Kate Matsen and Jason Dumma transform their Cathu property into Hold It Flats camping
When teacher aide Kate Matsen bought her stunning mountain property, she had all intentions of living peacefully and undisturbed. What’s flourished instead is a popular shared piece of paradise.
Business
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A Mackay couple who moved an hour away from work to escape crowds have found themselves opening their home to thousands.
Teacher aide Kate Matsen and her partner Jason Dumma purchased the stunning Cathu property skirting the O’Connell River in 2006, with the intentions of living peacefully and undisturbed.
It is from there they run Hold It Flats Camping.
The couple had both grown up on cane farms around the Mackay region and relished a life outdoors.
“We just wanted to buy and run cattle, we both worked full time but wanted land and the lifestyle,” Ms Matsen said.
“We couldn’t live in town.”
But shortly after moving, the couple began talking to keen four-wheel driving friend and were soon caught up in the excitement.
A few conversations later and a 14-year-strong tradition was born, the Mackay Offroad Challenge, right in their backyard.
Ms Matsen said they began to maintain the property for camping and even built bathroom facilities and a large undercover barbecue area.
About four years ago, they decided to offset some of the costs and opened the area for camping through an online website YouCamp, before later transitioning to Hipcamp.
“We maintained our grounds, so we thought we may as well share it with other people,” Ms Matsen said.
And before they knew it, their little side hustle took off.
“I was working full time but then I had to cut it back to three days a week to keep up with all the bookings,” Ms Matsen said.
“In the cooler months we were getting about 200 people a weekend.
“It got so full on.”
Eventually Ms Matsen made the call to quit working at her school to pursue the business full time.
The business has gone from strength to strength, attracting a whole gambit of regional campers from Sarina to Nebo to Bowen, with some guests having already clocked up their 30th visit.
“About 80 to 90 per cent of people are coming from about 150km away,” Ms Matsen said.
Spots in the eight hectare camping area can be booked for about $20 a night, with some lining the beautiful O’Connell River and others skirting the famous four-wheel-drive track.
“The kids can ride their push bikes up and down the track too,” Ms Matsen said.
Despite the unexpected turn in her life, Ms Matsen said she was excited the new venture was taking off.
“Never imagined doing this, no intentions to ever do this, it all just happened,” she said.
“We bought this land to have it to ourselves, but at the same time we’re happy to share this piece of paradise.”
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