Forrest is a tiny little village with limited supplies and opening hours. We suggest you bring everything you need for your stay with you.

There is a little General Store (open from 8am-3pm) that stocks basic supplies and cafe foods. They also sometimes have lovely prepared meals to take home. With notice, they also prepare hampers to order as well.

The Forrest Brewery is currently closed for winter.

The closest supermarkets to visit on your way here are Colac, Geelong, Winchelsea, Lorne or Apollo Bay.

Remember there is currently no internet available in the cottage. Telstra provides great coverage for mobile reception and Optus and Vodaphone both have 4G coverage also.

Go to the Forrest General Store, turn directly next to it- down Blundy Street. At the bottom of the hill, town right onto Station Street.

You will pass Hennigan Crescent (the road to Lake Elizabeth) on your left.

Pass one house, and then turn directly down the little unnamed laneway on your left.

Ms Winters is the third house in (number 6).

Park under the twisted willow.

Walk down the path to the little green cottage, walk past the two sets of doors and the chimney, up the steps to the front verandah. A key is behind the little picture frame next to the front door.

Check in will be open at 2pm, and Check out is at 10am.

Ms Winters has a basic pantry. There is oil, salt, pepper, black tea, ground coffee and fresh, full cream milk.

We are still updating our little cottage and some of the plumbing in the bathroom is still awaiting a plumber!! As mentioned in the listing when you booked, you cannot use the bath or the bathroom sink (you will need to use the laundry sink in place of the bathroom sink). The shower is a beauty though! We supply hand wash and body wash.

Washing: The washing machine works well, but the dryer function doesn’t. You’ll find a washing line to the side of the house and a clothes horse for indoor drying.

Internet / TV: There is no internet or free-to-air TV here — and that’s part of her charm.
You’ll find books, cards, writing materials, and our guestbook to help you rest, dream, and disconnect.
Want to use your own device for streaming? There’s a HDMI cable in the magazine rack.

We recommend doing your shop before you leave. There is a small General Store here with the basics if you need, however keep an eye on opening hours as Forrest is a small regional town.

We sometimes have a little family of birds nesting around our roof - we hope they won’t disturb you but more than anything, please know they are nothing to worry about. There can also be some noise from possums scuttling across the fence from the fig tree.

The King Parrots are quite a fixture at Ms Winters and they love the maple tree just outside the french doors - you'll find a big jar of wild bird food in our pantry.

Pease write, draw, dream in the Guest Book- it’s the old book on the desk of the workspace titled "People of Importance". It's also a good read on a rainy day.

If for some reason there is no hot water, it is likely the gas bottle at the side of the house (between the french doors and the chimney) has run out. You can switch it over to a full one, (you just turn the switch at the top, and open the new gas bottle valve) but just remember to let us know if you do. It’s very important we know so that we can order a new one!

Please only use the wood fire if you know how to use one. We leave plenty of wood & kindling on the front deck. The flue is OPEN towards the left.

There is a split system to if you need, the remote is on the wall as you walki into the lounge. Just set it to the Heat setting, or to Cool for cooling the cottage down. If you’re still a bit chilly, there is a backup heater in the bathroom as well. There is a fire extinguisher under the sink (not that we think you’ll need it!)

The oven and cooktop manuals are in the little drawer under the oven.

Please wipe any spills immediately from the cooktop and if there are marks on stovetop, please don't use anything abrasive on there. We will remove stubborn marks after you leave. Just use another hotplate instead.

There is a toaster and kettle to use in the bottom kitchen drawer and the microwave is in the pantry.

Please don't cook overly fragrant meals (with heavy spices) as it can be very hard to remove the smell for next guests.

As suggested, you will need to bring most of what you will need with you. There is however, some beautiful food available in Forrest at the Forrest General Store.

The General Store is open everyday from 8-3 and stocks beautiful homemade cafe food and award-winning pies. With some notice (ring ahead) they can also often put together grazing boxes, take-home pies and lovely local wines.

The Forrest Brewery also has beautiful meals and great craft beer. Please not though that they are only open from Friday to Monday and sometimes close over winter. CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR WINTER.

If you venture a little further, there are some amazing food options- Chris's Restaurant on the way to Apollo Bay is just beautiful. Shelter Cafe in Apollo Bay is our favourite for the daytime.

We have a beautiful team that are readily available — so please send us a message via Airbnb or text message on 0437 948802, and allow an hour or so for a response. We are here to help and make your stay as beautiful as can be.

If you're staying longer, we can organise a mid-stay clean, just send us a message so we can make plans.

For any other emergencies call the police on 000.

Ms Winters is a place of quiet retreat, and these gentle notes are here to help keep her safe, special, and ready to welcome the next guest with the same warmth she offers you.

No pets, please — except, of course, for the wandering neighbourhood chooks, who may pass by to say hello!

Smoking is not permitted inside. If you do smoke outside, please pick up any rubbish.

The wood heater may only be used by guests who know how to operate one safely. There is a split system and portable heater are also available for heating or cooling if needed as well.

Please avoid cooking anything overly fragrant (like curries or strong spices), as the scent is difficult to remove from the lovely linens and textures.

No parties or events — this is a peaceful stay for booked guests only.

Use of the property and its surrounds is at your own risk.

We recommend travel insurance (Allianz, Cover1 etc.) to cover potential disruptions like fire danger days or flight cancellations.

Photography or location shoots are by prior arrangement only and charged at $1000 + GST per day.

Please note: Any theft or malicious damage — no matter how small — will be reported to local police.

Thank you so much.

Check Out is 10am

Please pop any dirty dishes in the dishwasher for us, and we can put them away later for you.

Please also turn off the lights and heaters, and leave the key on the kitchen table (or where you found it), locking the door behind you.

It would be wonderful if you could leave us a little note on the kitchen table if anything breaks, runs out, or needs attention as well (gas bottle, repairs, etc.).

1. Ms Winters! You could spend hours cuddled up on the couch reading, drawing, knitting, playing cards, wandering the garden. It's hard to leave! You can also wander through the front gate and straight up towards town, up through another little laneway and grab a coffee from the General Store before meandering through the town to home.

2. Lake Elizabeth — this is iconic to Forrest and the Otway's and is a must-see while you are here. Follow the little dirt road in front of the cottage to the Lake Elizabeth carpark and it is scenic 20 minute walk down to the lake. We love to pack a picnic (can be ordered from the General Store) and eat on the picnic tables in the campground just up from the carpark.

3. Walk outside the front gate and follow the road down to the Barwon River, there is a track along the river after the bridge. You will often spot a koala along this walk and it's just a lovely, peaceful spot to be.

4. Stevensons Falls is a beautiful, must-see spot. The drive in, the redwoods, the falls, it’s just magical.

5. Continue on after Stevensons Falls to Apollo Bay, 50 minutes from Forrest, there are stunning beaches, and lovely cafes (Shelter is our favourite!). If you stay longer for dinner, Chris’s Restaurant on the way home is just beautiful (you may need to book).

Ms Winter is a fictional character that we imagined living here in years gone by — storied, strong, and utterly her own. Someone who wrote by candlelight and gardened barefoot, who came and went with the seasons, quietly inviting others to live a little differently.

The real story? This cottage was our home – filled with three little giggling girls – before we moved down the road closer to the sea. Now, we’re tending her garden and bringing her to life slowly, with love, to share with you.

When I’m not here, I travel as an interior photographer, capturing soulful homes and meaningful stays across Australia and New Zealand.
If you are interested, you can see more of my work at www.biancajackson.co or follow our cottage story as it unfolds on Instagram: @mswinters.forrest.