The Gatehouse
Grass Trees Private Nature ReserveTHE GATEHOUSE
Cabin in Northern NSW
FEATURES
It is 19km from Grasstrees Private Nature Reserve to the nearest supermarket, servo and hotel in Deepwater. Please remember, The Gatehouse comes with starter supplies for coffee and tea-making only; we do not provide meals.
The Gatehouse kitchen comes complete with quality cutlery and essential utensils; hotel-grade crockery; pots & pans; and assorted glassware. A fridge/freezer and ample cupboard space provide storage for your supplies of perishable goods. Appliances include microwave, large electric fry-pan, rice cooker, toaster and kettle.
You will be cooking on a wood-fired stove which has 2 stove–top cooking plates, and an oven big enough to take a 32cm pizza tray. The stove is very user-friendly, even for novices. Firewood and fire-starters are provided. But if you’re still uncertain, we are happy to build and light the fire for you as required.
Satellite TV, a small speaker system, ample power outlets, and 2 USB ports enable you to view, listen to and enjoy your favourite entertainment media. The Gatehouse has excellent 4G reception.
Your queen bed will be prepared for you with fresh cotton sheets and pillowcases, a seasonal-weight doona, and cotton blanket. ALL LINEN is provided.
ACTIVITIES
Your Stay on Bolivia Hill provides an opportunity to engage in a variety of enjoyable activities. Bring your spirit of adventure and enjoy some close encounters of the local kind:
• take an easy stroll along the network of Mowed Walking Tracks OR enjoy a bush walk to explore some more unusual features of Grasstrees
• investigate the wonderful variety of native plants – especially worthwhile in spring and summer
• tick off your bird observations against the list of over 80 species known to frequent the property
• focus your cameras on spectacular sunrises & sunsets, lazy lizards, feathered friends and beautiful blooms just waiting to be snapped
• explore planets and galaxies on starry, starry nights (with the help of a telescope if you wish)
Or if you prefer, find your favourite place to sit quietly, soak stillness into your soul and simply be.
ENVIRONMENT
From the owners:
We live totally off-grid at Grasstrees Private Nature Reserve (GPNR). Our electricity needs are met by a standalone solar power system which services both our residence and our rental cottage (The Gatehouse).
We collect and store on-site up to 186kL of rainwater with 30kL reserved for bushfire control. Grey water from our laundry is recycled to water the citrus and stone fruit orchard.
All green waste (except noxious/notifiable weeds) is either fed to chooks, fed to composting worms, or composted for use in the vegetable garden. All recyclable waste is sorted before being transported to local shire waste station.
As our on-site wastewater management system uses composting worms to break down organic material, whatever goes down all of our house drains MUST be worm-friendly. All personal hygiene and household cleaning products are purchased in bulk from eco-friendly certified suppliers.
To reduce demand for heating /cooling, our rental cottage and our residence were constructed from insulated panels with R-values ranging from 2.6 to 3.5. As our property is characterised by granite boulders and outcrops, we have a ready supply of rocks to increase thermal mass where needed.
We are currently in negotiation with the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust to exclude 115ha of our property for conservation in perpetuity. In 2022, we will plant 240 eucalypt trees as part of the Cool Country Koala Project to provide koala habitat and food.
For over 8 years, we have been working with a regional DPIE Threatened Species Officer to conserve habitat for a (very) threatened plant species; and we are participating also in the Northern Tablelands Birds of Prey Recovery Strategy (Little Eagle). Since 2009, we have compiled documentary evidence of 195 plants species on our property; of which 78 plant specimens have been vouchered by QLD Herbarium. A comprehensive photo guide to the plants of GPNR is available to guests.
Our guests are welcome to roam freely across GPNR. If requested, we are always happy to assist with guiding our guests to key locations (for example, a bushranger’s hideout in a massive granite outcrop). But for those who are comfortable with exploring unassisted, we have created a network of mowed walking tracks and bushwalking trails to facilitate this.
What we love…
The Gatehouse on Grass Trees Private Nature Reserve provides a private retreat for two people, with spectacular views from its spacious verandah.
Tell me more
The Gatehouse is located on Grasstrees, a 136 ha Private Nature Reserve on Bolivia Hill in the scenic New England region of northern NSW.
Owners Trish and John live off grid and invite you to share the experience with them. Your stay provides an opportunity to engage in a variety of enjoyable activities, so bring your spirit of adventure and enjoy some close encounters of the local kind.
Get the Facts
Where is it? Near Tenterfield, Northern NSW
What? Cabin
Style of Accommodation? One small self contained cabin
Who? Perfect for singles or couples.
Accessible? Please enquire
Minimum Night Stay? Yes – two nights.
How much? $160 per night, weekly rate $750.
Sounding Good? Read on…
The spacious verandah features a daybed, large comfy chair, a bar setting for two and some genuinely spectacular views.
