Arrive and relax – connect to source. Embrace the river – running its course. The offer is here to rest and revive. To feel the love, to grow and to thrive.

From the moment I arrive here, I feel like the rest of the world just disappears somewhere behind me, as I take in the lush surroundings of the parklike setting, featuring a very old & rare red cedar tree and many jacarandas, bejewelled with staghorns, elkhorns and orchids. Weaving my way towards the river, I have already forgotten the bitumen road that got me here, let alone the world beyond that.

I know well the therapeutic benefits of connecting with Mother Earth, and it is with heartfelt gratitude that I immerse myself in this storybook wonderland they call Easy Street Retreat.

Ahead, I can see buildings that appear to be on the rivers’ edge and I can see other, well camouflaged buildings through the forested garden that beckon my investigation, but it is the magnificent Bellinger River that draws me inextricably closer

I am surrounded by selected rainforest species planted to create this native park from what was then cleared pasture. I can’t name all the trees, but I love the feeling I get moving through them and I just know that I don’t want to leave here any time soon

The natural surroundings are the major draw card for me…like the crystal clear flowing water, and the expansive Bellinger River National Park extending further than the eye can see on the opposite (northern) riverbank, but I am also interested in and attracted by the timber and glass home that sits so comfortably and naturally atop the southern riverbank, boasting a flood free position with extensive, close-up views of the river.

Now, I meet the current owner, Marion, who escorts me across the 5 inch spotted gum polished floorboards that extend throughout her beautiful home, to the extensive covered hardwood deck overlooking the river. Here she recounts the time that she was ‘working’ at her desk, entering information online about her holiday cottage and cabins, when she glanced up at the sparkling crystal clear water wending its way past. Her attention was then held, because the water was so clear in fact, that she could see individual pebbles on the river’s bed and trace the path of the herons as they darted underwater looking for fish.

I am transfixed by the idea of being able to ‘work’ in an environment like this heavenly hideaway with its reliable ADSL2 internet connection, and no mobile phone reception, which just happens to be my ideal combination (there’s always the landline if you absolutely have to be on the phone).

As I hear more about the delightful years that Marion has spent here since 2006, a big ‘stand-out’ for me is the fact that she has often sighted playful platypus, usually in the early hours, from the comfort of her very own bed…can you believe it? How cool is that? That’s the sort of natural connection experience that my dreams are made of.

As we continue our conversation, Marion shows me a photo she snapped of a platypus and a local endangered George’s Turtle in ‘her’ river and follows it up with photo after photo of the myriad of birds she has lived with in her time here, including Lewin’s Honeyeater, Scarlet Honeyeater, Tawny Frogmouth, Kingfisher, Wompoo Fruit Dove, Red Browed Finch, Spangled Drongo, Regent Bower Bird, Superb Blue Wren, Eastern Spinebill and Eastern Yellow Robin. You can see her photos for yourself at www.easystreetretreat.com.au

I’m ‘sold’ already, and would happily spend the rest of my life right here on the deck, in the heart of this pristine paradise that I have to remind myself is only 29km (30 min drive) from Bellingen and 65km (1 hr drive) from Coffs Harbour Airport, where I can easily and regularly catch a flight to Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne. OMG, ‘that outside world’ seems sooooo far away right now, that it seems surreal to think that in a little more than 2 hours I could be in the heart of Sydney or Brisbane

But enough of those thoughts and back to the ‘here and now’ of my newly discovered personal paradise, where I am yet to discover the Japanese style soak tub, and the imported French Lacanche stove with 4 gas hot plates, gas simmer plate, and 3 x electric ovens in the main house, let alone the adjacent River Cottage or the 2 x studio apartment style cabins (Cumquat Cabin & Jack’s Cabin), set amidst the private park like grounds.

Plus there are those practical things like the workshop, the storerooms, the river-view platform, the river-rock woodshed, the ride on mower and other included equipment. You can check these out in the photos and video, or better still, inspect the property in person. For me, though, whilst the man-made improvements here are top quality, tasteful and valuable, the real ‘gold’ of this property is all the stuff provided by Mother Nature.

The river, the rainforest, the birds, & the wildlife all combine to provide an environment that I find perfect to revive and thrive as a human being on this amazing planet.

If you would like to arrange an inspection call Suzanne Atkinson 0432 306 060