Family-friendly holiday rentals in Shire of Cardinia

Laughing Kookaburra Cottage | surrounded by nature

Take a break and soak up the beauty of the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley in our cosy cottage. With two queen bedrooms, a full kitchen and plenty of parking, it’s an easy place to unwind. Wander nearby forest trails, ride Puffing Billy, visit cellar doors or enjoy good local food and coffee. Or stay in, put on some music, and relax on the verandah while kookaburras, parrots, echidnas and wombats wander by. Right next door to Avalon Castle and an easy walk to Chae. Linen and towels provided.

Charming pioneer cottage

* Pioneer cottage: nestled in sunny valley of the Dandenong Ranges. * Home-baked morning/ avo tea by open fire or in garden * Private wing * 2 bedrooms, dining room, sitting room, verandah * Piano * Sherbrooke forest and heritage Patch Post Office cafe - a walk away * Historic village, Kallista: 4 min drive * Local tourist spots: Puffing Billy, Treetops Adventures, wedding venues, wineries, tourist villages, cafes and craft shops within a ten minute drive. * Popular for cyclists/bush walkers

Menzies Cottage

Menzies Cottage is an hour east of Melbourne & set high on a mountain-side in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges. Enjoy views out to the Wellington Road farmlands & Cardinia Reservoir. On a clear day you can see Arthur’s Seat, Port Phillip & Westernport Bays. Visit nearby Puffing Billy Steam Train, go bushwalking, feed the friendly farm animals or settle-in for a lazy afternoon before watching the sun set. The cottage is fully self contained & with your own private entrance, deck & enclosed garden.

Writer's Block is a peaceful and romantic retreat

Writer’s Block retreat is the perfect romantic getaway for couples and creatives. It was selected as 1 of 11 finalists in the 2022 Airbnb Best Nature Stay for Aus & NZ. Set on 27 acres and surrounded by gums and chestnut trees, this private rural retreat is within a 10-minute drive to cafes, restaurants, shops, picturesque walks and the famous Puffing Billy. The Yarra Valley is only a 30-min drive to local wineries & markets. Fully functional kitchen & laundry. With a spectacular outdoor bath.

Your stay at "Whispering Trees"

Emerald is a beautiful scenic town popular for its picturesque lake and parks and Puffing Billy. Nestled in between the quaint towns of Cockatoo and Belgrave, Emerald is a frequently visited town among tourists to the Dandenong Ranges region. Whispering Trees is a beautiful modern bungalow on our 1 acre property which is completely separate from the main house and within walking distance to the township. We think our bungalow is best suited for couples and solo adventurers and small families.

The Little Wooden Cabin in the Rainforest.

Offering our beautiful renovated wood cutters cabin to slow down & unwind in nature. Features open plan living space & two bedrooms, main with king bed. And beautiful sun room looking over cottage gardens, with piano & desk. Perfect for a creative writers retreat. Relax in the antique claw foot bath looking up at the trees & get cozy by the fire with a record on. Enjoy walks through the rainforest among the eucalyptus trees and dip your toes in the cooling waters of the Little Yarra River.

Lakeview on Sycamore (Lower Level 1 bedroom Apt)

Self contained apartment on lower level with own separate entrance & drive/carpark. King bed with ensuite, fully equipped kitchen with hot breakfast + sofa bed + fold down couch, meals area, lounge & laundry & w/machine. Beautiful location with lakeview, great for walks/hiking etc. Peaceful and tranquil surroundings, 3 mins to shops, restaurants and cafes. 5 mins to the famous Puffing Billy and mins to Emerald Lake. This accommodation can accommodate up to 4 adults + 1 child +1 infant.

Country Vineyard Escape/Fire Pit/Sleeps 12

The perfect country escape for wedding prep, group getaways and winery weekends. Sleeps up to 12 next door to Cannibal Creek Vineyard with direct access, and just 7km from Gumbuya World. Gather around the outdoor fire pit, enjoy long lunches on the verandah overlooking established gardens, and wake up to peaceful rural views — all just 2.5km from the M1 for an easy drive from Melbourne. The home has 4 bedrooms (4th doubles as 2nd living) 2 beautiful bathrooms plus a third toilet.

Barn with free Breakfast

Nestled on 10 acres in Gembrook, this private barn is spacious & exudes rustic charm. Within an hour's drive of Melbourne, you'll stay amongst gums where the birdsong is often the only sounds you'll hear. Native wildlife is abundant and often passing through. The township of Gembrook is only a 5 minute drive & boasts fine dining at the Independent, cafes, and more. Puffing Billy is a regular visitor to the railway station. Free cooked breakfast inc in your stay.

The Barn at Four Oaks Farm

Four Oaks Farm is a working farm approximately 7.5 kms off the highway in Tonimbuk close to the Bunyip State Park, Gumbuya World, Mount Cannibal, Four Brothers rocks, bush walking tracks and horse-riding trails. Our property is situated close to the picturesque Gembrook Tonimbuk Rd with easy access to Melbourne. It is the gateway to beautiful Gippsland, the towns of Garfield, Bunyip Neerim South, Jindivick, Yarragon and the Baw Baw and Strezlecki Ranges.

The Tiny House in the Rain Forest

A self contained tiny house situated among rainforest of the Yarra ranges. The forest surrounds us by three sides, with one neighbour next door. There are plenty of tracks to go walking. Ideal if your into bird watching, bush walking, or hiking. All our water comes from the little Yarra rivers tributaries so it's clean, untreated and fresh. The house stays very warm in winter with a cozy wood fire and cool in the summer shaded by a large beech tree.

Bus in Toomuc Valley

Full size Sydney yellow bus converted in style. A comfortable bed, with self contained kitchen, refrigerator, TV, couch, laundry, and. great for horse enthusiasts. Small paddock beside bus for your horse. Ride through to Chambers Reserve and the many horse trails. Enjoy farm life, complete with baby wombats to feed. Every cent of funds go to the wildlife Shelter. Peaceful bush surrounds, perfect for artists, nature lovers, and good old relaxing.