Stay | Mill Cabin – Pampa Journal

Nestled in the heart of the Australian alpine woodland, Mill Cabin is a testament to the beauty of simplicity and intentional design. Inspired by the traditional high country huts once inhabited by stockmen, this cabin embodies a humble elegance, prioritising function and connection to the land. With its unassuming structure—two gable ends, a pitched roof, and granite-clad walls—Mill Cabin embraces the “less is more” philosophy, creating a sanctuary that invites guests to shed the complexities of modern life.

We love having the Forma rug in the cabin—it found its perfect place here, with its olive and camel tones mirroring the landscape outside. It feels as though the rug was always meant to be part of this space, grounding the interior in warmth and subtle texture.

SHOP THE LOOK

What was your vision for Mill Cabin, and how did you aim to design a space that reflects this?

We were really inspired by the traditional high country huts that were built by the stockman of yesteryear, with humble means and a utilitarian purpose, the huts sit quietly in the landscape and represent a way of life that is informed by simplicity. Functionally, the huts provide shelter from the elements, but it’s the connection to the land and the peeling back of mindful clutter that we really wanted to recreate in Mill Cabin.

Structurally the cabin is very simple, two gable ends, a pitched roof and four external walls clad in granite rock. We didn’t feel the need to do a bold and unusual design as we were committed to the less is more philosophy of design, if it didn’t serve a function it didn’t make the cut. Importantly we wanted the space to feel grounded and not pretentious in any way.

Showcasing the land and its inhabitants was a key requirement so we ensured the aspect is facing north towards the mountain ranges and there are large vantage points for taking in the natural world.

How does the alpine woodland setting shape the experience of staying at Mill Cabin?

Watching the animals in their natural habitat feels very special, there are a whole host of animals that graze around the cabin and you can easily spend a morning or evening watching them pass by.

I think guests love the feeling of solitude that you can only feel when you’re surrounded by native bushland.

What inspired you to incorporate Pampa pieces into the cabin, and how do they bring warmth or character to the space?

The Pampa brand really appealed to us for all the reasons that make the company a B Corp. It has been our commitment since day 1 to source ethically made products, from the furnishings to the day to day consumables. We love one of a kind objects and value the artisans and their craft, we want to celebrate and showcase this in Mill Cabin.

A part of the experience of staying at Mill Cabin is using handmade and tactile pieces that have a story, the Pampa products add warmth as well as interest to the space.

What kind of experience do you hope guests have when staying at Mill Cabin?

We hope our guests’ experience is wholesome and they leave feeling reset and recharged. We have a wood fired outside bath and we are currently working on a bespoke sauna. A lot of our guests are returning at the end of the day after hiking or skiing so having offerings that help the body recover is a really important part of the experience.

Could you describe the perfect day for guests staying at Mill Cabin?

The perfect passive day would be waking up to bird songs and then starting the day with a coffee on the deck watching the wildlife graze before they tuck in for the day. Perhaps a stroll around the property following some animal tracks. Return to read a book on the daybed. Prepare a meal on the outside fire pit, run a bath for some evening stargazing. The perfect active day would be the above plus a ski, hike or bike thrown in too.

With Mill Cabin complete, what does this space mean to you personally, and how has it shaped your connection to the land?

For us Mill Cabin is our sanctuary, and we feel fortunate to have a space that is void of the day to day clutter that comes with modern life. There’s definitely a calming affect from spending time in a minimalist space and it does allow for a greater connection to the natural world.

Photos: Victoria Aguirre