Woodcutter's Cottage

Woodcutter's Cottage is a rustic, self-catering stone cottage managed by ForestrySA on Brookman Road inside Kuitpo Forest, about 45 minutes south of Adelaide. It was once the old Kuitpo youth hostel and sleeps up to 11 across two bedrooms with five bunk beds, which makes it a group base rather than a couples retreat. Forest trails start effectively at the door.

Dogs at the Woodcutter's Cottage

Arrange your dog in advance with ForestrySA when booking rather than assuming, as animals at ForestrySA accommodation need prior approval. Around the forest, dogs are welcome in general plantation areas but must be on a lead no longer than 3 metres in marked on-lead zones such as campgrounds, picnic areas and busy trails, and Native Forest Reserves are strictly no dogs. Keep your dog off the furniture and beds. Check the Forest's dog rules before you go, as signage at picnic areas applies.

Max: pack like you are camping. No linen, no cookware, no mains power and rainwater you cannot drink, so bring drinking water, bedding, and everything the dog needs too.

The vibe

This is bare-bones and honest: gas cooking, a slow-combustion wood heater in the lounge, solar lighting with no mains power outlets, an external toilet, a veranda with a picnic table and a fire pit. There are even four overnight horse yards, so it doubles as a stop for Kidman Trail riders. Bring your own drinking water, linen, pillows and cookware, and you get total quiet in the middle of the pines.

Getting there

The cottage sits on Brookman Road in Kuitpo, reachable via Clarendon or Willunga from Adelaide, with dedicated off-street parking on site. The Kuitpo Forest Information Centre nearby is the local point of contact for keys and questions.

While you're out there

Walk straight into the pines on the Kuitpo Forest Reserve tracks, or book a dog-friendly off-grid cabin at CABN Kuitpo Forest if the bunkhouse style is not for you. K1 Wines is a cellar door option on the way in from McLaren Vale.

More options are on the South Australia pet friendly stays guide and the Kuitpo destination page.