| Just 50 minutes before, leaving the bustling | | | | selection of compact discs - these guest Quarters |
| tourism hub of Cairns - blue ocean on one side | | | | are visually spectacular, boasting a large deck for |
| and cool rainforest clad mountains on the other - I | | | | the ultimate enjoyment of the outback |
| had no idea my world as I knew it was soon | | | | views.Early morning. The smell of dew on the |
| going to blend beautifully with 35,000 head of | | | | grass. A stunning breakfast already cooked to |
| prized Brahman cattle and 1.5 million acres of | | | | order and finished. We drive half an hour to Mouth |
| dust.Wrotham Park is described as a marriage | | | | Organ Yard to get a glimpse into the lifestyle on a |
| between a luxurious, stylish resort and the dusty | | | | remote Australian cattle station. A group of |
| reality of a working cattle station. The first part | | | | outback stockmen arrive and their job today is to |
| of this I loved the sound of, the second part I | | | | separate the weaners from the rest of the herd. |
| wasn't so sure about.I knew my first reaction | | | | It's a hard, sweaty job - and a dangerous one. |
| was going to be to hide, to stay within my | | | | Not every animal co-operates - this is no |
| comfort zone - but the neatly rolled, chilled and | | | | guaranteed "show" for tourists. Lodge visitors are |
| fragrant hand towel offered to me by the driver | | | | invited to watch, but there is no scheduled |
| when I stepped from the plane gave me Dutch | | | | performance.That evening, lying on one of the |
| courage and I started to wonder why it took so | | | | daybeds near the pool, the sun has already dipped |
| long for someone to come up with an idea like | | | | below the horizon. There is a smell of a distant |
| this. I felt a bit like the girl that Paul Hogan married | | | | bushfire and somewhere a kookaburra starts the |
| in Crocodile Dundee.A few minutes later and the | | | | last laugh of the day. This is the moment to close |
| 4WD stopped in front of the Homestead - very | | | | your eyes, smell, listen, smile - redo the lipstick - |
| Queensland, very Outback and very inviting. The | | | | understand and appreciate.(Wrotham Park Lodge - |
| beautiful lounge chairs, the airconditioned bar and | | | | 300km West of Cairns, Queensland - caters to a |
| sitting room are designed to make you feel like | | | | maximum of 20 guests, providing an unparalleled |
| you're in your own home. You are encouraged to | | | | outback experience that brings together |
| come and go as you please. Wrothank Park has | | | | wilderness, wildlife and a hint of luxury. If your |
| been carefully created to fit perfectly into Far | | | | adventurous streak is crying out to you but you |
| North Queensland's tropical savannah offering | | | | cant bear to leave your heels at home, then read |
| maximum comfort but still with a very distinctive | | | | more about this exciting alternative to Cairns at |
| outback feel.Back outside there is a cool breeze, a | | | | Accommodation & Travel is the leading online |
| sparkling wet edge pool, day beds around a 5* | | | | travel agency in Cairns. We deliver the widest |
| campfire (the perfect place for the apperetifs and | | | | choice of accommodation, spas and retreats, |
| star gazing) and I just knew my bedroom | | | | honeymoons and wedding packages available to |
| accommodation was going to be stockman's | | | | visitors to Queensland and beyond. Expert, |
| quarters meets luxurious comfort. It was. Crisp | | | | accurate advice, enthusiastic "can do" attitude and |
| linen, overstuffed leather armchairs, designer | | | | careful attention to detail - offering the best |
| bathrooms, CD player with a personalised | | | | choice from budget to total luxury. |