We have driven past Madisons Mountain Retreat many times on our way to do apple and peach picking in Bilpin but until today we’ve never stopped to take a look around. A friend had mentioned that she had seen that the property has a wheelchair accessible cabin, so we popped in to take a look.
The property is in a lovely quiet location once you leave the roadway. The first thing we felt after driving through the gate was a country atmosphere with chickens wandering around and Alpacas in the distance. The Bell Bird’s calls made us feel we had travelled further than an hour from home.
While the online brochure says that there is one wheelchair accessible cabin I need to point out that it isn’t fully wheelchair accessible in the true sense of the description. It does have some accessible features including ramp access (though a little steep) and a lovely wide verandah. There is also parking right outside the cottage.
The kitchen, dining room and lounge area is very spacious and all entry points have a slight ramping making it easier to move from room to room.
This accommodation will suit someone who doesn’t need fully wheelchair accessible facilities but appreciates the ease of getting around a roomy cottage.
There is a grab rail beside the toilet and a hand held shower (non-adjustable) and a shower door which is slightly wider than usual.
Madisons Mountain Retreat also has a shower seat and over the toilet rails available for guests needing extra support in the bathroom.
Getting around is relatively easy with most of the property being level. A lovely wheelchair accessible gazebo overlooks the dam with seating for alfresco dining. Kids staying at Madisons are invited to help with alpaca and goat feeding in the afternoons and are welcome to collect eggs in the morning. There is a small cubby house to keep the kids entertained with a thoughtfully placed bench seat under a tree for any parents supervising.
tRAIN ACCOMMODATION
I am sharing this converted railway carriage accommodation even though it is not wheelchair accessible because it is simply too good for train loving little ones. When BJ was younger we certainly could have made this work for our family as our travel needs, at that stage, were not that different from other families with a three or four year old. It would have been an extra special treat for our train loving boy. At Madisons Mountain Retreat there are two converted railway carriages.
The train carriage is converted into accommodation and is surprisingly spacious and well appointed including a kitchen with full size fridge and stove top. I am sure kids will not be able to wait to get into the gorgeous London bus double decker bunk bed. I don’t guarantee they will stay there!
The carriage has a queen bedded compartment at the front of the train, a lounge and dining area which is combined with the bunk bed. There is air-conditioning and a television in the main compartment.
The bathroom has a shower, toilet and hand basin which is one step down into an area which is an extension to the original carriage. I loved the train theme being carried through to a play area with a Thomas the Tank Engine Train table.
The other facilities on the property are a large pool, spa, tennis court, a kid’s cubby house. Children are invited to assist with animal feeding in the afternoons.
MY TIP
If you are looking to book one of the railway carriages the entrance to one of the trains is easier than the other. One has a flat deck porch outside (it is still a step up but more secure and easier if helping a less mobile child inside) I would request this carriage if booking.
Not far away is the Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens at Mount Tomah and apple and peach picking (seasonal) in Bilpin.
You can read our blog about apple picking here and peach picking here.
For more information about costs and booking please contact Madisons Mountain Retreat or check their website here.
We have not stayed at this property we just popped in to check it out for a little train loving friend who we are sure would love to stay there one day. Nudge, nudge to his Mum and Dad.
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