Property grounds
Check availability

Reviews of Rustic self contained cottage set in the beautiful grounds of Grayton House.

Rustic self contained cottage set in the beautiful grounds of Grayton House.
Woodend, VIC

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 36 out of 42 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 42 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 42 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 42 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 42 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Amenities

8.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

6/10 Okay

J E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely gardens and host
Pleasant location and hosts and the only negative thing to say is the bed was uncomfortable. I don't know if its just because we have a really comfortable mattress at home and have got far to used to that level of comfort, but it made sleeping difficult unfortunately and without sleep it tarnishes the shine of all other things. And it doesn't even cost much to get a good mattress like Sleeping Duck etc these days so it's an easy problem to rectify, and we enjoyed everything else. Would have given 5 stars otherwise. Please be aware also there is limited mobile signal in the surrounding areas.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 2 May 2024
Hi Joel Thanks for sending a review from your stay 4 months ago. I am really sorry and surprised you found the bed uncomfortable as we have never had this raised as an issue before. In fact a number of past guests have actually commented on how comfy it is. You are right about the intermittent mobile signal throughout Woodend and surrounding areas. It can also depend which service you are with. Telstra and Optus are probably the better ones. This issue has been raised by many locals in the past with our local MP.

10/10 Excellent

Mark C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet peaceful stay
Beautiful property and wonderful quiet place to stay. Breakfast and local food much appreciated and easy location for touring the region. We’ll stay again
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

elizabeth g.

Liked: Cleanliness
A quaint escape
We loved everything about this cottage and didnt want to leave to venture out for dinner because it was too cozy by the open fire. There was everything we needed and Alison couldn't have been more helpful. And the bed was amazing - we slept so well. Thoroughly recommended and we would stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

cheryl c.

Liked: Cleanliness
Woodend
A beautiful cosy cottage in the heart of Woodend. Alison's attention to detail & providing everything you need for a relaxing stay. A selection of breakfast items & little extras were greatly appreciated.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Claire A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cute cottage
Adorable cottage set in a very gorgeous garden not too far from Woodend. We loved our stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rebekah W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cute and comfy
Such a beautiful place to spend the weekend. The cottage had everything we needed. The breakfast supplies were well thought out, beautifully presented and delicious and made our weekend so much easier. Nearby are so many great places to visit that it’s such a convenient place to base yourself. I couldn’t recommend highly enough.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Cute getaway
Wonderful surrounds, just enough out of town, as we like it, perfect couple sojourn.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kate A., Brisbane

Liked: Cleanliness
Cosy Romantic Getaway
Amazing cosy cottage with full kitchen, separate bathroom and very comfortable queen bed. The provisions provided by Alison are more than ample for a couple. Various breakfast options including fresh bread, eggs, milk, yogurt and several cereals. Plus snack options. Could not fault anything. Meeting Alison and husband was an added bonus. Alison left extra special birthday wishes for my partner as she knew that’s why we were having our weekend stay. Highly recommend staying in The Shack.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Peter R.

Liked: Cleanliness
A little piece of Southern France
The shack was just devine, a cosy 2-3 room bungalow with an amazing open fire, perfect for those cool autumnal evenings. The privacy was excellent, but the host is close enough by "just in case". The grounds were a delight to walk around especially with the falling autumn leaves. A perfect stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Such a great property and house, and the hosts were incredible. We’ll definitely be recommending this to our mates as it was an incredible weekend away!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Peter G.

Liked: Cleanliness
An welcome oasis
We loved our stay at Alison and Mark's property. Restful, private space to just read and disengage from our lives for a few days, yet within easy reach of the town and surrounding townships. We really enjoyed the quality and nice touches in the cottage, from the complimentary snacks (more considered and extensive than I've encountered in other properties) and breakfast supplies to the fittings in the cottage. We'd definitely consider returning for another restful weekend away and highly recommend this property.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Mar 2023
Thanks Peter. It was lovely meeting you both and it’s so nice to hear you enjoyed your stay.

