Goldfields Getaway
7 June, 2021
A holiday with a difference
Newly-opened Wattle Tree Country Retreat is an accommodation option in the Central Goldfields offering short-term respite care for adults with a disability, mental health or an acquired brain injury. For Chelsea, opening the retreat is the...
Newly-opened Wattle Tree Country Retreat is an accommodation option in the Central Goldfields offering short-term respite care for adults with a disability, mental health or an acquired brain injury.
For Chelsea, opening the retreat is the culmination of a dream to combine her love of all things country with her passion and expertise developed throughout two decades of working in the disability sector.
“We are taking our love of country, nature, people, and adventure and rolling them all into one,” Chelsea said.
“The idea is to provide respite with a difference, an alternative to a traditional respite facility. While enjoying your stay, you will have a unique experience where you will get a chance to try new things, make friends, develop skills, and have fun.”
Offering 24-hour care and supervision, guests can help tend to the farm animals, go hiking, fishing, prospecting and camping.
As well as the experience of farm life and camping, guests can experience nearly all of the activities available to tourists in the area. A highlight for both Chelsea and Darron is the support they have received from businesses throughout the local community.
Wattle Tree Country Retreat are supporting other neighbouring businesses to help keep trade local and, in turn, those businesses have adjusted to suit the needs of the participants.
“We attended a gold detecting course run by Coiltek,” Darron said.
“Andrew [Gladdis, owner of Coiltek] realised what they were teaching was perhaps a bit advanced for our guys, so has offered to run a shorter, more basic course. He has even offered to send a trainer to our place to work with the participants here.”
Chelsea agrees that the community could not have been more supportive of the guests, who have been on shopping trips, visited local cafes and markets and enjoyed meals at the Maryborough Highland Society and the Golf Club.
“It has been lovely to see how welcoming people have been of our guests,” Chelsea said.
