Donnelly River Village

Chalets/Villas/Cottages

From $100

A special little place in the forest. A historic mill town nestled deep in the heart of Australia’s South West karri forests, it’s the perfect place for a unique escape from the hustles and hassles of modern life amongst the bird and animal life of the South West. Event/Wedding facilities available.

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Overview

Location & Directions

Details

Arrival Time: 14:00|Departure Time: 10:00

Description

Donnelly River Village is an old mill town established by the Bunnings Brothers in 1948. When it closed in 1978, it became a popular holiday destination and many of our guests have been holidaying in Donnelly for the past 30 years.

Most famous for its friendly wildlife that roams the village, Donnelly provides a rare and delightful experience for international visitors and locals alike, handing feeding kangaroos, emus and ring-necked parrots as they congregate at the general store and around the cottages. At night, lay apples along the verandah to attract possums and if you are quiet, you may even see a quokka. Kookaburras and magpies abound and every evening just on dusk, black cockatoos return to their roosts in the central park area.

In the centre of the village is the school, which now houses two bunk rooms, a kitchen and bathroom, a games room and an exceptional museum that tells the history of the village. Running behind the school and through the centre of the park is the very popular Flying Fox and is available for hire.

The Village butchers’ shop is now a TV room which has satellite TV and a DVD player. Part of the Donnelly tradition is the daily 5 pm screening of a movie for the kids during holidays and every Saturday evening. There is also an open pool table to enjoy.

But wait, there’s more – Donnelly has an oval, basketball, tennis and volleyball court and sports equipment can be borrowed from the store. There are also bikes available for use.

In Summer, kids can enjoy the swimming lake set a few 100m from the village. There are kayaks to play with and a sandy beach offers a graduated and safe entry into the lake. In Winter, the focus of your stay may well be the outside fire pits located behind most of the cottages. Toasting marshmallows, singing with a lone guitar or watching the night sky and the nocturnal visitors are all great ways to destress and unwind.

Donnelly is the intersection for the Bibbulmun and the Munda Biddi and as such, offers well-graded walking and cycling trails out from the village. Transportation can be organised to take you out along the track and you can walk back at your leisure over hours or days.

The Village hub is the general store which sells supplies to guests and track users alike. Well stocked with groceries and the ubiquitous lollies, the store is warm and welcoming and houses a very fine café which serves excellent coffee and homemade cakes, soups, stews and more to satisfy the peckish visitor. The Donnelly carrot cake is a local favourite drawing a regular crowd from surrounding towns and the lasagne is the talk of the walkers as they make their way to this oasis in the forest.

Donnelly River Village is not Pet Friendly. Unfortunately, due to the wildife on our site and our cottages we cannot accept any pets. Service dogs are excluded if prior warning is given.

Product Information

Bedsit (1 QB)

Room Configuration: 8 Bedroom
Max Guests: 24

Attached to the Loco Shed, but independent from it, are two bedsits. Each is a perfect getaway for a couple or a single traveler looking for a motel style room. Room 4 is downstairs and comprises two rooms plus ensuite with a bedroom and small kitchenette, each opening onto a north-facing patio. Room 6 is an upstairs large room with sitting area, kitchenette and comfortable queen size bed. Also, it is access friendly with no stairs involved.

Large Cottage - 2 Dbles (8)

Room Configuration: 4 Bedroom
Max Guests: 11

There are four large cottages, each with four bedrooms of various configurations (see configuration tab below) and are perfect for two families or a large extended family holidaying together. Three of the four have two toilets and two showers. Monohan House (the old Mill Manager’s residence) is our largest and can comfortably accommodate 11 guests.

Medium Cottage - 1 Dble (6-8)

Room Configuration: 3 Bedroom
Max Guests: 9

The village has 25 medium cottages, each with three bedrooms of various bedding configurations (see configuration tab below). These are ideal for larger families or two smaller families traveling together. Each cottage has its own bathroom. Some toilets are just outside the back door.

Medium Cottage - 2 Dble (6-8)

Room Configuration: 3 Bedroom
Max Guests: 9

Medium Cottage - 3 Dble (7-9)

Room Configuration: 3 Bedroom
Max Guests: 9

Medium Cottage - 4 Dble (8)

Room Configuration: 3 Bedroom
Max Guests: 9

Monohan House - 3 Dbles (12)

Room Configuration: 6 Bedroom
Max Guests: 11

Overlooking a lovely front garden, the Old Boarding House offers six bedrooms and can accommodate 14 guests. It is perfect for a large extended family traveling together or celebrating a special occasion and offers a large kitchen and dining area and a huge lounge heated by a wood heater – wood supplied. The north facing verandah is a beautiful spot to sit and catch the winter sun with a cup of coffee and a visit from the birds. There is a fire pit just off to the side of the carport which is a lovely place for gathering on a chilly winter’s evening with a mellow glass of local red or a warming hot chocolate to toast marshmallows and there are two BBQs under cover in the carport for the bacon and egg nosh up in the morning.

