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Watagan: BYO Horse Holiday

Hosted by Chantelle · Martinsville, New South Wales

2 sites · RV, Tent, Lodging · 50 acres

100%

7 reviews

Creature comforts

Enjoy the comforts of home at some sites—including flush toilets, showers, and a kitchen.

Private sites

100% of recent Hipcampers say the sites felt private.

Watagan presents: Dael's Mill "Dael's Mill" is a charming 2 bedroom cabin with a rich history, dating back to the 1800s. Set upon a breathtaking 50-acre retreat nestled a the foothills of the Watagan Mountains, midway between Sydney and Newcastle. Dael's Mill offers a uniquely horse-friendly escape where guests have the option to bring their beloved ponies for midweek or weekend stays, or enjoy an intimate escape in the mountains, to slow down, recharge, and reconnect. The cabin accommodates 4-6 guests and is equipped with self-contained amenities including: - King or single beds with luxurious linen and towels - Pull out double sofa - Air conditioning - Cedar, wood fired hot tub - Bathroom - Fridge - Kitchenette (microwave, toaster, electric fry pan, tea and coffee facilities) - BBQ - Internal fireplace and outdoor fire pit - TV with Chromecast Horse accommodation: (Maximum 4 horses per booking - 2 paddocks shared between 4 horses). Please let us know if you would like us to feed your horses. They have dedicated adjoining paddocks so you can look out your window and greet your four legged friend. Activities: Guests can unwind in an outdoor hot tub or take a refreshing dip in the property's dam and lagoons, adorned with lillies. The site grants easy access to vast trail networks in the Watagan State Forest, ideal for adventurous souls seeking extensive riding opportunities, either by horse, motor bike, mountain bike or 4WD. Or, you can try your luck fishing in the dam for some silver perch! Property features: For those seeking a more relaxed riding (or hiking) experience, the property boasts kilometers of purpose-built trails that don't require opening gates, catering to groups or individuals, providing spaces for bush bashing, hill climbs and canters. Guests can explore beautiful pockets of the property featuring our spring-fed dam, lagoons, and stunning Blarney Creek, meandering through the landscape. Spot the local wallabies, wombats, echidnas, water dragons, and so much more. Local attractions: Watagan enjoys proximity to takeaway shops, cafes, boutiques and restaurants just 10-15 minutes away, while the award-winning 8 @ Trinity is a mere 20-minute drive, offering a diverse range of culinary experiences. - Beaches within 35 minutes - Wineries within 45 minutes - Lookouts and state forest picnic areas at your door step

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1 site

Watagan Campsites (unpowered)

100%

(2)

RV/tent site · Sleeps 4 · Vehicles under 15 m

Watagan Campsites | Camp on Historic Shipley Farm Camp within the story of one of Martinsville’s old farms. Watagan’s campsites are spread across 50 acres at the foothills of the Watagan Mountains, midway between Sydney and Newcastle. The property was historically known as Shipley Farm, one of the old working properties of Martinsville. Its story survives today in local historical archives and in our own collection of photographs showing generations of farm life — the old farmhouse, draught horses, bullocks, ploughing and the people who worked this land long before anyone came here for a weekend away. Today, much of what made Shipley special remains. Horses still graze the paddocks. Blarney Creek winds through the property. Old trees shelter an extraordinary variety of native wildlife, and bush trails disappear towards the Watagans. Our campsites sit amongst it all. Camping at Watagan This isn’t a manicured caravan park or a paddock divided into rows of numbered sites. It’s a working horse property where we’ve chosen a handful of places we think are particularly special to camp. Depending on your site, you might find yourself tucked beneath established trees, overlooking the paddocks or closer to the creek and bush. Light the fire, cook outside, watch the horses wander past and listen to the property settle down as the sun disappears behind the Watagans. There are 50 acres to explore, with walking trails throughout the farm, Blarney Creek, dams, billabongs and plenty of quiet places to stop along the way. Some guests spend hours wandering. Others set up camp and barely leave it. Both approaches work perfectly well. Wild Shipley One of the things we value most about this property is how much native life remains here. Wild platypus are now regularly sighted moving through Blarney Creek, particularly during the quieter hours around dawn and dusk. Gang-gang cockatoos have nested on the property, while king parrots, galahs and superb lyrebirds are part of the surrounding bushland. Kangaroos move through the paddocks, wombats emerge after dark and a spotted-tailed quoll has also been sighted here. Wildlife is exactly that — wild — so no sighting can ever be guaranteed. That unpredictability is part of what makes seeing something here so special. You’re much more likely to find our horses, goats, ducks and chickens. They’re simply part of the daily rhythm of the farm. Bring your horse Horse owners can also make Watagan a camping trip with their own horses. Dedicated horse paddocks with water are available by arrangement for up to four horses, allowing you to camp with your horses nearby and explore the property and surrounding Watagan country from horseback. You certainly don’t need to bring a horse. For most campers, they’re simply part of the landscape. A little history still alive What we love about Shipley is that its history isn’t contained behind glass. We have old photographs showing this property when horses and bullocks were working animals, including the old farmhouse, ploughing and generations of people who lived and worked here. Look at those photographs and then walk the property today and parts of it are still remarkably recognisable — the creek flats, surrounding mountains, old trees and contours of the land remain. It’s a history we’re gradually documenting and preserving. Watagan isn’t a recreation of old rural life. It’s a small surviving piece of it. Good to know This is genuine farm camping on a genuine working rural property. There will be horses, birds, insects, uneven ground, mud after rain and the occasional sounds that come with farm life. If you’re looking for perfectly level concrete sites, landscaped amenities and a highly polished holiday park, there are plenty of places that do that exceptionally well. Watagan is for people who would rather put their tent or van somewhere with space, wildlife, character and a story. Come for the camping. Stay for the quiet. And if you happen to see a platypus break the surface of Blarney Creek while you’re here, consider yourself very lucky. ⸻ Some campsites are created to feel secluded. Ours simply are. Hidden across 50 acres beneath the Watagan Mountains, our campsites sit within the old Martinsville property once known as Shipley Farm. Its history survives in photographs of bullocks, plough horses, the old farmhouse and generations of life on the land. Today, horses still graze the paddocks, superb lyrebirds move through the bush and wild platypus are regularly sighted in Blarney Creek. Pitch the tent, park the van, light the fire and disappear into the country for a couple of days. No manufactured farm experience. Just 50 acres, a working horse property and a very good story. Watagan | Martinsville, NSW @ watagan. au

