For the last few years, tiny houses have been all the rage on social media and I can totally see why. Super cozy? Surrounded by nature? Endlessly Instagrammable? Sounds like a pretty perfect combo to me.
As much as I’ve imagined myself perched over a flowing stream with a typewriter penning my debut best-selling novel, it’s safe to say that my travel style is far from minimalist. You’ll be hard-pressed to find my suitcase without an overflowing number of skin care products, outfit options, and at least two different hair styling tools, so the realities of off-grid living have always been intriguing to me.
Fortunately for me, the tiny house angels offered me the opportunity to put the off-grid living to the test in one of my favourite places in Australia – the Snowy Mountains.
After making the six-hour drive from Sydney, I found my new home for the week at Moonbah Escapez. Driving through the property’s surrounding farmland, I opened the gate to find my new digs for the week surrounded by a family of kangaroos (yes, I did take about 100 photos).
Making a short walk through the frost-covered grass, the Wallaby tiny house was almost like something out of a postcard. Complete with flowing streams and mountain views, the tiny house’s floor-to-ceiling window not only offered panoramic views of the surrounding bushland, but also made the dollhouse-like cottage feel incredibly open and spacious.
As the winter sunset started to crest over the surrounding hills, the realities of off-grid living started to set in. A Gen Z journalist with no TV or access to the internet? How was I going to cope?!
Surprisingly, being able to unwind after a day of skiing or exploring was actually quite refreshing. Being located just a 10-minute drive from the heart of Jindabyne meant that I could happily disconnect without feeling like I was totally isolated, and as someone travelling solo, it was great to know that I wasn’t totally on another planet.
With no reception or screens around, my journey back to the tiny home was also a valuable lesson in being present. Given my bedtime routine now no longer consisted of hours scrolling on TikTok, I spent most nights daydreaming out of the tiny house’s star-gazing window built over the loft bed and it’s safe to say I have never been so cozy in my life.
After a big night of rest and relaxation, Moonbah was the perfect launchpad to spring me into my activities for the day. Thanks to the tiny house’s super cute kitchen, I spent my mornings cooking a hearty breakfast and was very quickly reminded of just how much better my morning tea tastes when brewed on a gas stove.
While a composting toilet and fully off-grid living may seem like a once-in-a-lifetime holiday experience, it turns out that sustainable travel is on a meteoric rise, with Booking.com’s 2024 Travel Prediction report highlighting that nearly half (47%) of Aussie holidaymakers are on the hunt for some wow-worthy sustainability during their vacay.
Making myself at home for the week, I slowly began to understand why so many people made the switch off-grid. Sure, it doesn’t come without its quirks, but overall, being able to take a step back from the busyness of life was a nice reminder to take more time for self-care.
As someone who typically spends their time in the Snowy Mountains surrounded by family and fellow snow enthusiasts, it was refreshing to have a space to sit and truly soak in the peace and quiet of one of Australia’s most well-known national parks.
Whether you’re ready to spend your days shredding in the snow fields or hope to encounter some of Australia’s most unique wildlife, Moonbah Escapez is a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience some of the country’s most beautiful scenery without the stress of being hundreds of kilometres away from your nearest supermarket.
With Booking.com’s 2023 Holiday Home Outlook Report revealing that one in three Aussie travellers are on the hunt for a cozy cabin, there hasn’t been a better time to book your slice of tiny-home paradise in the Snowy Mountains.
Ready to discover your next snow escape? Book your stay at Moonbah Escapez now at Booking.com.
(Gracie Boyle was a guest of Booking.com)
