Secluded Spa Cottage

Cottage in Johanna, Great Ocean Road, VIC, AU

100% Recommended•

2 people

Pet-friendly

One bedroom fully self contained and equipped with every comfort. Located in a wonderfully secluded location in the valley, on the banks of a fishing pond, with an elevated verandah looking out over the farm through the forest & surrounding countryside & a distant ocean view. Bliss!

Guests are welcome to explore the 280-acre farm, meet the friendly farm animals, pick fruit and herbs from the orchard and fresh salad and berries (seasonal) from the guests produce garden. Collect eggs from the chickens or explore fern gullies and bushwalk along the river. Torchlight walks under big starry skies to view the glow worms in the fern gully. OR simply relax by the warmth of the wood fire - taking in the farm and countryside views from the comfort of your fully self contained cottage.

If guests like, we can meet and do a farm tour, sharing local touring information, etc. Farm tours are by appointment and we observe social distancing recommendation.
Extra information and a map on exploring the farm, is provided.
We live on-site, so are on hand if you need assistance.

Central to a range of attractions within an easy scenic drive. The Otway Fly Tree Top walk, waterfalls and fern gullies of the cool temperate rain forest, and the glow-worms at Melba Gully are a great night time attraction. Johanna beach is just down the road (4kms).

Pets are very welcome too - by prior arrangement - Conditions apply and owners should understand and agree with conditions before making a booking - or contact us to discuss. We provide inside bedding (a quilted rug which can be laid out for pets to sit/sleep on), doggy towels (for a wipe down prior to entering the cottage), feed bowls, information on local pet friendly places to visit, and the cottage has a yard. We ask that 1. pets are supervised at all times during your stay and never left on the property or in the cottage unsupervised. 2. Please do not allow pets in the bedroom (carpeted area) and do not allow pets on the furniture. 3. Keep the lead on when exploring the farm - but ask us about 'off lead' areas for well behaved canines (the river walk & fern gully). 4. Owners should clean up after their pets both in the cottage and the yard.

Given the location of the farm - and particularly the secluded location of the spa cottage - (in the forested valley) mobile phone reception in the region is sketchy at best. We have installed satellite internet (no streaming) to service the farm and cottages. Wifi password is detailed in the cottage welcome note/guests info.

Hope this assists - do get in touch if you'd like to clarify any details.

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Features and Amenities

1 bedroom

1 bed

1 bathroom

Air conditioning

BBQ

Heating

Details

Check in after 3:00pm
Check out before 11:00am
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.

Additional Information

Located at the foot of the Otway Ranges just off the Great Ocean Road at Johanna Beach ~ midway between Apollo Bay & the 12 Apostles. Central to all the highlights of the Great Ocean Road & the Great Otway National Park. Johanna Beach, a step on & step off point for the Great Ocean Walk, is just 4 kms down the road.
Pets are welcome by prior arrangement only - Please let us know size/breed/age/etc.
Mobile reception is sketchy. We have installed satellite internet to service the farm and the cottages. We will leave wifi code details in the visitors compendium in your cottage.
We have 4 cottages on our property - So if you have a larger group, extra people can be accommodated in other cottages (poa).
Minimum 3 night stays for public holiday weekends (Aust Day/Labour Day/Queens BDay/AFL grandfinal weekend) apply. A four night minimum stay applies to Easter public holiday period. A 7 night stay applies over the Christmas and New Year period. However it's worth an enquiry as gaps often appear between bookings.

Prices

Base Price $350 / night
Weekend Price $365 / night
Discounts
5% discount for bookings of 3 nights or longer

Finding fulfillment

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

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Reviews (44)

100% Recommended

Jet

8 Jun 2026

This was our second time returning to the beautiful Johanna/Otway region, and it was every bit as magnificent as we remembered.

