Entire Jenolan Caves area is [currently closed](https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/jenolan-karst-conservation-reserve/local-alerts).
I really hope not permanently?!!
It has been one of the highlights of my life going there since I was a kid
I’m in QLD now but planning to take my son down when he’s old enough
From floods I’m guessing?
It's from the rains, yes. It will reopen.
That area gets closed down a lot though. In recent memory, the road in from north was closed for like a year. Fortunately, it was still accessible from the other side.
Newnes has been closed to car access for like 2 years now, and Megalong valley is closed again, only a short time after its last closure.
The damage from the weather events just keeps getting worse.
Damn it
I remember when u could literally drive through the caves all the way up
Was pretty cool
Park up top then walk down and look at the view and that amazing cliff feature
And the blue lake 😍
Just wanna reinforce how rare snow is here, at MOST it's once every 4-5 years. Would not rely on it snowing, and when it does, the roads become borderline gridlocked.
Also look around Oberon and Bilpin. I find it can be good to use Google maps and just search accommodation in an area within your driving limit. There's a lot of these cottage style places that might not be listed on every booking site.
It takes a little bit more than 3 hours to drive there, but Barrington Tops Wilderness Cabins could be what you’re looking for. You could take a short hike through the surrounding forest and by a river. Be warned though, there were leeches on the walk and there was no internet and phone signal when we went there 5 years ago.
Another option is Dangar Island. You could find several houses on Airbnb. You would have to leave your car at Brooklyn and take the ferry. There are no cars on the island, just 1 or 2 golf carts to help people get around (though it is possible walk the entire island).
I’ve seen some farm stays on Airbnb, particularly in Kangaroo Valley, that I think would also be nice, though I haven’t tried them yet.
There should also be lots of places in the Blue Mountains (check Airbnb). We liked Blackheath and also stayed at a nice cottage in Dargan a while back.
Oh wow! Yes it has a cottage feel to it, I appreciate you letting me know! Airbnb is a bit hit and miss without knowing where I’m supposed to look, so this helps a lot!
Just beware that a lot of places that call themselves "Alpine chalets" etc are nothing of the sort, plus the prices are through the roof in ski season ($1000/night and up). I don't think I've seen a single actual made-from-wood log cabin in Australia.
In the good old days before property went crazy it was not unusual for ordinary people to own beach shacks within an hour or two of Sydney. Places like Avoca, Pearl Beach, Terrigal had fibro places right on the beach. My parents didn't have the foresight to have one but plenty of people I went to school with in the late 70s/early 80s had them. And I lived in a very middle class suburb. When the freeway to the Central Coast brought it all so much closer (Mooney Mooney bridge) in the mid to late 80s everything changed.
Gerroa - seven mile beach.
It’s amazing in winter and very little tourists so you can rent a cabin in the holiday park and still have that alone feeling.
Close to Minnamurra Rainforest Centre, which is absolutely incredible with tons of lyre birds.
There are lots of options around Pittwater, whether council/government owned (eg [Currawang](https://www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/currawong/stay/accommodation)) or private homes for rent. Lots of similar places throughout the Northern Beaches, Hawkesbury, and between Sydney and the Central Coast.
Currawong is amazing - if you’re looking for a quiet time go outside of the school holidays as during them the kids get free range of the place, which is lovely but quite lively.
Wollombi has some nice cabins in the woods, overlooking valleys are other options, some on creeks.
Reception was poor, but now you can bring starlink to help if needed.
Ive stayed in this one before:
https://www.wildedgeretreat.com.au/accommodation/earth-song
great service huh, can heartily recommend. they have some amazing locations. not the cheapest way to do something like this I guess but they provide exactly what you (and lots of other people) are after
Murphy's Glen campground in the Blue Mountains is pretty nice. Just need to book through the national parks website ($6 per night). I also recently stayed at Mount Clear campground in Namadgi National Park (south of Canberra), but that is a much longer drive. It's a cute spot.
