The drive through the Blue Mountains set the tone immediately—golden hour over Lake Lyell, a view that slows you down before you even realise it. When I pulled into the farm stay, I was welcomed by Marjory, the sweetest host, who made me feel right at home. She told me how the farm had been in her family for generations, handing me a book titled 100 Years in 100 Photos—a beautiful collection of images capturing the lives of those who stood on this land before her.

The cabin was warm, cosy, and peaceful—a real treat for someone living full-time in a van this winter. Mornings started slowly, by the fire, easing into days spent exploring the incredible nearby national parks. Evenings were made for curling up with a cup of tea in one hand and a book in the other.

I left feeling nourished—by warm meals and endless cups of tea, made effortlessly with a kettle that plugs into an actual wall—and in awe of how much beauty lies just a few hours from Sydney. It was the kind of stay that gently reminds you: a slow reset in nature truly can quiet the noise that city life builds in your head.