Sustainability

Native bees

We have found native bees are the best pollinator for our macadamia trees on our farm. These small bees are the perfect insect to crawl inside the hundreds of tiny flowers on each stalk-like raceme produced by a blossoming macadamia tree.

Some great sites for information on bees

• Kin Kin Native Bees
• Valley Bees

Owl nesting boxes & perches

We have 12 owl nesting boxes located throughout the farm. Encouraging natural predators to control rodent population is a natural form of pest control. Rats are most active at night, this is when they expose themselves to the owls when they seek out water. Placing a nest box for owls on a property can help control rodent populations (one family of hungry owls can consume 5 to 6 rats per night during nesting season) while maintaining the naturally balanced food chain.

Before the advent of modern agricultural methods and the overuse of pesticides, owls were the farmer’s best friend when it came to rodent control. The perches are set along the boundary to give owls a clear view of the inter rows and ease of catching their prey.

Microbats

Glenn is passionate about microbats. He is continually improving his microbat habitat boxes, and we love it when we find these little bats taking residence in one. These little guys are voracious insect eaters and consume 1000’s of mosquitoes and other pests every night. Who wouldn’t want some of these in their backyard?

Muscovies

The ducks are commonly known as a farmer’s friend. We have Muscovies at the billabong, not only because they are pretty, but it is near our compost pile, and the ducks keep the flies and pests under control.

Composting

We source local waste material, arborist mulch and organic matter to create compost. There are many benefits of using compost to improve the soil. It helps correct imbalances in the soil and helps grow a healthy crop without herbicides and pesticides.

We have in ground worm farms at many of the campsites.  Made from recycled buckets, stocked with red tiger worms, composting couldn’t be easier!

Revegetation

We work hard to maintain our headlands and keep them weed free.

Slowly we are revegetating areas which were once farmed, planting native species, either to attract the birds or for habitat trees. The benefits show throughout our farm from the native bees thriving, to the many and varied birdlife to the increased health of our trees from the beneficial insects and bugs breeding on the native vegetation.

Recycling

Our motto is “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”.

Please use the correct bin for your waste, and ask about food scraps, which can be composted and which can be fed to the chickens.

We have drinking water available, so refill your containers rather than bringing shop bought water in plastic. We have a bin for the 10 cent containers for change, and the funds from that go toward nesting boxes.