Travel Review Clarendon Forest Retreat NSW

Tucked away on the Mid North Coast in the Manning Valley is a secret hideaway that offers guests secluded stays in beautiful cottages in Possum Brush. This delightful property is Clarendon Forest Retreat and it is set on 100 acres offering eight cottages available for a peaceful getaway. Nothing makes me happier than being in nature and I knew as soon as I turned on to Possum Brush Road that I was heading somewhere special. I think the unsealed road leading up to Clarendon Forest Retreat is a bit of a giveaway that this place was going to be secluded. I wasn't wrong!

I visited on a beautiful winter's day without a cloud in the sky. This scenic location, in the Kiwarrak State Forest, has views of rolling hills, waterlily pond and is surrounded by trees. It is totally breathtaking. Out of the eight cottages I had a look of three of them, as the others were occupied. For a winter's getaway, guests travel to Clarendon Forest Retreat because of the tranquility, fresh air, log fires and hot spas.

Scroll through the photos below to get a feel of what the cottages are like.

For those who love horse riding you can book a ride with Clarendon Horse Riding and take a tour with trusted guides. The trails are chosen for safety, scenic value and ride quality. I witnessed the great life these horses have, they are very well cared for and loved.

There's plenty to do around the property including bushwalking, tennis, volleyball and a swimming pool. There are also BBQ and picnic tables available.

Clarendon Forest Retreat is the perfect place for families, honeymooners, friends getaway, and they even welcome your pet!

For those of you who use Bartercard that's an option as well. Visitors can purchase local wines from Villa d'Esta or Great Lakes Paddocks from reception and order in dinner from restaurants in Forster Tuncurry, (but the delivery charge is $80 so you might want to factor that in). Another option is to head down to the Nabiac Hotel for a bistro dinner and the courtesy bus can pick you up and drop you back.

Of course as you can imagine there are plenty of photo opportunities too.

Native Banksia.

Although it was the middle of winter, a deciduous tree was still in flaming glory.

The weather lately has been very dry in this part of NSW, so the lawns were browned off when I visited today. For those colder days and winter nights, each cabin has a combustion fire to enjoy.

Every chance I get I go bush! So I took a delightful walk in the Kiwarrak State Forest which surrounds Clarendon Forest Retreat. The Kiwarrak State Forest covers an area of around 12,000 hectares and is located north of Nabiac and south of Taree.

If you are looking for a getaway out of Sydney (or anywhere else of course) then you heard it from me, this is one fabulous place to escape the city life.

Clarendon Forest Retreat is also available for Corporate events and getaways.

02 6554 3162

150 Coates Road Possum Brush NSW​

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