When the going gets tough, the tough brush aside the misfortune and create something new. In the case of Faraway Domes, graziers Jaime and Belinda Munsie and their family have poured their heart and souls into creating a magical escape.
Set on their 3,600-hectare beef and sheep property in Warialda, New South Wales – four hours’ drive from Brisbane – this impressive geodesic dome presides over an endless outback vista from an elevated deck.
There are no neighbours. No light pollution as far as the eye can see. You feel as though you are separated from civilisation yet living in the lap of luxury.
After experiencing the driest conditions in over 100 years, Jaime and Belinda made the tough decision to de-stock their farm and try to diversify their income by building accommodation. But it had to be something special. Something that would appeal to nature-starved souls needing time out.
“We went on a train ride through the Canadian Rockies a couple of years ago and fellow travellers were experiencing native animals in the wild for the first time,” Belinda explains. “Being country people we couldn’t fathom how excited they became over seeing something as small as a birds nest. When we asked them why they said, ‘we live in an apartment in a city and that’s our lives’. I realised we could do something for these types of people in Australia.”
After taking to Google to research and source the dome – the first of its kind in New South Wales – the whole family chipped in to bring Belinda’s vision to life. Jamie and their two sons built the platform it would sit on while Belinda scouted a luxurious four-poster king bed and earthy and rustic finishes to blend with the landscape. Her finds are balanced by beautiful custom timber furniture, handmade by Jamie and their son, Will.
They opened in November 2018 and plan to add two more domes to the property – each just as private – over the coming months.
After checking in, it’s easy to see why most guests so far are content to do absolutely nothing here. The destination is the journey.
While you can achieve this level of isolation by going camping, Faraway Domes has the most comfortable bed with luxurious sheets, a deep claw foot bath, beautiful rain head shower, and cooking facilities. The considered design features – copper tap-ware and fittings, eco-friendly composting toilet – are complemented by your favourite magazines, reverse-cycle air-conditioning, a TV with movies loaded onto a hard drive, and a Weber barbecue on the balcony.
You can self-cater or opt to pre-order hampers or meal kits. You’ll arrive to find the fridge and pantry stocked and recipe cards provided.
After a long soak in the private tub out on the deck, you can watch the stars all night and wake as the sunrise bleeds its pastel light over the landscape laid out in front of you like a mirage.
There’s no one to see you; no demands of life to cling to you. You’re free to do as much ‘nothing’ as you like.
Book your stay at Faraway Domes .
