September 14, 2007

Pacific | Australia | Queensland

Queensland Wonderland

By Christie Pashby

How to buy a piece of UNESCO World Heritage.

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While a historic drought plagues much of Australia, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park is basking in rainfall just in time for the opening of its private villas, Mountain Bowers. For three generations, O’Reilly’s name has been synonymous with Australian eco-luxe. Now, their new $28-million project is your chance to rent — or even buy — a piece of a UNESCO World Heritage site in the remote southeast corner of Queensland. The latest addition to the family’s vast outpost, the villas are a two-hour drive from Brisbane along a notoriously winding road. But once there, you’ll have a choice of rainforest or mountain view from your villa, plus access to the spa and the O’Reilly’s legendary eco-tours — including early morning bird watching with Tim O’Reilly (heads up for the Noisy Pittas and Paradise Riflebirds). This being Australia, Lamington is considered high altitude rainforest with one of the nation’s most moist micro-climates — despite the dry winter having left waterfalls barely trickling. But with last month’s heavy rains, September is as it should be — springtime Down Under, and an optimal time for orchid spotting.