TRAVEL ARTICLE - COURIER MAIL Saturday 19 April 2003

words Christine Middap, Queensland Newspapers Limted Journalist

bamboo retreat - WHEN Doug Flockhart began planning his rural retreat for stressed-out city types, he needed only to delve into his own past for guidance on what to provide. The one-time flamboyant restaurateur who gave Brisbane the award-winning ‘80s restaurant Rumpoles, the ‘90s venue Snug Harbour and the bakery and cafe chain Bagelos realised he needed to move out of his fast-paced life about a year ago. His health was suffering, his motivation wavering and Doug and his partner Donna Willett were unhappy with the person he had become. "He was an arsehole," Donna says bluntly. "He was high-powered, aggressive and measured success only in terms of money. "A harsh assessment from one’s partner, perhaps, but Doug, 45, is not offended and offers his own contribution: "I had been aggressively successful and incredibly from an emotional and sensory perspective self-centred," he says. His blood pressure was soaring, he was working ridiculous hours at his consultancy business Oz Solutions, and he was feeling restless. "I was ready to die," he says, matter-of-factly. A week at the Camp Eden Health Retreat in the Gold Coast hinterland, drinkirg good water and eating organic vegetarian food, set him on the path to change. His journey was completed six months later when he decided he needed to get away from the office for the day. His drive took him to Maleny in the Sunshine Coast hinterland and a new life. "Donna rang and asked, ‘Where are you?’ I told her I was property shopping, and that’s what I was doing. "For the first time in a long time I was excited again, like a child when they find something that really excites them."

Within days they had found a property that they both instantly felt was "it", and within two weeks had signed the papers on the 20.2ha and house which had operated as a B&B. The journey for Donna was not nearly as dramatic, and in some ways represented a natural homecoming as she was raised on a farm in the hinterland and went to school in the surrounding district. Unlike Doug, she had always been into what she calls "real living" and is now able to realise her philosophy. The pair have embarked on the ultimate sea change, abandoning their trendy Teneriffe apartment and Vogue-style furnishings for a rustic, largely organic vegetarian and more spiritual existence.

When not working or travelling for business (they now run Oz Solutions from home), they spend their time tending organic fruit trees, their organic vegetable patch or their organic chooks, or plotting the planting of chemical free vines for their next venture, wine production. In between, they are the welcoming hosts of Maleny’s newest accommodation, Bamboo Retreat, where they are keen to share their life experiences with others. Consisting of just one room attached to their house, but with screening to ensure that guests have their privacy, it is testament to good taste and clever decorating.

An inviting king-size bed filled with plumped-up cushions dominates the room, which is given warmth and character from the hoop and buyna pine walls and ceiling. A wood heater has been built for the cold hinterland nights in winter. A CD player with a decent range of easy-listening CDs is the only entertainment in this kids-free, television-free retreat, although the bird feeding station which hosts king parrots, rosellas and lorikeets is entertainment enough. The main view is a pleasant rural vista over the forest but the best view can be enjoyed from windows at the back of the room. It seems strange that they haven’t made more of the view, until Donna explains that the feng shui expert advised against it.

A small kitchenette has been stocked with everything one could want, right down to the wine and organic brie in the fridge and organic peanut butter, organic honey and sachets of miso soup in the cupboard. A barbecue outside the door allows for cooking, and while you’re out there, there’s a large guest spa to enjoy under the stars. The small ensuite is to be replaced eventually by a large, glassed-in extension to house the spa. Tempting as it may be to lounge around in your room or outdoor gazebo, there’s a treat that should not be missed in Maleny. Perry’s Restaurant housed in the original Baptist Church in the town is what one often looks for, but rarely finds, in hinterland villages. On this Saturday night of crashing thunder, forked lightening and torrential rain, it was a relief to walk into the friendly, atmospheric BYO restaurant. The menu was sophisticated and interesting, with the standouts including an entree of sea scallops in a lemon cream and dill sauce in a fib basket, roast duck with a fig and sour cherry demi glaze, and chargrilled chicken with porcini mushrooms and lemon cream sauce with truffle oil.

Of course there are endless excursions and adventures to be had in this region for people who want to go exploring. Kenilworth with its famous cheese factory is a pleasant drive along back roads from the retreat, and Maleny village is always worth an hour or two. For the more energetic, Mary Cairncross Park allows a gentle walk through rainforest with plenuy of opportunities for bird watching and my pick is the large circuit walk at Kondalilla Falls near Montville.

But if you want some R and R, there are other options. The retreat can organise a massage session in your room from a practitioner attached to the nearby Maleny Healing Centre. My husband had a Ka Huna full body massage from Rebecca Hopkins, who uses her hands, forearms and elbows to provide a soft and deep tissue massage. I had a facial with Margaret Tonner, who uses Mukti Botanicals products produced in Maleny. It is a gentle, relaxing facial that leaves you feeling clean, not oily. Doug says that guests are welcome to join him for a stretching and tai chi session each morning, and he is happy to take guests exploring the property which backs on to state forest. Eventually they hope to have walking tracks established through their forest, with daybeds mounted at rest stops along the way for some quiet contemplation. They hope also to hold seminars at the retreat on issues such as chemical-free eating and massage. While not pitched exclusively at the stressed-out executive, Doug can see its appeal as a corporate retreat. But it also is ideal for couples (or single people) just wanting some peace and quiet or, as Doug puts it, to slow down. ‘One thing the country teaches you is to slow down. So if people come here for a couple of days and that’s all they do, that’s great," he says. "Or if your visit here is about holding hands with your partner and talking to each other like you haven’t in a while then we’ve achieved our objective."

Just the facts: Bamboo Retreat, Kidaman Creek Road, Maleny. Tel: 5494 4172. One- room single or couple occupancy. Rates: Minimum two-night stay on weekends and public holidays. 

Standard package: Friday, Saturday and Sundays nights - $275 per night.  Monday to Thursday nights - $245 per night.  Weekly rate - $1500.

Deluxe Package: Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights - $380 per night.  Monday to Thursday nights - $345 per night.  Weekly rate - $1950.