General News
1 May, 2025
New nature park for Dimbulah
A FORMER lime farm is to become a 380-hectare nature park on the outskirts of Dimbulah which will open up more tourism opportunities for the town, the shire and visitors.
The Material Change of Use proposal, for a property off Bruce Weir Rd, received a chorus of approval from Mareeba Shire Councillors at its meeting in April, with Cr Nipper Brown summing up support that it “would be very good for Dimbulah” as it would bring more tourists to the township.
The development would combine two titles which were “slowly reverting back to [their] natural state” after most of the horticultural enterprises had been removed, according to an assessment report prepared by council officers.
The site has a house, multiple sheds and associated structures and the western boundary of the two land parcels abuts the Walsh River. A former six-hectare lime tree orchard was removed and the farm is used for animal husbandry.
In submitting their application, the owners said Dimbulah was only five minutes away and contains cafes, a new RV park and other businesses that would benefit from the addition of a wildlife park.
They said the property had significant beauty and was “loaded with wildlife” including echidna, resident wedge-tailed eagles, Jabirus, some swamp buffalo, a small herd of camels, a few goats and four different types of deer (roughly 250 deer), namely, red deer, fallow deer, rusa deer and chital deer.
The entire farm boundary had 2m high ring locked fencing.
“Everything is free roaming and exists in a natural state,” the owners said.
The site will have portable toilet services, up to 15 corrugated iron roof barbecue areas, and picnic benches and seating along the trails.
The information and amenities area will be provided with some vending machines for drinks and the provision of potable water.
There will also be an area near the parking and adjoining the existing shed that will have some very tame animals for visitors to interact with.
A second stage of development will introduce up to four camping sites at discreet distances throughout the site, with the option for environmentally responsible cabins.
The farm will limit access to 30 vehicles per day at a specified parking area and be open daily between 7.30am and 6pm.
A website was being developed which will provide information on the farm and the animals, and will include a booking system to obtain security access to the property.
The council report concluded the project would “enhance the existing natural features of the property, providing a nature-based attraction to support Dimbulah, surrounding townships and Mareeba’s region.”
