Margaret River Retreat honours the traditional owners of this land, the Wadandi (Saltwater) people and their elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge the Wandandi people is 60,000-year custodianship of this special place, and we thank them for generously sharing with us their immensely deep cultural knowledge and connection to the land.
“While visiting, we ask that you walk softly, taking the time to listen to and care for Boodja (Country)”
11117 Bussell highway, Forest Grove 6286, Western Australia
Situated at the gateway to the regions most pristine wilderness, Margaret River Retreat has been an important meeting place, since the 1980s. Originally built as a Horse Hotel running Gypsy Wagon tours through the Boranup Forest to Jarrahdene campsite, an Historic Clydesdale farm and later, a retreat accommodation destination.
We are passionate about creating a holiday destination which is authentic, sustainable and accessible for family and friends. A period of family time and a long history and love of camping, now offers us an opportunity to move into a new wave of experiential tourism. Let us share with you our unique Margaret River Retreat and Reception Venue.
Margaret River Retreat offers a diverse mix of accommodation styles. Featuring our luxury Glamping Village, flexible family and couples’ glamping within a dedicated Village atmosphere, a seasonal group campsite, affordable Quarters Rooms and 4 self-contained Studio Rooms.
Over the next three years we plan to expand our retreat with self-contained Safari Tents and a luxury off-grid Bush Cabin development, to bring you closer to nature and sustainable travel.
Hugged by Forest Grove National Park and adjacent to Wadandi Track and trails, our privately-owned farm forms part of a natural wildlife corridor between Augusta, Margaret River and Nannup all the way to Contos Beach. Our 75-acre farm has been meticulously re-worked to form an important connection to place, community, culture, family and friends.
The perfect resting place from which to explore and experience your next wilderness adventure…
join us fireside! Son & Nick Edwards
Sustainable stays
Margaret River Retreat is an accredited Ecotourism business. This means that we operate our tourism accommodation within “a natural area that focuses on optimal resources use, leaves minimal impact on the environment and offers interesting ways to learn about the environment with operators that use resources wisely, contribute to conserving the environment and help local communities.” Our focus is on responsible travel, conservation of our local environment, providing interpretation and education material for our guests and supporting sustainable outcomes for our community.
Our wildlife
Over the past 15 years, we have planted extensive native vegetation and maintained wildlife corridors with limited fencing from our National Park boundary. Kangaroos and emus are free to roam past your door and graze our paddocks.
The threatened Fire-tail cockatoos have a home in the giant Marri trees and every five years or so they travel in great numbers from the Wheatbelt area to roost. Following recent bushfires the c Black Cockatoos have been placed on the Endangered Species list. To learn more and get involved, please visit WA Forest Alliance. We are fortunate to also support the Western ringtail possum who nest in the Peppermint trees and the White bellied frog who resides in the neighboring creek lines. We are proud Masked Owl Heroes and continue to maintain a safe haven for our native birdlife who nest in the neighboring Forest Grove National Park. If you want to support and learn more, please visit these organisations.
We do not intentionally feed our wildlife and we do not allow pets to stay at the retreat. If you come across injured wildlife, please get in touch with FAWNA.
Carbon footprint
Margaret River Retreat aims to reduce our carbon footprint by delivering a closed laundry system. Our linen has been chosen specifically to support our commitment to eco accommodation initiatives. By laundering our linen on-site, we are not participating in the high travel miles and chemical use that is widely accepted by the industry. Our fine 100% French Flax and Organic Cotton linens have been carefully sourced from sustainable production houses and accredited farms. We clean our linen using pure natural products, soft rainwater and sunlight. They will often look crinkled and, we believe, this adds to an authentic glamping experience.
Over the years, we have been careful to recycle timbers and repurpose them for use in furniture and interiors. Much of the construction and landscaping materials, such as, gravel and timber, have been sourced from the farm.
The Augusta-Margaret River Shire Council have implemented many important sustainable initiatives in areas of health and environment. Margaret River Retreat aims to adhere to Councils strict 4 Bin rubbish sorting and recycling programs. We promote and support our local Precious Plastics , MR Pantry and other community recycling collection initiatives, such as Containers for Change in Augusta. In addition, we provide composting and worm farming facilities.
Please assist us in adhering to our rubbish and recycling sorting.
Forest Grove is reported to have one of the highest rainfalls in Western Australia and we aim to be self-sufficient in our supply of UV treated, filtered potable water. We have fitted an outdoor water station at the cafe’ to conveniently refill your drinking vessels. Our water supply is sourced from the property via an underground spring. It is precious and therefore we ask guests to take shorter showers and be mindful of this finite resource. We are currently working on diverting our bathroom and laundry grey water to nearby gardens.
In addition, we have sourced Bamboo topped, Western Australian mattresses, organic cotton and pure wool doonas and hyper allergenic pillows made from recycled PET bottles. Who Gives a Crap toilet and tissue paper is used throughout our retreat and all of our cleaning products are 100% natural. We also recently moved to a locally handcrafted amenity manufacturer, who allows us to buy in bulk, eliminating the need for one use plastic amenities in all of our bathrooms and kitchens.
We aim to be a smoke free farm always. We offer WIFI connection for in-room guest use and offer NBN coverage for most devices. We do not provide any other in-room entertainment.
Gardening
After a period of resting, we are reshaping our gardens into intensive food production zones. Drawing on our experience in Permaculture practices, we aim to supply our Café with seasonal fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, herbs and eggs. We currently harvest small amounts of Macadamia nuts, Almonds, Plums, Citrus and Apricots from mature trees that have inspired us with their resilience.
Suppliers
We source local kitchen supplies, furniture, services and building contractors. Margaret River Retreat is pleased to offer a Green Supplier Policy. This initiative extends to our employment, construction, tour and wedding vendor, interiors, store and cafe’ partnerships and service suppliers.
We choose to support Australian tent designers who manufacture using the highest grade canvas available to further reduce unnecessary waste within the Tourism Industry.
Environmental & Cultural Community
Margaret River Environment Centre
Southwest Environment Centre
FAWNA
Birdlife Bunbury
The Frog Doctor
Artisan community
Where possible, our interiors and homewares have been collected from Australian cottage industry artisans who share our commitment to cultivating an environmental and culturally sustainable community. Through these collaborations, together we aim to forge a World Class glamping destination.
Local Artists are invited to participate in the Margaret River Open Studios Event, from our Venue. Please contact us for studio exhibition details.
We choose to sponsor the popular Annual Art Auction, supporting local artists and providing vital fundraising opportunities to The Margaret River Independent School.
We welcome creatives to our Retreat venue for workshops, markets, music and theatre events and residential retreats.
Local community
Margaret River is fortunate to offer a diverse mix of local tour experiences, many of whom have successfully become Ecotourism Accredited. Please view Retreats and Tours to find out more. We welcome all opportunities to deliver a higher standard of sustainable retreat initiatives. Please share with us your ideas via email and we will endeavor to implement them in the future.
