Media and Guest Reviews
One of our most comprehensive reviews
‘Firstly, the front gate keypad isn’t illuminated and without a torch (or phone light) it is hard to read the numbers in the dark.
Pam & I have had the opportunity to stay in various self-contained accommodation on the east coast since retiring and would leave the following positive comments on the Bower compared with other places we have stayed.
- The layout of the property provides privacy and is surrounded by bush. Many other places have their cabins adjacent to each other to maximise the number of cabins in the available space. It is OK but not great especially when coming from a dense city environment.
- The layout of the cabin and the décor is clean, bright and uncluttered. Many of the other places we have stayed contain memorabilia from the owners’ overseas travels making it difficult to put down a book or PC anyplace without rearranging furniture.
- You provide power outlets on both sides of the bed to allow chargers to be plugged in and also many of the outlets have USB charge points as well. Most of the other places we have stayed usually have clocks, phones and bedside lights plugged into sockets adjacent to the beds which require double adaptors etc to enable access to power.
- The bedside tables are uncluttered so we can put our own items there. Other places provide tables but clutter them with phones, clocks, flowers or decorations
- Your welcome pack was excellent and although we didn’t use a lot, it was appreciated. Also the provision of spreads, glad wrap, salt and pepper etc was great.
- The fruit bowl was awesome. Even in some 5-star hotels overseas, they only offer a piece of fruit from the front desk.
- Your briefing pack was very welcoming and the language used was excellent (in my opinion). Other places provide instructions on what to do and each instruction is followed by bold capitalised warnings of the fines and penalties if the instructions aren’t followed.
For example, “There will be a $200 charge to your credit card for failing to put all of the trash in the community bins in the basement” - Although we didn’t use it this time, the provision of a Weber BBQ was another great addition. But what made the Bower even better was the cleaning accessories included in the BBQ. We have stayed in an apartment in Coffs Harbour that also provided a BBQ but said that failure to clean the BBQ would incur a $150 cleaning fee. Of course, there was nothing provided with which to clean the BBQ. And of course, for a short stay, I didn’t think to take BBQ cleaning equipment. Also, I noted there was a spare gas bottle. Other places suggest if the gas runs out to call the manager between 9 & 5 – not a lot of use if your dinner is half-cooked and the gas runs out.
- The heated bathroom floor was great – especially in winter. We have only experienced this overseas.
- The fireplace was set and ready to light. Other places have had fireplaces with some wood and kindling but we had to get it ready to light. Also, the provision of spare wood beside the fire was a great addition. Other places provide wood in a central repository to collect.
- Providing both the air conditioner and the fire was very welcome. Often only a fire OR an air conditioner was installed.
- The windows were clean (as well as the Bower itself). Other places sweep the floor but forget the windows and I have found screwdrivers, kid’s toys and other assorted items left in or behind the cushions on the lounge. Not a big problem but it does detract from the experience.
- The TV was easily accessible for plugging in our own entertainment. Hotels with self-contained apartments frequently make accessing the HDMI or USB ports very difficult or locked out completely.
- The glassware, cutlery and plates were of good quality. Some places stock the kitchen with leftovers from the owner’s family home.
- My wife liked the provision of the bird seed and the placement of the bird feeder outside the dining room.
There are probably another 10 or 20 items that I could list that make the Bower better than other places we have stayed. What is remarkable is that there is one place (the Bower) where they are all provided.
I appreciate that guests often behave poorly in other people’s places, and various rules and fines are the result of the owner having to deal with this sort of bad behaviour on a regular basis. I have written this list in the hope that it encourages you to keep doing all of the great things you have been doing and to thank you for staying and rebuilding after the fires and covid impacts.
Thank you again for a wonderful stay.
Pam & Mike’
“Escape to The Bower at Broulee for your own private forest retreat and leave your worries and cares behind. With the white sand and blue waters of Broulee’s Beaches within walking distance and luxurious, beautifully appointed villas with complete privacy, you’ll return home with your mind, body and relationship refreshed and rejuvenated”.
One year on … for many South Coast businesses.
Tim the Yowie Man journeys along the Princes Highway to discover the resilience of south coast tourism operators who have boun
ced back bigger and better than before following the devastation of the Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20.
Image by Josh Burkinshaw Photography
In late December 2019, South Coast residents endured one of the worst bushfires in Australia’s history with hundreds of homes and businesses lost. 
One business that was particularly hit hard was The Bower at Broulee. Mark and Sue Berry’s 100-acre property was badly burned, and the couple lost their family home and all of their possessions. All 5 bowers were severely damaged, and their vintage aluminium caravan was reduced to a puddle.
Thanks to Eurobodalla Tourism for sponsoring this article about The Bower
“Roadtripping on the NSW Far South Coast reveals the magic of one of the country’s best-kept secrets. Helen Anderson explores its pristine beauty, discovering perfect oysters, hip new venues and a wave of savvy entrepreneurs along the way.”
Gourmet Traveller
Sydney Melbourne Touring
Media
“the South Coast of NSW is the playground for fisherman, surfers, ramblers, photographers and busy weekenders escaping the hustle and bustle of Sydney and Canberra.”
Gallery Australis
Media
… Suffice to say, we have slept around quite extensively when it comes to luxury rooms. And it as such takes something truly exceptional to wow us to our core. Who knew it would be our first experience glamping, in the Australian bush no less, which would leave us both in absolute awe.
Mapping Megan
Media
… dedicated to the travels we have discovering Australia and the United States and all the places in between.
Travel Far Enough
Media
“I remembered a friend raving about the non-weather-dependent breaks he had enjoyed at this place not far from Bateman’s Bay”
The New Daily
Media
“What an awesome stay we had at The Bower at Broulee. The cabins were so peaceful and romantic. The surrounding bushland and wildlife takes you away from every stress in life. You actually feel like you are the only people on this beautiful 100 acre property.”
Wayne & Suzie FaulknerView a 3D walk through of our cabin here:
Junior Nomads
Facebook
“We have been very privileged to have stayed in some of the finest hotels all over Europe and Asia, and our bower at Broulee is right up there and in the middle of the Eurobodalla bush. This may not be what was meant to be nature’s playground, but trust me this is nature’s playground.”
Paula & Gordon McInerney
Contented Traveler
“We cannot rate The Bower … highly enough. Really it is second to none when it comes to relaxation, luxury and serenity…”
Matt & Gerri Dobson
Gourmet Getaways
“Bush meets the bliss of indulgence in this South Coast cabin retreat”
Rosemarie Milsom
Creme de Brulee