6 sites · RVs, Tents113 acres · Widgee, QLDThe Cooke Family welcomes you to “Hopevale”. A beautiful 113 acre property bordered by Wrattens National Park at the edge of the world in the peaceful Widgee district of greater Gympie. Jason, a landscaper by trade, and Jacinta a teacher by profession, met many years ago at a national Christian youth conference. Four beautiful children later and many years down the track, they bought Hopevale as a blank cattle fattening property in 2018. After much hard work, they have made it what it is today, with plans to continually improve.
We have different camp options available, one of which is set up for those guests also wanting to stay with horses or just have a larger group booking.
Guests will have access to a toilet and shower throughout their stay which is within walking distance from each of the campsites. Campfires and pets are welcome.
The property has only had 4 farming owners in its 110 odd years since it was first surveyed and selected in 1915. The Hillcoats, Bishops, Cotters, and now the Cooke’s. The families over the years have used the property for timber getting, dairy, beef and small cropping.
The property is geologically rich with volcanic soils, sandstone escarpments full of caves and overhangs. The mighty Wrattens Falls sits to the back of the property in the National Park and is a sight to behold in full flow. It feeds the head waters of the western branch of Widgee Creek which meanders through the property.
The subtropical dry rainforest clad mountains are dominated by the majestic
Bunya and Hoop pines and are a testament to what once was covering the entire property before being cleared for farming. Remnant riparian creek lines are botanically rich and diverse holding Red and White Cedar, Teak, Silky oak and many other coveted timber trees harvested back in the day.
There are many species of animals and birds that call Hopevale home. From water dragons, frogs and fish in the creeks, monitors, wallabies, deer, koalas, possums and phascogales in the eucalypts. Red-back wrens, pardalotes, rainbow bee-eaters, finches and quail call the open grasses home while whip birds give their iconic call in the forest. Above, birds of prey ride the thermals of the valley looking for their next meal.
“We have been blessed beyond measure with a small slice of God’s wonderful creation that we would love to share with you.”
