Logan Brae Retreats’ Woodlands Cabin Is The Ultimate Antidote To Urban Mundanity

There comes a time in every city slicker’s life when one thinks “I need to get out of the city.” For the lucky ones not prone to regular bouts of ennui and malcontent, such thoughts only occur once every couple of years or so and are swiftly remedied with a month away in a far-flung locale, after which the satisfied holiday goer returns refreshed and ready to fling themselves workload without uttering so much as a grumble for the next financial year. Unfortunately, for a select coterie of troubled souls, an annual vacation—while certainly a welcome occurrence—does little to alleviate the malaise caused by quotidian urban banality. 

IMAGE: Logan Brae Retreats

For those in the latter camp, the remedy is not so simple. Logistical constraints—i.e. rudimentary geography and a cap on annual leave—dictate that an overseas sojourn every time the faintest hint of torpor arises isn’t feasible. With that in mind, it’s necessary to seek escapism and solace a little closer to home. Such an escape must a) be within driving distance from the big smoke; b) completely transport you away from said city (that means no city staycations allowed!); and c) be delivered with a healthy dose of luxury. While the latter isn’t strictly necessary, it’s important to recognise and accept who we are. 

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Logan Brae Retreats delivers on all those fronts. Located in the heart of the Blue Mountains, it’s under a two-hour drive from the city but feels a world away, making for the ideal way to address this writer’s bout of urban ennui. With that in mind, we made our way to Logan Brae Retreats for a start-of-week getaway (infinitely superior to both sneaky mid-weeky and long weekend getaways). Monday blues? Never heard of them.

Driving up to the Woodlands Cabin feels like an exhale. One of three accommodation offerings at Logan Brae Retreat’s Mount Kanimbla location, the Woodlands Cabin is nestled within the highest peak of the Kanimbla Valley and accessed via a winding road that trails through a pony paddock (currently unoccupied; more on that later), pastures, and untamed foliage.

The Woodlands Cabin is quite literally tucked into the mountain. Though it vertically sits between Logan Brae Retreats’ two other Mount Kanimbla lodgings—The Lodge and Hilltop Cabin—each cabin is separated by ample distance so there’s nothing but acres of trees and native flora in your line of vision. 

Logan Brae Retreats is the brainchild of Asia Upwards who, along with her husband Sam Edwards, owns and runs Logan Brae Orchards. The family-run apple orchard is located in Blackheath and houses the duo’s debut accommodation offering The Machinery Shed, an industrial rustic-chic shed designed as the ultimate couple’s retreat. Following the acquisition of land in Mount Kanimbla, Logan Brae Retreats expanded to include the aforementioned trio of properties.

Each of the quartet of properties takes a design-led approach, conceived and executed by co-owner Asia Upward whose vision was “to create a space where couples can escape the chaos of daily life and immerse themselves in the tranquility of nature without sacrificing modern comforts.” 

Each cabin fuses American southwestern log cabin design with quintessential Australiana to create a transportive environment that draws you out of the quotidian and immerses you in nature. There’s a healthy dose of ranch chic courtesy of three Akubras and a stock whip, while a fireplace and soaking stone tub set a warm and welcoming tone. Richly layered textures—think soft linens, jute rugs, and leather lounges—coupled with an emphasis on natural materials like a stone mosaic feature wall and an abundance of timber foster a connection with the outdoors, a notion that’s reinforced by the floor-to-ceiling windows that frame sweeping views of the mountainous landscape beyond. 

Each cabin takes on an open-plan format and is self-contained. The isolated nature of Logan Brae Retreats—coupled with its cosy setup and those views—means a night in cooking is preferable to jumping in the car and finding sustenance elsewhere. The visually pleasing blacked out kitchen is fully equipped with everything you need to prepare a hearty dinner, so it’s worth stopping for fresh produce and ingredients on the drive up (local wine is kindly provided in the welcome hamper). 

Come morning, after a wakeup call courtesy of the local birdlife, the thoughtfully provided hamper stocked with snacks and breakfast staples including chocolate, biscuits, coffee, muesli, and gluten-free pancake mix comes in clutch. We’d also be remiss not to shout out the immaculate coffee setup. The caffeinated beverage receives its own dedicated station, complete with an espresso machine, French press, and moka pot, so coffee lovers of every distinction can make their brew their way. Oh, and there’s also a well-stocked box of Twinings in every imaginable flavour for the tea lovers. 

The best thing about the Woodlands Cabin at Logan Brae Retreats is that there’s literally nothing to do. Now, that isn’t to say that there’s a shortage of activities should one choose to partake in them. It’s perhaps more accurate to say that there’s nothing to be done. Meaning that when so far removed from the chaotic monotony of everyday life, it feels like there’s enough time to do the things you actually want to do. After enjoying a leisurely (everything here is leisurely) breakfast on the wraparound timber deck, there’s ample space to stretch one’s legs—and get closer to the kangaroos and wallabies scampering around—by taking a hike through the valley. While the wilderness is left untamed, we appreciated that a rugged path had been somewhat laid out, making it easier to navigate. 

