Entire home
River House (aka Federal Hilton) - Byron Bay Hinterland holiday cottage
Riverside cottage with kitchen and patio
Photo gallery for River House (aka Federal Hilton) - Byron Bay Hinterland holiday cottage





Reviews
9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4968.8 sq ft
Popular amenities
Explore the area

- Place, Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens
- Place, Main Beach
- Place, Wategos Beach
- Airport, Ballina, NSW (BNK-Ballina - Byron Gateway)
Rooms & beds
2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)
Blue Bedroom
1 Double Bed
Orange Bedroom
1 Double Bed
1 bathroom
Bathroom
Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area
About this property
River House (aka Federal Hilton) - Byron Bay Hinterland holiday cottage
This is the secret hinterland hide away that has up til now been word of mouth only. The cottage is an eclectic mix of style and comfort. And feels like you're staying in your own holiday house
The 10 acre property has been planted with a variety of tropical fruits - perhaps a grapefruit for breakfast, mango for lunch and a pomegranate for dessert!
The star attraction is the privacy and the beautiful Wilsons River that provides an excellent swimming hole and a regenerated rainforest to wander through or have a picnic lunch.
The layout of the cottage includes combined kitchen and dining room, lounge, main bedroom with double bed and second bedroom with a double bed and a trundle bed, bathroom and covered deck.
You're in the hills but we do have everything a modern holiday maker could want - Electricity, cold and piping hot running water and will be turned on prior to your stay. We have an upright gas stove & oven, fridge, dishwasher, wood burner and cd/radio/ipod dock, tv and dvd, basic furniture, cutlery, crockery, sheets, blankets and dooners for all beds + a CD library and some games and cards. Outside you can cook on a great wood barbeque or on the gas barbie. Plus we have an iron, electric blanket and all the kitchen appliances you’ll need to whip up delicious meals.
The Federal Store: The store is the only shop in the village and is a meeting place for the locals for anything and everything. It acts as the supermarket, bottle shop, post office, newsagent and eftpos outlet.
Some tips: A torch for night time spotting, gum boots for wet weather, table linen for glamour dining and beach towels for taking a dip in the creek or the sea.
Trips in the area
Within the region can be found a number of attractions.
Byron Bay:
Eastern most point of Australia. Lots of restaurants and shops in this rapidly growing tourist spot. Beaches such as Wategoes, Broken Head, Tallow and the Pass are well worth a visit. A pleasant walk and picnic can be had from Wategoes to the lighthouse. There is a golf course on the south side of town.
Ballina:
The home of the big lobster, movie theatre and airport.
Bangalow:
A ‘pretty’ town and now bypassed by the highway. The town has been restored to it’s former glory and hosts galleries, second hand/antique stores and cafes. Try the Woods and visit the country market on the last Sunday of the month.
Minyon Falls:
15 minutes by car from Federal is a 300m cascading waterfall into the valley of the palms. Picnic grounds, look outs all set in rainforest. A number of walks, including a 5km walk to the bottom of the falls.
Brunswick Heads:
10 minutes up the Pacific Highway from Bangalow. Great pub for a counter lunch and lots to discover.
Lennox Heads:
Best right hander on the coast, but watch the rocks.
Nimbin:
Hippyville!
Lismore - Lizard ville:
Bustling regional centre 30km west of Federal. Supermarkets, cafes, airport and University.
Mount Warning:
A day trip for the more adventurous.
Mullumbimby:
A 10km drive from Federal along the Coorabel ridge, giving breathtaking rural and coastal views. ‘The biggest little town in Australia’
The Channon:
30 minutes west, tricky to find but worth the trip for the monthly market (2nd Sunday) great variety of plants, food and crafty produce. Along with the sights and sounds.
The Gold Coast:
Only an hour up the highway to glitz, glamour and gluttony. Casino, Pacific Fair and airport.
Just some suggestions, but you can discover the rest yourselves.
Check out our Instagram account for more images on Federal Hilton #federalhilton
The 10 acre property has been planted with a variety of tropical fruits - perhaps a grapefruit for breakfast, mango for lunch and a pomegranate for dessert!
The star attraction is the privacy and the beautiful Wilsons River that provides an excellent swimming hole and a regenerated rainforest to wander through or have a picnic lunch.
The layout of the cottage includes combined kitchen and dining room, lounge, main bedroom with double bed and second bedroom with a double bed and a trundle bed, bathroom and covered deck.
You're in the hills but we do have everything a modern holiday maker could want - Electricity, cold and piping hot running water and will be turned on prior to your stay. We have an upright gas stove & oven, fridge, dishwasher, wood burner and cd/radio/ipod dock, tv and dvd, basic furniture, cutlery, crockery, sheets, blankets and dooners for all beds + a CD library and some games and cards. Outside you can cook on a great wood barbeque or on the gas barbie. Plus we have an iron, electric blanket and all the kitchen appliances you’ll need to whip up delicious meals.
The Federal Store: The store is the only shop in the village and is a meeting place for the locals for anything and everything. It acts as the supermarket, bottle shop, post office, newsagent and eftpos outlet.
Some tips: A torch for night time spotting, gum boots for wet weather, table linen for glamour dining and beach towels for taking a dip in the creek or the sea.
Trips in the area
Within the region can be found a number of attractions.
Byron Bay:
Eastern most point of Australia. Lots of restaurants and shops in this rapidly growing tourist spot. Beaches such as Wategoes, Broken Head, Tallow and the Pass are well worth a visit. A pleasant walk and picnic can be had from Wategoes to the lighthouse. There is a golf course on the south side of town.
Ballina:
The home of the big lobster, movie theatre and airport.
Bangalow:
A ‘pretty’ town and now bypassed by the highway. The town has been restored to it’s former glory and hosts galleries, second hand/antique stores and cafes. Try the Woods and visit the country market on the last Sunday of the month.
Minyon Falls:
15 minutes by car from Federal is a 300m cascading waterfall into the valley of the palms. Picnic grounds, look outs all set in rainforest. A number of walks, including a 5km walk to the bottom of the falls.
Brunswick Heads:
10 minutes up the Pacific Highway from Bangalow. Great pub for a counter lunch and lots to discover.
Lennox Heads:
Best right hander on the coast, but watch the rocks.
Nimbin:
Hippyville!
Lismore - Lizard ville:
Bustling regional centre 30km west of Federal. Supermarkets, cafes, airport and University.
Mount Warning:
A day trip for the more adventurous.
Mullumbimby:
A 10km drive from Federal along the Coorabel ridge, giving breathtaking rural and coastal views. ‘The biggest little town in Australia’
The Channon:
30 minutes west, tricky to find but worth the trip for the monthly market (2nd Sunday) great variety of plants, food and crafty produce. Along with the sights and sounds.
The Gold Coast:
Only an hour up the highway to glitz, glamour and gluttony. Casino, Pacific Fair and airport.
Just some suggestions, but you can discover the rest yourselves.
Check out our Instagram account for more images on Federal Hilton #federalhilton
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Laundry
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue grill
Fireplace
Have a question?
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Similar properties

