Treehouse in The Pocket — Hotel in Middle Pocket

First and foremost, Kinabalu Farm offers an amazing wilderness retreat/accommodation and is NOT a housing development (as originally stated on Google).

That being said, we had the privilege of recently spending several days there, after I randomly discovered them online and made a booking.

From the get-go, our adventure was unique, to say the least. We parked our car at a random property on an adjoining road (friends of the owners, I presume) in order to keep our car safe during our stay. You see, due to Kinabalu's location, we loaded all our possessions into the back of a 4x4 and travelled 3kms up a mountain, via an exhilarating track that occasionally made it difficult to stay on 4 wheels! One way in, one way out, and definitely not in our trusty family sedan!

The property itself was a surreal and curious amalgam of family home and tourist accommodation. It felt more like visiting relatives that had gone off-grid, than it did checking into formal, official accommodation. In fact, our room was directly below what I believe to be the main house although, with the owners travelling at the time, it was wonderfully quiet.

Even wandering around the property was reminiscent of exploring places as a child; the cluttered workshop, the nooks and crannies filled with random treasures, the chicken coop, the fruit and vegetable garden, the miles of untouched wilderness surrounding you. It's sensory overload until you eventually become familiar with your new environment.

Our room was more than adequate. Nothing was top-shelf or brand new, instead offering an eclectic mix of decor, furnishings, and appliances that complemented the aforementioned eccentricities. Nevertheless, every box was ticked, from ample supplies (milk, eggs, juice, bread, croissants, and more) to TV with accompanying hard drives (movies galore), a sound system with play list running upon arrival, kitchenette, comfy bed, and wonderful views. The toilet is tiny and cooking gets cramped but, overall, we were comfortable and relaxed in this space.

The outdoor shower, located below the main house and a mere 10m walk from our room, was an unexpected surprise. We were both nervous and hesitant to begin with but, after the initial, nerve-wracking undressing, took to it like ducks to water. I've never been one to drop anchor in open seas, so to speak, but it was hugely liberating and somewhat amusing! Not only that, but the shower unleashed a torrent of water and was incredibly invigorating and refreshing.

As this property is fundamentally its own little world, and coming and going relies on the availability and generosity of the owners and staff, I strongly recommend you bring plenty of food and drinks to sustain you through your stay. Other than going for the odd bush walk, Kinabalu is truly designed to keep you still, be that physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Relax, read, watch shows, sleep, eat, talk for hours. If it doesn't require transport and leaving the property, then it's a good idea. Take the time to turn your back on the real world, you'll be glad you did. For those of you that can't, luckily Wifi is strong and phone...

KINABALU FARM AND IT'S SURROUNDING AREA IS A MAGICAL PLACE AND THE POCKET'S HIDDEN GEM, WATERFALL SHOULD BE MADE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL VISITORS!!! I was very fortunate and spent one month at Kinabalu farm and it was a highlight of my stay in Australia. All the lovely people I met there, the stunning places I got to see including beautiful waterfall just few minutes walk from the Kibanalu farm, all the sunrises which were so much worth waking up for and oh those magical sunsets. Most importantly hosts Jackie and Robin are the kindest, most giving people I have ever met always radiating positive energy. Farm is located 20 min away from the closest town, up on top of the hill, surrounded only by nature, animals and lovely people it will feel like a retreat. Thank you Jackie and Robin I will...

had the absolute privilege of staying at the Tree House, and the experience was nothing short of life-changing. I originally went there to focus on integrating AI into my business, but soon realised the real gift was the space it created for me to reconnect with my soul and improve my mental health. Thank you, Robin, for providing such a beautiful sanctuary that feels less like accommodation and more like a true home. The thoughtful touches—from the welcoming design to the surround sound and perfectly curated playlists—made the stay unforgettable. I’m deeply grateful and already looking forward to...