OUR STORY
After a two-year search for a country place for our family, we found our own canvas: a hidden 65 acre valley near Ravensbourne National Park.
After years spent designing landscapes for others, we were drawn to Cloudlake’s rich red soils, ancient trees, winding creek and the quiet grandeur of its remnant rainforest. Beneath the wildness, we saw the beginnings of a place that could be both productive and deeply beautiful.
Over the years, we cleared lantana and slowly shaped the land into gardens, orchards, an olive grove and a small vineyard. Terraces, garden walls, hedges and rose arbours created sheltered spaces around the lake, each designed to sit naturally within the contours of the valley.
Cloudlake has grown through patience, practical care and a love of the natural world. Organic principles, compost, mulch, recycled water and waterwise planting continue to guide its care. More than two decades later, it remains a work in progress—evolving season by season, planting by planting, and shaped by our enduring affection for this special place.
SUSTAINABILITY
At Cloudlake, sustainability shapes how we care for our accommodation, land, water and wildlife. We combine thoughtful design with practical, low-impact choices to help protect this special place.
How we tread lightly
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Solar-powered, energy-efficient accommodation with rainwater collection and low-toxicity materials
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Refillable guest amenities, plant-based cleaning products and recycling facilities
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Composting and food-scrap systems that support hens, worms and gardens
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Water-wise gardens, creek protection and reed-bed greywater filtration
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Native revegetation around our lake and pond to support birds, frogs and f freshwater life
Caring for nature - A quarter of the property alongside Oakey Creek is gallery rainforest, providing habitat for native birds, wallabies and other wildlife. Cloudlake has been a Land for Wildlife property since 2003 and is part of Humane Society International Australia’s sanctuary network. We invite guests to enjoy the landscape thoughtfully, conserve water, recycle, and help protect local wildlife during their stay.
BIRDLIFE
Cloudlake is home to over 130 species of birds. Twenty five percent of the property along Oakey Creek is gallery rainforest providing significant habitat with some forest giants of Eucalypts, Figs, Black Bean and Red Cedar preceding white settlement. A rich and diverse bird population include Satin and Regent Bower birds, Noisy Pittas, fruit eating and ground pigeons and a variety of parrots and small bush birds.
See our list of 125 birds found at Cloudlake & vetted by Mick Atzeni 12.09.24
Our haven is continually attracting new feathered friends. If you are an avid bird watcher and spotter we would love you to add to this list.
