Boutique Hotel · Berry

The luxury case for Mt Hay Retreat.

Set on 360 acres of rolling farmland and native bushland above Berry on the NSW South Coast, Mt Hay Retreat is a family-owned, adults-only haven with just a handful of individually designed suites. Award-winning sustainability credentials, a 33-metre heated indoor pool, and sweeping views from every room make this one of the most serene escapes within two hours of Sydney.

The mood

Pastoral stillness with refined comfort

Ideal stay

2 to 3 nights

Why it earns the rate

It is one of the few retreats on the South Coast that combines genuine farm-stay privacy with award-winning luxury, where the owners live on the property and the sustainability programme is a lifestyle, not a marketing exercise.

Mt Hay Retreat sits proudly atop the rolling green pastures surrounding Berry, a 360-acre working farm that doubles as one of the South Coast's most refined escapes. Hosts Anthony and Louise have built something quietly remarkable here: a small collection of individually designed suites perched on the hillside, each with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame uninterrupted views from the manicured gardens across the countryside to the sparkling ocean on the horizon.

The property has been in Anthony's family since 1987, and the love and attention invested over decades is evident in every detail. From the established fruit trees and kitchen gardens to the hidden glades and tranquil dams dotted across the grounds, Mt Hay feels like a place that has evolved organically rather than been assembled for guests.

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The suites at Mt Hay are spacious, light-filled, and designed around the view. King beds, soaring ceilings, and an intuitive indoor-outdoor flow define each room, with generous private decks that make the most of the property's elevated position. Every suite includes a feature bath, whether positioned on the deck for open-air soaking or inside with a panoramic outlook.

The Escarpment Suite is the most requested, and for good reason. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the escarpment in a way that makes the landscape feel like a living painting. The spa bath with its sweeping valley views is a consistent highlight in guest reviews, and the open-plan layout creates a sense of calm spaciousness.

All suites come with a kitchenette equipped with a capsule coffee maker, kettle, microwave, toaster, and bar fridge. Fresh fruit and milk are provided on arrival, along with bathrobes, slippers, and quality amenities.

The centrepiece facility is the 33-metre heated indoor pool and spa, exclusively for in-house guests and open from 7am to 8pm. It is one of the most impressive private pools you will find at a boutique retreat of this size.

Beyond the pool, the grounds invite gentle exploration. A giant chess set sits near the pool pavilion, while walking paths wind through landscaped gardens, past established fruit trees, hidden glades, and tranquil dams. The koi pond at the wharf is a quietly meditative spot.

Then there is the Cloud Swing: Mt Hay's signature experience, a sky-high swing suspended above the valley that delivers an exhilarating rush and an unforgettable view. It has become an icon of the property, and rightly so.

In-suite massage treatments are available from qualified therapists, ranging from one-hour sessions to indulgent two-hour packages. Couples massages with two therapists can be arranged with advance booking.

Mt Hay Retreat occupies a rare position in the Australian luxury landscape. It is not a large resort or a polished corporate hotel. It is a deeply personal property run by owners who live on the land and care about every aspect of the guest experience. The Gold Award for 5-Star Luxury Accommodation at the NSW Tourism Awards in 2024 and 2025 confirms what returning guests already know: this is a place of genuine quality.

The sustainability credentials are earned, not performative. Solar power, water management, native landscaping, and protection of the remnant subtropical rainforest on the property reflect a long-term commitment to environmental stewardship.

For couples seeking a romantic escape with space, privacy, and views that genuinely stop you in your tracks, Mt Hay delivers. Pair it with Berry's excellent dining scene just five minutes away, and you have one of the South Coast's most compelling weekend retreats.

Is It For You?

Is Mt Hay Retreat right for you?

Visit Mt Hay Retreat
Best for
  • Couples seeking a romantic adults-only escape
  • City dwellers craving genuine rural quiet within two hours of Sydney
  • Eco-conscious travellers who value sustainability with substance
Less ideal if
  • Families or guests under 18 (strictly adults only)
  • Those wanting on-site dining or a full-service resort experience

Atmosphere

Intimate, pastoral, and genuinely peaceful. The kind of place where your biggest decision is whether to swim first or swing first.

Ideal stay

Weekend (2-3 nights)

Why splurge

It is one of the few retreats on the South Coast that combines genuine farm-stay privacy with award-winning luxury, where the owners live on the property and the sustainability programme is a lifestyle, not a marketing exercise.

Rooms

Rooms & suites

Editorial pickThe Escarpment Suite, with its floor-to-ceiling windows framing the escarpment, open-plan layout, feature spa bath, and expansive private deck. Guests consistently single it out as a standout.

Luxury Suite

Each suite is individually designed with soaring ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, a spacious en-suite with walk-in rain shower, and a feature bath. A generous private deck extends the living space outdoors. The kitchenette includes a capsule coffee maker, kettle, microwave, toaster, and bar fridge.

