Idyllic cottage retreat with your own private swimming hole and jetty on river

A secluded cabin on the bend of a crystal clear river at the end of a dirt road, Thumb Creek is paradise.

There is a bbq, open shower & outdoor bath on a deck overlooking a paddock which reaches down to the river rainforest.

Your private swimming hole has a little jetty, deck chairs & a bbq.

And it is isolated - an hours scenic drive from the closest town, through lush farming country and past Taylors Arm village with the last ten minutes being dirt road & then a shallow river crossing to access the property. The cabin is accessible with a 2wd.

The Space

Influenced by Japanese architecture and the traditional Aussie shed, the cottage opens front and back to allow a cool breeze to flow from the river through rainforest and then through the house during the summer. The house can also be shut up and cosy in the winter - although the shower and bath are both open to the elements.

The comfortable queen size bed has quality linen - and views over the paddock down to the rainforest through which the river threads.

The kitchenette is equipped with a three in one oven (convection, air fryer and microwave), a convection hot plate, ceramic water filter, pot, pan, plates, glasses, coffee, tea, milk and sugar plus condiments.

The cottage has an open deck with bbq, deck chairs and bath from which you can gaze up at a starry night sky. If, on a full moon, you are tempted to walk down to the river for a night swim, please take care and keep an eye out for snakes.

On the river, via a short walk through rainforest, there is a private swimming hole with jetty and deck chairs. We usually have a kettle bbq down at the jetty but please note that during extreme fire days, we will need to remove this. The bbq on the cottage deck is always available.

We are near the top of the river in a catchment area, and the water is crystal clear and constantly monitored for impurities. Please be aware when swimming that there are submerged logs, and rocks in the river. Absolutely no diving or jumping. Swim at your own risk. Guests assume all responsibility for themselves.

Please no fishing on the river - Thumb Creek Cottage and neighbouring farms provide sanctuary for fish and platypus.

There is quite a bit of wildlife on the property - paddy melons and wallabies, blue tongue lizards and goannas, currawongs, regent bower birds, willy wagtails, kookaburras, wompoo pigeons, turtles and snakes.

The main house is out of sight but close enough to call on if you run out of anything or have any questions - and questions are especially welcome if you would like to know more about this magical place.

We built the cabin as we love to share the incredible story of rejuvenation of this block of land from a to a rainforest retreat.

When my parents bought the farm 30 years ago, it had been logged out and was denuded of trees. Regular floods swept huge tracts of land down stream. My parents embarked on an extraordinary project rejuvenating the rainforest along the river, planting more than one thousand trees and reclaiming tonnes of earth swept down from upstream to create the beautiful retreat that they live on today.

If you are interested in forest and river rejuvenation, my mum would love to walk you through the property and tell you about the project.

Places to visit in The Valley area

The famous Pub With No Beer in Taylors Arm, 25 mins up the road, is open every day and often has bands on a weekend. Check out their website for details.
Bistro Lunch: 12-2pm every day
Bistro Dinner: 5-8pm Wednesday - Saturday
Wood Fired Pizzas: 12pm - 8pm everyday

Bowraville is a 60 minute drive from Thumb Creek Cottage. This heritage town is in the centre of the Nambucca Valley and is commonly known as ‘The Verandah Post Town’. Bowraville’s main street is lined with veranda-shaded footpaths, cafes, museums, art galleries and a treasure trove of Indigenous art and culture. The town developed around the timber industry which is responsible for the unique streetscape and architecture of Bowraville. It is well known for tourism with attractions such as a folk museum, a war museum, a historic theatre, and other historic buildings

Eungai Buffalo Farm and Cafe is 70 minutes drive away at Eungai Creek. A working farm that produces a variety of delicious cheese, gelato, yoghurt and other buffalo products, all available from the Cafe.
Opening Hours
Friday to Sunday 10 am - 3pm
Friday and Saturday nights from 6pm-close
Bookings are essential. Please call 6569 9448

Kosekai Lookout is currently a 90 minute steep and rocky drive from the property (4wd only) as the direct and short route to Thumb Creek is currently closed due to land slippage. Near the top of the Bowra Sugarloaf Mountain, Kosekai Lookout has a brilliant view on a clear day toward Nambucca Heads and the sea, and south-east across forests, valleys and many mountain peaks from Yarrahapinni to the Brothers at Port Macquarie. One of the mid north coasts most spectacular 4 wheel drives will take you through Dunggir National Park. Please check out the current driving conditions online by looking up Alerts NSW National Parks - and don't attempt the trip in a 2 wheel drive.

Nambucca Valley has a number of growers of organic vegetables and, if you order ahead online, they will leave the produce at their farm gate on your trip out to the cottage. Search Dolly's Run or North Arm Farms online for information.