A Review Of Unyoked Cabin: One Of The Most Off-Grid Huts In Australia

We nabbed a night in one of the most in-demand off-grid huts in Australia & here’s what did (and didn’t) go down

Imagine the consumerist rebellion of the Tiny House Movement meeting the comfort level of a quality Airbnb and you’ll get close to what it feels like to stay in an Unyoked cabin, the new cool kid on the off-grid-escape block.

But there’s a bigger mission behind this brand new cluster of cabins beyond just getting outdoors. It’s about connecting through the power of disconnecting. And if that sounds contradictory, I promise it’s all by design.

If you’ve ever felt a sense of dread when your phone rings or a bit of blah after scrolling through everyone’s highlight reel on Instagram then you’ll understand why this kind of rustic tech-adverse holiday is so à la mode in 2019. A break from modernity has become a bit of a novelty but the barrier for entry (*cough* completely roughing it) tends to put most people off.

So welcome to luxury in 2019. It’s all French linen sheets and composting toilets because according to Unyoked founders Chris and Cam Grant, a good life is all about balance.

And it’s a surefire recipe for success because trying to score a night in one of their sustainable hideaways is like trying to find a carpark at a Westfield during Christmas (all about timing and patience). And when a spot comes available you snatch it up whether it’s convenient for you or not.

That’s how I found myself (family in tow) deep in rural New South Wales on a Monday afternoon with only latitude and longitude tapped into my GPS and some obscure instructions to ‘turn left at the shed but after the vineyard’.

You see, getting to your Unyoked cabin is half the journey and is a necessary step to acclimating to your new off-grid surrounds. It’s about tapping into a childlike sense of adventure that’s lacking from so many weekend escapes. And nothing makes you feel a bit adventurous like leaving your car and dragging a trolley of provisions a few hundred metres into the wild unknown.

Arrival

We arrived to a modern box seemingly straight out of one of those coffee table books about Scandinavian architecture.

There was enough room inside for a small kitchenette, a fairly generous bathroom and shower and a very Instagram-friendly plush queen-size bed by a giant picture window overlooking the forest beyond. I know a digital detox is the name of the game with Unyoked but when life hands you a scene straight out of a Gestalten book it’s only right to take as many happy-snaps as possible for post-holiday uploading.

For the record, there actually is a Gestalten book on the bookshelf for handy perusal (among a collection of Penguin classics).

If the sense of luxe hadn’t quite hit by then it was more than cemented upon opening the mini bar fridge. Inside we found a treasure trove of pre-mixed Archie Rose Negroni cocktails just waiting for fireside consumption.

This is something Unyoked excels in above any other cabin stays. You’re well and truly out of the city but still in proximity to some of the coolest creatives in the business. For example, wilderness cook and Instagram superstar Sarah Glover has designed the s’mores kits (the peanut butter, chocolate and marshmallow fireside treat favoured by North Americans), Sydney distillery Archie Rose has contributed the cocktails and local multi-awarded organic vineyards are selected for the bottles of wine on offer.

Thanks to all this you can’t help but walk with a little more swagger as you collect twigs for the fire (a Negroni or two will do that).

Sleeping

As the sun descends the cosiness factor ramps up and before long it was time to tuck our toddler into the large bed and read him stories by a small lamp. Halfway through Green Eggs and Ham we realised how long it’s been since we all read a book as a family (as opposed to playing rock-paper-scissors on which parent would be on the bedtime routine). We did all the voices, we took turns reading pages, our boy fell asleep easier than he had in ages. Clearly this cabin thing was already working its magic on us.

Around this point you’re probably thinking ‘well, that’s what happens when you don’t have any other distractions’. Which is exactly the point.

Anyone who has ever tried to give themselves a digital detox will know how difficult it can be to switch off while still surrounded by all the frantic flotsam of reality. The temptation to zone out and scroll is ever-present and the feeling is almost akin to an alcoholic fresh out of rehab. But when you have fires to prep, s’mores to build, music to listen to and stories to read? This is the kind of relaxed busywork that restores the soul.

There’s no urge to scroll and mentally escape because your mind is engaged. It’s already having fun, fuelled by raw authentic good times. Sure, it’s not as hyper-stimulating as an oversaturated Instagram landscape shot but that’s why it’s so brilliant, you could think of it as a rest for your brain.

Take a stroll through the magestic surrounds

Waking

Because there aren’t any blinds (well, who needs them? There’s nobody else around) we woke up as the sun rose. Our boy still zonked out between us and the sound of birdsong in the background.

Force of habit has me normally immediately reaching out for my phone. The standard routine being: eyes open, find phone, scroll, wake up to a combination of bad news, good news, no news.

This morning I didn’t know where my phone was. It didn’t matter. I pulled the covers up, sniffed by boy’s head and went back to sleep.

Luckily Unyoked generously offer an 11am check-out time, for exactly these kind of moments.

Thredbo in summer is a nature lover’s dream of show-stopping alpine beauty, cool mountain air and magical moonlit adventure.

For many of us, Thredbo calls to mind shimmering slopes and snow-dusted gums, but come summer, this Alpine resort transforms into a playground of an entirely different kind. A cool mountain retreat despite the season, Thredbo summer hikes are astonishingly beautiful, criss-crossing over dramatic peaks, pristine glacial lakes and abundant flora and fauna.

