will succeed all the way with their plans to turn it into a complete Eco friendly get away. There's no reception in the area which is a little tricky when you are doing business but that can be resolved with being a bit better organized before hand. Thank you guys. Jude, David & little Tom x
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Date of stay: February 2013
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We went to the Forgotten Valley for 4WD Driving, got stuck in MacDonald River and after a long day in the wilderness, decided to stay overnight in the Bandusia Country Retreat. The owners were lovely and caring in every possible respect and even took their time the next morning to assist us in pulling the car out of the river. We had an unforgettable chat with them near the log fire and they cooked us a delicious dinner together with cheese and red wine. The room was lovely and the bed very comfortable. We’re very lucky we found this place by coincidence and will certainly come back for hiking or 4WD Driving. Go there people, this place is simply one of a kind. You’ll feel very comfortable in a beautiful luxurious big country style house with owners who treat you amazingly.
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Date of stay: May 2012
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Felt like visiting a friends place that had a beautiful big house in the country. Even though it rained the whole time, you could do your own thing or hang out in the common areas, by the fire, playing pool or reading in a comfy armchair. Great to have the option of eating in too. Looking forward to heading back and seeing he vegie garden!
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Date of stay: June 2011
Value
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Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the St. Albans area.
LOCATION
AustraliaNew South WalesBlue MountainsHawkesbury ValleySt. Albans
NUMBER OF ROOMS
9
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