For local farming family, Richard and Georgie Selman, what started as a paddock with a view and a pipedream has now become two of the most iconic stays on the Great Ocean Road.
Rooted in their love for time spent by the beach with family and friends, they detoured from the day-to-day of farming and set about creating spaces that could be shared with guests and inspire them to slow down and spend time exploring the natural beauty of the 12 Apostles coastline and hinterland - not just taking a photo and leaving again a few hours later or the next day.
Georgie said they were now three years into their hosting journey and while it hadn’t always been smooth sailing, they could never have imagined what Port Cottage and Port Farm would become to mean to their guests who were looking for more than a place to stay.
“We’re a farming family first and foremost — people who understand hard work, weather, and what it means to live close to nature. Over time, that connection to the land grew into a wish to share this part of the world with others in a thoughtful and sustainable way,” Georgie said.
“Our intention was always for people to enjoy their time here, but to have created spaces where people notice that and want to celebrate special milestones in their lives, or on the flip-side, have time to grieve or recover has been very humbling.”
Restoring the Past
After falling in love with what was a run-down weatherboard cottage in the heart of Port Campbell, Georgie and Richard bought what is now named Port Cottage in 2020. The dilapidated garage was rebuilt and the although the floorplan was kept as it was, the cottage was restored to ensure it could withstand many more decades in the harsh environment the Shipwreck Coast is famous for. Port Cottage was opened to guests in December 2022.
From Paddocks to Places to Stay
Although Port Cottage was opened before Port Farm was built, this parcel of farming land just outside Port Campbell was in many ways where the pipedream to create something different and meaningful began. The property sits on 68 hectares an hour away from the Selman’s ‘home’ farm and was bought not for its breathtaking view but its high rainfall in 2019.
When they began building on top of the hill in 2023 their goal was simple: create a place that feels grounded in its surroundings, where people can slow down, enjoy open space, and reconnect.
Designed for comfort and built with a shed-like simplicity as a nod to the family’s farming history, Port Farm also runs entirely off-grid — powered by solar, supplied by rainwater, and surrounded by sweeping views of the Southern Ocean and a patchwork of paddocks used predominately for dairy and livestock production.
Port Farm opened to guests in September 2024.
Staying True to Place
Georgie and Richard have put their hearts and souls into making the cottage and farm unique places for travelers wanting to experience the Great Ocean Road differently.
Georgie said although completely different, both properties reflect who they are, where they are from and what they cherish.
“Whether you’re watching the weather roll in from the ocean and across the hills at Port Farm or walking to the beach from Port Cottage, it’s our hope that by staying here, our guests will feel connected to the rhythm of this coastline and return home with memories that last a lifetime.
“Most of all, we hope every person who walks through our doors will feel welcome and a sense of being at home — just as we do.”
Read about the behind the scenes of creating slow stays by the sea here.
“The pace here is slow and although there is a bit more bustle in town during the summer months, for us a holiday here still very much feels like those enjoyed with family decades ago. For us, it’s always been about paying attention to the simple things.”
— Georgie Selman
We respectfully acknowledge Port Cottage and Port Farm is on land belonging to the Kirrae Whurrong people of the Maar Nation.
Meerreengeeye which means ‘Our Country’ in Maar language includes land and waters, plants and animals, stories and spirits and citizens. Maar citizens have always had a close connection with the sea and its resources and their connection with Sea Country extends well beyond the current shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf. A connection that inspires us to learn more.