🏡 McKeowns Rest @ Kenzell Farm

Your Guide to a Memorable Stay

Welcome to McKeown’s Rest – our signature homestead nestled on the working pastures of Kenzell Farm, 20km from Oberon and minutes from Jenolan Caves. This is your escape into quiet comfort, fresh mountain air, and hands-on farm life.

From the moment you arrive, you're part of our Kenzell story – where animals are adored, the countryside is king, and slow mornings with coffee in hand are very much encouraged.

Kenzell Farm was once home to the original Oberon sawmill, and it's said that bushranger Mickey McKeown watered his horses at the creek that still flows beside the homestead. Today, it’s a place where stories of the past mix with starlit skies, happy animals, and meaningful moments.

Our homestead is nestled in the rolling hills on the western edge of the Blue Mountains—just 20 minutes from Oberon and 10 minutes from Jenolan Caves.

McKeowns Rest offers comfort with character, from underfloor heating and a cozy fireplace to full kitchen facilities and window seats that invite you to watch the mist roll over the paddocks.

We provide tea, coffee, milk, eggs (when the chickens are laying—help yourself), cereals and a few goodies for a light breakfast or snack on arrival. Additional supplies can be picked up in town.

💫 About the Homestead

McKeowns Rest is where rustic charm meets a touch of luxe. Every corner is thoughtfully styled with vintage finds, cozy nooks, and sustainable, repurposed pieces that reflect the rhythms of the land and Jacqui’s passion for storytelling through space.

Features:
- Sleeps up to 13 guests in existing bedding (max 30)
- Multiple rooms for families, couples & groups
- Hydronic underfloor heating & fireplace
- Full kitchen and BBQ facilities
- Valley views, native birdlife, and visiting wombats
- Ensuite bathroom & accessible options

🪵 Firewood & Fires

I’ve set your fireplace ready to go for those chilly mountain nights. Please use firewood thriftily—cutting and storing it is a big task. Extra wood is stacked near the lounge room—you can’t miss it. Firelighters are in the caddy beside the fire if it goes out.

Starting the Fireplace

There’s nothing like a crackling fire in the mountains… here’s how to get it going safely and smoothly.

1. Start small.
- Use paper or a fire starter at the base
- Add a handful of kindling (small dry sticks) on top

2. Build gradually.
- Once the kindling catches, add slightly larger pieces of wood
- Let it burn steadily before placing full-size logs

3. Airflow matters.
- Leave the fireplace open during lighting
- Once the fire is going, always place the safety screen in front—this helps prevent sparks and accidents
- (Exception: toasting marshmallows… but only with supervision and plenty of caution!)

🔥 Please don’t overload the fireplace, and never leave it unattended while burning.
🔥 Wood is precious here on the farm—use it wisely and sparingly.

Need more kindling or firewood? Just ask Jacqui or check the nearby wood stack.

🔌 Electric Heaters

Here when you need a little extra warmth… just use with care.

We’ve provided electric heaters for those extra chilly mountain nights to help keep you cosy and comfortable. They’re safe, effective, and easy to use—but please be mindful of power usage on the farm.

🟡 Always turn heaters off when you leave a room
🔴 Never leave heaters on if you’re going out for the day
⚠️ Avoid placing anything over or too close to the unit

A warm stay is a happy one—but let’s keep it safe and sustainable too.

⚡ Electric Vehicles

Need to charge your EV while you're here? No problem—just let us know!

Guests are welcome to charge their electric vehicles at McKeown’s Rest, but please note:
- A $30 flat charging fee applies per vehicle, per stay
- Charging is available via standard power connection on the left hand side of the carpark entrance
- Please notify Jacqui if you plan to charge your vehicle during your stay

We’re a working farm with limited power supply—thank you for helping us manage energy responsibly.

🚰 Drinking Water

Fresh from the high country—just know which tap to trust!

All indoor taps and any outdoor taps directly connected to the house supply clean, potable drinking water and are perfectly safe to drink.

Please do not drink from the garden taps—those are connected to our dam and are for irrigation use only.

Fill your bottles, boil the kettle, and enjoy the pure, tank-fed goodness of Kenzell water.

🐾 Pets Welcome at Kenzell Farm

At Kenzell Farm, we know pets are part of the family—and they’re welcome here too! Well-behaved dogs are allowed on leash while outside and are free to enjoy the fresh mountain air alongside you.

We simply ask that you clean up after your pets and help us keep the farm safe and enjoyable for everyone (including our resident animals). Any damage or excessive mess will incur an additional cleaning fee.

