IN today's modern world, switching off is an ultimate indulgence and camping in the wild is not the only way to switch off.
Complementing its already incredible camping options, Australia now offers more remote retreats and tiny houses that have opened in regional areas across the country.
While there are now hundreds of petite abodes that offer a natural remedy to modern life across Australia, here are some of the latest and unique tiny houses across the country.
UNYOKED
As of late 2020, Unyoked offers 17 small off-grid cabins, each an hour's drive from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. Sitting on private land, each cabin is solar-powered and self-sufficient (tapping on the forest's resources), featuring thousands of acres of exclusive, Attenborough-level wilderness for guests to wander in. "Spicy" cabins are a steep walk from the parking, meaning there are views to be found once you reach the cabin. These tiny stays were launched in 2016 by brothers Cameron and Chris Grant, and have become increasingly popular. They also feature unique off-the-grid experiences handcrafted to depart from the ordinary, and designed for wellness.
CUBBY AND CO.
Cubby and Co. (formerly Naked Cubby and Co.) launched its latest accommodation offering, Dinny, in 2021. A tiny house nestled in the foothills of Mount Majura Winery in Canberra, it is located only 15 minutes from Canberra's city centre. The queen-sized bed faces a picture window with views of Mount Majura's Riesling block and the vineyard beyond. Curated with a collective of local producers, designers and furniture makers, the cubby and overall experience is centered on all things local. Guests also have the choice to upgrade their accommodation to include delicious food delivered to your door from local Canberra restaurants, XO and The Boat House.
TINY ROSE
in2thewild Tiny Holidays added a new tiny house to its collection by launching Tiny Rosie in the Barossa wine region in March 2021, the first time that it has opened in South Australia. This brings the group's tiny house and glamping family to 27 properties across four states. Tiny Rosie, which sleeps four, is just an hour's drive from Adelaide and is the perfect spot for slow days spent relaxing in nature after time exploring the local wineries. In addition to awe-inspiring views of Mount Crawford Forest, Rosie features Carlotta and Gee's pure linen bedding and Wandering Folks' beautiful bohemian rugs.
CABN
CABN has been setting up tiny homes in the middle of Australia's most beautiful wilderness spots for the past few years, and last year, they announced plans for eco-friendly tiny homes along the iconic Cooloola Great Walk in Queensland. CABN is working with the Traditional Owners, the Kabi Kabi people, to design the ecotourism trail; with sustainable tiny eco-cabins made using locally sourced materials that complement the landscape. While staying, visitors will be able to explore the Great Walk to discover perched lakes, ancient sand dunes and a diverse range of ecosystems, each boasting unique flora and fauna. One of its current off-grid tiny homes, by the name of "Georgia", opened in 2020 at Fox Gordon Winery, bringing the number of South Australian CABNs up to three. Featuring double French doors opening onto a dock, with views over the vineyard, the glass ceiling allows visitors to stargaze as they fall asleep. Other CABNs include the "Matilda", found in Kuitpo bordering the McLaren Vale wine region about an hour's drive from the vineyard city of Adelaide. The 2.5 x 6-metre tiny house sleeps two people comfortably and up to four people with an additional mattress.
KIMO ESTATE
Kimo Estate in Gundagai in regional New South Wales offers private, luxury eco-huts. The huts are small but have kitchenettes, bathrooms with sweeping vistas across the landscape, fireplace and wood-fired hot tubs. The Estate runs 100% off grid with solar power making use of the sun, the wind and the rain; gas barbecues; and eskies with self-cook breakfast packs. Designed to encourage guests to switch off from the busy world and get back to nature, Kimo Estate prides itself on simplicity. The huts sit high on the hilltops, kilometres apart and overlooking the beautiful Murrumbidgee River flats.