From approachable tracks for novice walkers to more challenging hikes across the Main Range and even journeys under moonlight, Thredbo puts on an unforgettable show of natural splendour all summer. Lace up your walking boots and take the chairlift from Thredbo village to embark on a self-guided exploration or a tour of the Snowy Mountains’ most compelling landscapes.

These eight unforgettable hiking experiences are only available in summer and offer an alpine adventure like you’ve never experienced before.

1. Full Moon Hike to Mt Kosciuszko

There’s something almost mystical about hiking by the light of a full moon. This guided experience begins with a 15-minute chairlift ride, where you’ll admire the Thredbo Valley below, bathed in the fading sun.

Once at the top, you’ll pass rivers, alpine lakes and spot nocturnal wildlife on your way to the Kosciuszko Lookout and Lake Cootapatamba. By the time you reach the summit, sunset is well underway as you watch day give way to night and the alpine landscape magically illuminated by the lunar glow. Enjoy a hot chocolate here before following the path back to Eagles Nest, brightened by the night sky.

This 13-kilometre hike will take place on 3 January, 2 February, and 2 April in 2026.

2. Super Full Moon Hike

Super Full Moon Hike in thredbo — Take in the might of a super full moon.

The only thing that could level up the celestial beauty of a full moon hike would be a super full moon hike . Following the same route, you’ll meet the moon when it is largest and closest to Earth by ascending to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko at an elevation of 2228 metres. From such a height, it almost feels as though you could reach out and touch its glowing surface.

Given the rarity and splendour of the super full moon, limited spots fill up fast for this awe-inspiring hike, so be sure to book the 5 December in advance.

3. Lunar Eclipse Hike

Thredbo Lunar Eclipse Hike — See dazzling celestial displays.

What could be more extraordinary than witnessing a lunar eclipse from Australia’s highest peak? Whether you’re a keen astronomer or simply revel in nature’s beauty, this guided 13-kilometre hike will place you on top of Mount Kosciuszko just as Earth passes between the sun and moon, throwing shade over the lunar surface before transforming it with a deep-red hue.

It’s an epic place to witness one of our galaxy’s most spectacular and rare light shows. Apart from the dazzling celestial display, you’ll also enjoy walking through the moon-bathed landscape, an evening chairlift ride, and a hot chocolate at the summit.

Book now for 3 March.

4. New Moon Hike

New Moon Hike Mt Kosciuszko — Catch the changing skies of a new moon.

A stargazer’s delight, the darkness of a new moon gives the Milky Way full permission to dazzle with its shimmering display. Both astronomers and photographers will relish this opportunity to observe and capture the starry skyscape from the lofty height of Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko. Departing Thredbo Village at dusk and leaving its twinkling lights far below, you’ll arrive at the summit in time to see the sun slip away and the stars appear.

Catch this hike during the new moon lunar phase on 20 December, 19 January, 17 February, 19 March or 17 April.

5. Thredbo River Track

Embark on a gentle entry into the Snowy Mountain scenery with an amble along the Thredbo River. This self-guided hike hugs the river and wanders along the valley floor, revealing snow gum forests, swimming holes and little waterfalls that make for revitalising cold plunges in the summer heat.

6. Merritts Nature Track

Merritts Nature Track thredbo summer hikes — Stop at swimming holes along the way.

On warm summer days, venturing into the cooler air of Thredbo’s alpine tracks offers relief from the heat. Particularly if you set course for the four-kilometre Merritts Nature Track , where there are opportunities to take a refreshing dip in swimming holes along the way.

The two-to-three-hour self-guided hike meanders through towering ancient trees (dubbed the ‘Pixie Forest’ by locals), takes in stunning mountain vistas and is soundtracked by the melody of birdsong. Stop for a picnic and discover a hidden natural infinity pool, the location of which is given away by the roar of a cascading waterfall.

7. Mt Kosciuszko Summit Tour

Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko's summit. — Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko’s summit.

While you can easily steer yourself to Australia’s most iconic peak without a guide, following an expert guide to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko will colour your experience with a deeper knowledge of the landscape and its wild inhabitants. The 13-kilometre return trail puts the alpine scenery on display with 360-degree views from the highest spot in the country.

The walk begins at the top of the Kosciuszko Chairlift and takes around four to six hours to complete, but is gentle enough to be embarked upon by all ages.

8. Snowies Alpine Walk Experience

If you’re looking to truly untether from daily life and embark on a real immersion in Thredbo’s stunning alpine scenery, pack your hiking boots for the newest multi-day walk in the mountains. The Snowies Alpine Walk can be tackled over two or three days and includes nightly accommodation in the iconic Thredbo Alpine Hotel, daily buffet breakfast, packed lunch and dinner vouchers, plus daily transfers to and from trail heads in a brand-new Defender.

The two-day experience covers 24 kilometres, while the three-day experience almost doubles that at 44 kilometres. Along the way, explore barely trod landscapes, vast high-country plains and uplifting mountain horizons.

Discover the full offering of summer hikes in Thredbo at thredbo.com.au.

A night in one of the most off-grid huts in Australia