SLOW STAYS

Eco is not just a buzz term at Kestrel Nest EcoHut, it runs deep in the veins of the owners of the land on which it sits, whispers through the native grasslands, and ekes out of every moment spent here. Crowning Highfield Farm & Woodland’s 333 hectares of regenerative farmland – on the ancestral lands of the Wiradjuri Nation – it’s not just an off-grid hut with solar cells, but a beacon of sustainability encompassing slow, humanely farmed organic food, handmade amenities and an outdoor bath. You’ll find this hideaway near Gundagai and Wagga Wagga, just over two hours from Canberra. Consciously combatting the effects of global warming, only one third of the property is farmed with the remainder under an enduring covenant safeguarding the future of a critically endangered habitat – Box Gum Grassy Woodland. This in turn means the birdlife is prolific; bring your birding book to identify over 140 species as you relax in the hammock during your stay. And the owners are protecting the nighttime habitat too. Kestrel Nest is the first DarkSky Approved Lodging in Australia. This means they are doing all they can to reduce and minimise light pollution. As a result the stars are mind-blowing. Order a hamper to experience true paddock-to-plate dining, wander the bush trails or join in the Farming with Habitat Tour, and linger around the firepit. Don’t worry, there’s no WiFi to interrupt you here.