As golden hour bathes the hills of Main Arm in a warm glow, we arrive at our weekend sanctuary - a one-of-a-kind, hand-built wagon carriage, crafted meticulously from reclaimed materials by our lovely hosts, Flick and Ben. Having previously renovated a circus wagon in the UK (voted by the Guardian in best places to stay!), they’re no strangers to curating a space.

Secluded within lush paddocks and bordered by forest, the Wagon feels modern and surprisingly spacious, yet profoundly cosy. We were quick to curl up with a book to settle in, hearing native bird calls slowly fade into the sound of frogs and crickets, signaling the coming of night. We popped some corn on the grill and relaxed by the fire, welcoming the warmth on a crisp winter night.

We ventured out to the nearby town of Mullumbimby for breakfast at Lulu’s (oh my goodness, the shakshuka), then wandered around the streets. It’s a very eclectic vibe, full of ethical fashion, artisan wares, home decor, and eco products. We stopped by the community gardens, then took the long way back to the Wagon, driving through The Pocket to take in the beautiful landscapes and the friendly locals—cows, alpacas, donkeys, and horses.

After a lazy afternoon, Ben, his son Wilbur, and their dog Bozo kindly show us around the property. They take us up to a vantage point with an incredible view over the hills and we play a game of Finska with Wilbur under the gorgeous old fig tree that watches over the paddock. Wilbur takes us to meet the horses next door (Zephyr, Tristan, and Teddy) and we pick some oranges from the orchard before walking back to the Wagon. Very welcome is the big (adult-sized!) bath inside, and we relax in the heat, stepping outside onto the deck to steam off in the cold night air, all stars overhead.

Sunday morning starts with freshly squeezed orange juice and a game of chess, and some final hours of tranquility. We reluctantly leave the Windmill and Wagon, driving back through Mullum to grab some baked goods before heading home.