View
Landscaped gardens and countryside
Sleeps
2 adults (king bed)
Best for
Couples wanting privacy and valley views
  • King bed with high-quality cotton linen
  • Feature bath on private deck or in suite
  • Kitchenette with capsule coffee maker and bar fridge
  • Reverse cycle air conditioning and ceiling fans
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi, HD TV, in-room safe
  • Bathrobes, slippers, and premium amenities

Reset

Wellness

The parts of the property that slow the pace, restore energy, or justify spending more time on-site.

For recovery

In-Suite Massage

spa

Qualified massage therapists visit your suite for treatments ranging from one-hour sessions to indulgent two-hour packages. Couples massages with two therapists are available.

Best for
No need to leave the privacy of your suite

For recovery

33-Metre Heated Indoor Pool and Spa

pool

A generously sized indoor pool heated year-round, accompanied by a spa. Open 7am to 8pm, exclusively for in-house guests.

Best for
One of the largest private heated pools on the South Coast

What to Do

Signature Experiences

The on-property or destination moments that justify choosing this hotel over a generic luxury base.

Late afternoon for golden light

The Cloud Swing

Mt Hay's iconic sky-high swing suspended above the valley, offering a thrilling perspective across the rolling countryside. A signature photo opportunity and a genuine highlight of every stay.

Morning for coffee and pastries, evening for dinner

Berry Village Exploration

Just five minutes' drive away, Berry Village offers a vibrant cafe scene, boutique shopping, exceptional restaurants including South on Albany, and a warm community atmosphere.

Early morning for cooler temperatures and clear views

Drawing Room Rocks Walk

A spectacular bushwalk from the top of Woodhill Mountain Road leading to magnificent panoramic views across the escarpment and coastline.

Year-round

South Coast Beaches

Seven Mile Beach National Park is under 15 minutes away, with sweeping sands, rock pools, and native bushland. The coastal hamlets of Gerringong and Kiama offer further seaside escapes.

Location

Getting to Mt Hay Retreat

Drive up Woodhill Mountain Road to the property entrance. Louise and Anthony will meet you on arrival and show you to your suite. Free on-site parking with EV charging available upon request.

Sydney CBD

2 hours

car

Sydney Airport (SYD)

1 hour 45 minutes

car

Berry Village

5 minutes

car

Seven Mile Beach

15 minutes

car

Kangaroo Valley

30 minutes

car

Berry Village

dining

One of the South Coast's most charming towns, celebrated for heritage architecture, artisan cafes, boutique shops, and excellent restaurants.

5-minute drive

South on Albany

dining

Berry's standout restaurant, consistently recommended by the Mt Hay hosts for an exceptional dining experience.

5-minute drive

Seven Mile Beach National Park

nature

Grand sweeping sands, rock pools, and coastal bushland. One of the South Coast's most beautiful stretches of beach.

15-minute drive

Kangaroo Valley

nature

A scenic drive through rugged escarpments leads to this picturesque valley with waterfalls, cosy villages, and the Southern Highlands beyond.

30-minute drive

Local Wineries

dining

Several excellent wineries within a short drive, including Coolangatta Estate, Crooked River, Silos Estate, Mountain Ridge, and Two Figs.

10 to 20-minute drive

Berry Country Fair

activity

A popular monthly market at the Berry Showground featuring local produce, crafts, plants, and collectibles. First Sunday of each month.

5-minute drive
Open the map 720 Woodhill Mountain Road, Berry NSW 2535

What to Know

Before you book

What time is check-in and check-out?

Check-in from 3:00 PM, check-out by 10:00 AM. Late checkout (noon) may be available by prior arrangement for $45.

Is this property adults only?

Yes. Mt Hay Retreat is exclusively for guests aged 18 years and over.

Are pets allowed?

No. However, accredited assistance dogs are welcome with prior notice.

Is there a minimum stay?

Usually two nights, with three nights required during long weekends and peak periods.

Is there parking and EV charging?

Free on-site parking. EV charging is available via external power points for a nominal fee. Guests must bring their own cable.

Editorial Verdict

The verdict on Mt Hay Retreat

Why book it

  • Genuinely private hilltop setting on 360 acres with panoramic views
  • Award-winning sustainability credentials backed by real practice
  • Owners live on-site and provide warm, personal hospitality
  • 33-metre heated indoor pool is a standout facility for a boutique retreat
  • Only minutes from Berry's excellent dining and village charm

Know the trade-offs

  • No on-site restaurant or breakfast service, self-catering via kitchenette only
  • Intimate scale with only a handful of suites, so it lacks the facilities of a larger resort
  • Remote hilltop location requires a car for all dining and activities
  • Limited room count means peak-season availability books out quickly

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