After a 35km hike across snowy mountains and rising mist, we were not ready to go back to the bustling city and instead pursued to find our little El Dorado. If once this El Dorado was a place where precious gold stones were found in abundance, we found ours in Mittagong Talia where nature, history, First Nation culture, art, and local delicacies blend beautifully together.

Mittagong means “little mountain” and Talia means “near water' and here, nestled in lush green hills and crossed by a flowing creek, we found an unforgettable off-grid escape. Every single room of this beautiful home is thoughtfully furnished and full of incredibly considered 'small touches' from the meaningful decorations and books to the artworks commissioned by local artists. This home is equipped with all the essentials and even more to offer a luxurious off-grid experience where you do not have to worry about anything.

After a sunny breakfast on the deck admiring the local Kookaburra Kevin flying around, we spent our mornings exploring the local area: discovering El Dorado; Inspired by the beautiful crockery in the cabin, we went to visit the El Dorado pottery studio to take some lovely handmade souvenirs home. Before heading back, we drove to Milawa for some delicious local treats, cheese, wine and bread – the perfect combo for the French we are.

In the afternoons, we created long-lasting family memories by reading books by First Nations authors and exploring the surrounding nature: watching the everlasting daisies balancing with the wind, the galahs taking flight and the cute little birds interacting in their mud nest on the deck, smelling the multifaceted scent of the eucalyptus, and listening to the soothing sound of the reedy creek. Nature can be daring or silent; wild or gentle. Mittagong Talia is the perfect place to reconnect all our senses and help our children explore the freedom of a total nature immersion: understand its beauty, its dangers, and how to care for and respect it.

At the end of the day, we just soaked up in the warm bubbly two-person bath under the golden rays and admired the sunset after a small bush walk to the property lookout (yes- the property has its own sunset lookout).

An ideal base for nature lovers, adventure and memory seekers exploring the high country, Mittagong Talia is made for a couple, small families and groups of friends who are willing to fully reconnect to nature and the traditional owners of the land!