Bed, Breakfast and Beer

Recently we had the pleasure of visiting a charming cottage that was a converted dairy near Casino Northern New South Wales. When we arrived we were greeted by our hosts Margaret & Laurence with a loaf of fresh baked bread accompanied by three small jars of home prepared preserves from their garden. There was also a lovely basket full of fresh veggies and a large vase of fresh herbs also from their garden along with home baked brownies and Anzac biscuits.

We found the cabin on Airbnb which is perfect for anyone searching for a romantic getaway or secluded honeymoon destination. This charming 'eco cabin' is the perfect couples retreat, featuring one bedroom with kitchen, fireplace and a veranda overlooking a herd of cows, charming herb garden and rustic bathroom with rainwater shower & composting toilet. It's a simple retreat although it bursts with the comforts of home.

Laurence & Margaret's goal in life is to be sustainable by tending to their garden where they grow their own vegetables including garlic and ginger, as well as fruit trees which they pickle and preserve. Their home baked bread is perfectly soft in the center and crunchy on the outside. They also raise chooks (eggs) and cattle (beef) - who roam free range and live happy lives on their 200 acre farm.

The charming bed came complete with a mosquito net which was more of a necessity than a romantic touch. The native leaf tail geckos were busy catching moths and other creepy crawlies in the kitchen, but I have to admit I was happy to be covered with a mozzie net as we slept. This is truly a rustic cabin experience! 

Taking a tour of the property with Laurence (and the two dogs, Joan & Patch) was most enlightening as he explained how they were living off the land in the most sustainable way possible. He & Margaret not only grow most of their own food they have recycled almost everything including their home which is an old school house from the nearby town of Mummulgum where Margaret went to school. The Eco Dairy has also been renovated in the most rustic and sustainable of ways, using wood and other materials off the land and surrounding areas.

We had the pleasure of tasting another of Lawrence's hobbies. He is quite the craft brewer making a delightfully light and tasty beer. We spent an afternoon watching the sun go down over the mountain range sipping his crafty brew and tasting even more of Margaret's home made delights.

This stand of trees is quite an anomaly, they have stood in a completely straight line for over 80 years. There is no explanation for this phenomena. At least no one has been able to figure it out yet.

Do yourself a favour and leave your mobile phone at home (they wont work anyway). Activities at the farm can include doing absolutely nothing - reading, relaxing, listening to the birdlife, bushwalking or a maybe a four wheel drive guided tour to the bordering World Heritage Rainforest walks which can be arranged with your host, Laurence. Day trips to Byron Bay, Nimbin or Tenterfield are another way to spend the day, although taking advantage of the peace and quite is well advised. 

Getting around

There is no public transport at Theresa Creek. Having a car will allow you freedom to explore the surrounding area, however if you are flying or arriving by train and do not wish to hire a car your hosts are able to collect you from the airport /station for an extra cost.

Nearest airport: 

Lismore (40minutes) 

Byron/Ballina (1 hr 20minutes) 

Grafton (1hr 20 minutes) 

Goldcoast (1 hr 50 minutes) 

Brisbane (3hrs)

Nearest train station: 

Casino (25 minutes)

For booking information log into AirBnB and search for Eco Dairy cabin at Theresa Creek.

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Volunteer vacation honeymoon - for the intrepid couple

Once the wedding is over, of course you want to relax, but if you're the intrepid sort you'll find that a volunteer vacation for your honeymoon will be valued as a precious memory to start your marriage together and there's no better cultural immersion than to earn respect working side by side with locals who need your help.

The options are endless, pick a trip that you're passionate about and leave the land, animals or people better off than before you arrived. The bonus is you may find you take away more from your volunteer vacation honeymoon that you bargained for.

Thailand volunteer vacation & hilltribe treck - from $1742 AUD 15 Days

Asia -Thailand

Experience the diversity of Thailand on an adventure that includes hill-tribe trekking in the North, beach time in the South and life-changing volunteer projects on a pristine Andaman island. You’ll make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged children as you pitch in at the local school, and after a rewarding day, you can really immerse yourself in the island lifestyle as nights are spent in a beach side homestay. Then trade the beach for the hills and a chance to trek to resilient hilltribe villages.