10/10 Excellent

Guy F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great get away
Beautiful ‘Shack’ with a romantic feel, ideally situated to the explore the region and set in beautiful grounds. Quiet, comfortable and well appointed. Would definitely recommend and or stay again. Alison provided a good introduction and made us very welcome. Great stay. Thank you.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Jan 2023
Thanks Guy. Glad you enjoyed your stay with us. Cheers Alison

10/10 Excellent

Kelly P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Tranquil retreat
We had a wonderful stay at The Shak, it was the cutest space, with absolutely everything to make our stay so comfortable. The breakfast hamper and treats were next level, and the bed adorned with quality linen, was so comfy. A beautiful bunch of red roses on the kitchen table just reminded me of home, they were just stunning. We would highly recommend a stay at this beautiful space in an enchanting garden, can't forget to mention Daisy, the dog, she will come over for a cuddle if you are a dog lover, or not if you aren't. Thanks Alison and Mark
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Dec 2022
Thankyou Kelly. It was a pleasure meeting you and Dennis. I'm glad you enjoyed your stay with us.

10/10 Excellent

Talya A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful, tranquil cottage in a great location close to surrounding towns
We had a great time staying in the shack, it was very clean, had a beautiful ambience to the room with a lovely fireplace and limited mobile connection so really great to switch off. Alison was a lovely host, she prepared a generous breakfast hamper and was very welcoming. I would love to stay again and would highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

justine n.

Liked: Cleanliness
We absolutely loved it- the breakfast and cute supplies and the beautiful grounds thank you
We are a gorgeous weekend thank you
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michael S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent stay will book again!
The property had a great feel like being in a Tuscan villa in Tuscany. The hostess was lovely. Thankyou for your generous items for breakfast.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Suzi H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely weekend hideaway
We had a lovely weekend in this cute cottage - especially enjoyed the log fire and the beautiful breakfast items that Alison left for us. My only difficulty was not being able to stand under the shower to wash my hair as it was a fixed shower head that was quite low. Would highly recommend though.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 12 July 2022
Thanks Suzi. Glad you had a lovely weekend. Good feedback re shower head and one we can easily fix by adding a new shower arm giving extra height. Thanks again, Alison

10/10 Excellent

Michelle

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The shack was a gorgeous little getaway. Alison went above and beyond. The welcome basket was beautiful and stocked full of goodies. Place was clean and had everything we needed. The back gate made it very private and was very easy to use. Perfect couple retreat. Highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Trevor

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location to explore local antique shops, golden triangle and Macedon ranges
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

8/10 Good

Sharon M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very pleasant stay,accom perfect for our requirement s,beryhappy with the experience
Would stay their again
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

David L.

Liked: Cleanliness
A lovely cottage
A cosy cottage on a lovely property, very quiet, only a short drive to local shops and attractions.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

4/10 Poor

Maureen

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Unacceptable to open a gate in not good condition. No lighting in driveway.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mikala F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Absolutely amazing!
The cottage was super cosy and relaxing! The most perfect weekend get away!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brendan G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quick break
Such a gorgeous little cottage, Our host Alison was great and had equipped the cottage with everything she thought a couple staying over would like. It was lovely
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lauren G.

Liked: Cleanliness
The perfect weekender
We recently stayed here for our 10 year wedding anniversary and it was such a delight. The Shack has everything you need and Alison is such a lovely host. We were surprised on arrival with a bottle of champagne, chocolates and roses. Such a lovely touch. Plus a generous supply of food for breakfast which was perfect, the homemade muesli was delicious. I would highly recommend staying here for a cosy couples weekend.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 22 May 2022
Thanks Lauren. Im glad you enjoyed your stay and congratulations again on your anniversary.

10/10 Excellent

Andrea L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect getaway
Gorgeous cottage situated in beautiful garden. Very relaxing and comfortable stay and owners made me feel very welcome.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Paul M.

