Entire home

Ratcliff Cottage Kangaroo Island

Photo gallery for Ratcliff Cottage Kangaroo Island

Outdoor dining
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
4 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, WiFi, bed sheets
Beach
Aerial view

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen
  • Fireplace

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Ratcliff Cottage Kangaroo Island

Treat yourself to the luxury of solitude, a warm welcome and nature’s abundance at Ratcliff Cottage, Pelican Lagoon. Your beautifully restored limestone cottage is settled lightly on the landscape, with absolute water frontage and surrounded by 100 acres of limestone countryside. Ratcliff Cottage offers you a breathtaking vista begging to be discovered, and gentle waves lapping the shore just metres from your front door. Imagine waking up to kangaroos and dolphins each morning, dawn’s light shimmering upon Pelican Lagoon! The expansive terrace offers an idyllic location for eating, reading, entertaining and relaxing.

After you spend a day on KI exploring soaring cliffs, dense bushland, towering sand dunes, wetlands and arcs of bone white beach, kick back on the terrace and fire up the BBQ. It’s the sunset golden hour, time to pour yourself a glass of Kangaroo Island wine, indulge in some fresh shucked oysters from American River and sizzle up some King George Whiting. Watch flocks of birds follow their flight paths across the lagoon and kangaroos hop along the front lawn.

Shaded by enormous Moreton Bay figs, Ratcliff Cottage offers serene views and an expansive terrace overlooking Pelican Lagoon. Step back in time and experience the pristine wilderness of the Pelican Lagoon Conservation Park and Aquatic Reserve as generations have before you. This limestone homestead was originally built by one of KI’s early settlers in 1911 and was lovingly restored and renovated in 2015.

Tastefully appointed, Ratcliff Cottage sleeps six comfortably across four bedrooms: 2 king rooms (that can convert to twin king singles upon request), 1 queen room and 1 single room with an additional trundle bed. Enjoy light and airy open plan holiday living with a friendly split system air-conditioner / heater, restored cork floors, fast WIFI, cotton linen, fluffy towels, pillow top posturepedic mattresses, and a well-equipped kitchen. The kitchen has everything you could possibly need to make the most of Kangaroo Island’s glorious fresh produce.

Ratcliff Cottage offers eco-friendly design features including solar power, a large verandah, pure rainwater throughout and a surrounding revegetation program. Given the high conservation value of Pelican Lagoon, motorised boats and jet skis, bringing your pets and fishing from the property is not an option, but there are plenty of great fishing locations close by. If you’d like to explore the lagoon, kayak hire is an option, subject to availability.

Ratcliff Cottage is an ideally located launch point for exploring Kangaroo Island, a wildlife paradise for kangaroos, wallabies, bandicoots, echidnas, goannas and plentiful birdlife. You will be just minutes away from local attractions such as Island Beach (perfect for swimming), American River, Pennington Bay, Kingscote and Mount Thisby, with wineries, farmers markets and wildlife parks in close proximity. Only 15 minutes from the Penneshaw Ferry, Ratcliff Cottage allows easy access for boaties, with two nearby public boat ramps at Island Beach and American River.

Pristine beaches, spectacular coastline, old growth forest, beach combing, kayaking, fishing, swimming, surfing — get ready to relax on KI! If you’d like to create some Kangaroo Island memories of your own, enquire today. Ratcliff Cottage awaits!

Property manager

Kate

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Stereo
  • TV

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Terrace

Laundry

  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • Near the bay
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Garden

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

Property is also known as

Ratcliff Cottage Kangaroo Island Pelican Lagoon
Ratcliff Kangaroo Island Pelican Lagoon
Ratcliff Kangaroo Island
Ratcliff Kangaroo Island
Ratcliff Cottage Kangaroo Island Cottage
Ratcliff Cottage Kangaroo Island Pelican Lagoon
Ratcliff Cottage Kangaroo Island Cottage Pelican Lagoon
170866

About the area

Map
Pelican Lagoon, SA

What's nearby

  • Prospect Hill - 6 min drive
  • The Oyster Farm Shop - 18 min drive
  • Kangaroo Island Gateway Visitor Information Centre - Penneshaw - 18 min drive
  • Sealink Ferry Terminal - 19 min drive
  • Kangaroo Island Spirits - 26 min drive

Getting around

  • Kangaroo Island, SA (KGC-Kingscote) - 26 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Oyster Farm Shop - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪The River Deck Cafe - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Reflections Restaurant - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪The Lodge Restaurant - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Beach Barista - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Ratcliff Cottage Kangaroo Island pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Ratcliff Cottage Kangaroo Island?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Ratcliff Cottage Kangaroo Island?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Ratcliff Cottage Kangaroo Island located?

This family-friendly Pelican Lagoon cottage is located on the waterfront, within 3 mi (5 km) of Pelican Lagoon Conservation Park and Prospect Hill. Penneshaw Maritime & Folk Museum and Buick Point are also within 12 miles (20 km).

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Ratcliff Cottage Kangaroo Island Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 20 out of 23 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 23 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 23 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 23 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 23 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

angela h.

Great getaway
Great place to stay and relax.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Alice C.

Peaceful solitude
Amazing location and a very comfortable house with everything we needed for a full week stay. Very comfortable beds with plenty of blanket and pillow options. Fully equipped kitchen with loads of crockery and utensils; I could have cooked up a storm if I wasn't too busy relaxing. The lagoon was beautiful with something going on all the time. Lots of birds, even a dolphin and the kangaroos also visit the waterside. We hope to be back one day.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lauren J.

