Guestwick Eco Resort

GUESTWICK ECO RESORT HAS PERMANENTLY CLOSED.

Looking to escape the big smoke and city lights? Guestwick Eco Resort is an amazing spot where the only smoke to be seen comes from a campfire and the light comes from a star studded sky and the Milky Way. And then there's the plentiful wildlife

Approximately a 30 minute drive from Warwick, Guestwick Eco Resort is just over the Queensland / New South Wales border gate. To say that the drive is well and truly worth it is an understatement - this place is amazing.

Accommodation options here include a fully self contained unit which sleeps 4 and a studio apartment which sleeps 2 in a queen sized bed and has a modular lounge which can be converted to another bed. Both are equipped with everything you could possibly need for a very comfortable stay and have been beautifully decorated and styled. With fireplaces, air-conditioning, kitchens, full sized fridges, flat screen TVs, modern bathrooms and very comfy beds, the scene is set for a relaxing and restful stay. A Weber BBQ is also available for those keen to do some outdoor cooking. A bottle of wine and a generous range of cheese platter provisions are waiting in the fridge - all set for afternoon drinks and nibbles. Everything is within close proximity of guest accommodation, so there's no fear of missing out on a thing. Adjacent to the cabin, Adrian has hand built an impressive vegetable garden purely for the use of guests.  Throwing a salad together is a real delight with fresh capsicum, chillies, cucumbers, beetroot, carrots, beans, tomatoes, a variety of herbs and much more available for the picking.

Owners and hosts, Adrian and Karen Guest have established beautiful gardens and a peaceful and safe sanctuary for all manner of wildlife here and guests are definitely enjoying the rewards of their labour. Adrian has composed a list of birds species he has personally sited on the property and the number is over 200: black cockatoos, sulphur crested cockatoos, galahs, rainbow lorikeets, eastern rosellas, rosellas, king parrots, wrens, red-browned finches, owls, eastern whipbirds, kingfishers and wedge tail eagles, just to name a few. Bird feeders around the Resort have been cleverly crafted by Adrian, using fallen iron bark trees.

Visitors are invited to join Adrian and Karen around 4pm each day - feeding time for a variety of wildlife residents. Red necked wallabies gather on the lawn, eagerly awaiting the food that they know will soon be coming their way (these guys don't get just any old food, they are given dietary appropriate food, suitable for their species). Ducks come a-waddling, looking for their handout and as the light fades, possums and oh-so-cute little bettongs appear. 

The star of the show here is, however, the spotted tail quoll. Several of these carnivorous and nocturnal creatures live on the property but can be somewhat elusive at times. Adrian is passionate about all wildlife and the bushland but quolls are his number one concern - he enthusiastically assists with quoll research.

The quolls are encouraged to make themselves at home at the Resort and Adrian feeds them nightly, eager to catch a glimpse of the spotty visitor. He has specific feeding spots located near the accommodation and motion sensor and infra red cameras set up to give guests the best possible chance to spot a quoll. Walkie-talkies enable him to contact guests when the quoll comes to feed and then it's a case of sneaking into position to observe this vulnerable species enjoying its meal. 

Both the Queensland University and the University of the Sunshine Coast have undertaken quoll research here and the Resort is visited regularly by ecologists, wildlife experts and photographers - recently they were even visited by an overseas television crew.

A spotlighting adventure may find a variety of wildlife on the move. Sugar gliders, bats, bandicoots, goannas, lizards, snakes and frogs all call Guestwick home. In the paddocks are a couple of friendly sheep and three inquisitive goats. 

There are 100 acres to explore here, with beautiful bushland, aged trees and large moss-covered granite boulders to discover. From several vantage points the views are breathtaking - Adrian will point walkers in the right direction for these walks. 

Don't forget the camera and be prepared to be awe-struck by the untouched wilderness and raw beauty of nature at Guestwick Eco Resort. Those with disabilities or unable to undertake walks don't need to miss out on this experience as Adrian is only too happy to provide a buggy ride throughout the property.

And what's a weekend in the bush without a campfire?  Karen and Adrian have a fabulous campfire circle, overlooking one of their two dams. Enjoy the sunset, admire the reflections on the dam, watch the flames of the campfire dance and enjoy a drink or two with great company.  The Milky Way stands out so clearly in the dark skies out here and star gazing is magical.

True country hospitality is extended to guests by Adrian and Karen who are wonderful company and perfect hosts. Why not book both the cabin and the apartment and enjoy a family break where everyone can reconnect with nature and the environment? Go that little extra distance, you'll be so pleased you did.

Need to know -  A quoll viewing area is currently under construction which will allow guests to more easily observe the quolls and other wildlife, without being seen. A common room for guests is also underway, which will provide a guest lounge, pool table, large fireplace and pizza oven.  Once over the border, the road is quite corrugated in places, so proceed slowly.

Things to do and see in the area:

Warwick is a short drive away (30 minutes) and offers a range of sightseeing options - call in to the Warwick Visitor Information Centre on the way through for info.

Visit Cherrabah Resort (approx. 40 mins) where a range of activities can be enjoyed by day visitors.

Take a dip in a local waterhole or nearby Wylie Creek.

Enjoy exploring on foot?  Choose from a number of national parks: Boonoo Boonoo, Border Ranges, Maryland, or Bald Rock.

Take a drive into Tenterfield (roughly one hour), home of the iconic Tenterfield Saddler

Best of all, stay put and enjoy being in a very unique setting, where nature provides entertainment aplenty.