Sometimes, feeling reluctant to squeeze in some good old fashioned ‘me time’ is a clear sign that you should. That’s what scout editor Anastasia White discovered on a recent weekend getaway with Tiny Away…
Can I be honest? I really didn’t want to go away for the weekend.
After months of being non-stop busy, the idea of a couple of quiet days at home on the Gold Coast to catch up on my never-ending list of ‘life admin’ sounded like exactly what I needed.
But nevertheless, I went. On Friday afternoon, I shut my laptop, packed a bag and drove north, then west, to the Scenic Rim.
Google Maps was set for Darlington, the home of Fig Tree Cottage – a one bedroom, one-bathroom tiny home brought to you by Tiny Away. Combining the very best of tiny homes and eco-tourism, Tiny Away partners with land hosts and places their handcrafted homes-on-wheels in stunning rural settings.
In the case of Fig Tree Cottage, that stunning rural setting was actually Cedar Glen Farmstay. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. I’d stayed in remote cabins before, and the idea of ‘roughing it’ wasn’t what I had in mind.
Upon arrival, I was immediately put at ease. Peta-Ann, our lovely host, greeted us with a cheese platter and a bottle of non-alcoholic wine. With that first bite of cheddar cheese on artisanal cracker, the stress of the past few months started to fade away.
The cottage itself was impressive – more spacious and thoughtfully designed than I’d expected. It had everything: a loft bed, a well-equipped kitchen, a couch, and even a standard-sized shower, which is a rare find in tiny homes.
Outside on the balcony (oh yeah, we had a balcony), a table for two overlooked a cosy fire pit, which we couldn’t wait to use. Thankfully, our hosts sold firewood on-site – another thing we didn’t have to worry about.
And the pleasant surprises kept coming. We were also greeted by two dogs, Giorgio and Armani – yes, I’m totally serious – and an affectionate cat. Imagine our delight when a second, equally affectionate cat joined us by the fire later that night.
It might be easier to list which animals don’t call Cedar Glen home. They have pigs and guinea pigs, miniature ponies, sheep, camels, donkeys, chickens and alpacas (or llamas? This debate kept us busy for much of the weekend).
On our only full day at Fig Tree Cottage, we cooked breakfast while watching the morning mist lift from the hills. Afterward, we strolled out to meet the neighbouring cows. Giorgio, one of the farm dogs, is so well-trained that if you ask him to show you the swimming spots, he’ll take you right there. We took his lead, though we didn’t end up swimming that day.
Instead, we hopped in the car and headed to Lost World Coffee, a cute coffee cart that was set up at Darlington Park campgrounds. Sufficiently caffeinated, we drove through Beaudesert (browsing the local Lifeline as we did, on the hunt for those rare gems that only regional op shops can deliver) on our way to Canungra.
Maybe it was the relaxation talking, but Canungra felt straight out of a movie – perhaps a Hallmark Christmas movie, or an Australian take on ‘Gilmore Girls’. The tree-lined main street, with its charming shops and cafes, was the perfect place to stretch our legs and soak in the country atmosphere. The hustle and bustle of the Gold Coast felt worlds away.
That afternoon, back at Fig Tree Cottage, we succumbed to one of those glorious, unplanned naps that only happen when you’re truly relaxed. Later we cooked a simple pasta dinner before tucking ourselves into bed, embarrassingly early, for a second peaceful night’s sleep.
The next morning, we packed up early to hit the road. We didn’t want to leave, but the “real world” was calling.
At least all that life admin didn’t feel quite so daunting anymore.