My partner and I stayed three nights at White Cockatoo Heaven’s spacious, light filled Air B&B. For a slice of paradise, it was a steal. I couldn’t recommend its rest-and-repair-and inspire qualities enough. The place is thoughtfully equipped—in particular the kitchen—with everything you need to cook and eat-in, relax, laze, gaze out at the rainforest’s seemingly infinite variety of local and some exotic trees, nap (good beds and pillows) and eat again. We did the latter at the round glass kitchen table staring out at the green or on the front ‘patio’ staring at the same or at the back in an outdoor sofa and potted plants nook: enjoying all the attractive spaces to hang out in. There is a studio, too, with a big work bench, art books and a music collection. If we’d stayed longer (three nights is not long enough) I would have sat and written in there, but it would be great for some impromptu art making too.
Monique supplied a number of larder basics and goodies to launch our stay: organic strawberry jam, luxury crackers(!), a small packet of Sam’s homemade bread, organic fruit & coffee & teas and more. There’s an abundance of intelligent care in the way the place is set up—as opposed to flashy excess–that is gentle, comforting, kind and respectful. True, small footprint living has its sacrifices one of which is, in this case, mains pressure—so don’t go expecting strong shower pressure. This was not an issue for us, however.
Magic highlights:
* Swimming in Sam and Monique’s dam in the forest at the bottom of the property, water almost blood temperature. Lilac dragonflies. Scarlet dragonflies. Black lace dragonflies.
*Walking down through the forest—never the same way on any given day—to get there.
*Monique’s exquisite French-vegan three course lunch and a chance to meet our lovely hosts who are generous in opening up what is a kind of living treasure, their land, to guests. (You can pre-order and pay for such a lunch and I recommend you do).
*Birdsong all day and wave-like surges of cricket song at night—oceanic in its way.
*Layered views every shade of green whichever way you look.
*Sleeping deeply, sleeping off the city. In fact, this is mostly what we did the first 24 hours.
We hope to be back and back to savour White Cockatoo Heaven’s rare brand of calm.