Lean into country style at Seclusions Blue Mountains, where cosy timber cabins are purpose-built to encourage romantic notions.
A farm stay to coax out inner romantics, this beautiful property on the edge of the Blue Mountains eases tensions with its open vistas of gently plunging valleys, pastoral fields and blue-hued peaks beyond. As a popular wedding venue, Seclusions is a place for love to take its next big step and, as a couples’ weekend retreat, to find its spark again. While there’s more than enough to do, the best thing to do is, in fact, not much at all.
Location
Embrace agrarian beauty on the fringe of the Blue Mountains here. Tucked into the lush and rolling hills of the Seven Valleys with eyes on Mount Walker and Lake Lyell, just 15 minutes from the township of Lithgow, this cabin-style retreat set on eight hectares is undeniably angled toward weddings, but also makes a cosy escape for couples.
Vistas of undulating pastures dotted with cows and whispering, towering pines hedging the property ensure a serene setting to exhale deeply in the fresh mountain air. Weddings and cabin stays are booked exclusively so they don’t collide, which means you won’t end up being kept awake by an enthusiastic wedding party stomping out the ‘Nutbush City Limits’ late into the night.
Style and character
Sweet timber cabins are all your tiny home dreams brought to life with private decks angled to watch the soft, bush-covered hills beyond. Idyllic and bucolic, the country charm here ramps up to an adorableness overload but doesn’t feel contrived. The property has a vast settler history dating back to 1868 with some of the original buildings still standing to provide photogenic backdrops for newlyweds or repurposed to house events.
Facilities
As a wedding venue, Seclusions has plenty of beautiful places to tie the knot and continue the celebrations, from gardens to historic buildings and modern spaces.
The purpose-built, 150-capacity Pavilion is the place to hold a reception, The Boat Shed with its indoor/outdoor design is used for canapes and dancing, while the Amphitheatre has been designed as the ceremony space.
There’s also a firepit for after-dark gatherings and a vintage caravan bar. If you’re not here for nuptials, or even if you are, you’ll find a tennis court and swimming pool to enjoy, as well as resident wildlife, alpacas and highland cows to befriend.
Rooms
There are six beautifully styled cabins to settle into, each with its own kitchenette, gas log fire, verandah and accompanying panoramic views.
There’s no wi-fi, but you can find analogue entertainment in the form of in-cabin board games, books and magazines. The cabin ensuites have a two-person spa bath, robes and luxe bathing products, should romance need a little help to kick into gear.
Food and drink
For weddings, Seclusions can help you to secure catering, otherwise, there’s no restaurant onsite, but you can choose to purchase a selection of hampers for DIY meals. There are four breakfast boxes to choose from, as well as an antipasto box, a barbecue hamper box, fondue for two and a movie night box. Failing that, you can always take the 15-minute drive to Lithgow to pick up provisions or dine out.
Experiences
The experience at Seclusions is, aside from weddings, all about disconnecting from the every day and reconnecting with your significant other. Your entertainment is largely in your own hands. However, beyond the property’s pine-hemmed boundary, there are nearby towns and attractions to discover, such as historic Lithgow, bushwalks, and canoeing in Lake Lyell.
You can take the 45-minute drive to Oberon’s Mayfield Garden to wander the exquisitely tendered greens or enjoy lunch at the restaurant. Seclusions also host occasional events, should you like to organise a group experience, such as a yoga retreat, workshop or birthday celebration.
Access for guests with disabilities?
There’s one accessible cabin with a separate bath and shower, and a ramp. If you’re visiting for a wedding, most of the venue spaces are fully accessible or largely accessible.
Family-friendly?
That’s a no for human children, as Seclusions is an adults-only retreat. However, when it comes to your fur family, dogs are allowed to participate in weddings (when chaperoned) but must adhere to the property guidelines and won’t be able to stay in the cabin with you. Beyond your dog trotting down the aisle, Seclusions is not pet-friendly, largely on account of their beloved farm animals.
Details
There is a two-night minimum stay, while public holidays and long weekends usually have a three- to four-night minimum stay.
Address: Seclusions, 209 Martins Rd, Rydal via Lake Lyell, NSW
Contact: (02) 6355 6300
Cost: Weekday rates start at $315 per night; weekend rates start at $345 per night.