Helen and Julian are incredible hosts, and it is always such a pleasure... to see the farm, stay in their cosy cottages, and soak in the peacefulness of the area. Johanna River Farm Cottages feels like its own little wonderland, with so much to explore and enjoy. From platypuses, chickens, sheep, dogs, and even koalas, there are beautiful creatures everywhere you look.

The cottages and surrounding grounds are so well kept, warm, and inviting. On colder days, it is exactly the kind of place that makes you want to curl up with a book, slow down, and simply enjoy being indoors. Then, when the weather calls you outside, there is just as much magic waiting beyond the cottage doors.

From collecting fresh eggs and herbs, to hiking down towards the ocean, exploring the farm, or stargazing beneath some of the clearest skies imaginable, Johanna River Farm Cottages is a place that deserves to be at the very top of your list.

There is always plenty to do both on the farm and throughout the surrounding Otways, and we already cannot wait to return again.

~Jet

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Gus

18 Sep 2025

We needed a quiet relaxing break from our hectic work lives and that was exactly what we got! The cottage had everything we really needed to unwind. Went for a few drives along the Great Ocean Road to... Apollo Bay, Port Campbell and the stunning Johanna Beach, which we practically had to ourselves. Couldn’t have asked for more. Great place, we’ll be back!
Thank you Helen and Julian 👌

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Simone

31 Aug 2025

We had a great long-weekend stay at Helen & Julian's Secluded Spa Cottage. The cottage itself was cosy & warm with an indoor fireplace, comfortable bed and everything you need to self-cater. The cotta...ge is situated on a 280 acre farm, overlooking a pond. We spent the weekend exploring the beautiful property including meeting the farm animals, and koala and platypus spotting. We were also offered fresh eggs and our pick of herbs and veggies from the shared garden, all which were beautiful. We did a couple of shorter walks/hikes in the Otway national park visiting waterfalls and admiring the beautiful ferns & fauna. A walk along nearby Johanna beach also left us feeling windswept and afresh. Helen & Julian were lovely hosts, sharing history of the property and local activity and dining recommendations (a must visit is The Perch ... the food is very good). Overall we had a wonderful time and will definitely be back.

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Helen & Julian

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Johanna Beach

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Experience one of the top farm stay accommodation venues in one of the best regions of Australia. Experience a real Australian working farm. Johanna River Farm & Cottages - farm stay accommodation for families & couples.

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Adventures on the Property

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

Explore The Farm

Guests are welcome to wander and explore the farm - We leave a farm map and tips - Walk to the river, explore the fern gully & orchard, and guests share garden. Meet and feed some friendly farm animals.

Explore The Farm

Walk to the river, around the farm through the forest, walk down to the ferngully - by torchlight to see if there are glowworms - under a big starry sky. Pick fruit from the orchard & herbs from the guests share garden. Meet some friendly farm animals.

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.

Johanna Beach At Sunrise

Johanna Beach is only a 5 minute drive from the farm and sits halfway between Apollo Bay and the 12 Apostles. We headed down to this peaceful, quiet and picturesque beach to enjoy a walk at sunrise. The perfect start to our morning.

Surfing

Experience some of the best surf in Victoria for advanced riders along the Great Ocean Road. From Bird Rock, the world-renowned Bells Beach, Winki Pop, Centreside or Cathedral Rock. Along the coast there are good surf spots at Johanna, Cumberland River, Wye River, Baldy Rock, Skene's Creek, Sawmills and Kennett River.

Surfing

Johanna Beach

I went for a surf at Johanna Beach on dusk, the combination of untouched coastline and beautiful evening light created a euphoric moment.

Summer Sunsets At Johanna Beach

Perfect balmy evenings and summer sunsets sitting in the dunes at Johanna beach- just 4kms down the Blue Johanna road/ from the farm.

Walking Johanna Beach

One of my favourite spots along the coast is Johanna Beach. It's not a place to swim, but is still a beautiful beach with stunning views. I love the sunsets or watching the few surfers who brave the intense swell here.