Campfires allowed

No toilet

Potable water

Pets allowed

No electrical hookup

No water hookup

Lodging

1 site

Instant book

Dael's Mill

100%

(5)

Vacation rental · Sleeps 6 · 2 bedrooms · 3 beds · 1 toilet

Dael’s Mill | Historic Watagan Farm Stay Stay within the story of one of Martinsville’s old farms. Dael’s Mill is an historic two-bedroom timber cabin set on 50 acres at the foothills of the Watagan Mountains, midway between Sydney and Newcastle. The property was historically known as Shipley Farm, one of the old working properties of Martinsville. Its story survives today in local historical archives and in our own collection of photographs showing generations of farm life — the old farmhouse, draught horses, bullocks, ploughing and the people who worked this land long before it became somewhere to escape for a weekend. Today, much of what made Shipley special remains. Horses still graze the paddocks. Blarney Creek winds through the property. Old trees shelter an extraordinary variety of native wildlife. Bush trails disappear towards the Watagans. And tucked within it all is Dael’s Mill. The cabin Dael’s Mill dates from the 1800s and we’ve deliberately allowed it to remain an old country building rather than renovate its character away. Expect old timber walls, worn boards, a fireplace and the little irregularities that come with age. Inside are two comfortable bedrooms, quality linen, air conditioning, bathroom and simple kitchenette facilities. Outside you’ll find a BBQ, fire pit and cedar wood-fired hot tub beneath the trees. It isn’t intended to feel like a modern hotel transplanted into the country. It is somewhere to light the fire, pour a glass of wine, listen to the birds, watch the horses and slow down for a while. Wild Shipley One of the things we value most about the property is how much native life remains here. Wild platypus are now regularly sighted moving through Blarney Creek, particularly around the quieter hours of dawn and dusk. Gang-gang cockatoos have nested on the property, while king parrots, galahs and superb lyrebirds are part of the surrounding bushland. Kangaroos move through the paddocks, wombats emerge after dark and a spotted-tailed quoll has also been sighted on the property. Wildlife is exactly that — wild — so no sighting can ever be guaranteed. That unpredictability is part of what makes encountering it here so special. Closer to the cabin, guests can meet some of the less elusive residents: our horses, goats, ducks and chickens. Fifty acres to explore Guests are welcome to enjoy the farm and its network of trails. Wander beside Blarney Creek, explore around the dams and billabongs, sit beneath the old trees or head into the quieter parts of the property where farm gives way to bush. Some guests spend their stay exploring. Others barely move from the fireplace and hot tub. Both approaches work perfectly well. Bring your horse For horse owners, Dael’s Mill offers something particularly unusual: you can holiday with your own horse. Dedicated horse paddocks with water are available by arrangement for up to four horses, giving guests the opportunity to wake with their horses nearby and enjoy riding within the property and surrounding Watagan country. You certainly don’t need to own a horse to stay here. For most guests, they are simply part of the landscape and daily rhythm of the farm. A little history still alive What we love about Shipley is that its history isn’t contained behind glass. We have old photographs showing the property when horses and bullocks were working animals rather than part of a weekend escape. Many of the same contours, creek flats, trees and surrounding mountains remain recognisable today. That history is something we’re gradually documenting and preserving. Dael’s Mill is not a recreation of old rural life. It is a small surviving piece of it. Good to know This is a genuine old cabin on a genuine working rural property. There will be creaky boards, birds, horses, insects, mud after rain and the occasional sound of farm life. If you’re looking for something new, immaculate and highly polished, there are beautiful places that do that exceptionally well. Dael’s Mill is for people who would rather stay somewhere with character, landscape and a story. Come for the cabin. Stay for the quiet. And if you happen to see a platypus break the surface of Blarney Creek while you’re here, consider yourself very lucky. Some places are built to look historic. Dael’s Mill actually is. Hidden on 50 acres beneath the Watagan Mountains, Dael’s Mill sits within the old Martinsville property once known as Shipley Farm. Its history survives in photographs of bullocks, plough horses, the old farmhouse and generations of life on the land. Today, horses still graze the paddocks, superb lyrebirds move through the bush and wild platypus are regularly sighted in Blarney Creek. Stay in the old timber cabin, light the fire, soak in the cedar hot tub and disappear into the country for a couple of days. No manufactured country experience. Just an old place with a very good story. Dael’s Mill | Martinsville, NSW @ watagan. au

