New Eungella farm tourism application for 279 Diggins Rd

A cattle farmer wants permission to transform his property into a place for families to learn about animals and enjoy the best of local produce. There’s even a chance to spot a resident platypus.

An aerial view of the proposed Eungella farm tourism offering. Picture: Contributed

A striking new vision for farm tourism in Eungella could soon draw more families to the Pioneer Valley.

Matthew Flohr has lodged a development application with the council to introduce a petting zoo, food and coffee trailer and family-friendly activities to a 76-hectare cattle farm located between Eungella Dam and Eungella National Park.

The 8 sqm trailer would offer up seasonal produce sourced from Eungella and the Mackay region for breakfast and lunch featuring Eungelladale milk, local fruit and eggs, Cannonbee honey and Hillbilly farm fresh produce.

An aerial view of the proposed Eungella farm tourism site. The white star denotes the location of the food and coffee trailer. Picture: Contributed

From Mackay, the trailer will source produce from Hillbilly bakehouse, Blue River micro greens, Strand gourmet meats and Bushman’s bread, among others.

“The food van will be located in the farm paddocks filled with an array of different farm animals (petting zoo) for families to watch while they eat and wait,” the application states.

“The experience will also include information about the farm and farming practices – explaining how they have a fenced off wildlife corridor through the farm giving wildlife safe passage between national park and state forest as well as stories of the trials and triumphs to regenerative farming practices and the impact that land management has on the ecosystems of the waterways and oceans.”

Other proposed activities include self-guided farm tours with chickens, goats, pigs, sheep and platypus that are found in the farm dam.

The site of the proposed Eungella farm tourism offering and food and drink outlet. Picture: Contributed

“Animal feeding and kids' farmer-for-a-day activities will also be on offer, specifically over the school holidays,” the application states.

An infinity swing, designed to give visitors the feeling of being lifted into the sky is also planned.

“The swing will be in a position that on a clear day it will feel like a person swings into the valley and on a tropical cloudy Eungella day it would feel like they are floating on clouds,” the application states.

The owner hopes tourists from Eungella National Park will flow into the property.

The location of the site in relation to the broader region. Picture: Contributed

“Potential customers are people who take one of the Eungella scenic tourist drives through the national park before arriving at the subject farm which is strategically located near the Diggings swimming holes and camping grounds between Eungella Dam, Eungella Township and the Broken River tourist area,” the application states.

“The proposal would open seasonally, not during the local wet weather events as to preserve the road conditions.”

The proposed food and coffee trailer. Picture: Contributed

The farm is accessible from an existing 6m rural access and existing driveway off Diggings Road.

Parking for about 10 cars would be provided near the food van.

Consultant firm Jewell Planning Consultants lodged the application with the council on behalf of the owner on September 13.