Loved it
The property was exactly what we expected, has everything you need. Saw alot more kangaroos than I thought we'd see. Fantastic. Didn't want to leave. Small issue with a blackout and no internet to check (was worried i'd done something wrong) but was able to contact property manager who was a great help letting us know ETA / went above and beyond keeping us updated. Still had a fireplace working though.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Angela S.

We loved the secluded location and the house. The ideal place to get away and relax. Thank you!
The property was very well presented, the wood fire was ideal for our winter stay. We would highly recommend the property, it will give you a lovely taste of Kangaroo Island.
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Karen & Dwayne P., Stirling

Perfect family eacape
Loved our relaxing week long stay. The house had everything we needed in a lovely quiet location. We all really enjoyed having a mob of kangaroos right outside the door and all the marine life in the lagoon.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Matilda C.

Location location location
Fabulous location with beautiful views and privacy. The kangaroos and large trees out the front made an idyllic place to rest and unwind.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2021

10/10 Excellent

Chrystelle L.

Just remote enough
We loved being at Ratcliff Cottage. It was private, very comfortable and felt like a home away from home. We enjoyed our breakfasts on the terrace, observing kangaroos, pelicans, dolphins and a ray swimming right in front of us! A great base to explore KI and enjoy some quiet time.

10/10 Excellent

audrey v.

.
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10/10 Excellent

Carolyn H.

Private and quiet with a beautiful view!
Ratcliff cottage was a wonderful home to spend a few days. We loved the front verandah where we spent most of our time watching the KI kangaroos lazing and feeding under the beautiful Moreton Bay fig trees. Such a wonderful little piece of paradise!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2019

8/10 Good

Esther B., Adelaide, South Australia

Beautifully serene
Wonderfully peaceful location right on the lagoon.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Bronte A.

Hide away gem!
Our family had five interesting days at Ratcliff Cottage and found the house clean, well supplied with cooking equipment and functioned well for us all. We enjoyed exploring the property and watching the wildlife (we were naming the kangaroos by the end of our stay). Some advice; if you like to swim in the lagoon having some dive shoes (neuprene) to walk out to the water will help as the rocks are sharp on bare feet (thongs get stuck in the mud). As the place runs completely on rainwater be conservative but if the power goes off you can get water from the tap at the front of the veranda. My husband and I were intrigued by the history of the cottage, and used the pictures to work out how the place has been preserved and extended. Some more history would have been great. Thanks for a lovely break from the noise of the city and to really 'stop'. Regards Bronte and family.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2019

10/10 Excellent

Christopher R.

Great views...loved the kangaroos
We really enjoyed our time here. We felt like we were all alone but close enough to town to get what we needed. The best part was watching the kangaroos eating and playing all day long. And the cottage was great too. Thanks so much.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

karen p.

Peaceful
The cottage is in an excellent location both to relax-no passing traffic neighbours, and to explore the island. . The grounds were very dry and barren during our January visit. The cottage could do with a deep clean and refresh paint, but is spacious, well equipped with good linens and towels. We had an enjoyable week, particularly enjoying the quiet and wildlife-the number of kangaroos so close to the cottage is very impressive.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jenny B.

Excellent property
We loved having no neighbours, the beautiful house in a magnificent setting, sitting in front of the fire looking at the bay and playing monopoly, sharing the lawns with kangaroos, swimming with stingrays, the games and toys for the child, the extras in the kitchen that made preparing a meal so easy... It really was a lovely stay, thank you for sharing your special space. We were all sad to leave and hope to be back before too long ...
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Emily T., Adelaide, SA

Gorgeous cottage, stunning location!
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Ratcliff Cottage, it was so homely, spacious, presented beautifully, so well catered & wildlife galore!! Wonderful owners going above & beyond decorating the house for a surprise birthday boy!!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Relaxation plus plus!
Brilliant location, wild life right on the door step everyday. Perfect for families. Everything you need for food preparation is provided.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Gudrun S.

Excellent property!
This cottage is absolutely fantastic! Beautiful view over the pelican lagoon with two 100 years old figtrees. Lots of kangaroos near the verandah. The house was very clean, comfortable beds, beautiful furniture, well equipped kitchen, best wifi, everything you need. First class cottage that we can highly recommend. We will come back!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

David & Trish S.

Peaceful tranquility!
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The house was very comfortable, and despite the cold weather we were warm and cosy in front of the fire. The bird life, starry nights, wildlife and views over the lagoon made this a very peaceful break for us. Highly recommended.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Renee T.

The Perfect Spot
An incredible memory to keep for my children & myself. A beautifully presented cottage with so much history & charm. The trees, lagoon & wildlife made this holiday & home the most memorable I have had. Thankyou Thankyou.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Lorrae F.

Wonderful house on the Lagoon
Terrific spot, Great views over the Lagoon. Peaceful. Close drive to other sites over the island.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

luke o.

Loved it
Did not see another person, right on the water, what else do you want
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Marguerite G.

Wonderful!
We were so pleased with the house. Lovely home, everything you could need, very comfortable and lots of kangaroos. Kate was really attentive to our needs and ordered in a high chair and travel cot for us especially. Would highly recommend this house if you want a nice, quiet, comfortable stay.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Rosie C.

Utter peace
We had the most memorable Christmas at Ratcliff Cottage, complete with backdrop of a dozen or so 'resident' kangaroos. The cottage is truly an oasis - charming, peaceful, a perfect 'get away'. We were pleased that the cottage's style meant that it stayed cool through the hot weather. It was extremely well equipped, and definitely felt like a home from home. Many thanks once again for a wonderful stay.

General property information

Check-In Time
3:00 PM
Check-Out Time
10:00 AM
Location
Pelican Lagoon
Structure Type
Cottage