Ray Crooke and his Legacy at Little Forest

When you wander through the peaceful grounds of Little Forest, it’s easy to understand why it became a haven for creativity — and why the celebrated artist Ray Crooke OAM chose to make it his home. Known for his serene, light-filled paintings of the Torres Strait and Pacific, Crooke was drawn to places that offered both beauty and solitude. In the Southern Highlands, he found exactly that.

Crooke purchased Little Forest in the 20th century, transforming it into a sanctuary for artists, writers, potters, and dreamers. It was here that he painted his famous portrait of author George Johnston, the man behind My Brother Jack. Though Johnston never visited, the two shared a deep creative connection. In fact, Johnston once sent Crooke a quote from the Roman poet Horace about owning “a little forest to complete it” — a phrase that still perfectly captures the spirit of this place.

Today, visitors can still feel Crooke’s influence in the Studio Cottage, built from the sandstone of a historic inn and steeped in artistic history. For guests who value creativity, heritage, and the quiet inspiration of nature, Ray Crooke’s legacy lives on in every brush of light and shadow across the Little Forest estate.