Driving into Gloucester, I couldn’t take my eyes off the breathtaking Buccan Buccan Mountains to my left. My excitement soared when Google Maps led me straight to the heart of them, where the stunning Bellebird Eco Cabin awaited me at the top of the gravel road that winds up the ridge line. Whilst I was happy to have my 4WD, I think that regular 2WD car wouldn't have any trouble on this well-formed road.

When I arrived, my jaw dropped at the views—rolling green hills, grazing cattle, and a gorgeous sunset to top it all off. After a quick unpack, I ran a hot bath and settled in for a soak, watching the colours of the hills shift and change. That night, I snuggled into the king-sized bed, which was so comfy I slept extremely well.

The next morning, I woke to a peach-hued sunrise. I brewed a cup of coffee and jumped back into bed, soaking in the views from under the covers. With the sun shining and a gentle breeze, it was the perfect day for exploring. So Taco and I hit the road, carefully navigating around relaxed cattle on the way out. Town is less than 10 minutes drive from the cabin or an half an hour’s picturesque walk for anyone feeling like a good leg stretch. We strolled through the charming town of Gloucester and stopped at a café for a refreshing smoothie. Then we drove just another 10 minutes out of town to the Kia Ora Lookout, where 360-degree views of the mountains and river took my breath away. After that, we did the scenic Buccan Buccan loop drive, winding around the picturesque mountains—complete with a thrilling river crossing that got my heart racing! I was so glad I had a 4WD for that!

Later that morning, the rain set it, so we headed back to the cabin for an afternoon of relaxation and reading. By late afternoon, the sky cleared again. I grabbed the bag of wood and firelighters I’d picked up earlier from town, and got the fire pit roaring, pairing it with a delicious charcuterie board that I shared with Taco. The bath had the perfect view of the fire pit, so I spent the evening hopping between the bath and the fire, soaking in those beautiful views the whole time.

The next morning, we hit the road after a leisurely lie-in and breakfast on the deck. What a special little spot—absolutely the perfect halfway point on my drive from Kiama back home to Byron!