Huntingdon Tier
Forest Retreat
Atop a tree dense cliff sits a retired school bus, beautifully transformed into an off grid apartment…
Turning off the Midlands Highway, roads winding upward through rolling green hills, a calm came over us as we neared the Treetop Retreat. Gorgeous signage led us down to the back of the property and hidden below a rise, the sight of the bus left me awestruck… such a simple structure on the outside, and somehow I could sense the wonderfully colourful past this bus must have had shuttling school kids to and fro.
I immediately felt at home, wandering up and down the apartment with a glass of red in hand to take in the views of distant mountains across the valley. The surrounding towering gums gave me a nostalgic feeling of being cosied up high in a treehouse, and although we weren’t graced with the sight of them this time, a pair of wedge tailed eagles are nested in a tree nearby and are said to drift through the valley most days. Devil scats and tree hollows hinted to the abundance of other special wildlife calling this place home.
The Treetop Apartment is so thoughtfully designed. Stunning, repurposed timber features throughout, and a luxurious bed has been built at a height that allows you to gaze down into the valley from beneath the sheets. Ben and Tess have created an incredibly unique experience and it’s clear that their priority was to design the space with respect for the environment they are watching over.
A few steps away from the front door is a completely private hot tub heated by an internal wood stove- hands down the most delicious hot tub I’ve ever stepped foot in. Before our arrival, Ben and Tess kindly lit the wood heater in the bus as well as the one in the hot tub, which meant that during a cold snap, we were grateful to be greeted by a warm apartment and a tub ready to jump into as the sun set.
I’ll be craving comfort from this place again soon….
Bookings can be made directly through Huntingdon Tier Forest Retreat, or through Airbnb.
