The Farm House

We arrived Gold Coast's Coolangatta Airport in one piece, XX and KK still in good spirits. From the short walk from the plane to the terminal, I can feel the difference in humidity already. We waited for the luggage and then waited some more while Hubby and Bro went to collect our rental cars. In the midst of waiting, we were told to wait outside as the airport was 'closing'. I know some airports close at night but it's the first time I've personally experienced it.



Once we got into our rental Hyundai Getz, (my brother got a Nissan Micra) we navigated our way to Numinbah Valley, where our accomodation is. The GPS got us to go via Springbrook Road but halfway through the winding forest road, we were blocked. The road was closed, apparantly due to a landslide. We had no choice but to turn back all the way and look for a detour.




After some delay, we finally found the right path. Then we had to turn right into Pocket Road. As soon as we did that, I found in front of us, a narrow wooden bridge over a river. This is the Pocket Road? I told Hubby not to go on it as I'm not sure if this bridge could take the weight of a car. But Hubby said if we don't go forward, we can't go on. So I held my breath (as if it will make our car lighter), our Getz went over the wet wooden bridge, followed by the Micra. For the next 5 days, we were to drive over this bridge everyday 2 times as we leave and return to our accomodation. There was a sign there that says "Subject to Flooding" and a vertical ruler by the side of the bridge to measure the height of the water. It was raining quite a lot so everyday as we reached that bridge, I half expected the bridge to be submerged in water, but it didn't.




The Farm House estate was located about 500m down Pocket Road. We had to lookout for a little metallic postbox cow at the entrance as our indicator and this was real challenging, especially when we returned home after dark. Once we turned in, it was another winding drive, across a small metal bridge and between 2 lakes, before we see the wooden white house.

It was a refreshing change at the Farm House. From modern living to old cottage charm. From dry cold weather to humid cool climate. From dry bushland vegetation of Victoria to green forest and perpetually wet grass in tropical Queensland. The humidity there is so high, our washings were still damp after more than 2 days. Now we know why there was a dryer provided.





The house is old but prettily decorated, country style. The size of a 3-room HDB, it comes with a lounge, 2 bedrooms, a country kitchen and a dining area. There are still some modern appliances there, like a microwave, fridge and washing machine but we had to adjust to no TV (only DVDs) channels and no internet access. There's only 1 toilet and bath, all located together. So taking turns to do our business, wash up in the morning and bathing at night was a little tiresome and inconvenient.





At the huge verandah, there's a long dining table, ratten sofas and even a bar counter and stools, complete with a BBQ stove and 4 outdoor gas heaters. We used the BBQ stove for grilling chicken wings and sausages for 3 nights and Hubby and I brought our breakfast plates to the bar counter outside for a change in scenary. The view from the verandah is tranquil and green. No sign of neighbours or any civilisation, only grass, forest, lakes, birds, frogs, ducks and some very shy wallabies.




We saw from the photographs and some newspaper cuttings there, that the owners have physically moved this house to its current location and then restored it to its old glory. I can see they really enjoy the hugh space outdoors. There was a trampoline some distance away from the house, next to a flowing stream. But the trek there on our first day, trying to catch up with KK running ahead and carrying a XX who wouldn't walk on the damp grass, killed all my enthusiasm. I came back to the house breathless, with wet grass stuck on my jeans and wet socks. So much for my outdoor country living.