Planning a stay at King Parrot? Find answers to frequently asked questions about our location, accommodation, facilities, dogs, bushwalking, group stays, weddings and retreats.
King Parrot Cottages and Event Centre is located at 195 Dunse Track in Pennyroyal, in Victoria’s Otway Ranges. The property is approximately two hours from Melbourne, one hour from Geelong, 30 minutes from Lorne and the Great Ocean Road, and 10 minutes from Deans Marsh. Set across 196 acres of private bushland, King Parrot offers a secluded Otways escape within easy reach of the coast and surrounding food and nature experiences.
Location and getting here
Where is King Parrot located?
King Parrot Cottages and Event Centre is located at 195 Dunse Track, Pennyroyal, in Victoria’s Otway Ranges. The property is set across 196 acres of private bushland, approximately 30 minutes inland from Lorne and the Great Ocean Road.
How far is King Parrot from Melbourne, Geelong, Lorne and the Great Ocean Road?
King Parrot is approximately two hours from Melbourne, one hour from Geelong, 30 minutes from Lorne and the Great Ocean Road, and 10 minutes from Deans Marsh. Travel times may vary depending on traffic and road conditions.
Should guests follow Google Maps or the supplied directions?
Google Maps will generally bring you to King Parrot, but we recommend reading the arrival information supplied with your booking before travelling. Please follow our directions carefully when approaching the property and locating your accommodation.
Can ordinary cars access the cottages?
Yes. The cottages and Lodge and Hall can be accessed by ordinary two-wheel-drive vehicles in normal conditions. King Parrot is a rural property with gravel roads, so guests should drive slowly and take extra care during wet weather.
Which areas require an AWD or 4WD?
An AWD or 4WD vehicle is required to access the rainforest campground via its steep gravel road. To protect both guest safety and the condition of the road, two-wheel-drive vehicles are not permitted on the campground access road, regardless of driver experience.
Accommodation and facilities
What time are check-in and check-out?
Check-in is from 2 pm, and check-out from the cottages is by 10 am unless alternative arrangements have been confirmed.
Is linen provided?
Yes. Bed linen and bath towels are provided for guests staying in the cottages and Lodge. Guests staying in the permanent tents in the campground need to bring their own bedding, linen and towels.
Is firewood provided?
Yes. Firewood is provided for the indoor wood fires. Please follow the fireplace instructions provided.
Do the cottages have kitchens?
Yes. All five cottages are self-contained and include facilities for preparing meals, although the appliances and kitchen layouts vary. Aquila, Blackwood and Windmill Cottages have cooking facilities but do not have a conventional oven, so please check the individual accommodation page if you require a particular appliance.
Will we have the cottage to ourselves?
Yes. When you book a King Parrot cottage, you have the entire self-contained cottage to yourself. We never place separate bookings within the same cottage. Other guests may be staying in different cottages elsewhere on the property, and the recreational facilities and walking tracks are shared.
Could a wedding take place during our stay?
No unrelated accommodation guests stay onsite during weddings. Our weddings are held on an exclusive-use basis, and accommodation is reserved for the wedding couple and their invited guests.
Are the cottages heated and air-conditioned?
Our cottages include heating, with wood fires creating a particularly cosy atmosphere during the cooler months. Cooling and climate-control facilities vary between cottages, so please check the individual cottage page or contact us if you have specific requirements.
Is Wi-Fi available?
Yes. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available to guests, although connection strength may vary across the property because of our rural location and surrounding bushland. Wi-Fi is not available in the rainforest campground.
Is mobile reception available?
Mobile reception can be limited and unreliable in parts of the property, particularly along the bushwalking tracks and in the campground. We recommend downloading or photographing any information you may need before exploring the property.
Where is the closest supermarket, café and restaurant?
The Deans Marsh General Store is approximately 10 minutes away and offers coffee, meals and a selection of everyday groceries. Larger supermarkets, fuel stations and a wider choice of cafés and restaurants can be found in Lorne, Colac and surrounding towns, approximately 25–30 minutes from King Parrot.
Is the swimming pool open year-round?