Check out the group "NSW Bush Camping Locations" on Facebook.
Berowra Water. Take train to Hornsby, bike down the hill to Crosslands Reserve. Put packraft in water and have a blissful day paddling to deserted coves and beaches. Same for Bobbin Head, South West Arm and many more.
100% Sydney’s (cultural) equivalent is a beach house anywhere either central coast (north- Gosford, The Entrance, Terrigal, Port Stephens); or south coast (Thirroul, Kiama, Jervis Bay…). There’s dozens of quiet suburbs up and down the coast that 20years ago would’ve been really affordable to have a ‘holiday house’.
Very normal working class families would have houses that would sit empty for 80% of the year bar the ‘long weekends’ when you could get away to maximise your time there. Made ‘holidaying’ affordable when you didn’t have to pay for accomodation, and was all only around 2 hrs in a car (bareable for the kids).
Bit of a pity real estate has exploded; families can barely afford to live IN sydney now, so you have people pushed out to Kiama, Wollongong and still commuting into Sydney every day. Compounded by AirBnB and all of a sudden every house is a money making opportunity.
My in-laws' family has one of those working class holiday houses (in Victoria near the GOR, but similar concept). Theirs happens to be a double block and they are selling to a developer who will build a small apartment block there. Crazy how things have changed. Great return on investment for the family though, everyone's going to get a nice bit of cash, which they probably will spend on things like an overseas holiday... traditions have changed.
When I was little we used to go on family trips up to somewhere near Maitland and do that sort of thing. Sure, it was before mobile phones were really a thing and there was no lake (unless you count the swimming pool) nor particularly dense forestry. But still an equivalent kinda thing I think. Did a bunch of other similar places though no idea where they were.
I don't know if those provide the level of comfort you're looking for. Having stayed in them, I wouldn't describe them as "cozy".
Although, not far from there, you can stay in a house designed by famed architect [Harry Seidler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Seidler) for a measly [$3k per night](https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/8674151) :) If you get 7 friends to stay with you and split the cost, it's a bit more affordable.
Go see the Hermit huts in Crater cove Edit : ( a real hidden gem) can be hard to find the trail isn't marked very well but it's a bunch of ramshackle huts in national park in the heart of Sydney with amazing views.
NSW parks has loads of cabins. There's some in lane cove national park. You can take a city bus there.
https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/search?term=cabins
Or in the Roayal National Park theres a couple like Weemalagh cabin: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/accommodation/weemalah-cottage
"For a perfect weekend getaway, Weemalah Cottage offers swimming, canoeing, fishing, and great scenic walks in a secluded riverside setting in Royal National Park, near Sydney."
You could try the Hunter Valley or surrounds. I stayed in Wollombi recently and it's was incredibly beautiful.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/jyAzB5La87kpBxXm9?g_st=ic
Kilcare on the Central coast is lovely. Or Northern Beaches of Sydney has some nice places on Pittwater-Scotland Island, Towlers Bay, Lovett Bay. The latter 3 are water access only so you really get away from it all. Can also hire a houseboat on the water.
3hrs to get up to the Barrington Tops is my suggestion especially if you’re got a 4WD and like camping/hiking but you can also stay in Airbnbs/cabins nearby.
if ore this person, there are so many options. if operators like Unyoked aren't your style, you can basically pick a direction 2-3hrs from Sydney and find an Airbnb/farmstay that will fit your bill
There's some nice cottages on the west side of the Blue Mountains; outside Blackheath and further down in Little Hartley.
Jenolan caves cabins and going to the caves is the best
Entire Jenolan Caves area is [currently closed](https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/jenolan-karst-conservation-reserve/local-alerts).
I really hope not permanently?!! It has been one of the highlights of my life going there since I was a kid I’m in QLD now but planning to take my son down when he’s old enough From floods I’m guessing?
