Ottery Cottage

For those wishing to visit the picturesque historic village of Chewton, Ottery Cottage is a great little hideaway that offers holiday accommodation in a charming self-contained stone cottage set within the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park. The cottage, managed by Debbie and Phil, is an 1850’s historic property with its own private garden which is artfully conceived, with wonderful views overlooking the National park and the perfect place to sit and read a book on a sunny day, watch kangaroos graze on the flats just beyond the fence whilst the sun sets against the hillside behind them or listen to the frogs at night.

The cottage is cosy, comfortable and exceptionally clean. It is within walking distance of local amenities and historic sites from thousands of years ago when indigenous peoples crossed the land, through to the gold-rush years when prospectors panned for gold. The cottage is also just five kilometres from vibrant Castlemaine, which is a simple drive or a one-hour walk away.

Accommodation

The cottage has room for two guests, having one bedroom with a comfortable queen size bed and quality linens, making it an ideal retreat for couples. The style, while eclectic, works perfectly with furniture and décor that fit together like puzzle pieces. The living room area is well-appointed, and the kitchenette is fully equipped. There is a large bathroom with an over-sized spa bath. Heating is from a gas log fire, creating a cosy warmth in cold weather, and there is also air-conditioning. Also included in the facilities are a television, a sound dock with blue-tooth and local provisions are also supplied, including organic milk, fruit, freshly-ground coffee, tea, orange juice and sourdough bread.

Debbie & Phil are experienced, highly rated hosts who are committed to providing great stays for guests, making you feel welcome without invading your privacy. On Airbnb, 100% of recent guests gave the check-in process a 5-star rating, with similar results on TripAdvisor.

Forest Creek

Ottery Cottage is located at the edge of Forest Creek, the perfect base from which to explore the diverse attractions of the Central Victorian Goldfields, whilst enjoying your own unique space within this delightful environment. Forest Creek is the site of the famous Mount Alexander Gold Rush of 1852, the world's second gold rush and soon tens of thousands of men, women and children were camped in this valley. The goldfield is also an ancient landscape, home for tens of thousands of years to the Jaara or Djadjawurrung speaking Aboriginal people. Despite the stark transformation of the landscape caused by the gold rush, the connection of Jaara people to this region remains strong, and their welcome is acknowledged and respected.

You can still pan for alluvial gold today at Forest Creek, though the chances of finding a piece of gold the size of a leg of lamb, as happened in the 1850s at a gravel bed of a former course of Forest Creek formed millions of years ago, is unlikely.