Welcome Guide

For your convenience, an induction hot plate is available in the kitchen. However, at Gabarraa we embrace a slower pace of living and encourage outdoor cooking whenever the weather allows. You’ll find a BBQ and a firepit—perfect for campfire cooking and creating memorable meals under the open sky.

A cast iron camp oven and pans are stored in the outdoor cupboard for use on the firepit, while a pizza plate and roasting rack for the BBQ can be found next to the fridge.

Please read the Campfire Cooking Guide & Clean Up page before using the firepit for cooking.

We’ve thoughtfully selected books to encourage a slow, mindful stay—perfect for embracing stillness and unwinding. You'll also find a couple of games to enjoy, whether you’re learning something new or rediscovering an old favourite.

With minimal light pollution and expansive high-country skies, Gabarraa offers incredible stargazing on clear nights.

You'll find a Celestron StarSense Explorer telescope in the cabin for you to enjoy. For a guided tour of the sky download the StarSense Explorer app to your smartphone. The app is incredibly easy to use and will guide you through the setup process before automatically identifying what's visible in the night sky.

As part of our fully off-grid eco experience, Gabarraa’s hot tub is wood-fired. Upon arrival during the cooler months, you’ll find the wood fire heater already lit and warming up the tub. It takes a few hours to heat, depending on the outside temperature, but it’s well worth the wait! The pump is on a timer, so the only thing you need to do is keep the fire going.

Key Information

• Heating Time: The tub will take a few hours to reach soaking temperature, depending on outside conditions.

• Maintaining Heat: Once it’s going, feed as much wood into it as you can and keep feeding every hr. until the water reaches the perfect temperature for a relaxing soak.

NOTE

Since the hot tub is wood-fired, the temperature is not controlled. Please carefully monitor and manage the fire to ensure the water doesn't become too hot.

Starting the Wood Fire Heater

• Remove Ash Try: Empty Coals from the tray under the door.

• Open the firebox and fill with kindling/sticks.

• Use the provided fire starters to ignite the kindling. Once it catches, feed in larger logs to build the heat.

• After the fire is well established keep adding small logs to keep the fire hot.

Monitor the water temperature Check the temperature periodically, use the paddle to circulate the water and keep the fire going as needed to maintain the heat.

Our Nectre wood log fire is ready to go when you arrive. Extra wood is stored outside the cabin. Please use as much as you need.

REMEMBER: Don’t leave anything on top of the fireplace, it will melt.

Fire control: Use the dial below the fireplace door to control airflow, burn time, and heat output.

• Turn it open for a hotter, faster burn.

• Close it for a slower, longer-lasting fire with lower heat.

Winter tip: Before heading to bed, pop a log on the fire and turn the dial down low — this will keep it slow-burning through the night, so you wake up to a toasty cabin, even when it’s below zero outside.

Tenterfield can experience strong winds and sudden thunderstorms. Please be prepared — secure or bring in any outdoor items to avoid damage or being blown away. We also recommend closing all doors and louvres when you're out, to help protect the cabin if the weather shifts unexpectedly.

One of the simple pleasures of staying at Gabarraa is cooking over an open fire. Whether it's breakfast at sunrise or dinner beneath the stars, campfire cooking is all about slowing down and enjoying the experience.

Plan Ahead

The best campfire meals start with a little preparation. Before you light the fire, think about what you'd like to cook and have your ingredients and cooking equipment ready to go.

Tips for Great Campfire Cooking

• Start with the fire. Allow around 30 minutes for the firewood to burn down and create a bed of hot coals. The coals—not the flames—provide the best cooking heat.

• Keep the fire manageable. A smaller fire with plenty of glowing coals will cook more evenly than a large roaring fire.

• Spread the coals evenly. Before placing your cookware over the fire, spread the coals to create an even cooking surface.

• Cooking on the grill. A metal frame is provided that sits securely across the firepit. Simply place the grill or cooking plate on top once the fire has burned down to a bed of hot coals. This creates a stable cooking surface and allows you to grill or cook over an even heat.

• Oil your cookware. Add a little oil to your cast iron pan before placing it over the heat to help prevent food from sticking.

• Rotate your food. If cooking directly in the coals or using foil, turn food regularly for even cooking.

• Use the right tools. Heatproof gloves and the supplied fire tongs will make cooking safer and much more enjoyable.

Campfire Clean Up

Caring for the Cast Iron Cookware

Our cast iron cookware is well-seasoned and designed to last for many years. With a little care, it'll be ready for the next guests to enjoy.

Cleaning

• Wash cookware using the outdoor sink.

• Please avoid pouring oils or cooking fats down the kitchen sink to help protect our plumbing.

• Never use soap on the cast iron, as it removes the natural seasoning that creates its non-stick surface.

Re-seasoning After Cleaning

• Add a small amount of water and a sprinkle of baking soda to create a gentle cleaning paste.

• Scrub away any food residue with a scourer or brush.

• Rinse thoroughly under the outdoor tap.

• Dry completely with paper towel (please don't use the tea towels).

• Wipe the pan with a thin coating of cooking oil provided in the cabin.

• Place it back over the campfire for 5–10 minutes, until it just begins to smoke.

• Allow it to cool before returning it to the outdoor cupboard.

Thank you for helping us care for the cookware so it can be enjoyed by many more campfire meals to come.