Liked: Cleanliness
WOODEND COTTAGE
VERY SMART LITTLE COTTAGE ON THE GROUNDS OF A LARGE HOUSE WITH BEAUTIFUL GARDENS. GREAT LOCATION FOR A GREAT AREA WITH LOTS TO SEE AND DO. ALLISON WAS VERY HELPFUL AND PLEASANT TO DAL WITH. WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ACCOMODATION!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Louise S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful & comfortable studio cottage
Alison & Mark were so welcoming in accomodating our adult daughter’s every need when she arrived from London. Thank you for taking such great care and thinking of everything.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sara L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect weekend away
This property is absolutely divine. It is a cosy little cottage with all the small touches that make it amazing. The grounds were so beautiful and to be able to walk around the garden and a special show by Daisy made the weekend. Allison is a wonderful host and gave us privacy but was available if needed. We will be back.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Nov 2021
Thanks so much Sara. Look forward to having you back any time.

10/10 Excellent

Kim G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful place to stay
We've just come back from a fantastic stay at The Shack in Woodend. It was a lovely little cottage that was very charming and very comfortable. It was very clean and had everything you could want for a great getaway. The owner Alison has thought of it all; from the stocked fridge filled with fresh eggs, milk, fresh berries, yummy bread, homemade muesli and little bakery treats. There is an open fire which was welcome as it was a freezing weekend in Woodend. The grounds of the place are lovely too, and you are able to walk around and explore. We would highly recommend this place and we hope to be back to stay ourselves very soon.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 7 July 2021
It was a pleasure meeting you and Justin and I’m glad you enjoyed your stay with us. I look forward to welcoming you back again soon.

10/10 Excellent

Nora (Janbazian) M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cosy & inviting.
The Shack is a cosy warm and inviting perfect little quiet hideaway. It has all the mod cons while feeling like you are far away hidden from all the stresses of eveday life. Internet reception is very poor so if you are planning on working forget about it. It is purely for those who want r & r. We were greeted with a bottle of champagne and chocolates with a beautiful card wishing us a happy anniversary. Alison had stocked up with beautiful fresh bread, fruit, milk, yoghurt, eggs and snacks a plenty. Great place to snuggle by the fire and enjoy a bottle of wine and relax which is exactly what we did Thanks so very much Alison.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 29 June 2021
Thanks Nora. I’m glad to hear you had a lovely relaxing weekend.

10/10 Excellent

Holly T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect weekend getaway
My partner and I had a great stay in The Shack. The cottage had everything we needed, was super cute and tidy. And Alison was the perfect host - friendly and helpful but also very respectful of our privacy. The brekkie supplies and other bits and pieces available were very much appreciated. Couldn't ask for more, thanks!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Alannah L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Idyllic Country Retreat
My husband I stayed at The Shack for our first weekend away with our new baby. As anxious new parents, we were looking for a cosy spot to enjoy some quiet time away from the city. The Shack was the perfect space for us, beautifully furnished, warm and inviting with the wood burning fire, fully equipped kitchen filled with delicious local and home made food (more than enough for breakfast for 2 each day) a lovely bathroom and super comfy bed. The grounds were perfect for a morning stroll through the mist around the lake, and close enough to Daylesford and Hepburn for our daytime adventures. Alison and Mark were exceptional hosts, and Daisy the retriever was an added bonus! We couldn’t recommend them more highly. Thank you for making our first family weekend away a breeze, and Jake would very much like the recipe for Alison’s amazing muesli!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 24 May 2021
Thank you Alannah. It was lovely meeting you both and baby Penelope. You are welcome back anytime and I'll text you the Muesli recipe for Jake. Cheers Alison

10/10 Excellent

Lisa D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful!
We had the most lovely weekend at this gorgeous cottage! Such a cute spot!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 6 May 2021
Thanks Lisa. You're welcome back any time.

