BY SALLY TURLEY
THERE is nothing like a couple of decades of hot summers and a few relentless periods of drought to get someone dreaming of a lush, green 'elsewhere', where the rivers run all year round and the sky is always alive with rain promising clouds.
Grazier, Jo Murphy of “Clothespeg Station,” 163 km north of Hughenden had gone one step further – she had identified her “dream place” in a magazine and imagined what it must be like to live in “paradise.”
A few years later, that very place popped up online in the for sale section creating what could be classified as a ‘perfect storm’.
Jo, her husband David and their children James and Emily, had experienced a decent season on their 23,500 hectare property, beef prices were at an all-time high and interest rates were at an all-time low. Gripped with excitement, the Murphy's knew it was now or never.
Doing some quick sums on what the magnifi cent pole home set on 50 hectares of stunning views, could produce, the couple leapt into action, lining up an inspection with the estate agent and an appointment with their bank manager.
Turns out their timing was excellent, as the impact of COVID had our travel-restricted city cousins turning their wanderlust inland to tick off their backyard bucket list or live the romance of the great Aussie road trip in their droves.
Local tourism operators Pam and John de-Roy of “Sharlynn by the River B & B” said they were already busy before COVID, but this financial year, they have had 110 bookings for an average three night stay – almost full occupancy.
Mr de-Roy said their studio cabin, with a kitchen stocked with delicious examples of local produce and 39 steps from guest's own private piece of river has drawn occupants from all around the world over the last four and a half years of its operation.
“Most of our guests since COVID have come from Cairns, Townsville and even some Tablelanders wanting to experience something special. Our southern clients are mainly self-drive and they have definitely been a growing market.
“I believe the B&B sector of the tourism market is very important locally and there is no need for competition amongst providers. I don't think there are anywhere near enough good quality options to meet demand and more choice will only attract more tourists,” he said.
David and Jo Murphy had some experience in the industry as they had been offering David's parents Clothespeg house as an Air B&B cottage for the last three years.
They marketed it as an option for travellers to nearby Blackbraes National Park wanting to experience a few “creature comforts.”
“It was a chance for us to supplement our income from our cattle business, particularly during the dry years, when we were negatively impacted by drought.
"Any income we make goes back into the upkeep of the house,” Mrs Murphy said.
“Our very first customers were professors from Oxford University who were studying and dating the local basalt formations and chatting with them over dinner, we realised that sharing our accommodation also gave us a great opportunity to share our farming story.
“It's lovely to have people come and show them how 'green', environmentally friendly and animal loving we really are, changing people's minds about what they think cattle station life might be like and I always find it just as interesting listening to our visitors' stories as they do hearing ours.
“And while we wish we didn't have to share our beautiful home in the 'land of milk and honey,' aka “Treetops Sanctuary Air B & B,” we recognised that it was necessary to make our dream of owning the place and of one day retiring to live in it, achievable.”
Jo wants her guests to have a million star experience on the home's lofty deck, almost touching distance from the night sky, and hopes they will revel in the abundance of nature and local produce available from Far North Queensland’s beautiful food bowl.
“We combed the local antique and second hand shops for special pieces to fit out our John Knott pole home which sleeps 10 people over three levels.
The house has many private areas for relaxing, decks offering views over rainforest, rolling hills and Mt Bellenden Kerr, as well as a beautiful garden great, for wandering in.
Meanwhile the 5-Star Ratings are rolling in from Treetop Sanctuary guests and the venue is booked out now until September.
There have been a couple of initial hiccups, but Mrs Murphy said they simply gave her the opportunity to problem solve and build relationships with their clients.
Living at nature's source takes on special significance when your daily life has been spent in the hot, harsh outback of Queensland.
Thrilled by the 20 acres of rainforest and the presence of platypus in their dam and Lumholtz Tree Climbing kangaroos in their backyard, the Murphy's can't believe how lucky they are.
