Question 1

Are the tents cold in winter?

Accepted Answer

Warmth is a personal thing.  Each tent is fitted with a gas heater, there’s a patio heater on the verandah, and a fire pit outside with firewood cut and ready nearby. On a chilly afternoon or evening, it doesn’t take long to warm things up.

For safety reasons we do ask that the gas heater is turned off once you go to bed. It can feel cool to cold overnight once the heater is off, but this is the safest option from both a fire and carbon monoxide point of view. To keep you comfortable, we provide super-warm sheepskin blankets, goose or duck down winter doonas, and quality linen - perfect for snuggling in.

When you wake up and turn the heater back on in the morning, the space warms up quickly. We’ve been in the tents while it’s snowing outside and found ourselves taking jumpers off while pottering about inside. That said, it is a tent, and we are in the Snowy Mountains, so warm winter woollies are essential.

All cooking facilities are located outside the tent for obvious reasons, and as we’re 100% off-grid, electric heating isn’t an option. The upside? It’s the perfect excuse to pack your cosiest layers. As Billy Connolly says, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes.

Question 2

What kitchen stuff is provided?

Accepted Answer

You really only need to bring food and drinks. Pretty much everything else is provided. 
There’s a fridge, esky, microwave, BBQ, cooking utensils, saucepans, crockery and cutlery etc.

Theres a coffee machine (espresso) with coffee, tea, sugar, and hot choc provided but bring your own milk.

Basics like salt, pepper, oil (olive and vegetable), garlic, sauce, mustard, butter, vinegar, foil, etc are also at your space.

Question 3

Do you do gift vouchers?

Accepted Answer

Yes We do have a two-night minimum, the two nights are to be taken consecutively, and bookings are subject to availability. Vouchers are valid for three years from date of purchase. Email me at hello@freaksofnature.com.au (mailto:hello@freaksofnature.com.au)to organise these.

Question 4

Do you allow children?

Accepted Answer

Our retreat is designed exclusively for couples or solo travellers, so we’re unable to accommodate children. We’ve created this space as a peaceful, adults-only escape where you can truly slow down, reconnect with each other and enjoy some uninterrupted time away from everyday life. It’s all about creating a calm, restorative atmosphere where couples can relax, soak up the sounds of nature, sleep deeply, linger over a morning coffee and simply enjoy being together.

Question 5

Do you allow pets?

Accepted Answer

As much as we love animals, we don’t allow pets at the retreat. Our property is home to a wide range of native wildlife and we’ve made a conscious decision to keep it free from domesticated animals — even pets of our own — so the locals can feel safe and undisturbed. We hope you understand and we think you’ll enjoy spotting some of our native residents during your stay.

Question 6

Do you have phone reception/wifi?

Accepted Answer

We don’t offer Wi-Fi at the retreat by design. This is a place to slow down, take a breath, and reconnect - with nature, your surroundings and yourself. By stepping away from constant notifications and screens, many guests find they sleep better, feel more present and leave feeling genuinely refreshed.

Mobile reception is limited and varies by provider, so we recommend letting friends and family know you’ll be off-grid for a while. We invite you to embrace the chance to truly switch off and enjoy simple pleasures like a good book, board games, bush walks, fireside chats and quiet moments in nature.

Question 7

Can you drink the water?

Accepted Answer

Our water supply is pumped from the river and is unfiltered. We have drunk the water for decades but understand other may prefer filtered drinking water in which case please bring some bottled.

Question 8

Do the tents have proper beds?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the tents feature 4 post queen‑sized beds with quality linens and comfortable bedding.

Question 9

Are there bathrooms?

Accepted Answer

Each tent has a private bathrooms with hot showers. The toilets are waterless composting as part of the eco setup, but they do have a Japanese bidet to warm the seat.

Question 10

Is Freaks of Nature Retreat off‑grid?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it’s 100% off‑grid and built around sustainable practices.

Question 11

Is linen and towels provided?

Accepted Answer

Yes, quality linen, bedding, bath and swimming towels are included in your stay.

Question 12

Can we have fires?

Accepted Answer

Fire pits and wood are provided at each tent, but fires are subject to NSW Rural Fire Service restrictions.

Question 13

Can we stay for just one night?

Accepted Answer

Generally we have a two-night minimum, in winter we have a three-night minimum as this is a small set up on our home property in additional to our normal full-time jobs. In our current arrangement managing daily accommodation changeovers with our day jobs gets too hard to juggle.

Question 14

How private are the tents?

Accepted Answer

There are only two tents on our 75 acre home property. There is no other tent around you, and the tents are approximately 500 meters away from each other with rolling bushland between. There is a main house at another section of the property, but you can’t see that house from the tents. Our house is visible through the trees, but we are approximately 200-300 meters away and are working during the day.

The Isabella Bird is located down at the river and because that is the only river access spot for us all I do have it listed as a shared space.

Other guests (if we have any at that time) may come down to see the platypus/relax by the river.
Likewise, because we are a rural property and we live there occasionally I do work down at the river.  I do like to give people privacy, but sometimes there are jobs that need to be done (fixing water pumps etc)

Question 15

Who is Mary Kingsley?

Accepted Answer

Mary Kingsley was a fearless English explorer and writer who defied Victorian expectations by travelling solo through remote West and Central Africa in the late 1800s. She ventured deep into rainforests, navigated wild rivers, and lived closely with the natural world—guided by curiosity rather than convention. Mary’s legacy is one of independence, courage, and respect for both nature and culture. Her name reflects a spirit of quiet rebellion, deep immersion, and adventurous self-discovery—perfectly aligned with a stay that invites you to step off the grid and into something extraordinary.

Question 16

Who is Isabella Bird?

Accepted Answer

Isabella Bird was one of the world’s most intrepid travellers and the first woman to be inducted into the Royal Geographical Society. From the Rocky Mountains to Japan, Persia, and beyond, she travelled alone at a time when women simply weren’t expected to. Isabella embraced wild landscapes, slow journeys, and the freedom found in nature. Her story embodies curiosity, resilience, and the joy of exploration—mirroring the experience of retreating into nature, embracing stillness, and rediscovering your own sense of wonder.

FREAKS OF NATURE RETREAT

JINDABYNE