The tiny home movement is showing no signs of slowing down, and as more Australians become aware of the impact air travel has on the environment, many are opting for sustainable city breaks closer to home.
And now, with our borders closed indefinitely to overseas travel, we can expect tiny home escapes to skyrocket as Australian begin to travel domestically once more, should restrictions around social distancing in the time of COVID-19 ease a little.
A handful of Australian companies are leading the charge and embracing the tiny life with remote and off-grid cabins you can rent out for the weekend.
For your first post-isolation escape, why no reconnect with nature at one of these tiny home escapes and discover more of your own backyard — all of which are just a short drive away from Sydney’s CBD.
1. Unyoked
‘Minimum footprint, maximum chill’ is the motto at Unyoked. Though it started with just one location near Kangaroo Valley, the team at Unyoked has grown its offering to include 11 hideouts around Australia that start from $199 per night.
Miguel is the original and best cabin in our opinion with its blonde timber interiors and outdoor firepit, but prepare to get your Bear Grylls on to get here… We’re talking about poisonous plants, wild animals (read: wombats and cows) and some off-road driving.
2. Kindled
Your best nights’ sleep lies just three hours away at the Kindled cabin in the Oberon Shire. Off-grid and totally secluded, the stylish hideout sits on 250 acres of gumtree conservation with its own private lake and uninterrupted aspect of the starry night sky.
Your only neighbours here are kangaroos and wombats, but it’s unlikely you’ll wake to hear them rustling in the night — Kindled is partnered with award-winning mattress brand Koala, which practically guarantees sweet dreams. The cabin is on the larger side and houses room for four with a queen loft bed and additional double, and will appeal to many for the air conditioning, outdoor barbecue and hot rainshower. A night starts from $249.
3. Tiny Away
Tiny Away hosts a bevvy of eco tiny homes scattered across NSW, the closest of which is just one hour away in Picton. Tiny Away cabins accommodate between two and four guests and start from a very reasonable $169 a night.
While some are designed with loft beds to maximise space, others embrace large windows that connect guests with the outdoors. No matter which cabin you choose, all come stylishly furnished and provide a private escape from the daily grind.
4. In2thewild
With locations both north and south of Sydney, In2thewild cabins are eco-friendly and sustainable to offer an off-grid escape just a stone’s throw from happenings in the local areas. They’re ideal for a couple’s retreat with two queen-sized beds, a luxurious bathroom, and a kitchenette.
The cabins sit in ultra-secluded clearings on boutique farms, wineries or nestled in the harsh Aussie bush, but closeby you’ll find plenty to get up to, whether it’s horse riding, hiking, berry picking, exploring natural swimming holes or sampling treats at local bakeries and pubs.
5. Kimo Estate cabins
There are three A-frame eco-cabins on the Kimo Estate, which at 7,000 acres is also home to larger accommodations as well as a working cattle farm. Each of the cabins offers a varying vantage overlooking the beautiful Murrumbidgee River flats and hills or lagoon, and all are powered entirely by the wind, water and sun from the environment in which they sit.
Far from rustic, the cabins offer more of a ‘glamping’ experience with modern finishes, a luxe bathroom, and a Scandi-inspired design. A stay here comes with a seasonal breakfast of local produce, and Sweeny, the most premium cabin, has its own wood-fired outdoor tub.
