Entire home

The Observatory | Leafy Hideaway & Stargazing Deck

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Terrace/patio
Coffee/tea maker, fridge, microwave, oven
Exterior
A modern living room with a grey sofa, a TV mounted on the wall, and a window with a view of trees.
Property grounds

Entire home

3 bedrooms1 bathroom

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View map
Emerald, VIC
  • Place, Emerald Bushland Reserve
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Puffing Billy Railway
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Place, Emerald Lake Park
    ‪2 min drive‬

Room options

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About the area

Melbourne

At this holiday home you'll be within a 15-minute walk of Clematis Park Bushland Reserve and 1.9 km (1.2 mi) from Emerald Lake Park. Highlights at this holiday home include a kitchen, a washing machine and a patio. .Home features a Smart TV, a coffee/tea maker and a hairdryer. In-room dining is easy with a kitchen that comes equipped with a fridge, a microwave and a stovetop. .In proximity to this Emerald holiday home you'll find Dandenong Ranges National Park.

What's nearby

  • Emerald Bushland Reserve - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Gemco Community Theatre - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Puffing Billy Railway - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Clematis Park Bushland Reserve - 12 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Emerald Lake Park - 2 min drive - 1.9 km

Getting around

  • Emerald Station - 11 min walk
  • Tecoma Station - 14 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Edison Bakehouse - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪The Railway Dog - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Bam Bam Italian - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Babaji's Kerala Kitchen - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Cork On Cook’s Corner - ‬10 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

The Observatory | Leafy Hideaway & Stargazing Deck

🌴 Escape to this art-filled, mid-century styled mountain hideaway on ½ an acre of garden, trees, and lush greenery with a touch of rainforest. Enjoy two private decks: a rooftop for stargazing and a lower deck through bifolds with fairy lights and a gas outdoor heater. Curated interiors, Smart TV, and total privacy—plus top local cafés, and weekend markets like The Lost Woods 3 min walk away. Cook a romantic meal or head out for one nearby. Walking tracks are outside the front door 🚪!

🏡 Built from repurposed shipping containers, this home features:

• King bedroom memory foam mattress
• Queen bedroom memory foam mattress
• Small third bedroom with a fold-out double sofa
• We have a smart TV on a stand with wheels (it moves!) to any room of the house where you can log into your subscription platforms like Netflix Disney etc. You need to use your own hotspot.
• Linen & Towels: 100% cotton sheets and bath towels provided.
• Toiletries: Shampoo, conditioner, shower gel.
• Heating: Large gas heater in living area + portable oil heaters in both main bedrooms.
• Kitchen: Fully equipped with oven, stovetop, fridge, microwave, cookware, and basic pantry items.
• Laundry: Washing machine + clothes airer provided.


🌴 Property Notes

• WiFi: There is no WiFi. Mobile reception varies by carrier. (Local cafés offer WiFi if needed.)
• Water: The property is partially off-grid and runs on rainwater — please use thoughtfully.
• Privacy: The house is on a large block with neighbors over 200m away. Some bifold doors have no curtains to maximize the mountain views, but the property is private.
• Power points are located in main rooms for hairdryers/styling tools (not in bathroom.)

Winter time in the mountains is cold so come prepared with your Ugg boots and woolies.



🌄 The Location

You’re perfectly positioned to explore the entire Dandenong Ranges region, with nature walks, iconic experiences, and food all close by.

📍Must-Visit Attractions:
• 🚂 Puffing Billy Railway (5 mins)
• 🌳 Emerald Lake Park
• 🌺 Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
• 🥾 1000 Steps Kokoda Walk
• 🌲 Sherbrooke Forest & Falls Walks
• 🎨 William Ricketts Sanctuary



🛍️ Local Markets & Artisan Finds
• 🌿 The Lost Woods Market (Monthly at Puffing Billy Park – 150+ stalls!)
• 🧺 Belgrave Big Dreams Market
• 🛒 Sassafras village shops – Antiques, handmade goods & teahouses



☕️🍷 Where to Eat & Drink (All Within ~10km)

Emerald
• 🍳 The General Food Store
• 🍕 Elevation at Emerald

Monbulk
• 🥂 Yarra Ranges Estate – Boutique wines & views
• 🥗 Tatiana’s Café
• 🍺 The Watering Hole Tavern

Sassafras
• ☕️ Miss Marple’s Tearoom
• 🍰 Ripe Café Sassafras
• 🍽️ Dine Divine

Olinda
• 🌸 Seasons at Cloudehill
• 🍜 Olinda Tea House
• 🍕 Dudley’s Olinda
• 🍻 Pig & Whistle Tavern

Belgrave
• ☕️ Earthly Pleasures Café – Iconic heritage café with vegan options
• 🍽️ Babajis Kerala Kitchen – Flavourful Indian street food
• 🍷 Sooki Lounge – Funky music venue/bar with great food



Take long forest walks. Discover local makers. Lounge on the deck with a glass of wine. Curl up with a book in an art-filled space.

This is slow mountain magic—and our home is made for it.

Similar properties

Property amenities

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Smart TV
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • No lift
  • Smoke-free property

Location highlights

  • In the mountains
  • Near a lake

Things to do

  • Basketball nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Rock climbing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • No carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property but there are gas appliances; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
Please remember to return any borrowed items such as guest umbrellas located in the deck or towels.
Please hang your towels to dry.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Rules

We have a ‘no visitors’ rule unless notified in advance. Please email us on visitor numbers in advance to get permission before your stay.
The booking guest may be required to provide photo identification prior to arrival for insurance and security purposes.

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property, but there are gas appliances; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children. If you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room. On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a smoke detector in all accommodation.

Frequently asked questions

Does The Observatory | Leafy Hideaway & Stargazing Deck have a pool?

No, this holiday home doesn't have a pool.

Is The Observatory | Leafy Hideaway & Stargazing Deck family-friendly?

You bet! With amenities such as laundry facilities and a BBQ, as well as children's dinnerware and children's books, it's no surprise that The Observatory | Leafy Hideaway & Stargazing Deck is a winner with our family travellers.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at The Observatory | Leafy Hideaway & Stargazing Deck?

No, The Observatory | Leafy Hideaway & Stargazing Deck does not offer an airport shuttle service.

What time are check-in & check-out at The Observatory | Leafy Hideaway & Stargazing Deck?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM. Check-out time is 10:00 AM.

Are pets allowed at The Observatory | Leafy Hideaway & Stargazing Deck?

No, pets are not allowed.

The Observatory | Leafy Hideaway & Stargazing Deck Reviews