By Michael Connolly
Tucked away in a side valley of the magnificent Capertee Valley (reported to be the 2nd widest valley in the world) North of the Blue Mountains is the upper Nile and located there is “The Nile Off Grid family farm“, which as the name implies is an oasis to escape modern life and “disconnect”.
This is exactly what my wife Chris & I did as we drove between the spectacular cliff lines through the valley and across the cattle grids towards the upper reaches of the Nile to reach our destination.
We stayed two nights in the Hideaway Cabin, which is a very well appointed eco-friendly tiny home (Including wifi if you really need that), it is located on the side of a small hill tucked into the tree line away from the rest of the farm house & camp ground and secluded enough to feel like you are the only people around.
As it was very warm outside, we constantly plunged in the corrugated iron bathtub on the veranda and watched both sunrises & sunsets sitting in it as the cliffs around us were glowing in the sunlight.
We also checked out the spa up on the hill near the farmhouse. The view of the surrounding cliffs while sitting in the spa having your back massaged by the spa jets has to be experienced to be believed!
The farm caters for different forms of accommodation, apart from the cabins there is ample space for tent camping and even caravans on non powered bush camp (self sufficient) sites.
Jacob & Mandy the hosts are very welcoming friendly people who are there should you need anything, the farm has a variety of animals such as chickens, sheep, as well as a herd of cattle which often are seen grazing on the grassland near the cabin, as well as an abundance of native animals with kangaroos seen regularly bounding past.
Chris & I may have been offgrid, but we were connected to each other without the distractions of the outside world, so we enjoyed each other’s company as we did some bushwalking in the adjoining Wollemi National Park as well as swimming in the spring fed creek on the farm & even a bit of four wheel driving on the tracks around the property in our Suzuki Jimny.
We also explored other parts of the Capertee Valley, such as Glen Davis, as well as visiting “From The Paddock” at Glen Alice, the only cafe in the valley.
All in all, it was an outstanding experience that will leave a lasting impression on our lives, we only stayed two nights, but it felt like a week or more as we really relaxed & unwound.
MORE information and bookings:
www.hipcamp.com/en-AU/land/new-south-wales-the-nile-off-grid-family-farm-88lh12qw
Here/Turn By Turn Directions: w3w.co/happen.primer.loop