Highlights: Giving back through a volunteer vacation with a school and community projects, experiencing local life in a homestay, blissing out in Khao Sok National Park, visiting a community tourism project on Koh Pra Thong, trekking small hilltribe villages and fields.

Explore & Cambodia Laos - from $1050 AUD 13 Days

Asia - Thailand, Cambodia, Laos

Spend time on your volunteer vacation honeymoon with one of our projects in Laos and Cambodia and you'll take away so much more than souvenirs or photographs—you'll engage the local community with building and education initiatives. And you’ll still have the opportunity to explore incredible ruins at Angkor Wat and experience French influences in riverside cafés. Whether you're marveling at stunning scenery, Buddhist monasteries or the face of a smiling child, this journey will allow you to dig deep into the people and culture of South East Asia.

Highlights: Volunteer vacations with New Hope Cambodia in Siem Reap, meeting workers of a local NGO in Luang Prabang, marvelling at the magnificent temples of Angkor Wat, enjoying a local homestay, relaxing in the riverside town of Vang Vieng.

Zambia volunteer vacation & safari - from $1599 AUD14 days

Africa - Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa

For travelers eager to give a little something back to the world that’s given them so much, Zambia needs you! This adventurous trip across three countries combines an authentic safari odyssey through national parks in search of the Big Five with time spent working on volunteer projects that benefit the people and animals of the region. Walk with rhinos and gain personal insight into the culture of the Shangaan people one day, participate in the Livingstone community volunteer program the next. Karma—it’s the ultimate travel rewards program.

Highlights: Your volunteer vacation at a Livingstone community project, Spotting the Big Five in Kruger National Park, gazing out across Victoria Falls, walking in search of rhinos and searching for wildlife from a 4x4 in Matobo National Park, witnessing Shangaan traditions, discovering the less-visited Zimbabwe.

Volunteer vacation in Peru Amazon - from $1399 AUD9 days

South America - Amazon, Peru

Experience the Peruvian Amazon on this exciting and hands-on jungle adventure. Travel by motorised canoe up the Tambopata River to the G Lodge Amazon. Spend five days of your volunteer vacation at a centre for the rehabilitation and conservation of wild animals. Work alongside staff to feed and take care of animals so they can be successfully released back to their natural habitats. Next, spend two days in the rainforest learning about traditional medicinal plants, spotting birds, cayman and monkeys.

Highlights: Your volunteer vacation in the Amazon with the rehabilitation and conservation of animals, exploring the jungle and searching for wildlife.

Voluteer honeymoon China – Pandas - from $1827 AUD14 days

Asia - China

This unique itinerary introduces the highlights of the Middle Kingdom — from the historic gems of modern Beijing to the ancient walls of Xi'an and cosmopolitan glitter of contemporary Shanghai while allowing you to give back to the community at the same time. From the palaces and temples of Beijing venture to the countryside to experience the grandeur of the Great Wall and work with intellectually challenged youth at a unique organic farm centre designed to offer employment opportunities and training to intellectually challenged people. In Xi'an witness the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, in Chengdu indulge in the culinary spice that is Sichuan cuisine and volunteer at the largest panda reserve in the world to help ensure these distinctly Chinese icons are around for future generations to admire.

Highlights: A volunteer vacatiuon at a rural organic farm and working with the local community, coming face-to-face with pandas at the Bifengxia Panda Center, exploring the bustling markets and streets of China's biggest cities, hiking along the Great Wall, standing in the middle of Tiananmen Square and meeting the Terracotta Warriors.

For even more adventurous volunteer vacation honeymoon ideas visit the Great Adventure website.

Don't forget to create your eco friendly gift registry at Biome Eco Stores so you are sure to receive eco friendly gifts that you actually want and that are useful to you.

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