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Courier Mail
February 23
2002
By Grahame Clark
I sit gazing over an expansive palm-fringed lawn to a boatshed, a 1920's railway stationmasters affair that will in 18hours bear witness to an elopement.
Two young lovers set to give their unsuspecting parents the suprise of their sedate and well ordered lives, a matter which has me shaking my head as I reach for my glass of bubbling wine: the cricket tinklingon the wireless in the background; the spa water tickling my chin; Lake Baroons blue-green promise in th enear distance merely that - a promise.
For today I shall not canoe, fish, swim, sail, or even indulge in a healthy hike through the rainforested hills which are the trademark of this luxury treehouse resort of Treetops Cabins on the Lake, George and Aldy Johnstons 18ha retreat bordering Kondalilla and Mapelton National Parks. Its a destination where those so inclined might indulge in fine wine, large beds and spas, chocolates ans sweeping vistas and and carved furniture good enough for the Queen, god bless her corgis.
Perhaps I might chance a sedate 200metre stroll to the boatshed, which in reality resembles a small dwelling of an earlier era where wood stoves were employed for much more than warming spa-softened toes.
Perhaps I might even sit on the boatshed veranda to take in a cooling zephyr drifting off the lake and wonder if Romeo and Tracy, or is it Juliet and Bevan, really know that with their elopement they are about to set the course of family peace way back beyond the heady days of Charles and Diana.
But there are far worse places to ponder such weighty matters, for this is the territory of serious luxury, an experience which starts as soon as you stroll into the expansive reception area with its wood-lined sitting room and huge billiard table. You want intricately carved furniture made by local craftsman? You have come to the right place!
The propensity for the carving extends to the railings on the elevated walkways leading to the 6 individually themed treehouses set in the forest fringing the lake: Tiny frogs, possums, birds, snakes, all shaped and smoothe from previously bland branches, guide the traveller towards doors decorated with even more wildlife carvings.
Inside one will find champagne breakfast hampers, fireplace, spa, deck BBQ, airconditioning, TV and sound systems, comfortable furnishings and fine furniture, fans, flowers, bathrobes and sweeping lake views, while outside offers attendant kookaburras, possums, abundant birdlife, canoes, fishing, walking....
Such peace could provide a chance to ponder, perhaps, whether eloping is really such a good idea when there might be the matter of grandfather's will still left undecided.
But that's all academic, really, for after a quiet rest on the comfortable bed and a refreshing drink there is the option for the adventurous of strolling down Montville's tourist-thronged main street five minutes away up a very steep hill, or around the nearby Kondalilla National Park, The Falls, Picnic Creek, Mary Cairncross Reserve, Mapelton Falls... or more sensibly, one could mount a quick expedition to a local winery for reprovisioning before returning to your cabin to watch the lake changing colour as the sun sets around and the rotund kookaburra clan reherses its well-oiled early evening entertainment.
You want to watch a kookaburra comic opera? You've come to the right place. A half a dozen or more will extract more pathos out of a ime of starving beggars dancing on a rail than any bunch of East-Enders sensing a rich man's carriage around the corner.
The possums watch patiently from the enveloping trees: Their turn comes when light turns to night and the pitter-patter of furry feet dance to the same tune.
Ask George what's under the lake other than bass, spangle perch and yellowbelly and he will nod his head and describe it in detail, for until the $40 million Lake Baroon was built in 1989 he used to farm the territory, buying this adjoining 18 hectares in 1986 as his own farm went under the waters that feed the Caloundra and Maroochy shires.
Then he and Aldy set about making their eco-friendly retreat, first rebuilding the boathouse, then moving on to the carved treehouses, the winding walkways extending into the tree canopy, opening for business four and a half years ago to a clientle seeking an escape in the upper end of the market range.
Its not the cheapest weekend away but, then again, it was never intended to be, and, seriously, what better place to seal an elopement far away from the maddening relatives?
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