Lots has happened at Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat since our last eNews in October 2006 and our biggest news is:

But that's not all we've been up to in the past months. Read the following news articles - especially about Shelly from our Reception finding and rescuing a baby platypus on the way to work.

Don't miss our "Win a FREE Weekend at Rose Gums" giveaway!

We hope to see you soon at Rose Gums.

With a belated start due to cyclone Larry in March 2006, Jon has completed four more delightful, handcrafted treehouses bringing the number to nine in total.

All new treehouses feature large spa baths, cosy wood fireplaces and spectacular mountain views, and especially providing upmost privacy as they are located 90 metres from each other. The retro cast iron spiral staircase leads you to the loft with its second bedroom.

See Rose Gums website for tariffs and weekend packages. Bookings can be made on-line or call us on (07) 4096 8360.

As part of our reforestation plan we have planted 1000 more rainforest trees in amongst the 12 year old forest and will soon tackle the difficult lantana slopes around the spring gorge.

Herman has been employed to assist Jon with the job for the next few months. We were fortunate to have David, a young German wwoofer
(willing worker on organic farms) give a hand as well.

Rose Gums was one of the few applicants in North Queensland who was eligible for funding assistance through Vegetation Incentive Program (VIP). Due to the already demonstrated reforestation efforts we have undertaken, the uniqueness of the property as it borders Wet Tropics World Heritage and the endangered species recorded on the property e.g. Southern Cassowary, funding was granted to plant and maintain a total of 5000 trees over the next 5 years. Add this to the already established 14,000 trees thriving we have quite a showpiece of how a degraded dairy farm can be turned around to be an award winning ecotourism retreat.

Our newest guest is Friday, a Sulphur-crested White Cockatoo.

Jon and friends were walking along the waterfall escarpment on Good Friday and found a half grown, not quite ready to fly cockie on the ground ten's of meters from his nest. Vulnerable to dingoes, he/she was brought home to Rose Gums to be raised till he can fly off to join his flock.

We love our free range chooks, they are more pets than egg producers but the local reptile life love them even more.

During the warm evenings the pythons are very hungry and chicken is their favourite. A couple of times the children have left it a bit late to close the chook pen door only to discover an unwelcome visitor already had dined.

We welcome Herman as our gardener and main tree planter and Mandy who assists Estelle with the housekeeping.

Herman is a friend of Mr Lee, our Saturday night chef. Also formerly from Laos and from the Hmong tribe Herman has proved his skill with plants with the new gardens he and Jon have created since the cyclone.

Mandy is a local living just minutes away and has quickly become part of the Rose Gums family.

We are truly blessed to live in a part of Australia where water is not an issue. During the February and March we received over a metre of rain. Our average for the year is around three metres. The rainforest is growing at a phenomenal pace, the creeks are flooding and the platypus are breeding.

A special surprise for Shelley, our receptionist and book keeper was finding a baby platypus on a nearby road. The darling thing was relocated to the creek in her backyard.

Only stayed 3 nights...not enough, enjoyed every minute, the wildlife was fantastic and the walks all very enjoyable except for the leeches!
Peter, Coventry, UK

Beautiful timber work, tables, etc, also spotted a musky rat-kangaroo beside the balcony!!
David & Ethyl, NSW

We felt far away from home "at home" in a different environment. A place to relax and return to yourselves.
Renate, Jonah & Hans, Netherlands/Germany

We'll be back!! Kids totally inspired by nature and their "treehouse" experience. Enjoyed our stay and your hospitality.
Williams family, Townsville

Thank you Ivor for your lovely February sunrise photo. We welcome any photos guests take! A nice momento for us as well.

If you wish your Rose Gums Holiday Photo to be published in our eNews, please email photo (in high resolution), your name and short description of the photo to info@rosegums.com.au.

Win a FREE weekend for 2 persons staying at Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat in a one-bedroom treehouse for 2 nights.

To win answer the following question: "What year did Peta and Jon purchase the property?" (clue: read "The Beginning" on our » website).

Please email your answer together with your full name and contact details to info@rosegums.com.au. The winner will be drawn on 30 June 2007 and be notified early July via email.