Information

FIRST NATIONS PEOPLE - A little bit about what is known

Bellthorpe Stays is located in the heart of Dala country, part of the Jinibara Nation, which is in the same language group as the Gabi Gabi language area. Bellthorpe Stays recognises the First Nation people who shaped the landscape and were the original custodians in this part of the world. "Dala" translates to epiphytes, such as Staghorns, Elkhorns and Birdnest Ferns which adorn the rainforest country here at Bellthorpe and the surrounding area. "Jinibara" translates to the "Place of the climbing vines" - known as Wait-a-While or Lawyer Vine which was once common across much of the Blackall and Conondale Ranges. 

Bon-ye (Bunya) Pines were also once common across the district in the rich red volcanic soils such as parts of Bellthorpe and around Maleny (originally known as Bunya Mountains by earliest white settlers). This included Baroon Pocket, where the dam is now located, which was once a place of festivals where First Nations gathered every few years when the Bunya Pines were heavily in fruit. One of the pathways used to get to the Bunya festival crossed through Bellthorpe roughly where Bellthorpe Range Road comes up the mountain and the names of the ancient camps enroute have been recorded. This route travels through part of Bellthorpe National Park, most of which is now Native Title to the Jinibara people. 

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (aka Queensland National Parks) knowledge of Aboriginal cultural heritage places, material heritage and stories is limited to anecdotal information. Important features may include Stony Creek, scar trees on Goodla Road, and foothold trees (Bunya pine). Beacon Road goes past the high point of Mount Mary Smokes, which is reported to be one of the fire signal locations during the time of the Bunya festivals to alert southern folk of the bountiful harvest at the original "Bon-ye" Mountains.

RECENT HISTORY - a snapshot of the last 100 or so years

Bellthorpe was first surveyed for European settlement in 1906, making it one of the last places in South East Queensland to be opened up for farming. Early settlers were the loggers, chasing prized species such as Red Cedar, White Beech, Bunya and Hoop Pine in the rainforest areas with Turpentine, Tallowood and other hardwoods sort after in the harder country. The rich red volcanic soil in parts of Bellthorpe lead to successful dairying complete with prize winning cheeses. Dairying proved unsuccessful in the harder country and long term timber production became a mainstay industry in those areas, including the Bellthorpe State Forest (later becoming a National Park), with the biggest hardwood sawmill in the southern hemisphere operating in West Bellthorpe for many decades in the mid-20th century. Improved roads (still windy though) and power in 1956 meant Bellthorpe could join the modern world with two primary schools in its hey-day supporting the large number of families that made Bellthorpe their home. However, the gradual decline in the dairy industry and timber reserves meant farming was not always profitable and lead to a shrinking population. By the late 1980's many of the large blocks were being cut up into hobby-farm size of 40 acres and the population grew again; trees regained old territory and by the early 2000's the place had been reshaped largely into a lifestyle location, albeit up to half an hour away from the nearest service center and shops at Maleny or Woodford. The Bellthorpe Community Hall, built in 1932, is the center piece of the area boosting one street light on a usually very quiet intersection, except when there are the regular community activities when the place comes alive.

David and Wendy Clark purchased their piece of Bellthorpe in 2002 with 120 acres at the end of Willett Rd. This was partly with the idea of running nature based accommodation which they initially dabbled with until making the step to open up to the public in 2004, and Bellthorpe Stays was born! In 2013, the opportunity came up to purchase the 300 acres on the western boundary, giving a total of over 400 beautiful acres. Bellthorpe Stays now has numerous walking tracks, rainforest, a great variety of birds and wildlife and three waterfalls all on the property, together with a two kilometre boundary with Bellthorpe National Park.

VEGETATION REGENERATION - Returning the country back to nature: 
The property at Bellthorpe Stays is a very different place compared to 20 or more years ago. During the twentieth century, it was all about opening up the country and development, with a huge amount of blood, sweat and quite a few tears. For a short time this worked. But the landscape wasn't designed for this resulting in erosion, landslip, mass weed invasion and declining productivity. Things had to change and starting in 2002, things did. Under a change in ownership, thousands of trees have been planted but more importantly, natural regeneration processes have been encouraged with a focus on controlling weeds to allow local genetics to fill the void and expand the natural bushland. Grazing productivity was enhanced though contempory management techniques. Riparian, steep and other sensitive areas have been encouraged to come back to natural settings. The changes have been remarkable and after a relatively short period of time, native animals inhabit what was previously open pasture: echindnas churn the soil, melomys hunt nightly, Regent Bowerbirds feed on native raspberries, Riflebirds call for company and the koalas are moving in! 

Most of Bellthorpe Stays is literally for the birds. Over three quarters of Bellthorpe Stays is native vegetation: palm groves, rainforest, riparian and wet and dry scleropyll eucalypt forest. Small parts of this had previously been disturbed as abandoned grazing areas and a long term program is bringing these damaged areas back to top level habitat, usually through natural regen. Historic logging was done on a selective basis with many of the massive old gums remaining as they had no commercial value. Many of these trees are well over 400 years old and contain numerous hollows. No wonder Bellthorpe Stays is a haven for wildlife!

Suitable habitat areas are program burned, such as the fire dependent vegetation in the nort-west section of the property, according to recognised guidelines (Queensland Fire and Biodiversity Consortium). At appropriate times, Hazard Reduction Burns (HRB) are conducted to reduce the risk of wildfire, thus protecting risk to rainforest habitat in extreme dry times. In the extreme dry period of 2019, wildfire swept in from the north but was stopped by a recent HRB - a great success! Other natural barriers such as wet gullies, assist with control of potential wildfire.

ECO OPS - Ecological and sustainable operations​:

Bellthorpe Stays is located in a pristine part of the world with native forest covering most of the property and sharing a two kilometre boundary with Bellthorpe National Park. Bellthorpe Stays takes its role in the environment seriously and have undertaken steps to reduce environmental impact and ensure that we contribute to the sustainability of the planet. We love having folk come here to enjoy nature and expand their understanding of what is here. Here are a few of the things that we have been doing

Revegetation programs to return disturbed areas back to natural habitat (see above);
Programs for the grazing component of the property to reduce carbon footprint, including cell grazing;
With a large proportion of native vegetation on the property, we estimate we are carbon positive; 
Solar power assists mains power and feeds into the grid in surplus times; 
Lighting predominantly uses low power fittings (e.g. LED); 
Sensor lights are used in appropriate places; 
Recycling is utilised and encouraged; 
Biodegradable scrap bags;
Eco-friendly cleaning products are used; 
Local service providers and staff are encouraged; 
Rare, threatened and endangered species (plants and animals) are found on the property. A number of these are highlighted in the Old Dairy Shed information. Tracks to features on the property are provided to minimise disturbance. Visitors need to be mindful of any item they purchase to ensure safe sources.
Education programs to organised groups that visit the property;
Regular forays by nature based organisations such as the Qld Mycological Society;
A compendium of fungi that are found on the property (so far around 400);
A well-resourced information centre with reference materials for guest to use;
Nature notes and booklets to assist with identification;
Personal interaction with guests and visitors to help them get nature connected.

BELLTHORPE STAYS: Revegetation

BELLTHORPE STAYS: Riparian Protection

BELLTHORPE STAYS: Education

BELLTHORPE STAYS: Nature Connected

BELLTHORPE STAYS: Natural Regen

BELLTHORPE STAYS: Tiny Creatures