The concept of ‘disconnecting to reconnect’ is a fundamental part of Tiny Away. Spending quality time with a loved one in a space where you simply enjoy the company with little else to worry about is pure bliss.
Escaping the city and experiencing the true Australian countryside is what it’s all about. This weekend alone, we discovered waterfalls, canyons, caves and even went off road to explore sought after destinations. Little did I know that our Tiny Away adventure would involve exploring more of the Blue Mountains region than I’ve seen in the last 3 years while relearning how to appreciate the simple things in life.
We chose D’Getaway cabin in Blackheath from the options available at Tiny Away. It was the perfect location, less than a 2 hour drive from Sydney surrounding the mountainous region. We were far enough away from the city for our staycation to feel like a true adventure. Tiny Away offers an array of tiny house getaways close to nature for a unique experience. Take a drive and discover the tranquility of Regional New South Wales by staying at one of these off the grid tiny homes. D’Getaway offered a relaxing Australian bushland escape situated in Blackheath, just a stone throws from the Blue Mountains. If you’re one to relish in being close to the mountainous terrains and awakening to the sounds of birds, this is the place for you!
Early Saturday morning we packed the car and headed for what would be an unforgettable weekend away. The Blue Mountains offers miles of hiking trails, alluring views, waterfalls and record breaking adventure attractions. The roads to the Blue Mountains are very easy to navigate and street parking is free at most of the attractions. For the weekend that was in it we decided to rent a Jeep Wrangler from Car Next Door, giving us the option to explore off road tracks that the mountains have to offer.
Taking a trip to the Blue Mountains requires a little homework as it’s such a huge place. With some time to kill before check in, our first port of call was the Wentworth Falls Lookout Track to check out the falls. Dip your toes in here and explore the National Pass for unrivalled views over the falls. If you don’t fancy too much cardio, don’t head too far down! The hike back up will take it out of you. Climate change is making drought more serious than ever in Australia. Lower your expectations if you choose to visit Wentworth Falls during a dry month. We found the Wentworth Falls hike moderately easy as we mostly walked in the shade. The only difficulty is the number of stairs that could be daunting for those not used to hiking. Be sure to dress for the occasion, I did not!
One of the most spectacular and most visited landmarks of the Blue Mountains world heritage site has to be The Three Sisters. Tourists flock to stand in awe at the unusual rock formations carved from the cliffs at Echo Point in Katoomba. These three majestic rocks burst with colour throughout the day. It’s not only the wonder of the landscape that captures the heart of many a traveller but the story behind the three rocks that stand tall. The ancient aboriginal legend tells the tale of three sisters hearts captured by three brothers from a neighbouring tribe. However, the law of the land forbid the girls from following their desires and marrying outside their own people…crazy right!
Our final hike before checking into our Tiny Away cabin was Katoomba Falls. Often overlooked by tourists this beautiful segmented waterfall is located between Echo Point and Scenic World. While it is a short but picturesque walk it guides you through a lush rainforest all the way to the waterfall with panoramic views of Jamison Valley. Personally, I think it’s one of the most enjoyable tracks in the Blue Mountains that doesn’t get the attention it deserves.
We arrived at D’Getaway just after 1pm and were greeted by the lovely Eugenie. We’d been running a little ahead of schedule and I’d optimistically sent Nilesh and Eugenie a message asking if we could check in early (check in was to be 2pm). When Eugenie greeted us she gave us a tour of the tiny house and gave us insight into the best walks, hikes and places to visit. We then explored the tiny home and it’s wonderful surroundings.
Our Tiny Away house was fitted with everything you’d need and more! Air conditioning, heating and blankets, showering facilities and all amenities needed for a big cook up. The queen bed lay on its own upper level within the house. The roof only a mere metre above our heads, we expected to feel claustrophobic, but in actual fact it was extremely cosy! The tiny houses are designed to be eco friendly and are built using sustainable materials. We were surprisingly impressed by the hot shower that even measured the temperature and the amount of water used per shower. The toilet, being eco friendly, actually smelt quite pleasant! Instead of flushing waste, an enzyme spray and wood chippings were used to absorb the smell. While this was not particularly luxurious it was eye opening and a true experience living sustainably.
Eugenie suggested we visit the popular Lincoln’s Rock for sunset. It is one of the most accessible and open areas for sunset as it looks out over the Kings Table and Jamison Valley. Please be careful here as it is not fenced. It does get extremely busy, so be sure to arrive early. The rest of our night was spent playing house in our tiny home. We cooked, played guitar and chatted until the wee hours.
Check out wasn’t until 10am giving us time to have breakfast and plan for the day ahead. The rented Jeep Wrangler came in handy on the unsealed and bumpy Mount Hay rough dirt road to the start of the Lockley Pylon walk. Over 7km of this road is dirt road which has become increasingly difficult to drive on with a conventional car. Lockleys Pylon walking track, just near Leura, is an invigorating walk offering scenic views. This walk traverses through the heath to a small peak overlooking eucalyptus forests of the Grose Valley. Be sure to climb up to Lockleys Pylon and take in the wonderful golden sandstone cliffs of Mount Hay and Mount Banks. This part of the Blue Mountains is still relatively quiet and undiscovered, which makes the track on top of the pylon even more enjoyable. The first section is uphill heading towards a unique rock formation called The Pinnacles. As the path continues, Lockleys Pylon will appear in the distance and you can enjoy the panoramic views of the valleys and mountains from both sides. With the strong winds and alpine landscape Lockleys Pylon walking track was exhilarating as it’s quite unique compared to other popular hikes.
After refuelling, we checked out the Grand Canyon Walk. Often regarded as the most impressive trail in the region with lush rainforest, creek crossings, waterfalls and rock overhangs. The Grand Canyon Walk is a full circuit, meaning you can start at several different locations. We chose the 3km hike along the cliff edge of the Grose Valley offering some of the most spectacular views.
We covered a lot of ground in just 2 days. Most of the Blue Mountains can be seen in a short space of time once you have a plan!
If you are looking for an incredible weekend away off the grid, I cannot recommend a stay with Tiny Away enough. Each landowner/farmer receives a share of the profit, resulting in a form of sustainable tourism, how good is that. It was a unique and memorable experience, with next to no wifi, internet or phone reception, come prepared and ready to disconnect and recharge. Check out Tiny Away for yourself and book your staycation now!