Kookawood

House in Rydal, Blue Mountains, NSW, AU

100% Recommended•

4 people

Pet-friendly

Enjoy stunning view of the Blue Mountains from this unique farmhouse. Self contained and filled with collection of antiques and curios from the past. A unique house hand built with love by its owners over a period of 10 years.

This is an adults only property ( 4 maximum - please not we do not allow visitors during your stay ) - it is a rural property so dam and pond nearby are unfenced and house contains too many irreplaceable items.

please be aware we do expect the house to be left tidy at checkout as it is also our home and hope people will treat it with respect during their stay , we do prepare it ourselves for guests before and after each stay and we do also stay on the property ( in another cottage nearby ) if you need assistance .

There is also another little holiday cottage near kookawood aprox 30 mteres away it is very private with dense hedging and access via rear driveway so guests there do not need to go past kookawood . But we do ask kookawood guests respect their privacy and desire for a peaceful stay .

Relax in the amazing outdoor private bath overlooking beautiful views. Stay warm in front of the huge open wood fire place or enjoy the amazing views from the outdoor fire pit (not permitted during fire ban days or hot and or windy days)

We do have bathroom inside house with bath and overhead shower plus separate eco toilet room and hand basin .

Large flatscreen TV has Foxtel and DVD player
netflix is available if you use your own netflix account
and mobile hotspot data
Full kitchen with all essentials plus breakfast provisions muesli , milk , jam , loaf of bread , butter , Bacon, eggs , tea and coffee.

The driveway is unsealed dirt/gravel and not suitable for cars with low profile wheels or those that dont wish to take them off bitumen.

We do also offer a meet feed and greet the farm animals experience and we can take photos on yoyr phone for you .Please advise us prior arrival to arrange a time .
Morning is best time and cost is additional $50

Gift this

Features and Amenities

2 bedrooms

2 beds

1 bathroom

Air conditioning

Bath

BBQ

Details

Check in after 3:00pm
Check out before 10:00am
Weekday minimum booking: 2 nights
Weekend minimum booking: 2 nights

Cancellation Policy:

Receive a 50% refund of the total booking amount (minus service fee) up until 1 week prior to check-in.

STRA Registration: PID-STRA-870

Additional Information

FARMHOUSE DETAILS
- 2 king size beds both bedrooms have amazing views
- Stunning outdoor bath overlooking views
- Indoor bathroom also has clawfoot bath and overhead shower
- Huge open wood fire place / split system aircon for heating or cooling
- Large screen TV with foxtel and large dvd library
- Underfloor heating in bathroom during winter
- Outdoor entertaining area with brand new BBQ and views
- Full kitchen with gourmet english cooker
- 15 minute drive to Lithgow town shops supermarket and bottle shop
- Lots of amazing wildlife just outside the front door
- Great walks on the large rural property
- 5 minute drive to Lake Lyell fishing and water sports / swimming
- 35 minute drive the Jenolan Caves and Blue Mountains attractions

There is lots of amazing wildlife just outside the front door and great walks on the large rural property of 200 acres. The ideal getaway to unwind and connect with nature.
The perfect romantic getaway for 2 or group of 4 friends.
Well behaved fur babies welcome - maximum of 1 large or 2 small dogs
( if you wish to bring 2 dogs with you must request this upon enquiry and give details of breed and size thankyou )

There is fenced rear garden with doggie door access to the house and large covered outdoor area just outside the doggie door & back door.

Only well behaved quiet dogs permitted. great walks for you and your pet on our large 200 acre property and neighbouring newly planted pineforest which is aprox 500 acres.

GUEST ACCESS
- Access to great walks on the large property
- The entire house is yours for the duration of the stay
- If you only book as a couple - use only one bedroom
- There is 2nd bedroom if you book for either 3 or 4 adults
- Additional fee if only 2 adults stay and each needs separate bedroom

PLEASE NOTE
We do ask the house be left tidy on departure or a cleaning fee will be deducted from the bond of $200 and a negative guest review.

We do have Telstra prepaid wifi device only - cost is additional and dependant of data required . A cheaper option is for guests to use their own hotspot on the phone as we do have good mobile reception at the house.

INTERACTION WITH GUESTS
Guests will be met upon arrival and given keys.
We do live on the 200 acre property in another cottage nearby but will give you privacy after you check in.

PLEASE NOTE
- No loud music or parties permitted as we do have another holiday cottage called wattle views nearby on the same property and only number of persons listed on your booking are allowed on the property during your stay.
- Please be aware the driveway is unsealed and aprox 1 km long - you don't need a 4 wheel drive - but it is a bit bumpy in spots
- Please note this is an adults only property children and other visitors are not permitted onsite.
- Weekend rate applies to any dates that include either a Friday or Saturday night.
- We do welcome well behaved quiet dog upon prior approval - one medium dog (or 2 small to medium dogs with prior approval ).