Campfires allowed

Toilet

Potable water

Pets allowed

Showers

No picnic table

Reviews

100% Recommend7 Ratings · 7 reviews

Recommends

· January 2026

Camping with pets (and horses!)

5 m pop-up camper · With pets ·

Watagan Campsites (unpowered)

We absolutely loved our weekend stay at Watagan’s. Charlotte met us on the drive into the farm showing us to our site. Perfect spot for our pooches to chase the ball and swim.

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· October 2025

Beautiful retreat

1 m travel trailer · With pets ·

Dael's Mill

Dael’s Mill is a gorgeous old cottage packed with charm and character. We loved the place, the fire pit, the hot tub, the birds, the wallaby’s, the dam, the jetty, all of which surrounded by horses and natural beauty! Thanks Chantelle and Tyson for enabling us to share your place for a short while!

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· January 2025

Couldn't Ask for a Better Trip! :)

6 m pop-up camper ·

Watagan Campsites (unpowered)

As experienced horse campers myself (30F) and my Mum (68F) were looking for a new pet friendly camping spot we could take our horses to for a few days away, and boy did we find it! This is an amazing spot; beautiful trails, safe horse friendly yards, stunning dams (with fish!), plenty of shade, a wash bay for your horses, a lovely communal sitting area with WiFi and the hosts Tyson & Chantelle are super friendly and knowledgeable! We arrived in the early afternoon to be very enthusiastically greeted by Chantelle to help us get settled in and then very kindly offered a tour of the property by Tyson to help us navigate the trails and the grounds. There is plenty of space to roam on property if you're not super comfortable going off by yourself or there are hours of trails in the national forest only a short ride along a very quiet road. The trails are a great combination of bush trails with a bit of bush bashing for the more adventurous riders or plenty of clear fire trails for the riders who like a bit more space when they ride. An amazing experience and a wonderful holiday, there is already a return trip booked!

Recommends

· August 2024

1 m travel trailer · With pets ·

Dael's Mill

My partner and I had an amazing time staying at Dael’s Mill. Tyson and Chantelle were excellent hosts and were happy to help wherever they could! The land surrounding the cabin is astounding, we had some great walks with the dog. An absolute delight being surrounded by the horses too! The cedar wood hot tub was also bliss and afforded a great way to relax outdoors despite the weather still being quite cool. I would recommend staying here to anyone who is after getting away from the city and wanting to enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside as well as the natural beauty that Tyson and Chantelle’s property boasts

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· June 2024

Perfect horse stay

1 m travel trailer ·

Dael's Mill

Dael's Mill was the perfect getaway. Our hosts Chantelle & Tyson were extremely helpful with their advise on local rides, and beach areas to visit with the horses. The property is well set up for horses with great fencing. The cottage had everything we needed. Comfortable beds, coffee machine and even a hot tub outside after riding. Tyson & Chantelle are there to greet you on arrival but give the perfect balance of being there if you need them and letting you be to enjoy this beautiful space. I cant recommend this place enough.. We will be back to enjoy it again soon.

Recommends

· April 2024

Tranquility not far from city

1 m pop-up camper · With pets ·

Dael's Mill

This would be a great location for a horse owner. There is ample space for your steed and direct line of sight. The historic homestead is a step up from a campsite. There are large and comfortable beds with quality linen. The house has retained its original bones including the fireplace in the kitchen. If you do not bring your own camp oven, the modern touches of an electric frypan, microwave and gas bbq can fill the gap. A bathroom has been added into the corner of the kitchen. It is not fully enclosed up to ceiling so it can benefit from the kitchen lighting. There is a spare toilet in the yard if this presents any issues. It is a rural location so there is dependency on the internet router. There is some Telstra reception in spots outside the cabin. If you are riding the trails all day, refreshing in the hot tub and then making a meal, patchy connectivity will not be an issue. Be sure to bring a book, cards or games.

Recommends

· March 2024

4 m fifth wheel ·

Dael's Mill

Came down to this place not really expecting much due to the late booking, the cheap price and lack of photos. But wow, very undersold. Beautiful piece of land with such stunning horses and views. The family that stays there are so welcoming and made this stay so much better. Said it many times before but thank you guys, exactly what we needed for our small break. See you next time!

Location

Martinsville, New South Wales, AustraliaTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Watagan: BYO Horse Holiday

Select a site

Vehicle/tent sites

Watagan Campsites (unpowered)

Lodging

Dael's Mill

Reviews

Location

Hosted by Chantelle N.

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