‘Open up your hearts’: Landowner offers bargain camping for those in need

The landowner of an abandoned township in Central Queensland is offering an unbelievable deal for a week of camping at his homestead amid the region’s worsening rental crisis. See why he is doing it.

A bale of hay or some carrots and apples is all that’s required to take up a week’s lodging at this Central Queensland homestead.

Families looking for a getaway or those needing longer-term accommodation amid Central Queensland‘s worsening rental crisis will struggle to find a better or more unique deal than what’s on offer at this abandoned township.

The Dooboon property, in the Boyne Valley, was once part of a bustling gold mining township before it was deserted in the early 20th century.

Kai Webber, 7, was treated with a new hat, boots, and a visit to the Dooboon property for his birthday where he formed a connection with the animals. Picture: Megan Webber

Today, it is the site of a 700-acre horse rescue property, one hour west of Gladstone, which hosts a dozen horses and is home to emus, cows, kangaroos, and a bull.

Visitors can kick up their feet among the animals or be more adventurous and take up horse riding and take dirt bikes.

Property owner, David Maynard could charge a decent amount for people to camp or temporarily live on his property, but instead he asks that payments are redirected to his rescue horses.

“If people want to come up for the week, all I ask is they bring a bale of hay, or maybe a bag of apples and carrots, if not then I just ask for $30 per week so that can go towards feeding the horses,” Mr Maynard said.

“I just think at the moment people are doing it really tough, and with so much going on and people divided I think it’s important for people to open up your hearts and help each other,” he said.

David Maynard (back left) has owned the 700-acre property for more than two years and has welcomed many visitors to the property and introduced him to his horses. Picture: David Maynard.

Mr Maynard is currently the caretaker for 12 horses at the Dooboon property, with many owners financially struggling to take care of their animals for various reasons throughout the pandemic.

“It’s heartbreaking when owners drop off their animals, but we stay in contact and I make sure they know their beautiful animals are healthy and free to roam,” he said.

“They’re clever, friendly and all have big personalities, one of them can even open the fridge.”

Some visitors say they’ve seldom seen animals so spoiled and cared for.

David Maynard says the rescue horses love greeting visitors and eagerly await their treats when they see a new vehicle arrive. Picture: David Maynard

Recent guest, Jemma Manwaring stayed at the property for a weekend and loved everything about the property and could tell David’s “heart was in the right place”.

“We could not believe the offer when we saw it pop up, nowadays it seems everyone’s out to get something but he’s (David) in it for the right reasons,” Mrs Manwaring said.

“We had a beautiful time with our young one, we were introduced to the property and all the animals upon arrival and were able to just soak it all in.”

Jemma Manwaring spent three days on the property with her young family soaking in the outdoors and says she loved not worrying about a crowded space or early check-out. Picture: Jemma Manwaring.

Another visitor, Megan Webber heard about Mr Maynard’s property after making inquiries online so her 7-year-old boy, Kai could spend time with the horses for his birthday.

“We went out to the property and Kai definitely bonded with the horses, he didn’t get to ride them the day of our visit but we’ll definitely be back soon,” Mrs Webber said.

“David was great at letting us know how to get there and his family made sure we were welcome and knew where everything was.”

Kai’s mother, Megan Webber said they will return to the property and hopefully he will get to ride one of the many horses he connected with. Picture: Megan Webber.

Mr Maynard runs the ‘Dooboon property horse rescue’ group on social media which has more than 2000 members and is a place for people to learn and keep in touch with the property.

Elderly couples, young families, and people struggling to cope through the pandemic are the most common visitors to Dooboon.

It comes as Queensland’s regional population soars following a pandemic inspired exodus from major cities.

All David requests is that people take care of the land, clean up after themselves and help keep the horses well fed.