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The sprawling property and the arrangement of the three Mount Kanimbla cabins means that you’re unlikely to see another guest during your day, contributing to the feeling of total isolation. However, upon wandering through the valley, I took a wrong turn and started approaching what I thought was my cabin, before realising it was the Hilltop Cabin. Fortunately, I recognised my mistake in time and was able to give it a wide berth—it wouldn’t do to disrupt someone else’s escape from urbanity with my presence!—and instead stumbled upon three miniature ponies. Now I should mention here that, along with the promise of a luxurious immersion in nature, the mini ponies were one of the main reasons I wanted to stay at Logan Brae Retreats. The trio have been adopted from a hard life and are now free to roam around the valley; when we visited, their designated enclosure was bereft of grass so they’d wandered further up the mountain. 

Walk accomplished and ponies seen, there was little to do but relax and indulge in the art of doing nothing. Namely: a soak in the deep stone tub, an afternoon cup of tea accompanied by pastoral views, and perhaps a dip in the mineral pool if you’re feeling game.

Hey, it’s a hard life, but someone’s gotta live it. 

Read on to see our full review of the Woodland Cabin at Logan Brae Retreats.

The lowdown: Logan Brae Retreats, Mount Kanimbla 

The hook; why stay at Logan Brae Retreats?

Tucked away within the wilderness of Kanimbla valley, Logan Brae Retreats offer a respite from the mundanity of daily urban life through an all-encompassing immersion in nature, delivered with both style and luxury.

Tell us more

Logan Brae Retreats is the brainchild of apple farmer Asia Upwards (who co-owns the farm of the same name with her husband Sam Edwards). Located on an expansive property in the Kanimbla valley, a trio of secluded cabins boast eminently Instagrammable interiors that seamlessly meld inspiration from southwestern American log cabins with the Australian flair for bringing the outdoors in. 

How to get to Logan Brae Retreats

Logan Brae Retreats is located in the Blue Mountains, a little past Blackheath. It’s a two-hour drive west of Sydney.

Rooms and suites

Logan Brae Retreats has three cabin options at its Mount Kanimbla location. Both the Woodlands Cabin and Hilltop Cabin are for couples, while The Lodge is designed with larger groups in mind and sleeps up to eight guests across four rooms.

The Woodlands Cabin at Logan Brae Retreats | IMAGE: Tanisha Angel / Albert Review

We stayed in the Woodlands Cabin. A generously proportioned space, the Woodlands Cabin is thoughtfully designed and well-appointed. The open-plan layout feels spacious and means the breathtaking views are visible from every corner of the cabin (well, excepting the bathroom). Said bathroom is also well-sized—and the dual vanity much appreciated—and is a masterclass in design in itself. 

All cabins are equipped with full kitchen facilities, as well as a dedicated coffee and tea setup complete with an espresso machine. A wraparound timber deck complete with a breakfast nook looks out onto the valley, with a solar-heated mineral plunge pool and sun loungers below.

Logan Brae Orchards in Blackheath also plays host to The Machinery Shed, which sits on the farm and is suitable for couples.

Bathroom products? 

Bathroom products are by natural Australian brand Leif (delightful, by the way). Expect to find shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in the shower, as well as hand wash by the bathroom and kitchen sinks. The only thing missing was hand and body moisturiser which would have completed the experience.

Comfort factor

IMAGE: Tanisha Angel / Albert Review

Logan Brae Retreats nails the cosy factor with good temperature control, plush bedding, and soft linen. The addition of a heated toilet seat is a welcome touch on cold mornings. 

Food and drink

The complimentary hamper contains a thoughtful selection of snacks and breakfast items like muesli and pancake mix. The secluded nature of Logan Brae Retreats means it’s advisable to come prepared with groceries to last your stay, however if you do wish to make the drive into Blackheath there’s no shortage of restaurants at your disposal, including Ates, Blaq, and Zoe’s.

Spa and facilities

Nature is the biggest drawcard here, however there’s also a solar-heated mineral plunge pool. 

The service

The service at Logan Brae Retreats is entirely automated, with a link sent pre-arrival containing everything you need to check in and ensure a comfortable stay. 

Anything else?

Uh, did we mention the miniature ponies??

AR Verdict

Time flows at just the right pace here, with a mere two nights leaving you feeling fully refreshed and restored — no month-long sojourn needed.

If you’re in need of a break from city living (not to mention the rest of the human population), we’d highly recommend a stay at Logan Brae Retreats.

Logan Brae Retreats is open for bookings, with cabins priced from $800AUD/night.

Address: Address: 43 Megalong Pl, Kanimbla, NSW, Australia


Words by T. Angel