Allyn River Valley, NSW  ·  Three hours from Sydney  · 
The sauna above the Allyn River
The Day  ·  Chessenden Farm  ·  No overnight

Hot cedar. Cold river.
Home by dark.

One day on a working farm in the Allyn River Valley. A sauna on the rock above the river, the cold water below it, and a picnic that refuses to hurry. You drive up in the morning and the valley does the rest.

1
Day
2–8
Guests · private
1
River
0
Bags to pack
Yours
The whole river

The shape of the day.

The sauna is lit before anyone arrives. The day arranges itself around the river, the fire and the picnic; guests come and go between them as they wish.

Mid-morning
Arrive at the Dairy House
Coffee on the verandah. There is a drawer for phones. The mist is usually still on the river when people arrive.
Late morning
Down to the river
A short walk to the sauna on the rock. Towels, robes and water are already there. The fire has been going for an hour.
Midday onward
Heat, river, rest. Repeat.
Hot cedar, then the cold of the Allyn. Towels and water wait on the rock, and the fire keeps going all day.
Afternoon
The long picnic
Laid out on wool blankets by the water. Cheese, sourdough, smoked things, wine if you want it. It ends when it ends.
Cold water in the Allyn
The cold plunge is a river, not a barrel
The picnic on the Allyn River bank, Chessenden Farm
The picnic, set before you arrive

Heat. Cold.
Rest.

The sauna sits on the rock above the Allyn, hot from mid-morning. The river below comes off the Barrington Tops and does not negotiate.

By the second hour, conversation usually thins. People lie on the warm rock and watch the river go past.

Everything is provisioned: towels, robes, drinking water, a fire already burning. The only itinerary is the walk between hot and cold.

The day is private: one group at a time, with the sauna, the rock and that bend of the Allyn to yourselves. The briefing on arrival is short, then the farm steps back. One number reaches us all day.

·
HeatCedar, river stones, eucalyptus on the coals.
·
RiverThe Allyn is the plunge pool, straight off the mountains.
·
RestWarm rock and river sound. The kettle sits at the edge of the fire.
·
AgainPeople go again, or don't. Nothing is timed.

Conditions vary with the river and the weather. We brief every group on the day.

The day ends. Some of it doesn't.

The things you use on the day are made things, not hired things. Part of what you sit on, drink from and eat goes home in the car with you.

The Southerly Wool Blanket
You picnic on it · You keep it
The Southerly Wool Blanket
The blanket your picnic is laid on is yours. Australian wool, made to be left in the boot of the car for the rest of its life, so the day comes with you every time you open it.
The Calico Hamper
You eat from it · You keep it
The Calico Hamper
What's left of the picnic is packed into a calico hamper as you leave. The rest of the loaf, the smoked salt, the good cheese. Breakfast tomorrow is still the farm.
The Enamel Cup
You drink from it · You keep it
The Enamel Cup
Coffee on arrival, river water between rounds, wine at the picnic. One cup all day, stamped with the property's coordinates. It goes home dented and correct.
Before you come

Practical details

Wet weather
The day runs in rain; the sauna and the river are the point. If the river is unsafe or access is cut we reschedule free, decided and communicated by 7am.
Cancellation
Full refund or free date change up to 7 days out. Inside 7 days, one free reschedule.
Ages
Adults and teens 16 and over. Younger by arrangement.
Fitness
A short walk to the river on uneven farm ground. Tell us about mobility needs and we will make it work.
What to bring
Swimmers, walking shoes, a warm layer. Towels and robes are provided.
Food
The picnic handles dietary needs with notice. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free are easy; allergies flagged at booking.
Getting there
About 3 hours from Sydney, sealed road to the gate, normal cars fine. Directions come with the booking. The Allyn River Valley is near Dungog, in the Barrington Tops foothills.
Stay overnight at the Dairy House Summit, coming 2027

One day. Properly.

Private bookings for two to eight people. Tell us who's coming and we'll hold a date.

A$350 per person, everything above included  ·  Allyn River Valley, NSW