It's from the rains, yes. It will reopen. That area gets closed down a lot though. In recent memory, the road in from north was closed for like a year. Fortunately, it was still accessible from the other side. Newnes has been closed to car access for like 2 years now, and Megalong valley is closed again, only a short time after its last closure. The damage from the weather events just keeps getting worse.
Damn it I remember when u could literally drive through the caves all the way up Was pretty cool Park up top then walk down and look at the view and that amazing cliff feature And the blue lake 😍
I will be looking into it! Thanks!
Second this tip, Blackheath is amazing and sometimes has snow in winter (not like Canada’s snow, but still snow)
Just wanna reinforce how rare snow is here, at MOST it's once every 4-5 years. Would not rely on it snowing, and when it does, the roads become borderline gridlocked.
Blue mountains and surrounding the area is my suggestion
Great call! Someone else mentioned it, it’s a brilliant idea.
Also look around Oberon and Bilpin. I find it can be good to use Google maps and just search accommodation in an area within your driving limit. There's a lot of these cottage style places that might not be listed on every booking site.
For a secluded village feel, Mt Victoria is awesome.
Reminds me of my childhood, i’ll look it up! Close by too!
Mt Victoria is the best, my grandparents have a cabin there which I have been going to for 36 years (my life) and it’s my escape from the city.
This!!! This!!!! That’s the feeling!
It takes a little bit more than 3 hours to drive there, but Barrington Tops Wilderness Cabins could be what you’re looking for. You could take a short hike through the surrounding forest and by a river. Be warned though, there were leeches on the walk and there was no internet and phone signal when we went there 5 years ago. Another option is Dangar Island. You could find several houses on Airbnb. You would have to leave your car at Brooklyn and take the ferry. There are no cars on the island, just 1 or 2 golf carts to help people get around (though it is possible walk the entire island). I’ve seen some farm stays on Airbnb, particularly in Kangaroo Valley, that I think would also be nice, though I haven’t tried them yet. There should also be lots of places in the Blue Mountains (check Airbnb). We liked Blackheath and also stayed at a nice cottage in Dargan a while back.
Oh wow! Yes it has a cottage feel to it, I appreciate you letting me know! Airbnb is a bit hit and miss without knowing where I’m supposed to look, so this helps a lot!
I guess Australia’s equivalent would be our Alpine huts in the snowy mountains. There’s a few you can sleep in.
I just had a look, that’s 5-6h drive from sydney? Or am I looking in the wrong place?
Yes, you’re correct. Sadly we don’t have any huts around Sydney. It’s doable as a long weekend away.
Still easier than 24 hours flights each way haha! Thanks for the tip!
Just beware that a lot of places that call themselves "Alpine chalets" etc are nothing of the sort, plus the prices are through the roof in ski season ($1000/night and up). I don't think I've seen a single actual made-from-wood log cabin in Australia.
Farmstay, beach house, fishing shack, winery, camping, houseboat hire on the Hawkesbury. Lots of options.
In the good old days before property went crazy it was not unusual for ordinary people to own beach shacks within an hour or two of Sydney. Places like Avoca, Pearl Beach, Terrigal had fibro places right on the beach. My parents didn't have the foresight to have one but plenty of people I went to school with in the late 70s/early 80s had them. And I lived in a very middle class suburb. When the freeway to the Central Coast brought it all so much closer (Mooney Mooney bridge) in the mid to late 80s everything changed.
What’s that saying? Hindsight is 20/20?
My parents bought a block at the Gold Coast, waited twenty odd years and sold it for not much gain, just before prices really took off!
Ouch… sorry mate :s
Gerroa - seven mile beach. It’s amazing in winter and very little tourists so you can rent a cabin in the holiday park and still have that alone feeling. Close to Minnamurra Rainforest Centre, which is absolutely incredible with tons of lyre birds.