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing property, fantastic grounds, close to Woodend and Mount Macedon
My husband, son (toddler) and I had an amazing time at The Shack. The cottage was lovely to come home to after a day gallivanting around the Macedon Ranges. The open fire was so cozy to sit beside and there was ample wood for our entire stay. We loved adventuring in the grounds, the hedges almost like mini-mazes and details like the rose garden, gazebo, long swing from an old tree, and the dam, made it very relaxing. We met Daisy, the house dog, multiple times as we mentioned to the owner we were fond of dogs, and she was super friendly and very happy to play fetch. The hamper supplied was wonderful, so much so we asked Alison for her muesli recipe when we left. There was more food than we expected: fresh berries, bread, milk, eggs, homemade muesli, biscuits, and much more. The property manager, Alison, told us they wouldn't see her or her husband (they live in the mansion on the property) unless we needed them, which was true. We did speak with both several times and they were very helpful on providing information about the local area, and both lovely, down to earth people, who were keen to make sure we were happy with our stay. Overall, we couldn't have asked for a better place to stay in the Macedon Ranges and we're all counting down until our next stay at The Shack.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 6 May 2021
Thanks Elizabeth for such a wonderful review. We enjoyed having you stay with us - especially Daisy.

8/10 Good

Lesley G., Melbourne

Liked: Cleanliness
Secluded cottage on a large property
Cosy cottage with lovely fresh produce for breakfast. Comfortable bed. Despite the bad weather we enjoyed our stay exploring the area. I was surprised to find that the Shack didn’t have a TV as it is not something I would check for. Being a very cold weekend it would have been nice to watch in the evening by the open wood fire. Poor internet connection.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Apr 2021
Thanks Lesley. Glad you enjoyed your stay despite the weather and thank you for your feedback. We have recently installed a TV in The Shack now that the cooler weather has arrived.

10/10 Excellent

Paul V.

Liked: Cleanliness
Unique and querky experience
Superb overnight stay, excellent experience, the breakfast was stunning
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Apr 2021
Thanks Paul. Glad you enjoyed your stay with us.

10/10 Excellent

Mitch v.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing Stay!
This property is incredible and I would highly recommend that if you are visiting the area you stay here.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Apr 2021
Thanks Mitch. Best wishes to you and your wife and we’d love to have you visit us again anytime. Cheers

10/10 Excellent

Andrew R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Happy Anniversary at The Shack Woodend
My wife and I enjoyed our short stay at The Shack to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Our host Alison welcomed us on arrival and had thoughtfully arranged chilled champagne and artisan chocolates for the occasion. We both enjoyed the cosy open fire after long day walks and the generous local fresh produce for a hearty breakfast each morning. Thanks Alison for a very enjoyable stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Apr 2021
Thanks Andrew. Glad you enjoyed your stay with us.

10/10 Excellent

Paul W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Superb stay
Outstanding and wonderful surroundings. Very comfortable and cosy and lovely Breakfast!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Frances P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Europe in Woodend
At THE SHACK one can pretend to leave Australia and be in a cottage in the south of France, that is perhaps hundreds of years old. However, this cottage also has all modern conveniences. This place is stylish, atmospheric and romantic. The grounds are astoundingly beautiful, complete with a lake and gazebo. Even though the cottage is at the back of the owner's property, we had privacy coupled with the freedom to wander around and enjoy the substantial gardens. The food and provisions left for us were delicious and artisanal. The variety of foods and the sheer quantity would have been sufficient for a week, not merely a weekend. What generous hosts! Alison is warm, friendly and helpful. One can drive or walk into town easily. Highly recommended place!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Mar 2021
Thanks so much Frances. Glad you enjoyed your stay. You are welcome back anytime. Cheers Alison

8/10 Good

Pamela L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Really enjoyed the sleep and rest in this cottage
Very nice stay ! Bit noisey with the estate next door but lovely stay and a lovely dog to welcome you xxx
Response from VrboOwner on 14 Mar 2021
Glad you enjoyed a restful stay Pamela albeit with the neighbours birthday celebrations. Unlucky timing as they’re normally very quiet.