Yes. Our outdoor swimming pool is open year-round and is heated from October through to April. Please note that the heating raises the water temperature by only a few degrees, rather than maintaining the pool at a set temperature.
Is there an electric vehicle charger?
Yes. An electric vehicle charger is available for guests staying at King Parrot. Rather than charging a set fee, we invite guests using it to make a donation to our local Country Fire Authority brigade.
Which cottage is the accessible accommodation option?
Mannagum Cottage is King Parrot’s accessible accommodation option and has been designed to assist guests with limited mobility. An accessibility guide and further information about the property’s access features are available on our website, or you are welcome to contact us before booking to discuss your individual needs.
Staying with dogs
Are dogs welcome?
Yes. King Parrot is dog-friendly, and dogs are welcome inside all of our cottages. As most of the property is not fenced, dogs must be kept on a lead around the cottages, shared areas and animal paddocks.
Dogs with reliable recall may be allowed off lead on the bush tracks, but they must remain under control and must not enter the farm paddocks or be left unattended at the property. We also ask that dogs are kept off beds and furniture.
Windmill Cottage has a small fenced courtyard, although it is not completely escape-proof.
Exploring King Parrot
Are there bushwalking tracks at King Parrot?
Yes. Guests can explore approximately 5 km of private bushwalking tracks without leaving the property. The tracks wind through native forest, fern gullies and along the creek, with a seasonal waterfall and plenty of opportunities to spot local wildlife.
All of our tracks include steep, uneven or slippery sections, and the longer walks involve several creek crossings. We recommend wearing sturdy footwear, allowing plenty of time and checking the conditions before setting out.
Can guests see the animals?
Yes. Guests can see our Highland cows, miniature donkeys, horses, alpacas and sheep during their stay. King Parrot is also home to kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, parrots and many other native animals.
For everyone’s safety, guests must remain outside the animal paddocks, and children must always be supervised around the animals. Dogs are not permitted inside the paddocks.
When is the best time to visit King Parrot?
King Parrot is beautiful throughout the year, with every season offering a different experience. Winter brings misty mornings, cosy wood fires and flowing creeks, while spring is ideal for waterfalls, wildflowers and fresh forest growth.
Summer is perfect for swimming and long evenings outdoors, while autumn brings crisp walking weather and changing colours across the property. The best time to visit depends on how you would most like to experience the Otways.
Groups, weddings and retreats
Can large families and groups stay together?
Absolutely. King Parrot is well suited to multigenerational family holidays, reunions, friendship groups and special celebrations. Our five self-contained cottages, Lodge and Hall, and rainforest campground allow groups to stay close together while still having their own space and privacy.
For larger group stays, please contact us directly so we can recommend the most suitable combination of accommodation for your group.
Does King Parrot host weddings and retreats?
Yes. King Parrot welcomes weddings, micro weddings, wellness retreats and special group gatherings throughout the year.
Our Lodge and Hall provide accommodation, a commercial kitchen and a flexible gathering space, while the surrounding property offers beautiful natural settings for ceremonies, workshops, shared meals and outdoor activities.
Weddings and retreats are arranged directly with owners Nicole and Ryan so we can understand your plans and help you choose the most suitable accommodation and facilities.
Planning a wedding or retreat? Contact Nicole and Ryan to discuss your plans.
How do retreat and wedding bookings differ from ordinary accommodation bookings?
Ordinary accommodation stays can be booked directly online, subject to availability, and include the accommodation and shared guest facilities associated with the booking. Retreats, weddings and organised group events have different inclusions, conditions and property-use requirements, so these bookings must be arranged directly with King Parrot.
Property policies
Can visitors come to the property?
Only registered guests included in the booking may enter or use the property unless prior approval has been provided by King Parrot. If you would like a friend, family member, supplier or service provider to visit during your stay, please contact us beforehand.
Can guests hold parties or play loud music?
King Parrot does not permit unauthorised parties, events or loud music. Quiet hours begin at 10 pm, and weddings, retreats, celebrations and other gatherings must be arranged and approved in advance.