Karak Eco Lodge

Tiny home in Merton, Australia

  1. 2 guests
  2. 1 bedroom
  3. 1 bed
  4. 1 bath
Hosted by Paul
  1. 7 years hosting

Listing highlights

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Self check-in

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Private getaway

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Luxury off-grid Eco Lodge accommodation in the alluring Victorian High Country.

Nestled at the foothills of a forest, featuring sustainable luxury, epic valley views, and breathtaking sunsets & star scapes.

Close proximity to Mansfield, Mt Buller, Lake Eildon and Cathedral Ranges

The space
Inside, the eco cabin is warm, spacious and beautifully appointed: perfect for a romantic escape, a reset in nature, or a peaceful creative getaway:

-Indoor fireplace + cosy lounge

-Ultra-comfortable bed with high-quality pillows and electric blanket

-Luxury linens, towels, robes & slippers

-Blockout blinds

-Premium hair + body care by local eco-friendly Dindi Naturals

-Smart TV + integrated Sonos sound system + Vintage Atari 2800 system

-Lightning-fast StarLink Wi-Fi + dedicated workspace


KITCHEN

Fully equipped for real cooking:

-Full kitchen with dishwasher drawer

-DeLonghi coffee machine

-Quality cookware, dining essentials & thoughtful extras

-Pantry essentials (salt, pepper, oil, marshmellow skewers + more)


OUTDOOR LIVING

This is where guests fall in love.

-Expansive sun deck with 2x2m suspended net hammock

-Outdoor bath with valley views (optional ice bath addition)

-Outdoor dining setting + Weber Q BBQ

-Fire pit for sunset drinks and stargazing

-Forest hammock + table setting tucked into nature

-Oversized stargazing windows + skylights for Milkyway lovers

Karak is an immersive eco-experience among the elements. Wildlife sightings are all part of the stay: You will likely encounter kangaroos, echidnas, eagles, yellow-tailed black cockatoos, turtles, koalas, wombats + at times, bugs.

Please do not feed or approach wildlife.

SUSTAINABLE BY DESIGN

Karak Eco Lodge is fully off-grid, designed to minimise environment impact while offering high-end comfort.

-8kW solar system + 15kW battery (generator backup)

-Charcoal-filtered rainwater drinking system

-Grey water garden watering system

-Reclaimed and up-cycled materials throughout the build

-Heating + air conditioning

-Flushing toilet

ADD-ON EXPERIENCES (OPTIONAL)

At Karak, it’s our mission to create curated eco-experiences that feel connected to both nature and community.

As part of that vision, we partner with local High Country suppliers and only stock quality, sustainable products and experiences; perfect for couples, anniversaries, or special celebrations:

--> Curated Local Culinary Packages – Seasonal organic produce, grazing selections and premium cuts from local suppliers, delivered to your cabin. Custom cakes can also be provided for that special occasion.

--> Signature Couples Wellness Experience – Back-to-back 60-minute massages with optional foot soak, delivered privately in-cabin or on-deck.

--> Ice Bath Upgrade – Optional wellness experience for an invigorating boost.

--> Delatite Wines: Sip & Savour – Complimentary bottle of Red, and winery tasting voucher included. Additional mini-bar wines are available for purchase.


All experiences must be pre-booked at least 48–72 hours in advance to ensure availability.

-->As part of our commitment to sustainability and community, eligible cans and bottles are donated through Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme, with proceeds supporting the local CFA brigade. Please separate eligible containers during your stay to help us continue supporting this local initiative.

LOCATION

-Perfectly positioned for exploring Victoria’s High Country: nature, wineries, food spots and seasonal adventures.

-Short drive to local regional hotspot Mansfield

-Close to outdoor natural attractions: Lake Eildon, Mt Buller, Cathedral Ranges, Great Victorian Rail Trail and more…

(See our Guidebook for local favourites.)

OUR STORY

Nestled at the foot of the Strathbogie Forest in Victoria’s High Country, Karak Eco Lodge is a story of reinvention, shaped by the land, time, and nature itself.

What was originally envisioned as a family-run walnut orchard has since evolved into a 700+ acre carbon-aware cattle breeding property. While many of the orchard trees still stand today, years of challenging environmental conditions, combined with an unexpected takeover by a local clan of cockatoos, ultimately brought the orchard venture to a close. And thus, the vision for Karak Eco Lodge was born.

Built largely by hand over almost three years, Karak Eco Lodge began as nothing more than an idea: to create a place where people could slow down, reconnect with nature, and experience sustainable luxury in Victoria's High Country.

The name Karak comes from the Indigenous word for the iconic Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoo, a bird often seen gliding past the lodge from its elevated position above the valley.

Just days before opening in late summer 2026, bushfires swept through the High Country region. By fate, Karak was spared, while others only metres away were not so fortunate.