Byron Hinterland Farm Cottage on Cattle property
Byron Hinterland Farm Cottage on Cattle property
- Pool
- Kitchen
- Washer
- Outdoor space
10.0 out of 10, (127 reviews)
House Rules
Check in after 2:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Events
No events allowed
Pets
No pets allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
Check out by 10am (unless otherwise arranged)
please leave the house as you found it and don’t forget to follow the What To Do When You Leave info we have provided.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Important information
You need to know
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
Property Registration Number PID-STRA-29120, 2480
We should mention
A car is required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Federal
Located in Federal, this cottage is in a rural area and on a river. Bangalow Market and Byron Community Market are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Wategos Beach and Andrew Johnston Big Scrub Nature Reserve. Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens and Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with scuba diving and snorkelling nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with horse riding and hiking/biking trails.

Federal, NSW
What's nearby
- Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens - 22 min drive - 13.2 km
- Main Beach - 35 min drive - 29.2 km
- Clarkes Beach - 38 min drive - 31.1 km
- Wategos Beach - 39 min drive - 32.2 km
- Cape Byron Lighthouse - 39 min drive - 32.2 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- The Farm Byron Bay - 22 min drive
- Ciao, Mate! - 20 min drive
- Baker and Daughters - 22 min drive
- Bangalow Bowling Club - 22 min drive
- Federal Doma Cafe - 5 min drive
Frequently asked questions
About the host
Hosted by Louise Bickle
We live in the inner city suburb of Redfern and this is our much loved holiday escape. We like to share this beautiful hideaway with other like minded guests (although not at the same time of course). We try to get up to the hills as often as possible so our house has that homey feeling rather than your usual holiday let, we are always updating something or making things more comfortable.
Why they chose this property
Before the original European settlers arrived, the Federal Valley was a rain forest & bush area called the ‘Big Scrub’. The settlers were afraid of the ‘big scrub’ so they cleared all areas of the land. The land was then used mostly for the running of livestock.We bought the property in 1978 & at that time there was only one tree on the entire 10 acre block, (it’s the one to the left of the deck, the Red Apple Tree). All the other trees & shrubs have been planted by us or spread by birds or the elements. The rain forest at the creek edge has slowly regenerated by it self.From 1979 to 1986, the top paddock was planted as an orchard of avocados. These unfortunately were slowly killed off by phitopherous (a root disease).The Federal Valley was also a proposed dam site, a 10 year battle was fought & won by the community in 1995. The dam would have flooded the valley entirely, our property would have had water to the top gate. All the wild life & trees would have been lost.Our 10 acres now hosts many interesting trees & shrubs, among them we have grapefruit, limes, oranges, tung oil, pecans, black bean, mango, custard apple, macadamia & coffee as well as a huge range of gums, cedars and pine trees to name a few.We are slowly creating a beautiful garden, there are both fragrant & colourful species that do their thing at different times of the year.At the creek we have turtles, a platypus family, a kingfisher family & hundreds of other birds, butterflies & reptiles.We hope you relax & enjoy your stay!
What makes this property unique
Our back grounds are in textiles, theatre and interior styling - so you'll find an eclectic mix of furniture and furnishing. We like cooking and eating at home so the kitchen is very well equipped for the holiday chef. We have a teenage son who has spent his growing up years, holidaying on the property, so we have a very child friendly environment and lots of books, CDs and DVDs to keep all ages entertained + a trampoline! AND we have no wifi. Internet and mobile coverage is a very recent addition to the area - but try to stay off grid for 100% relaxation. Read a book on the deck, relax in the butterfly chairs, swim in the swimming hole, spot wildlife and enjoy the sunshine.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback




























