The Stonehouse Retreat

The Stonehouse Retreat is a hand-built rock, timber and polished concrete house on roughly 175 acres of bushland at Redbank Creek in the Somerset Region, between Esk and Ravensbourne. It is fully off-grid, running on solar backed by wind and a generator, and it offers dog owners something rare: a purpose-built secure dog lounge plus a huge private bush block to walk, with wallabies, koalas and bird life on the grounds.

Dogs at The Stonehouse Retreat

Two dogs are the standard maximum per stay, with a pet fee around $80 to $100 per dog depending on the booking platform, and the owner can sometimes arrange more by prior agreement. Dogs are welcome inside the house but not in the bedrooms and not on furniture. The centrepiece is the fully secure dog lounge room on the end of the verandah, beside roughly 150 square metres of covered, secure verandah space, so your dogs have a contained den while you eat or sit out. Be clear-eyed about the wider block: the house grounds are not fully fenced, so bush walks with your dog are on-lead territory.

The vibe

This is bush craft rather than boutique: a large, comfortable house centred on a fireplace, with sensible water and power use part of the deal because everything is harvested and generated on site. The wildlife is the nightly show, and the setting suits owners with dogs that recall well and are used to bush smells. Bring your own dog bedding given the furniture rules.

Getting there and parking

Redbank Creek sits about 20 minutes' drive north-east of Esk and a similar distance from Ravensbourne, roughly 90 minutes from Brisbane. Access is via rural roads suitable for conventional vehicles, with parking at the house. Stock up in Esk before you climb into the hills; there is no shop at the property.

For other pet-welcoming stays in the hills, Cloudlake Mountain Retreat and Hazelmont Cottage at Ravensbourne are the closest alternatives. The Redbank Creek destination guide covers the area, and more options sit under Queensland stays.

Max: The secure dog lounge and verandah make this work for two dogs, but the bush is unfenced, so the lead stays on past the deck.