🐮 Walking Among the Animals – What You Need to Know

At Kenzell Farm, we welcome guests to walk freely through the paddocks and say hello to our animals in their natural environment. It’s all part of the experience—watching goats graze, cows wander, and donkeys follow you with curiosity.

But please remember:
- Do not feed animals while inside paddocks – they can be unpredictable, especially around food
- Always supervise children and maintain a safe distance
- Gates must be closed behind you—every time (yes, even if it “looks like it’ll stay shut”)
- Farms can be uneven, muddy, and steep in parts – sturdy, enclosed footwear is a must
- In warmer months, snakes may be present – stay alert and stick to visible paths

We love sharing the magic of the farm—let’s do it safely and respectfully for both guests and animals.

🛝 Kenzell Farm Playground

Our farm playground is perfect for little adventurers needing to burn off some energy! With a swing set, seesaw, hopscotch, and more, it’s a fun and rustic space for kids to stretch their legs between farm adventures.

To keep everyone safe:
- Children must be supervised at all times
- Equipment is suitable for a range of ages, but parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring safe play
- Surfaces may be uneven—this is a working farm, after all! Closed-toe shoes are recommended

Our goal is always fun with freedom, and safety with supervision.

🦘 Wildlife at Kenzell Farm

The locals around here aren’t just human—or farm animal!

Kenzell Farm is teeming with wildlife, both native and introduced, and we’re always thrilled to share the space with our wild neighbours. You might encounter:
- Kangaroos and wallabies hopping through the paddocks
- Wombats making their rounds at dusk
- Our resident platypus (if you're patient and quiet by the creek)
- Wild deer wandering through the misty mornings
- A chorus of native birdlife, from cockatoos to wedge-tailed eagles

We also like to mention: while they’re rarely seen, snakes can be active during warmer months. Stick to clear paths, wear closed shoes, and always be alert—especially near tall grass or creek beds.

Please enjoy our wild friends from a respectful distance. No chasing, feeding, or startling. Take only photos, leave only footprints.

🧣 Weather at Kenzell Farm

Alpine air, four distinct seasons—and a touch of unpredictability.

Kenzell Farm sits high on the Oberon Plateau, which means we experience true alpine conditions. That’s code for: it gets cold—sometimes really cold! Even in summer, nights can be crisp, and sudden changes in weather are common.

Here’s how to prepare:
- Pack layers, including a warm jacket, beanie, and waterproofs—even in warmer months
- Close all doors and windows at dusk to help keep the warmth in (and the bugs out!)
- Expect anything—blue skies, fog, rainbows, frosts, and sometimes snow in winter

The seasons here are part of the magic. Come prepared and you’ll enjoy every bit of it.

🏞️ Heading Out for an Adventure?

Before you go, help us keep the farm safe and sustainable.

We know you’re here to explore—whether it’s Jenolan Caves, Mayfield Garden, or just chasing wombats in the paddock. But before you head out:

- Close all doors and windows (keeps the heat in and the wildlife out!)
- Switch off all lights and heaters—we’re big on power saving at Kenzell
- If the fireplace is in use, make sure the safety screen is firmly in place

A little care goes a long way in keeping the homestead cozy, secure, and energy-efficient for everyone.

🚫 A Quick Note on Farm Safety

For the safety of our animals, guests, and the peaceful atmosphere we love at Kenzell Farm, the following activities are not permitted at any time:

- Motorbikes
- Quad bikes
- Horse riding (own horses)
- Firearms or shooting of any kind

Thank you for helping us keep Kenzell a safe and serene space for everyone—furry, feathered, or otherwise.

🏊 Pool Guidelines

- The pool heats to around 27°C during the day, perfect for a refreshing dip
- The hot tub (not a spa!) heats up to 37–38°C after 2pm, ideal for late afternoon soaking
- Cover must remain on when not in use—the pool can lose 2°C per hour if uncovered
- Turn off lights and equipment when not in use to save power
- No glass near the pool or hot tub—bring cans, cups, or safe alternatives
- Children must be supervised at all times
- Pool rules apply as per signage on site

Enjoy responsibly, relax fully, and soak in the serenity—mountain style.

McKeown’s Rest Homestead Floor Plan

📶 Password

Wi-Fi at McKeowns Rest

Yes, we have Wi-Fi! 🌐 Powered by Starlink, so it’s fast and farm-strong.

The Wi-Fi network and password are written on the note left on the fridge for your convenience.

(Though we highly recommend putting the phone down and watching the cows instead.)