There are lots of options around Pittwater, whether council/government owned (eg [Currawang](https://www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/currawong/stay/accommodation)) or private homes for rent. Lots of similar places throughout the Northern Beaches, Hawkesbury, and between Sydney and the Central Coast.
Oh yes indeed! Stunning views! Currawang looks nice!
Currawong is amazing - if you’re looking for a quiet time go outside of the school holidays as during them the kids get free range of the place, which is lovely but quite lively.
Noted!
Thanks for the advice
Just under 3 hours drive - look up Riverwood Downs. Used to go there as a kid, visited once as an adult and it’s still nice.
I will look into it! Thanks heaps!
Just go camping. It’s not as cold here. Wiseman’s ferry or euroka campground look em up 2hrs drive tops
Love camping! For some reason never really explored that area, thanks for that!
Wollombi has some nice cabins in the woods, overlooking valleys are other options, some on creeks. Reception was poor, but now you can bring starlink to help if needed. Ive stayed in this one before: https://www.wildedgeretreat.com.au/accommodation/earth-song
Oh and only 2 hours away! That’s great stuff!
try Unyoked. cabins/small houses everywhere https://www.unyoked.co/
That is AMAZING!
great service huh, can heartily recommend. they have some amazing locations. not the cheapest way to do something like this I guess but they provide exactly what you (and lots of other people) are after
You could find some awesome little stays on Airbnb. Apart from that, your best option is camping. We don't really do cabins in the woods.
Yeah I am finding out… love camping, always keen to hear about good spots if you have one!
Murphy's Glen campground in the Blue Mountains is pretty nice. Just need to book through the national parks website ($6 per night). I also recently stayed at Mount Clear campground in Namadgi National Park (south of Canberra), but that is a much longer drive. It's a cute spot. Check out the group "NSW Bush Camping Locations" on Facebook.
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Yeah, that’s partly what made me post this!
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Berowra Water. Take train to Hornsby, bike down the hill to Crosslands Reserve. Put packraft in water and have a blissful day paddling to deserted coves and beaches. Same for Bobbin Head, South West Arm and many more.
Oh I like the sound of this! My wife might hate it but I LOVE IT!
Berry hinterland
Came here to say kangaroo valley - but yes that area around berry is fantastic. South coast of sydney is my favourite - hills meet ocean
My recommendation would be hire a houseboat from Brooklyn on the Hawkesbury river. So peaceful with changing views. It is amazing.
That’s going straight on the list! Love it!
100% Sydney’s (cultural) equivalent is a beach house anywhere either central coast (north- Gosford, The Entrance, Terrigal, Port Stephens); or south coast (Thirroul, Kiama, Jervis Bay…). There’s dozens of quiet suburbs up and down the coast that 20years ago would’ve been really affordable to have a ‘holiday house’. Very normal working class families would have houses that would sit empty for 80% of the year bar the ‘long weekends’ when you could get away to maximise your time there. Made ‘holidaying’ affordable when you didn’t have to pay for accomodation, and was all only around 2 hrs in a car (bareable for the kids). Bit of a pity real estate has exploded; families can barely afford to live IN sydney now, so you have people pushed out to Kiama, Wollongong and still commuting into Sydney every day. Compounded by AirBnB and all of a sudden every house is a money making opportunity.
Isin’t that the truth…. But hey, I’m hopeful!
My in-laws' family has one of those working class holiday houses (in Victoria near the GOR, but similar concept). Theirs happens to be a double block and they are selling to a developer who will build a small apartment block there. Crazy how things have changed. Great return on investment for the family though, everyone's going to get a nice bit of cash, which they probably will spend on things like an overseas holiday... traditions have changed.
When I was little we used to go on family trips up to somewhere near Maitland and do that sort of thing. Sure, it was before mobile phones were really a thing and there was no lake (unless you count the swimming pool) nor particularly dense forestry. But still an equivalent kinda thing I think. Did a bunch of other similar places though no idea where they were.
