PLATYPUS DREAMING

Well, I had had a surfeit of beaches by now, though each one had been seemingly more stunning than the last, it was time for a change. A complete change. I needed the cool of a mountain stream, the lush bright green of a rainforest, the song of a bird. And I knew where to get it. I had picked up a leaflet a while ago that had piqued my interest ever since. ‘A fair dinkum Aussie Rainforest Retreat’ it had boasted. ‘A unique experience. The Bushcamp is a privately owned habitat sanctuary with "land for wildlife” status. Set on 20 acres of lowland rainforest bordering Eungella National Park. Swim in pristine freshwater crystal clear swimming holes or watch a platypus in their natural pools. Come to Platypus Bushcamp.’ And I particularly liked… ‘This has to be the best place in the world! ….. So where the bloody hell are you?’  And I liked the look of the Ned Kelly gentleman on the front of the brochure too. Wazza was the owner, who, I was to find, was as unique and Aussie as his bushcamp!

In addition, it was an easy journey from the Leap Hotel, where I had stayed on Bruce Highway. Straight across to the Eungella Road, going through Marian, Mirani, Gargett and turning off 8km just before Finch Hatton town. Then up the Finch Hatton Gorge Road to Platypus Bush Camp. Easy as. 

How can I describe this place? Well maybe it’s already been said for me. ‘Places like this are sanctuary for the soul’ Peter Watt….. it says it right on the brochure! And do you know, For once, it’s right. This place more than lives up to everything it says it is.As I turned into the gateway I saw a small circular, area where a few vans and campers were parked around, with on large caravan jammed in the middle reservation.

 At first I was worried I there wasn’t a space for me, but I saw Ned Kelley sat at an old picnic table between two vans. ‘Office’ said the hand scribbled sign in front of him. I liked this place already. And Wazza was a treasure in himself. A True Blue Aussie. Old school manners, but didn’t give a damn what you thought… or if you stayed! Lol. We hit it off straight away. I parked my Chihuahua right next to the large, rustic kitchen area . A perfect place. I’d noticed by now there was another large area behind this for tents and campers. So really more room than enough, despite Wazza  taciturnly saying “ Not usually this bloody busy.” Then offering a warm hearted grin and a firm, honest handshake.

 The rest of the day was just an absolute adventure for me. An adventure of the best kind! I wondered down the path and over the little makeshift bridge to the toilets. No these were not Dunnys these were REAL flushing toilets. On one of Wazzas and mine  many verbal excursions into the ‘old days’ we laughed about the REAL dunnys we had had as kids, complete with tin garbage cans and wooden seats with huge holes over them. The garbage cans were removed once a week and replaced with clean ones… if we were lucky. But despite the very authentic wooden toilet block here at the bushcamp we did have the luxury of flushes.

 It was like the awesome Raiforest shower there. Handbuilt stone and wood showering areas, open on one side to the rainforest. Yet… with HOT water! Wazza lit the woodlog stove every day to give us this. Marvelous.

Continuing down the path you came to the rainforest tree huts. OMG. You have to spend a night in one of these at least once in your life! Little huts perched high on wooden legs, with wide open windows and views into the forest or the platypus pools. There’s even a honeymoon one. No, there’s no Mod Cons, there’s no fancy sheets, there’s no spa or candles or ‘soothing music’. There IS the absolute tranquility of a Rainforest with views to die for. And crystal clear swimming pools fed by a babbling rainforest stream which runs all the way around the property. Heaven for those who love nature. Oh yes!!!

Wazza himself lives right in the middle of all this on a large, high wooden rainforest house/hut. It is open on three sides but can be closed off by waterproof sheets in the rainy season. Generally Wazza never closes them! Inside is the most beautiful polished wooden floor, large table, some furniture. It’s like living in a Movie. The bedroom is over a small walkway (a little hut ) and the kitchen is open and downstairs on the ground. Again, with modern appliances like BBQs, steel cookers etc. Another open  lounge area is downstairs too, with a swinging sofa, bookshelves made of wood and stone and a beautiful white Cockaoo. Though I don’t agree with birds being kept in cages, I was happy with this one as Wazza feels the same as me about nature and living creatures. They should live free. And this bird, though it’s wings were clipped (Wazza rescued it) walked freely about on perches all around, and the floor, when safe. It is such a gentle loving creature. I am saddened that someone had to take its wings away. Oh and he has a wonderful dog (naturally) called... Dog!

However, the most amazing thing about all these natural wood and stone buildings is that Wazza has made them, with only a little help from friends over a period of 25years! A work of love and joy. And a tribute to the strength of character and ideals of this man. There is one last place to visit which is a must here. The platypus pools. These are still water pools set in the midst of the rushing waters of the stream. So clear you can see the stones beneath. 

These are not for swimming. These are for Platypuses. I think I loved these pools most of all and would spend hours just silently watching the turbulent stream currents swirl over the boulders then somehow, disappear into these tranquil, calm waters. I never saw any Platypus, but I daresay they saw me and stayed away! Platypus are very timid, shy creatures which avoid any contact with others. Plus they are often nocturnal or only seen at sunset or sunrise. It didn’t matter. I loved that pool fringed in bright green ferns and rainforest trees. And I did see many beautiful birds there,including the blue kingfisher, though some I had never seen before.

If you want to you can go up to the Finch Hatton Gorge, too, which is just up the road. Or have a wonderful brekky  or cakes at the organic café  only a couple of hundred meters away. Well I did go to the café but, quite frankly, I had everything I wanted in a rainforest right here.  I will be back. 

"The Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed.” Mahattma Ghandi
The Grey Chihuahua