Looking for the ultimate destination for a Far South Coast country escape? Combining pioneer-era heritage with modern-day comforts, Mountain View Farm in Tilba Tilba makes the perfect base for exploring the Eurobodalla region.
Tilba Tilba Mountain View Farm
Nestled at the base of Mt Gulaga (formerly Mt Dromedary) this peaceful getaway has accommodation options to suit all types of visitors, from couples looking for a unique romantic break, to families travelling with pets. Here are seven ways to make the most of your stay.
Soak up the property’s history
First established in 1869 by Henry Jefferson Bate, Tilba Tilba’s first resident selector (whose descendants would become something of an Australian political dynasty), Mountain View Farm oozes pioneer charm. The beautifully restored Old Dairy at the heart of the property now serves as a place for guests to read, work, or simply kick back and take in the rural panorama. You can even stay in the dairy’s former cheesemaking room, which has been tastefully converted into The Studio, a light and spacious self-contained and accessibility-designed guestroom.
Get glamping
Among Mountain View Farm’s five accommodation options, which also includes self-contained one- and two-bedroom cottages and the aforementioned studio, are two spacious but cosy, safari-style glamping tents, each equipped with a queen-sized bed, personal fire pit, an esky, a picnic basket, a small gas cooker and access to the Old Dairy common area with a brand-new amenities block and cooking facilities. Ramp up the romance factor by ordering a bottle a bottle of bubbly with a delicious Mountain View brunch basket, which your host Kathryn Ratcliffe prepares to order with the finest local produce.
Embrace a digital detox
Need to unplug? Then you’ll love Mountain View Farm’s Dolphin Cottage, which offers unlimited peace and quiet, incredible mountain views, and a luxurious outdoor bath in place of TV and wi-fi. The one-bedroom fully self-contained cottage also comes with laundry facilities, a fold-out futon in the lounge area, and a contained yard, perfect for guests travelling with pets. Should you be unable to resist the urge to log on, there’s wi-fi access in the Old Dairy – no judgement!
Test your photography skills
Mountain View Farm is known for its gorgeous field of pink and white Western Australian everlasting daisies, which, combined with the many other flowering plants to be found in the farm’s gardens, creates excellent photo opportunities. With little light pollution in the area, the farm also makes the perfect setting for astrophotography. If you’re more of a wildlife photographer, keep your eyes peeled for the resident bowerbird as well as the pair of eagles who nest on the neighbouring hill.
Cosy up to the farmyard animals – or bring your own
From puppies to chickens, horses to cows, Mountain View Farm isn’t short of farm animals adored by children and adults alike, but it’s also an ultra-inclusive, pet-friendly destination, with contained yards attached to the two cottages and a fenced patio off The Studio allowing you to secure your pets if you’d like to leave them behind while exploring the Far South Coast. Glamping guests are also welcome to have pets. So bring your dog, duck, or even your horse along with you if you wish!
Take a hike up Mt Gulaga
Forming part of Gulaga National Park, Mt Gulaga (797m) is a place of deep spiritual significance to the Yuin People, the region’s Traditional Aboriginal Owners, and you can’t get much closer to it than Mountain View Farm, which is located on the Mount Dromedary Trail, the old mining road leading to the summit trailhead. It’s a 12 kilometre round-trip to the summit from the farm, with the return journey taking most walkers three to four hours to complete. If you’re interested in the region’s gold rush history, follow the Battery Trail at ‘Halfway Rock,’ which leads 1.6 kilometres off the main track around the ridge to the foundations of the former mine manager’s residence.
Get hitched in The Old Dairy
Mountain View Farm provides a spectacular backdrop for special events, from weddings to garden parties, and even corporate retreats.
In the garden, a set of beautiful old French iron gates is a popular location for outdoor ceremonies, with the main function space centred around The Old Dairy. Charming rustic seating, a weatherproof undercover area and open-air courtyard can easily manage up to 120 guests for a cocktail-style event. And with a background in logistics, planning and project management, Kathryn is an experienced organiser who you can entrust to ensure your event runs smoothly.