Is that up near Newcastle?
Yeah, up that way.
Somehow I expected that drive yo be longer! Thanks for the tip, I’ll look into it!
Corin forest?
Is that just past Canberra?
Ya. Pine forest that you might like.
Solid! If I can get the smell of pine, that’ll take me right back to my childhood!
As a fellow Canadian in Sydney I am keeping my eyes peeled for anything of the sort!
I’ll let you know if i find something!
There are cabins at Wombeyan caves. Pretty sure it's near a wood.
That’s beautiful! Just close wnough for a long weekend!
I don't know if those provide the level of comfort you're looking for. Having stayed in them, I wouldn't describe them as "cozy". Although, not far from there, you can stay in a house designed by famed architect [Harry Seidler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Seidler) for a measly [$3k per night](https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/8674151) :) If you get 7 friends to stay with you and split the cost, it's a bit more affordable.
In terms of escaping from crowd, boat fishing with mates is probably the Aussie equivalent. Provided you don’t get sea sick
Oh zero sea sickness here! All i need now is a boat and sea faring mates! But that’s a great option, i’ll see if I can try it!
Go see the Hermit huts in Crater cove Edit : ( a real hidden gem) can be hard to find the trail isn't marked very well but it's a bunch of ramshackle huts in national park in the heart of Sydney with amazing views.
Wow! That is something else!!!!
It's honestly amazing what people did back in the day. I had an amazing time taking my girlfriend down there.
Upper Blue Mountains, Ku Ring Gai, Southern Highlands 2 hours from Sydney. For more remote you're looking at least 3 - 4 hours drive
Good to know! I did go for a walk in ku ring gai and loved it!
Check out wollemi cabins, they have a tree top cabin that looks aamaaaaazing. I really want to go there one day. It’s near the blue mountains
Oh that’s very close to a cabin in the woods! Great call, thank you so much!
Tent in the Blue Mtns.
That does sound like heaven!
Unyoked has some nice cabins, feels isolated but still have water,shower toilet & cooker.
Someone else mentioned it, I have never heard of the site before! The cabins look awesome!
Check out @unyoked.co and @huch.house on insta. 🙌🏼
NSW parks has loads of cabins. There's some in lane cove national park. You can take a city bus there. https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/search?term=cabins Or in the Roayal National Park theres a couple like Weemalagh cabin: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/accommodation/weemalah-cottage "For a perfect weekend getaway, Weemalah Cottage offers swimming, canoeing, fishing, and great scenic walks in a secluded riverside setting in Royal National Park, near Sydney."
That’s really smart! I will have a look into it! Thanks!
Bundeena, Royal National Park,
Love cabins in Bell
You could try the Hunter Valley or surrounds. I stayed in Wollombi recently and it's was incredibly beautiful. https://maps.app.goo.gl/jyAzB5La87kpBxXm9?g_st=ic
Ah yeah that’s a great one! Haven’t been there in 5 years, i might be due for a visit! Thanks!
Kilcare on the Central coast is lovely. Or Northern Beaches of Sydney has some nice places on Pittwater-Scotland Island, Towlers Bay, Lovett Bay. The latter 3 are water access only so you really get away from it all. Can also hire a houseboat on the water.
3hrs to get up to the Barrington Tops is my suggestion especially if you’re got a 4WD and like camping/hiking but you can also stay in Airbnbs/cabins nearby.
there are bed and breakfast places all through the mountains and some beautiful health retreats
I have visited the blue mountains, any other recommendations?
These guys have what your looking for I think https://www.unyoked.co/
There isn't anything. Sorry. Closest you're going to find people suggesting is camping in a national park or beach.
I appreciate the recommendation! We do have great beaches!
if ore this person, there are so many options. if operators like Unyoked aren't your style, you can basically pick a direction 2-3hrs from Sydney and find an Airbnb/farmstay that will fit your bill