Low Cost Camping – Great Advice

Low cost camping is a great way to support our struggling farmers. The additional income it brings helps balance the books and allows them extra feed for their livestock. Be respectful at all times on their property.
When you use a farm camp please don’t disturb the wildlife. That includes feeding and harassing animals or leaving rubbish that they might eat.

Please follow the signs. Especially those that say ‘no camping’. It might not be obvious on arrival, but it could be sacred Aboriginal land. If someone has bothered to install a sign, it’s usually for a good reason!

Obey the total fire ban. It should go without saying that in a country as dry as Australia has, any fire should be treated with serious caution.
Keep the countryside clean.

Jacks Rest (24km from Nanango)

10 acre wildlife sanctuary with an abundance of native wildlife such as wallabies, bandicoots, echidnas, hares, birds and the odd lace monitor.
Two open fire pits with plenty of fallen branches to collect for fires. An outside covered BBQ area with gas BBQ BYO gas.
Take a leisurely drive around the area to the many wineries, including the beautiful Cassis at Booie with magnificent food and views over the valleys.

Power, tank water, grey water can be spilled on property please remove black water and rubbish. There aren’t any domestic pets on the property, you are welcome to bring yours (we are pet friendly).

We will give a discount for vetrans depending on the length of stay.

Nomads Rest (East of Gympie)

Nomads Rest is a 6 acre property where you can camp with a creek on one side and a large dam on the other, so no matter where you set up in the beautifully maintained grounds, you have water either side of you. Lots of shady areas as well as the sunny spots for the solar panels

Situated east of Gympie, just off the road to Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach and 4kms to Gympie CBD. An ideal spot if you need a safe secure stop off when heading north or over to Rainbow Beach or Fraser Island. Great spot for that long weekend getaway. Hotel, fuel and a convenience store just up the road.

Canoes available to take on the dam (not for children under 12) we only have limited size life vests. Pets are welcome but must strictly be on a leash at all times. No exceptions.

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Yabbaloumba Retreat

Yabbaloumba Retreat was established in 2010 by hosts, Lloyd and Barb Campbell. Lloyd welcomed us on arrival in his trusty Toyota along with the traditional farm dog. He pointed us up the hill to the Farmhouse where Barb was awaiting our arrival. To say Lloyd and Barb are nice people, would be a huge understatement. They are genuinely lovely people who really love what they do.

Yabbaloumba Retreat is approximately 6km west of Kenilworth off the Bouloomba Creek Road. You see a sign as you enter the gates and head left up the hill. We checked in with Barb and she told us about the farm and how they cater for couples only and have a shed ideal for country themed weddings with sleeping quarters on site for guests. They engage a specialist wedding planner to dress the shed and make the wedding a memorable one.

Shortly after we drove back down the hill to the edge of the escarpment where we took possession of our luxury cabin for the night. The photos don’t do it justice. You simply have to stay there. We loved the wine and cheese platter on arrival, the ample bacon and eggs breakfast hamper and the freshly delivered hot croissants at 8am the next morning.

It can get quite chilly out west so the fire was put to good use as was the nice two person spa tub with uninterrupted views of the cattle grazing their land. If you looked up the word, “peaceful” in the dictionary you might find the word “Yabbaloumba Retreat”. It’s on our to-do list again for the future and we would thoroughly recommend this amazing off the grid location for those wanting to de-stress and reconnect.

Here’s a link to Yabbaloumba Retreat. For more great videos on accommodation visit Explore the Sunshine Coast accommodation playlist.

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Byron Quarter Holiday Apartments

Located in the heart of Byron Bay, Byron Quarter Holiday Apartments is conveniently positioned to enjoy all that Byron Bay is famous for: beautiful beaches, a fabulous selection of restaurants and cafes, shopping and entertainment. All right on your doorstep. No need for taxis or to use your car.

We took a Deluxe 1 bedroomed apartment which was huge in size and very well appointed. This well presented 4 star fully self contained apartment offered quality furnishings and a fully stocked selection of kitchen utensils rarely found in self contained apartments. This accommodation facility offer one and two bedroom fully self contained apartments.

Byron Quarter is suitable for families and couples, singles and business travellers, like us, looking for comfort and location.

All apartments have a spacious open-plan design with reverse cycle air-conditioning and a FREE Wi- Fi connection for your convenience.

You can also enjoy the fantastic Byron weather on your private balcony or courtyard. For those that wish to self cater, all apartments have full laundry facilities. There is also free undercover security parking provided for our guests.

The warm welcome from our hosts was a nice touch and the local knowledge and guidance in town was welcomed.

We thoroughly recommend Byron Quarter Holiday Apartments. All readers of Explore the Sunshine Coast magazine should look them up.

Here is a link to make a booking or visit their website.

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Maranatha Recreation Camp

This Recreation Camp is suited for large groups specialising in schools, sports clubs, churches and other community organizations. They are based on Wappa Falls Rd Yandina and have recently opened a new camp just south of Gympie. Maranatha Recreation Camp are 100% safety focused and carry Blue Cards.

Current upgrades and Facilities

Maranatha’s owners have recently invested in upgrading the tennis courts with a new undercover area. New teachers accommodation had been added as well as upgrades to the student dorms.

There is a half size Olympic swimming pool, volley ball court, ping pong etc.

