O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat: Big family and big business
Our final visit brought us to a renowned guesthouse known as O'Reilly's. It is a famous resort recognized by many innkeepers across New South Wales and Queensland, perched high in the rainforest at an altitude of about 1,000 meters near Brisbane.
It took us two days of driving to get there, traveling 1,300 kilometers north from Young and Wagga Wagga. Finally, a winding road led us deep into the lush tropical virgin forest of Lamington National Park. Arriving in the rain and an hour late, we felt as though we had reached the end of the earth. The tunnels carved by the road through the thick jungle were truly impressive. At last, lights, a parking lot, and signs appeared—civilization once more.
The O'Reillys are a prestigious family in the region. They arrived in the 1920s as daring adventurers and, through sheer diligence and hard work, became pioneers of personalized hospitality in Australia. The family's history is rich and legendary—including the famous Stinson plane crash in the 1930s, when a biplane went down in the middle of the rainforest, and Mrs. O'Reilly played a crucial role in the rescue.
Naturally, much has changed since those early days. The guesthouse is significantly more comfortable now, and the rugged sense of adventure has softened. However, Shane, the current owner, still welcomed us with genuine simplicity and great warmth. Our spacious, comfortable room offered a stunning view of Mount Lines, occasionally interrupted by a helicopter landing on the nearby helipad. Activities run continuously here, and everything is highly organized. The staff is numerous and exceptionally professional—perhaps a bit too corporate for my personal taste.
The O'Reilly family members each hold key responsibilities. Michael, a gentle man in his sixties, acts as a bird-watching guide. He knows the local avian life like the back of his hand and can talk about them passionately for hours. He is a deeply sensitive and kind person, always eager to share his knowledge.
In the afternoon, we joined a 7-kilometer hike through Lamington National Park with Murray, our guide, alongside a few other guests. We quickly befriended an American couple, Gordon and Murry from San Francisco. Gordon's stories about Yosemite Park and his Harley Davidson almost made me want to head East instead of West. He is incredibly passionate about motorcycles and the big "trucks" he drives regularly, complete with a biker's beard and a classic Harley T-shirt.
A stunning grand piano from 1896 sits quietly in the living room, but sadly, no one plays it. Discreetly closing the doors behind me, I couldn't resist letting my fingers glide across its keys. I would have loved to see it taking center stage in the large dining room. Strangely, fewer people play the piano these days, and it often just becomes a decorative piece of furniture, slowly going out of tune over time.
When the bell rang for afternoon tea, serving warm muffins, it didn't attract a large crowd; there were only four of us. Nevertheless, it was a pleasant, privileged moment. Stripped of the formality of a full meal, it offered a peaceful break where grand discussions gave way to the lively sounds of the kitchen staff hard at work. It was the perfect time to write and enjoy brief but meaningful chats with the friendly, dedicated staff.
A key figure in this bustling operation is Rob, the head chef, with whom I had an appointment to take some photos in his massive kitchen. He is supported by a talented sous-chef, a pastry chef who prepared a truly delicious coffee cake for our tea time, and the always-smiling "little hands" like Trudy and Michelle, with whom I slowly struck up a great friendship. They are petite, energetic, and always cheerful.
Trudy shared stories of her time working at the Orpheus Island Bed and Breakfast Resort, located between Cairns and Townsville. She deeply misses that coastal paradise with its vibrant coral reefs and colorful fish. She mentioned it was up for sale—though likely far too expensive for her dream of owning her own B&B. Michelle, on the other hand, traces her Scandinavian roots back ten generations since her ancestors first landed in Australia.
Shane O'Reilly has had the distinct honor of hosting many prominent figures, including the Prime Minister of Singapore. He also owns sprawling vineyards and a chic restaurant down in the Canungra Valley. There, the famous Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are carefully preserved in a cellar maintained at a perfect 17 degrees. Elizabeth warmly welcomed us to this little slice of paradise that Australians somehow manage to cultivate in the absolute middle of nowhere. Although the vines were planted barely four years ago, beautiful clusters of grapes are already thriving. The wine produced here is excellent, matured with great care and passion.
O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat, Shane, Michael, and Tim O'Reilly, Canungra, QLD, Australia -
Map
Copyright©etoile.fr