We had no idea that Mount Barker was such a great location & wish that we had stayed longer. It is great for getting down to Albany &Denmark, yet a stones throw from the national parks and climbs. However long you think you need in the area double it & stay here. Alison knows how to host : we were happy to chat & ask her for tips on places to go, but equally if you want space she would give you that too. She has maps for places to visit, and if you have the energy you could easily spend a week climbing up hills and enjoying this corner of the country, knowing that you have a comfy bed & private bathroom to refresh yourselves in ( plus she let me use a lot of fridge space, not just a tiny bit,so room for snacks& energy drinks.
Her home is open plan, but she and the dogs keep themselves to themselves unless you seek them out. The town isn’t a 24 hour kind of place but has a bakery & supermarket for essentials, and pleasant roads to wander along, and some bush land right on the doorstep.