Dining Options

You can have the professional chefs do all the cooking for you in the commercial kitchen or you have the option to self-cater. There are 2 dining rooms with seating capacity for up to 270 guests. 

Dorms

Maranatha has a range of accommodation options. From single rooms with ensuites, to large communal rooms for the whole family. The Camp can sleep up to 300 guests.

Small Ropes Course

Smaller Course for Grade 2 to Grade 5
Kids come with less confidence and leave with lots of confidence
We will teach them basic bushcraft at the camp too

Mid Ropes Course

They have a Mid Ropes Course suitable for Grade 1 to Grade 9 (normal size of most other camps high ropes)
You can even go Abseiling if you are game!

Other Features

Leap of Faith – climb ladder and try and touch the ball
Giant Swing – swing out over the creek
Tower of Tremble – stack crates (team building exercise)
Jacobs Ladder – challenge themselves to get to the top. Like a climbing wall
Bridge Building – use ropes to climb and build a bridge to cross one side to another
Archery
Cricket Pitch

Fast Facts

• Busiest time is Term 1 and Term 3
• Grade 7 camps are for end of year bonding experiencesBeds up to 300 students
• Huge well kept fully fenced Swimming Pool
• New Aviaries are being built to accommodate parrots and macaws. Right on the Wappa Falls creek.
• River rafting and canoeing on offer

Average school camp 3 days/ 2 nights
8 sessions over 3 days

• Ratio of 1 teacher to 20 or 25 max.
• No wifi for kids. Tech free zone.

Huge recreation hall with big screen for movies, drumming activities and disco that overlooks a huge full size oval on a timber undercover deck. Use as a potential wedding venue is being reviewed by management.

12 acres of lush rain forest adjacent to Wappa Falls Creek.

Clever use of natural timbers to create resting places and the ropes course.

High Ropes

(is approx. 10m off the ground.) Climb the cargo net, across the tyres and walk the wire.
Yr 9 to Adults.

Environmentally conscious. They replant any tree they have to cut down.

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Winter at Spicers Clovelly Estate

Stay at Spicers Clovelly Estate and enjoy French provincial inspired luxury in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland this winter.

From $399 per night the winter package includes:

• 2 nights Luxury accommodation
• Gourmet breakfast daily
• $100 retreat credit per booking to use in the day spa, restaurant or onsite paid activities
• 12 pm late check-out.

Spicers Clovelly Estate

From the moment you arrive at one of our retreats it becomes clear – Spicers Retreats are not just different, but truly special. The Spicers experience is one that combines stunning natural settings, award winning dining experiences, and our warm and attentive service to deliver an experience unlike any other in Australia.

Beginning with Spicers Peak Lodge in the mountains of the Great Dividing Range, guests can choose from nine distinct retreats across southeast Queensland, and the Hunter Valley, Blue Mountains and Sydney in New South Wales.

Each retreat has been lovingly created to allow guests to experience the natural beauty of their wonderful locations in subtle and understated luxury. We like to call it ‘relaxed luxury’ – a feeling of being totally at home and free to be yourself. It’s not just about a comfortable bed, quality furnishings, personalised service and great food; it’s about the feeling of being renewed and reinvigorated by the environment itself.

There’s nothing better for us than to see our retreats being used the way we imagined, so please take some time to enjoy the unique, inspiring spaces we’ve created. We can’t wait to welcome you to one of our retreats.

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The post La Mer Noosa Main Beach appeared first on Things to Do | Explore the Sunshine Coast Magazine.

Escapade Retreats KALIMNA is situated 500m from Noosa Main Beach with panoramic, unrivalled views across Noosa. A newly and  completely renovated apartment situated on the top floor of a 4 Apartment Complex, 180 degree views, every room has a view!

Kalimna is very private and discreet, with little to show it’s stunning outlook from the street. The Apartments Complex was originally built in 1977 and has a restrained and original feel externally.

We at Escapade Retreats have aimed to create a Contemporary understated but luxurious feel in our apartment using high-quality fittings, and details. Real timber flooring, all new windows and ranch sliders, outdoor deck and glass balustrade to give you the feel of ‘floating above Noosa’.

From the moment you enter the front door you are taken by the view, many expletives have been used on peoples first time visiting….you enter the open Lounge/ Dining Area with Kitchen to your left.

The stunning fully equipped brand new kitchen features a Neil Perry Oven/Cooktop and Rangehood and a skylight to the trees, and anything you will need in your home away from home.

A Master Bedroom with views to the south and west, spacious, and luxurious and a 2^nd TV.

Bedroom 2 faces west with glorious views and some dappled light through the trees as the sun is setting.

The Bathroom, modern and sleek with a skylight over the large shower to see the stars at night, and Hunter Lab Bathroom products.

A short stroll down the boardwalk will get you to the infamous Hastings St and Noosa Main beach Area and beyond to the Noosa National Park to the North East or the Noosa Rivermouth / Noosa Woods area to the west of Main Beach.

Dine at any of the World Class resturants in Hastings St and you are just a short stroll ‘home’.

We at Escapade Retreats have aimed to create a Contemporary understated but luxurious feel in our apartment using high quality fittings, and details. Real timber flooring, all new windows and ranch sliders, outdoor deck and glass balustrade to give you the feel of ‘floating above Noosa’.

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