IMAGE Joanne Marriott
Nature & Environment
Enchanted WOOD THE
Be inspired by nature at Karridale Cottages and Hop Farm where families can unwind in a rustic retreat on the edge of the forest. Joanne Marriott ventures into the bush in search of hidden treasure and discovers a magical world on the Karridale Scavenger Hunt.
I
’m crunching my way through the native bushland in awe of the gnarled and bulbous trunks of the old marri trees and the bright velvet green moss that carpets the fallen logs. “Shhh Mummy, you’ll scare the possums,” exclaims my three-year-old daughter in a worried whisper. She peers up into the canopy above, carefully examining the overhanging branches for evidence of the beady-eyed bush dwellers. Then she giggles, “look, there!” and points to a rusty animal shape hanging amongs the jagged sawtooth leaves of a banksia. Its just one of the clues we’re searching for along the Scavenger Hunt at Karridale Cottages and Hop Farm. Five cottages all blend perfectly into the surrounding bush, each one built from natural stone, with pillars of tree trunks upholding a corrugated roof, sheltering a veranda immersed in the sounds and scents of the forest. I close my
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WINTER 2019
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eyes and hear only delicate birdsong, the gentle hum of bees, distant cows in pastures beyond and the restless breeze bristling the treetops. An axe pierces a tree stump, and bundles of firewood are stacked in a makeshift shelter. Everything has been designed for outdoor living and feels in harmony with nature. Inside, thoughtful little touches add to the rustic charm. A jar of dried flowers fills the room with scents of lemon myrtle, a tree branch forms a hanging rail on the wall, rustic lanterns are suspended from the ceiling either side of the bed and little jars of tea welcome us in the kitchen. A small cast-iron wood heater promises cosy firelit evenings and does not disappoint. “I want it to be a reflection of who we are,” says owner Olivia Hertsted, “so people can walk in and get a feel that we’re really into the environment and sustainability, that the materials
are really natural and reflect the environment around them.” In the scattered afternoon sun, we easily stumble into the world of trees fringing our veranda, past fronds of bracken, over a velvety log and then we’re on the Scavenger Hunt, passing blackened tree hollows and trunks so intertwined that I can’t tell where one starts and the other ends. The trail leads us from one natural wonder to another, with activities to complete and puzzles to solve along the way. The idea was born when Olivia received a text from one of her guests. “She had a highpowered job and a busy lifestyle, and often relied on the iPad to entertain the kids after school,” explains Olivia. “They were really hooked on technology and being connected all the time. When they came to stay at the cottages, it was the first time in their life that they put their devices