Today, the cockatoo is proudly embraced as a symbol of resilience, adaptation, and rebirth; a reminder that nothing is final. That philosophy lives throughout Karak Eco Lodge, where reclaimed timbers, recycled materials, and thoughtful design choices have been given a second life.

-"In nature, nothing is wasted, only transformed."


Begin your day with barista-quality coffee in the forest hammock or outdoor table setting. Stretch out on the expansive sun deck, relax in the floating 2x2m net hammock that suspends you above the landscape. Bird-watch and kangaroo-spot whilst soaking in the stunning valley view in the outdoor bath, roll out the yoga mat for a morning sun salutation, or spend the evening gathered around the fire pit under the shooting star-filled Milky way galaxy with a glass of local wine. The sunsets behind the rolling hills tend to burn themselves into memory.

Inside, luxury meets warmth and practicality. Relax by the indoor fire on the couch, wrap yourself in luxury linen robes and slippers, and enjoy premium hair and body care products from local vendors Dindi Naturals. Set the mood with the integrated Sonos sound system or unwind with the smart TV.

The full kitchen is beautifully appointed with a drawer dishwasher and quality coffee maker. Guests can opt into curated food packages sourced from local producers, celebrating the region’s seasonal flavours, and enjoy exceptional local wine through our partnership with Delatite Wines.

For deeper relaxation, in-cabin or on-deck Couples Wellness massage experiences are available, delivered by skilled practitioners from the local community; allowing you to fully unwind without stepping back into the outside hustle & bustle.

Karak Eco Lodge values sustainability, luxury, recreation, relaxation, reconnection, eco-experiences and community. It’s a place to rekindle, reconnect with nature, and share something meaningful: with those you travel with and the local community that makes this region so special.

NO PETS ALLOWED ON SITE

Relax. Reconnect. Recreate; sustainably.

Follow us on IG: @karak.ecolodge

Guest access
The entire lodge is yours to enjoy. The fence line marks the guest boundary; beyond this is working bushland and farmland (home to cattle who take their personal space seriously...!)

Other things to note
-Nature immersion: You are staying in a bush and farming environment. Wildlife, insects, changing weather (including high winds), and natural sounds are all part of the experience.

***Please keep fly screen closed at all times to reduce unwanted bugs entering the cabin***

-Off-grid living: Karak Eco Lodge is fully off-grid. While the systems are robust and designed for comfort, we ask guests to be mindful of energy and water use, especially during extended stays or cloudy weather.

-A backup generator may occasionally run during low-solar periods. Some operational noise may be heard while in use.

-Fire safety: Use of the firepit and indoor fireplace may be restricted during high fire danger periods or total fire ban days, in line with local regulations. Instructions are provided for safe use.

-Weather access: Some of the roads are unsealed and conditions can vary after heavy rain. A standard vehicle is sufficient, but drive slowly and with care.

-Mobile reception: Mobile phone reception can be limited depending on your provider. StarLink Wi-Fi is available and very reliable and fast.

-Quiet retreat: Karak is designed for rest and reconnection. It is not suitable for parties, events, or large gatherings.


NO PETS ALLOWED ON SITE

Where you'll sleep

What this place offers

Mountain view
Valley view
Kitchen
Wifi
Dedicated workspace
Unavailable: Carbon monoxide alarm

Accessibility features

This info was provided by the Host and reviewed by Airbnb.

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Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 18 reviews.

Guest favourite
This home is in the top 10% of eligible listings based on ratings, reviews and reliability

Overall rating

  1. 5 stars, 100% of reviews
  2. 4 stars, 0% of reviews
  3. 3 stars, 0% of reviews
  4. 2 stars, 0% of reviews
  5. 1 stars, 0% of reviews

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for cleanliness

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for accuracy

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for check-in

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for communication

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for location

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for value

Guest reviews mention

Where you’ll be

Merton, Victoria, Australia
Exact location will be provided after booking.

Neighbourhood highlights

The Eco Lodge is located in a very quiet and tranquil rural area, amongst wildlife, forest, and vast rolling hills of the Victorian High Country.

Close proximity to Mansfield, Mt Buller, Lake Eildon and Cathedral Ranges

Meet your host

Host
26 reviews
4.92 out of 5 average rating
7 years of hosting
My work: Emergency services
I spend too much time: Looking at eco-inspo!
Hi, I’m Paul. I love surfing, travel, and music. I’m passionate about sustainable eco-tourism, having previously worked as a tour manager in Europe on large sailing vessels. Karak Eco Lodge was hand- built from scratch over three years, starting with just a vision for sustainable luxury. I’m only getting started- watch this space!

Host details

Response rate: 100%
Responds within an hour
To help protect your payment, always use Airbnb to send money and communicate with hosts.

Things to know

Cancellation policy
House rules
Check-in after 3:00 pm
Checkout before 11:00 am
2 guests maximum
Safety & property
Carbon monoxide alarm not reported
Exterior security cameras on property
Smoke alarm