Old Boarding House - 3 Dbles (12)

Room Configuration: 6 Bedroom
Max Guests: 14

Overlooking a lovely front garden, the Old Boarding House offers six bedrooms and can accommodate 14 guests. It is perfect for a large extended family travelling together or celebrating a special occasion and offers a large kitchen and dining area and a huge lounge heated by a wood heater – wood supplied. The north facing verandah is a beautiful spot to sit and catch the winter sun with a cup of coffee and a visit from the birds. There is a fire pit just off to the side of the carport which is a lovely place for gathering on a chilly winter’s evening with a mellow glass of local red or a warming hot chocolate to toast marshmallows and there are two BBQs under cover in the carport for the bacon and egg nosh up in the morning.

Small Cottage - 1 Dble (4-6 people)

Room Configuration: 2 Bedroom
Max Guests: 6

There are six small cottages, each with two bedrooms. These are perfect for a small family or two couples traveling together. Each cottage has its own bathroom. Some toilets are just outside the back door.

Small Cottage - 2 Dble (6)

Room Configuration: 2 Bedroom
Max Guests: 6

The Loco Shed - 6 Dbles (24)

Room Configuration: 8 Bedroom
Max Guests: 24

Perfect for larger gatherings, the Loco Shed can accommodate 24 people across eight bedrooms, six with ensuites, in a mix of doubles, singles and bunks (see the bedding configuration tab below). There is a large kitchen with two full size fridges and large dining area as well as generous common areas spread over two levels. The lounge has both a slow combustion heater (wood supplied) and a reverse cycle air conditioner. One or both bedsits (see bedsits tab) can be added to a Loco Shed booking to increase its ability to accommodate up to 28 guests. Outside the front door is a flat apron sporting a large firepit, which is a perfect focus for that communal gathering with a local red or a hot chocolate. Bush wood is accessible close by and easily gathered. Large BBQs are supplied. Bedsits: Attached to the Loco Shed, but independent from it, are two bedsits. Each is a perfect getaway for a couple or a single traveler looking for a motel style room. Room 4 is downstairs and comprises two rooms plus ensuite with a bedroom and small kitchenette, each opening onto a north facing patio. Room 6 is an upstairs large room with sitting area, kitchenette and comfortable queen size bed. Room 6 is access friendly with no stairs involved.

Cancellation Policy

We understand plans can change, so here are our conditions and policies

More than 30 days before arrival incurs a fee of $50.
15 - 30 days before arrival incurs a fee of $100.
8 to 14 days before arrival incurs a fee equivalent to one nights booking.
Within 7 days of arrival forfeits the full amount of the booking.
A deposit of $100 is required to secure accommodation and you agree to make payment via a debit to your nominated credit card. The balance is payable 30 days before the booking commences.
If extraordinary cleaning is required or there are items removed (other than complimentary items) or damage or negligence has been made by a guest(s) to the cottage and/or contents or to anywhere else on the property (inclusive of smoking), charges will be made directly to the credit card number provided by the guest(s) in order to recover costs for repair, maintenance, and/or replacement.

Location

Cnr Sears & Andrews Rds, Donnelly River WA 6258

Directions

Donnelly River Village is quite literally in the centre of the karri forest.

Located a short drive from Bridgetown, Nannup and Manjimup and approximately an hour’s drive of the Margaret River Wine Region and beautiful Busselton, the village is a great base from which to explore Australia’s South West.

The local area is renowned for good food, fabulous wine and amazing festivals. There is something happening most weekends including local farmers markets where you can purchase fresh produce straight from the paddock. That’s if you can drag yourself away from the village.

Donnelly River Village is the halfway point for the Bibbulmun and Munda Biddi tracks and provides safe haven and an opportunity to restock for walkers and cyclists alike in a variety of low cost and free accommodation options.

Donnelly is a perfect getaway for families and couples.

Contact us for some great specials including our mid-week deal - ‘Stay for 4, pay for 3’ and our weekly special ‘Stay for 7, pay for 6’

Enjoy the simple pleasures!

Map

Reviews

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It's always great to know what others think. So here's some comments from those with experience here.

Guest Ratings

Rated by 3 guests

Michelle C 4 years 5 months

Lovely Weekend.

We spent the weekend as a group here in August, 17 people all up and 11 were kids. Not a bored kid all weekend. This place is lovely. The houses are old but spacious and clean. The kids all hand fed and played with the animals all weekend, rode their push bikes, went on adventures and night time possum spotting. Gorgeous little fire pits for marshmallows out the back of each house, lovely wood fire in the homes with wood and fire lighters ready to go. Was a truly lovely escape from reality for the weekend with no tv or phone reception. Will be back ❤️

Natasha Cooper 4 years 5 months

Wonderful place!! We took a step back in time, de plugged ourselves from technology and reality to experience the beautiful views and wildlife. What a family friendly place! Can’t recommend enough! Thanks guys we loved it!

Brodie McGlinn 4 years 5 months

What a fabulous place! My boyfriend has wanted to take me here since we started dating (5.5 years ago) and we finally made it down and I'm so glad we did.

There is something so comforting about this place, being surrounded by nature (so many animals), no phone service or internet, the fireplace. I just love it! I'm already planning on heading back with friends a month later. Highly recommend if you love nature and the simple things in life