Mill Cabin – Snowy Mountains
Mill Cabin is an off-grid cabin for two set in the Snowy Mountains, in Crackenback. The cabin seamlessly blends into the surrounding alpine woodland, complementing rather than competing with the natural environment.
Words: Hande Renshaw I Photography: Eliska Sharp & Liam Adamaitys
The Mill Cabin is stocked with ceramic dinnerware made by local artists, Bosch appliances and pantry staples. Photo: Eliska Sharp
‘That’s what we wanted to capture with Mill Cabin – a place where all your needs are met, so it’s easy to be absorbed both passively or actively in nature,’ says Niki Fisher. Photo: Eliska Sharp
Snow Gums, Manna Gum, White and Black Sallee and Candle Bark are the dominate eucalyptus on the property. Photo: Eliska Sharp
Soak immersed in nature or under the stars in the wood-fired Japanese-style cedar bath. Photo: Eliska Sharp
Most of the furniture, including the timber joinery, was crafted by the couple themselves. Photo: Eliska Sharp
Mill Cabin was designed and built from scratch by partners and homeowners, Niki Fisher and Trent Lowe. Photo: Liam Adamaitys
When Niki Fisher and Trent Lowe first stepped onto the land that Mill Cabin now stands back in 2019, the incredible landscape made them catch their breath.
Set in the Snowy Mountains in Crackenback, the mountain top location has uninterrupted views across the mountains as far as the eye can see. ‘The beauty in the landscape is what attracted us to this place, the mountains, the big sky of the high country plains and the way it makes us feel. There’s a simplicity here that allows an instant connection with nature. That’s what we wanted to capture with Mill Cabin – a place where all your needs are met, so it’s easy to be absorbed both passively or actively in nature,’ shares Niki.
Mill Cabin was designed and built from scratch by the couple. The granite cabin was made from 28 tonnes of granite rock, which was hand selected from the land and is reminiscent of an old stockman hut, seamlessly blending into the alpine woodland surroundings.
The couple spent several months on the design of the cabin, committed to the less is more approach for the design details. ‘We peeled our designs back a lot from the first iteration through to the final design. We were probably trying to be clever or different for the sake of it, but the concept was always about simplicity so I think it was important for the design to echo this,’ Niki says.
Once plans were approved, the cabin took fifteen months to build, with Niki and Trent doing most of the work themselves. ‘It was definitely a full on period both emotionally, physically and mentally, but we learnt so much. We made plenty of mistakes but we got better at fixing them,’ she says.
High on the priority list was to build a cabin which was committed to treading lightly and also ensuring all methods from construction to operations were environmentally friendly. Mill Cabin is off-grid and equipped with solar panels to provide clean and guilt-free electricity.
‘There was no reason not to be off the grid, the technology is so good and we probably wouldn’t have been as inclined to do a project like this if it was connected to the grid, as it is at odds with our philosophy. We wanted to be able to demonstrate to others how achievable it is — and cost effective too. It feels good using electricity that isn’t burning fossil fuels,’ says Niki.
Inside, Mill Cabin is a balance of considered simplicity – with each decorative piece understated, yet also functional. Most of the furniture was crafted by the couple, including the timber joinery and concrete bathroom basin. In the bathroom there’s Leif shampoo, conditioner and soap and linen from IN BED on the queen-size bed.
‘Our underlying philosophy is to build and create well designed spaces that celebrate minimalist values. We ardently stay clear of mass produced ‘stuff’ and seek out suppliers with sustainable practices,’ says Niki.
A host of native animals live on the property, including kangaroos, wallabies, emus and deers – wombats and echidnas have burrowed homes close by the cabin. Photo: Eliska Sharp
Simple and considered design touches can be found throughout Mill Cabin. Photo: Eliska Sharp
In the bathroom there is Hunter Lab shampoo, conditioner and soap and linen from Cultiver on the queen-size bed. Photo: Eliska Sharp
Immersed in seclusion means that the cabin is in the thick of some incredible wildlife. Photo: Eliska Sharp
“When we walk in to the cabin it’s like a breath of fresh air – all of life’s clutter is peeled back revealing this big beautiful stage that looks out to nothing but nature as far as the eyes can see.”
Cabin life is about slowing down and connecting to what’s in the moment, free from meaningless distractions. Photo: Eliska Sharp
‘Our mission is to create spaces that strip away all the unnecessary, leaving only what is needed. This simplicity aims to bring a realisation that having less helps our guests become more present, with more room for clarity and contentment.’ Photo: Eliska Sharp
28 tonne of granite rock was hand selected from the land and hardwood timbers were sourced to build with. Photo: Eliska Sharp
Simple and considered design touches can be found throughout Mill Cabin. Photo: Eliska Sharp