The Gatehouse yard features private native plant gardens and is fully fenced.
The entrance road from the highway is approximately 2km of winding, gravel road. It includes a creek crossing and some steep climbs. 4WD, AWD or front wheel drive vehicles with good clearance are recommended.
Detailed information on finding the entrance from the New England Highway will be provided prior to your arrival.
Sitting at 1010m above sea-level, our daily weather can fluctuate dramatically. Please come prepared with warm clothing for sub–zero nights and frosty mornings in winter. Even at the height of summer, a cool change and a strong easterly wind may require long trousers and a warm jacket for comfort outdoors. And don’t forget a beanie or a hat!
Hosts: Trish and John
Address: 5685 New England Highway
Bolivia NSW
PRICE RATE POLICY
Every enquiry and booking through GREEN GETAWAYS AUSTRALIA shows your support for the fabulous environmental initiatives undertaken by this property. That’s SO good to know!
FEATURES
It is 19km from Grasstrees Private Nature Reserve to the nearest supermarket, servo and hotel in Deepwater. Please remember, The Gatehouse comes with starter supplies for coffee and tea-making only; we do not provide meals.
The Gatehouse kitchen comes complete with quality cutlery and essential utensils; hotel-grade crockery; pots & pans; and assorted glassware. A fridge/freezer and ample cupboard space provide storage for your supplies of perishable goods. Appliances include microwave, large electric fry-pan, rice cooker, toaster and kettle.
You will be cooking on a wood-fired stove which has 2 stove–top cooking plates, and an oven big enough to take a 32cm pizza tray. The stove is very user-friendly, even for novices. Firewood and fire-starters are provided. But if you’re still uncertain, we are happy to build and light the fire for you as required.
Satellite TV, a small speaker system, ample power outlets, and 2 USB ports enable you to view, listen to and enjoy your favourite entertainment media. The Gatehouse has excellent 4G reception.
Your queen bed will be prepared for you with fresh cotton sheets and pillowcases, a seasonal-weight doona, and cotton blanket. ALL LINEN is provided.
ACTIVITIES
Your Stay on Bolivia Hill provides an opportunity to engage in a variety of enjoyable activities. Bring your spirit of adventure and enjoy some close encounters of the local kind:
• take an easy stroll along the network of Mowed Walking Tracks OR enjoy a bush walk to explore some more unusual features of Grasstrees
• investigate the wonderful variety of native plants – especially worthwhile in spring and summer
• tick off your bird observations against the list of over 80 species known to frequent the property
• focus your cameras on spectacular sunrises & sunsets, lazy lizards, feathered friends and beautiful blooms just waiting to be snapped
• explore planets and galaxies on starry, starry nights (with the help of a telescope if you wish)
Or if you prefer, find your favourite place to sit quietly, soak stillness into your soul and simply be.
ENVIRONMENT
From the owners:
We live totally off-grid at Grasstrees Private Nature Reserve (GPNR). Our electricity needs are met by a standalone solar power system which services both our residence and our rental cottage (The Gatehouse).
We collect and store on-site up to 186kL of rainwater with 30kL reserved for bushfire control. Grey water from our laundry is recycled to water the citrus and stone fruit orchard.
All green waste (except noxious/notifiable weeds) is either fed to chooks, fed to composting worms, or composted for use in the vegetable garden. All recyclable waste is sorted before being transported to local shire waste station.
As our on-site wastewater management system uses composting worms to break down organic material, whatever goes down all of our house drains MUST be worm-friendly. All personal hygiene and household cleaning products are purchased in bulk from eco-friendly certified suppliers.
To reduce demand for heating /cooling, our rental cottage and our residence were constructed from insulated panels with R-values ranging from 2.6 to 3.5. As our property is characterised by granite boulders and outcrops, we have a ready supply of rocks to increase thermal mass where needed.
We are currently in negotiation with the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust to exclude 115ha of our property for conservation in perpetuity. In 2022, we will plant 240 eucalypt trees as part of the Cool Country Koala Project to provide koala habitat and food. For over 8 years, we have been working with a regional DPIE Threatened Species Officer to conserve habitat for a (very) threatened plant species; and we are participating also in the Northern Tablelands Birds of Prey Recovery Strategy (Little Eagle).
Since 2009, we have compiled documentary evidence of 195 plants species on our property; of which 78 plant specimens have been vouchered by QLD Herbarium. A comprehensive photo guide to the plants of GPNR is available to guests.
Our guests are welcome to roam freely across GPNR. If requested, we are always happy to assist with guiding our guests to key locations (for example, a bushranger’s hideout in a massive granite outcrop). But for those who are comfortable with exploring unassisted, we have created a network of mowed walking tracks and bushwalking trails to facilitate this.
