BUG review
This dreamy hostel is absolutely fantastic. An artist has spent hundreds of hours decorating the house with sculptures, paintings and artsy details that make a stay at the Black Cockatoo a must if you’re travelling in this part of the country. The lovely garden is a forest of flowers, plants, herbs, vegetables and fruit trees that are home to birds and frogs. The relaxed and amazingly decorated common area is kept warm with a log fire and it’s an excellent place for good conversation as there’s no television. The range of facilities isn’t fantastic, but there’s a laundry and a small kitchen available, as well as board games and a good collection of books. The house is clean and tidy, the dorm beds are cosy and comfortable and there’s a marvellously cute caravan that works as a double room. A gorgeous honeymoon suite/cabin is also available.
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This hostel was visited by one of BUG's team of hostel inspectors who write independent reviews and assess a star rating based on an objective assessment criteria.
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Price Dorm bed $25 Double room $50-65 Prices are in Australian dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
The vibes of this place outweigh any facilities issues. Caring owners inspire all guests to be same 23 February 2008
Pros:
Feeling at home, welcome and safe. Clean and homely feel throughout,
Cons:
Cooking area a bit limited and the old bath could do with a coat of paint.
Folk fiddler Richard
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 7934)
I had no idea I would find a spiritual haven like this. The Angel room, the extensive illuminating and enlightening murals, the sympathetic use of wood, pebbles and shells helped re affirm the simple power of things that are natural.
Being here takes me 30 years back to English simple youth hostels where people and their wellbeing, not their wealth, mattered more.
We had only planned one night's stay and just had to ask for a second. Sharing the verandah and spotting the tree frogs that came out at night helped us make new friends.
The garden is a triumph with fresh herbs and a little potager. "Help yourself" lemons, by invitation, and a gift from the owner's hens was proof of her caring attitude.
Would love to stay again whenever I'm in WA. Maybe the old bath, now rusting could be decorated in the same stunning styles on show elsewhere in the hostel.The hostel is within easy reach of the town's shops and facilities yet feels as though it is miles from anywhere. The garden is secluded and private. Staying here will remind you that a 5 star holiday is about people caring for each other and their surroundings not consumerism.Stay simple, stay sane, stay at the Black Cockatoo!
Uniquely atmospheric hostel with an eco theme 12 August 2006
Pros:
Full of character, friendly/helpful owners
Cons:
1 toilet and 1 bathroom
Jabe
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 696)
I stayed here for 1 night and loved it! The owner, Garry, is a fount of information about the area, and is a very welcoming host. The hostel itself is chockful with memorabilia from around the world, and there is a pleasantly olde worlde feel to it - no TV, no Internet, outside toilet, wood-burning stove, etc. There were only 4 other people in residence when I was there, but the atmosphere was still great. The dorms contain proper beds as opposed to bunks.The only quibble was that there's only 1 toilet and 1 bathroom, but with so few people in residence that wasn't a problem.I would definitely stay here again.
8 of
20 people found this review helpful
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mundi
Norway
Heaven 29 June 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
mundi
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 11594)
What a delight! This place was recommended to us by a couple we met in Thailand a few months ago. And then two English girls in Perth insisted we pay a visit. Its so cool!An old cottage on the fringes of a tiny timber town. Peaceful and beautiful. The people who run it are into permaculture and the garden and grounds are exquisite. We were going to stay a night and stayed a week.
0 of
9 people found this review helpful
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Vicki
Toronto, Canada
A slice of hippie heaven 18 March 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Vicki
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 11595)
This place is the coolest, funkiest, most grooviest hostel you will stay in. I was here in October 2002 and could have stayed for a month. It's very small so there's only a few travellers around and the grounds are brimming with flowers and organic herbs. There's a hammock to relax in, a bathtub (!) to soak in and interesting reading in the colourful bathrooms. Nannup is a cute, little town but there's not much going on so bring lots of books. The owner Gary is really friendly and will give you a map of all the hikes/walks to do. Make sure you book a massage with the local naturopath - she's amazing and it was relatively inexpensive.
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9 people found this review helpful
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tkilcoyne@lineone.net
London, England
A romantic,secluded haven with an earthy feel. 7 November 2002
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
tkilcoyne@lineone.net
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 11596)
Steph and I stayed in the cottage at the bottom of the garden. Really comfy and secluded- good for couples.Such a friendly hostel with some interesting reading in the toilets-honest. We thought the accommodation was good and the location is great, a nice little town.I recommend goint to the shop in towm ( the hostel staff told us which one) and get a trout roll with Horseradish, so delicious you keep going back there!
