Found in rugged New England gorge country, just outside of Emmaville on the Severn River, Ben’s Falls Retreat is 2000 acres of adventure just waiting to be discovered. Here, owner Allana Price shares how the story began, the people it’s dedicated to and what she wants you to do most during your stay.
How was the idea for Ben’s Falls Retreat born?
My dad always had this vision to create a place for people to come and visit and enjoy the land around us. It started with the Cod Cabin, which my brothers and I helped dad build in 1996. It was a beautiful childhood, one filled with swimming, fishing and everything in between. We were partway through building the second cabin when Ben took his own life in 2004. Twenty years this year – it’s hard to believe. But every day since we’ve worked to honour his memory and bring joy to those who visit. Dad has since passed away too, 10 years ago in July. I hope he’d be proud of how we’re carrying out his plan, to steer well clear of the dark depression route and instead focus on happy stories people leave here with.
When did the function centre and restaurant join the plan?
That was all dad, back in 2005. At the time we had 2500 acres, but he had his eyes on something more. He came back from the pub one night and said to mum (who he called Freddy): ‘Freddy, you know how we’ve always talked about buying more property? Well, we have. I’m going to build a restaurant and you’re going to cook in it.’ Mum had two key questions.
- Is it even possible to build a restaurant on that site? Sure, it had incredible views of the waterfall, but it’s on the side of a cliff.
- I’m not a chef, how will I run a restaurant kitchen?
Dad’s response? ‘You’ll be right, you can do it.’ So we all chipped in and made it happen. My little brother, my dad, and I cut every single piece of timber, hammered every rock and created that cabin from scratch – our blood, sweat, tears and laughter lie within those walls. That’s how it all started, and Ben’s Falls Retreat has grown every day since.
Tell us about the accommodation options people can enjoy…
Firstly, the Cod Cabin is a real haven, a stunning, rustic space on 8km of open river frontage. There are no segregated rooms, just open plan living, sleeping and cooking, complete with four kayaks for river adventures. You won’t see anyone during your stay, except the kangaroos and the wallabies, the deer and the goats. When you do come to visit, you might even recognise it as the backdrop from a few big commercials, including videos for Coopers Beer, Billabong and YETI. Then there’s the Tiny House, a really romantic studio sitting pretty alongside our dam stocked with trout the size of a plate. There’s a tub on the deck, a fireplace and 2km of private river frontage. Of course, thanks to a loft bedroom it’s actually great for small families or getaways with your mates, too. And finally, the build for our Family Cabin is about to begin. Soon we’ll be able to offer a beautiful space that sleeps seven. There will be three bedrooms – two queen beds and one room with bunks for the kids.
Then there’s the function centre – a truly dreamy place. Tell us everything.
It’s a spectacular venue built on the side of a cliff overlooking the waterfalls on our property. Dad built it out of pure love for Ben – he put all his emotional energy into the place, determined to ‘turn a negative into a positive’ as he used to say. You can still feel that love, which makes it perfect for weddings, birthday parties, reunions, anniversaries, school formals and ‘just because’ events. We have a variety of menus available to suit every occasion and will soon be offering the venue up for conferences, workshops, retreats and team-building events too. We’re also working on the house above the restaurant as a potential accommodation venue for bridal parties before the big day. So watch this space!
What are some of the key challenges you face on a daily basis as a small business owner?
The hardest part is balancing work and family life. I wear all the hats with the business and I’m also a mum to three amazing kids. So we’re busy, and I’ve become a jack of all trades – there’s always something to do. But we all chip in, something that was instilled in me during my own childhood – we were taught to help, work hard and then enjoy those things we’ve worked hard for. These days we try to make each job an adventure with my own kids, whether that’s heading down to clean the cabin or peeling potatoes in the restaurant. They get to experience the joy of the place while helping the family too. None of this could happen without my husband and our team either, we’re so lucky to have them along for the ride.
And what are the highlights?
I really love seeing the joy this place brings to people. Whether it’s a fishing trip or a wedding – where we live is beautiful and sometimes it’s easy to get lost in that. But seeing the expressions on people’s faces, seeing how animated they get, it makes you stop and really appreciate what we have here and you love your own space so much more. I also love how we have the chance to continue to honour Ben and dad daily; that’s what matters most.
How do you hope people feel at Ben’s Falls Retreat?
I want you to feel relaxed, revitalised and refreshed. We have poor phone service, so you can’t sit on your phone and scroll. It’s your chance to read a book, go for a bush walk, go fishing, sit in the bathtub and watch the beautiful Milky Way pass by. Those are the things I want you to do. Stop and notice the kangaroos and those small little moments that you can get caught up with and miss. I just want you to slow down. And then I want you to carry that joy back home with you and allow it to evoke stories in your future. Tell other people what happened here, how it made you feel and keep telling that story for years to come.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give someone considering launching a business in a regional area?
Make sure you love your idea. If it’s just something you want to make money from, it won’t last. You need to be driven, deep down inside, because there is so much blood, sweat and tears in between the good days. But if you love it and you’re passionate about it, you’ll do it.
254 Morgans Road | Emmaville NSW 2371 | Website | Instagram
Steph Wanless
Editorial Director. Grammar-obsessed, Kate Bush impressionist, fuelled by black coffee, British comedy and the fine art of the messy bun.
