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James and Amanda Tait moved out of the city in search of a slower pace of life – a lifestyle they now share with guests at their accommodation, Wildernest.
Over the past two years, the couple have developed three separate properties on their Tallong, NSW, property on the edge of the Southern Highlands (located about 90 minutes from Canberra and two hours from Sydney).
The first two properties are tiny houses, created by Designer Eco Tiny Homes. Step inside either space and you’ll find beautifully a minimalist interior fitted with a hot shower, linen bedding, and freshly ground coffee.
‘We wanted people to be able to immerse themselves in the Australian bush, however not rough it by having to camp. We wanted people to be able to come back from a day exploring to hot showers, beautiful linen and other luxuries,’ says James.
Both T1 and T2 come with their own outdoor fire pits, while T1 has the added benefit of a wood-fired outdoor bath.
‘The wood-fired Swedish outdoor bath in T1 has been a real hit and we are looking to add one to T2 in the not too distant future,’ says James. ‘To be able to light it up and in 45 minutes have a steaming outdoor bathing experience, all the while surrounded by the Australian bush, is pretty special.’
A newer addition to Wildernest’s accommodation offering is the Stringy Bark Hut. Originally owned by timber cutters and their nine children (!) in the 1890s, the property has recently undergone a sympathetic restoration led by James’ parents and heritage builder Willie Hall.
‘The original bark on the hut was from the local peppermint gums and we managed to salvage enough from the original hut to repair the front of the hut,’ James says. ‘We then sourced some stringybark gum from the local area and used this bark for the rest of the hut.’
All three Wildernest properties operate off grid, generating power from the solar panels installed on the roof. Both T1 and T2 sleep two people, while the Stringy Bark Hut sleeps four.
The 150 acre property backs onto Wingello State Forest – the ideal base for bushwalking, mountain biking, wildlife spotting, or exploring the nearby the Southern Highlands.
Book your stay at Wildernest here.
