Any little boy who dreamed of being a cowboy and any girl who swooned over
A Town Like Alice has probably idly contemplated a jill/jackaroo-style getaway. But if your visions of farming life feature Scarlett O'Hara on the porch at Tara rather than the rugged landscapes of a Banjo Paterson poem, then Wrotham Park Lodge is probably the ideal way for you to realise your station-hand fantasies.
A working cattle station, Wrotham Park offers a unique insight into the life of an outback cowboy without requiring one's hands to get dirty. This is no 'cheap labour disguised as an adventure holiday'-style resort, but rather the very height of outback luxury. There's no need to worry about mustering cattle — all you need to do is concentrate on mustering up the energy to lift your glass of champagne.
Travelling to Wrotham Park certainly serves to build up those luxurious expectations. Guests are taken from Cairns by a scenic chartered flight along the Queensland coast before being packed into a comfy four-wheel drive for the final stretch. There's no ute with a cattle dog in the back for these privileged visitors.
The station rolls so many outback fantasies into one glorious package. The red earth reflects a sunset-toned glow, fringed by tenacious shrubs and cut through by the almost eerily glassy Mitchell River. While the stereotypical dust and hardship may be present, it is cunningly hidden behind a veneer of romanticism.
The accommodations are similarly more posh than those enjoyed by the average cow cocky, with cool and spacious interiors, private decks, deluxe accoutrements and swoon-worthy views. A maximum of 20 people stay at the lodge at any time, so there is no bustling parade to interrupt the tranquillity. While the average stay at Wrotham Park is two nights, those wanting to really unwind from their uptight city lives might want to extend their stay, just to breathe in the peace of the outback. However, if two days is all you can manage, there is a handy program of activities aimed to fulfil the most common outback fancies.
On arrival, guests are given a guided river walk and an elementary introduction to the local flora and fauna, before unwinding the old-fashioned way — by getting stuck into canapés and cocktails. Dinner might be a gourmet barbecue under the stars or an extravagant affair around the homestead table.
The following day, guests are kept as busy as a gun shearer at the height of the season, kicking off with a half-day station tour. The tour sheds light on the real action behind the scenes at the station and might include a stellar set of activities, such as tagging or even helicopter mustering. Guests will be taken via the viewing platform at Whip Handle Ridge, so they can truly appreciate the vast scope of the 600,000-hectare station.
The afternoon can be taken up with a number of activities, such as mountain biking along the windy roads, canoeing, nature walks or fishing for barramundi. Lucky anglers can even have their catch cooked up by the station chef — his paperbark-baked creation is an improvement over the usual DIY tinfoil on the barbie.
Wrotham's "country chef" is a bit of a high point for travelling gourmands. A cooking demonstration is offered, including a talk on native bush tucker and a gourmet banquet of camp oven-baked dishes served with homemade damper.
The next morning, most guests are woken for a 6.30am horse ride along the river before flying out. For those who stay on for longer than the standard two days, there is a wealth of activities still to explore, from guided four-wheel drive or quad bike tours to helicopter flights.
Alternatively, when all the activity gets too much, one can just sit and soak up the peace of the outback, recite Henry Lawson poetry and entertain the notion of a permanent change of pace — a dirt change, so to speak. Or perhaps one might contemplate a return trip to this ultra-luxurious outback haven.
For more information visit: www.wrothampark.com.au
