CABN Kuitpo Forest

CABN Kuitpo Forest is a cluster of off grid tiny house cabins tucked into the radiata pines about an hour south of Adelaide, built for switching off rather than checking in. Dogs are welcome inside the designated pet cabins, which makes this one of the more memorable forest stays near Adelaide to share with a dog, provided yours is content on a long line in an unfenced clearing.

Dogs at the CABN Kuitpo Forest

Only specific cabins take pets, names like Nala, Jarrah and Bambra among them, so flag your dog when you book to be assigned the right one. A flat pet fee of forty dollars per pet per stay applies, capped at two pets per booking, and it covers the extra eco cleaning. Dogs are allowed inside the cabin but not on the beds or furniture, so pack their own bedding or a crate. Because the cabins sit on open acreage with no fencing, dogs must stay on a long line whenever they are outside, which protects both them and the local wildlife.

The vibe

These are minimalist, sustainable cabins with limited signal and no Wi-Fi to speak of, a private fire pit subject to seasonal fire bans, and nothing but pine trees for neighbours. Weekends sell out well ahead, so book early if you have dates in mind. Bring all your dog's food, bowls and poo bags; the nearest supplies are in Meadows or McLaren Vale, not at the cabin.

Getting there and parking

The cabins are on Brookman Connor Road in Kuitpo, reached through the forest, and you get detailed directions after booking rather than a signposted entrance. Free self parking is near the cabins, though a short walk in from the car keeps the seclusion intact, so pack light enough to carry everything.

Close by with the dogs

The forest's walking trails start at the doorstep; keep your dog on lead and skip the Native Forest Reserve sections where dogs are not permitted. The K1 Wines cellar door is a short drive away and welcomes leashed dogs in its outdoor areas, and Chookarloo Campground offers a simpler forest stay if you want to camp instead. More options are on the South Australia pet friendly stays list or the Kuitpo guide.

Pepsi: a long line, a fire pit, and no WiFi for the humans. Perfect weekend.