Prices

Base Price $725 / night
Security Deposit $500
Extra People $75 (adult) and $75 (child) / night after 2 people

Finding fulfillment

Based on traveller reviews, these are the top fulfilling moments experienced while staying here. Learn more

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Reviews (22)

100% Recommended

Kristen

8 Apr 2026

The photos do not do this amazing property justice! It’s just breathtaking. The land, fb view, the decor. We adored everything about it. Fiona is a wonderful host. Her interior decorating is magical. ...You can get lost just looking through all the wonderful nick knacks in the home. Would recommend to anyone wanting to slow down and relax.

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Mariea

4 Jan 2026

Absolute magic — a perfect Blue Mountains escape

Our stay at Kookawood was truly spectacular. From the moment we arrived, it felt like stepping into a peaceful, storybook retreat tucked away in the b...ush. The farmhouse is utterly enchanting — we were completely awestruck as soon as it came into view at the end of the drive.

It’s clear that Fiona and Michael have poured an enormous amount of love into this property, and that care shines through every detail. The house is warm, soulful, and thoughtfully curated, to the point that it feels less like staying in accommodation and more like the coolest people you know have trusted you to housesit for a while. We found ourselves lingering over every architectural detail and piece of decor — especially the collection of family photos and travel albums throughout the space. The coffee table book detailing the history of Kookawood was a particularly beautiful and personal touch.

The atmosphere of both the house and the surrounding property is truly incomparable. I don’t think I’ve ever stayed anywhere that felt so instantly relaxing. Waking to birdsong, soaking in the outdoor bathtub surrounded by nature, and spending evenings wrapped in quiet comfort made it incredibly hard to leave. The space feels private, calm, and deeply restorative — not to mention ridiculously charming. It’s the kind of place that encourages you to slow down without trying — ideal for a romantic getaway, a creative retreat, or simply some much-needed rest.

If you’re looking for a tranquil Blue Mountains escape that feels genuinely special and soulful, Kookawood is an absolute gem.

We miss it already — and we’re already dreaming of our next stay.

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Amy

2 Nov 2025

We couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful experience with Fiona. Everything from the get go was easy, from communication to directions to ‘check in’. The property is beyond beautiful. It such an ama...zing house surrounded by mountains and nature. We fell in love with the house and got some inspiration for our own house we plan to build in the future.
Highly recommend Kookawood to anyone who wants to completely escape the every day life and just be in peace and quiet. We will definitely be returning in the future.
Thank you Fiona

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Host

Fiona

Email Verified

Phone Verified

Rydal

2Listings

We are couple who just love the country life / rustic country style / animals / vintage clothes. Our favourite music - currently jazz and blues from the 30's or 40's.

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Adventures on the Property

These are the exclusive natural wonders and outdoor activities within the property boundaries.

Outdoor Bath Firepit

Relax in the amazing outdoor bath overlooking beautiful views or stay warm in front of the outdoor fire pit.

Fionas Farm Animals

Billy and Bunny are two hand-raised miniature horses who live behind Kookawood - be sure to bring some carrots if you’d like to treat these two beautiful creatures.

Outdoor Equipment Provided

Enjoy the outdoors with the following equipment included in your stay.

Bike (2)

Location

The map shows the listing location and awesome adventures nearby.

Listing location

Adventures nearby

Adventures Nearby

Here are some details about the adventures nearby. Refer to the map for their location.

Lake Lyell Recreational Park

Enjoy swimming, a picnic, fishing, canoeing or simply taking it all in while enjoying a book. Lake Lyell is a gorgeous spot to enjoy your day at.

Lake Lyell

While driving around, we came across Lake Lyell and its dam wall overlooking the valley. Lake Lyell is the spot for lots of activities - there's space to picnic, a campground, kids play equipment, a small cafe and a boat ramp. Parking isn't free so take a few coins.

Lake Lyell

Lake Lyell is a 5 minute drive from Kookawood and is perfect for fishing and is stocked with trout bass and redfin , swimming, kayaking and water sports.

Lake Lyell

Lake Lyell is a picturesque recreational lake for camping, swimming and fishing. With plenty of picnic tables and barbecues, you can have a picnic dinner and watch the fisherman catch rainbow fish and trout or take part in the water activities yourself.

Wallabies

On the way to Jenolan Caves from Bilpin, you might come across some wild wallabies at a rest area! The exact location was -33.793781, 150.028758.

Secret Sunrise Spot

Wow, this spot was amazing! We drove through the pine plantation and it did not disappoint! It was still so beautiful seeing the hills and sky softly coloured by the sunset! The sun went down directly behind us, so we think it would be even better for sunrise.