Surprise your partner or family with a magical escape to this enchanting private retreat in the Dandenong Ranges. Blending cultures and traditions, the 1001 Nights Hideaway studio combined with the Cockatoo Express tiny house offer exclusive access to a lush half-acre garden.
Sleep beneath embroidered Mongolian rugs, sip mint tea from Moroccan glasses, and unwind with a sensual massage after a day of forest hike.
A bohemian fairytale just an hour from Melbourne, truly a hidden gem!
The space
🏡 You’ll have exclusive access to two unique accommodations in one - the 1001 Nights studio and the Cockatoo Express tiny house - as well as your own half-acre private garden that feels like a forest. Just you, your loved one(s), and nature.
🌿 Whether you're cozying up in the sunroom, lounging under trees in one of many secret garden nooks, or stargazing in silence, this sanctuary invites you to truly disconnect. You will find in the bathroom the Moroccan Argan oil for your hair and massage oil for a luxurious self-care ritual or a sensual experience to share.
🧒The space is child-friendly with fascinating toys, puppets, pup-up books, colouring and games, all Arabian nights themed (Aladdin and more)!
🧘🏻♀️Meditation Retreat / Temple Stay package🧘🏽♂️ including:
- 24/7 Meditation / yoga room access upstairs
- 1h seated meditation + mantra chanting per day with your host
- 1h per day private mentoring to support your practice (based on Nadia's 20+ years supervised practice)
- Spiritual library in 3 languages (English, French, Russian)
- piano and harmonium to play on
Contact your host for price.
🇫🇷 French Immersion retreat 🥐 - contact your host for price
- Property guided tour in French on arrival
- Daily French lesson
- All guests communication in French
- Yoga / Guided meditation session in French
- Library in French to read on site
- French-grade winery in walking distance
💆 Other Extras to Elevate Your Stay (by request):
- On-site 1h relaxation massage with elements of sound healing by a qualified massage therapist ($85)
- Lumena Sacred Flow on select weekend mornings: an embodied journey of gentle stretching, mindful movement, vocal chakra toning & relaxation, wrapped in the healing frequencies of light language ($30 per person, 2h duration).
- Your car washed ($20)
- Firewood ($30)
- You can watch the activity of a bee family being taken care of by a beekeeper (donation based, subject to weather conditions)
- French language immersion and private lessons (your host is a qualified and highly experienced teacher)
- Meditation room access upstairs
- Birthday or anniversary packages available
- Honey, honeycombs and hand made bee wax candles on sale
- Commercial photography/filming - contract available on request
📍 You’re just minutes from scenic trails, the historic Puffing Billy Railway, local wineries, and charming towns like Emerald and Gembrook - yet it feels like a world away, "a different country".
🛌 Sleeping arrangements tailored for comfort:
1-2 guests: 1001 Nights studio queen bed. The Cockatoo Express will be blocked from other bookings - use it as a cozy daytime nook or a workspace. If you would like two separate sleeping arrangements for two guests, please let us know during your booking.
3 guests: The above plus an additional single bed in the Cockatoo Express tiny house.
4 guests: In addition to the above, a comfy fold-out bed will be prepared in the sunroom (ideal for a child or an extra adult guest). Please add $40 extra for bedding handling and washing.
A mini cot is also available for infants.
💌 Ready to disappear into a dream? Book your unforgettable stay now!
Guest access
Your property is situated at the ground floor of the house and is accessed via stairs.
A key lock next to your door will contain your key for self check-in; the code will be provided before your check-in time.
You can use your space as well as the large beautiful garden that have several sitting spots. You can also enjoy the outdoors space with a picnic rug and picnic basket (both provided) as well as unwind in the hot tub and stargaze next to the fire pit.
Early check-in and late check-out could be accommodated on request.
Other things to note
Luxury linens, towels, hot beverages, and light breakfast ingredients (oats, dried fruits, milk alternatives) are provided.
Tall Timbers Orient Express is a 1h drive from Melbourne CBD. Located off Paternoster road, it's on a 0.5 acre property on a dirt road, less than 8 minutes drive away from Emerald and Cockatoo centre, midway between Emerald and Gembrook. Excellent supermarkets, shops, cafes and restaurants are located in Emerald and Gembrook (less than 10 mins by car).
There are many things to do in the Dandenong ranges area, such as hiking/bike tracks, lakes, beautiful gardens and national parks, pick your berries (in season), shops, cafes, restaurants and wineries (Paternoster winery is just around the corner).
The iconic Puffing Billy historic steam train line operates from Belgrave and stops at Emerald Lakeside station where there is train museum and cafe. It continues on to Cockatoo and Gembrook (online booking essential).
Inclusive and infant friendly.
A full refund will be authorised in the event of extreme/catastrophic fire risks being declared by CFA (Country Fire Authority) in the area.
