Myrtle Loft - Sun-Kissed Forest Garden, Emerald

Myrtle Loft sits at the end of a quiet driveway, surrounded by towering gums and the unhurried sounds of the Dandenong Ranges. The building is old-world bluestone, the interiors are warm and generous, and the centrepiece is a large open fireplace that earns its place from the first cool evening of autumn through to the last frost of winter.

The accommodation sleeps six across three rooms: a queen bedroom on the mezzanine level that sits above the main living space, a second queen room on the ground floor, and a third room with bunk beds suited to children or a third couple happy with something more relaxed. The bathroom is shared across the property, which is the natural rhythm of a house that works best when it is filled with people who already like each other.

The kitchen is fully equipped for unhurried mornings and proper evening meals. The dining area seats everyone comfortably. When the day is done, the living room opens around the fire and there is nothing left to do but open something good and let the forest settle around you.

Kangaroos graze in the yard at dusk. Cockatoos and rosellas move through the canopy through the day. The four acres are yours to wander.

The entire Myrtle Loft is yours - all three bedrooms, the bathroom, the kitchen, the dining and living areas, and the grounds. The door connecting Myrtle Loft to Birchtree Bower next door remains locked unless you book both properties together, in which case the full building opens up.

Please use the platform messenger if you have any questions during your stay or reach out to the property manager.

Emerald is a small hill town in the Dandenong Ranges, roughly an hour from Melbourne. It has the feel of somewhere that was discovered long ago and has been quietly excellent ever since. The main street has independent cafes, a bakery, good food, and the kind of pace that makes you realise you have been moving too fast. The Ranges surround the town with fern gullies, mountain ash forests, and walking tracks that connect it to Belgrave, Selby, and the broader network of Dandenong Ranges National Park.

Though secluded in the forest, the cottage is only a 5-minute drive from the village of Emerald. Here, you’ll find a variety of restaurants, cafes, and bars for dining out, as well as local attractions like the historic Puffing Billy Railway, perfect for a scenic train ride through the hills. Emerald village offers everything you need for a relaxed stay while keeping you close to conveniences.

A car is recommended. Puffing Billy connects Belgrave to Gembrook and passes through Emerald - it is a genuine pleasure rather than a novelty. The Yarra Valley is a 30 to 40 minute drive. Melbourne CBD is approximately one hour.

Emerald village is five minutes by car and has a good selection of cafes, restaurants, and a local pub worth knowing. The Puffing Billy Railway departs from Emerald station and winds through the Ranges - one of the more quietly spectacular things to do in Victoria regardless of how old you are.

The Yarra Valley cellar doors are roughly 30 to 40 minutes from the property. Yering Station, Rochford, and Giant Steps in Healesville are worth building a day around. Healesville Sanctuary is another 20 minutes and gives you a very different afternoon if you want one.

For walks, Sherbrooke Forest and the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk in Belgrave are both within easy driving distance and offer genuine old-growth forest at their best in the early morning.