The Residency
One week. One building. One vault door between you and everything you were trying to escape.
The Building
The Story Bank is a heritage-listed building in Uki, a rainforest village in northern NSW, less than an hour from Gold Coast and Coolangatta airports. It was built in 1914 to serve the cedar and dairy farmers of the Tweed Valley.
The original steel vault door is still there. So is the teller's window. You'll sleep upstairs, in what used to be the bank manager's quarters, with Wollumbin — Mt Warning, the cloud-catcher — filling the bedroom window.
On arrival, you hand over your phone. A Teller stamps your receipt and locks the vault. You get the receipt. Almost nobody asks for the phone back before Sunday.
The Residency
There is no itinerary. This is just what tends to happen.
The Village
Uki (population: quiet) sits at the foot of Wollumbin — Mt Warning — in the Tweed Valley. The mountain is the first place on the Australian mainland to catch the light each morning.
The Buttery Bazaar market sets up at the door on Saturdays. The Mount Warning Hotel is across the road. The Tinker's Cuss is down the street. The 110-year-old post office café does the coffee. The national park trails, the Tweed River, and the waterfall are all within walking distance.
Wigtown's Open Book proves that a village does the heavy lifting. Uki is already cast.
The Details
Private room with en suite bathroom. Heritage features throughout. Wollumbin view. Fireplace. One week minimum stay.
Full access to run the shop on your own terms. You set the hours. You choose the music. You chat with whoever walks in.
Your phone is deposited in the original 1914 steel vault on arrival. You receive a stamped, dated receipt. Withdrawal available any time.
A personalised book prescription is waiting in your room on arrival. Chosen specifically for you based on what you told us you needed.
Access to Saturday market, national park trails, the Tweed, and every local business in Uki — all within walking distance.
Under 1 hour from Gold Coast (Coolangatta) Airport. Under 2 hours from Brisbane Airport. Pick-up from the airport can be arranged.
The Story Bank is not open yet. Be the first to know when bookings open — and get early access.
No spam. One email when bookings open.