REVIEW: The Golden Park Retreat Goovigen - by David McLintock

Hidden Gem discovered at Goovigen

There's many reasons why Goovigen is on the list of “must see places to visit” for so many grey nomads and tourists alike, and why it is ticking all the boxes on their wish list.

But it's not just the wonderfully low cost camping facilities, quiet surroundings and the nostalgic old buildings from a past long since left behind in this fast modern world we live in today that is drawing them to this sleepy little western town.

There are also hidden gems to be found and one of these gems is an amazing walk-through garden retreat which will leave you awe-struck with its beauty and what it has to offer.

The Golden Park Retreat truly is the hidden jewel and owned and operated by Rob Kummerfeld and Maree Tucker.

Rob Kummerfeld and Maree Tucker

Rob said that originally they started their garden park concept for their own enjoyment and built an island in 2011 with his own dozer. Their plan was to build their own home beside it to be able to look out over the water. But by 2012 they had already been bit by the bug and just kept on going, building new features and new buildings and sheds.

It was in 2013 when the district was hit with a flood that the Banana Shire Council first asked Rob and Maree if they would host a barbeque as a pick-up for the locals which saw over a hundred people arrive and enjoy their creation.

“It was following this night that the locals asked us if we would open it up to the public to help give the community a boost,” Rob said. “The Council was right behind us also and we started off with Billy Tea and Damper evenings which are still very much sought after today.”

“The Council followed up by asking us if we would conduct regular opening hours and be part of their marketing drive for tourism in the district,” he said. “I've been here most of my life and it's been really good to be able to help the town this way.”

I made my way to the entrance of the Golden Park Retreat, and found it at the end of the appropriately named Peaceful Lane. It is obvious just how much work and love has gone into the park, from the moment I drove in.

Golden Park Retreat entrance

The walkways take you throughout the three acres of the native trees and shrubs, over bridges and archways and ultimately to all the wonderful sites on offer. There is the Japanese garden area with it's very romantic seating enclosure which overlooks a pond adorned with flowering water lilies.

They have a wedding area which has been specially designed for country style weddings. As a photographer myself I instantly saw the endless possibilities for wedding photos all around me. In particular, all the old and antique cars, trucks and machinery with their appeal from the past, glowing in the sunlight, just waiting to assist a bride and groom with capturing their special day.

There are old buggies, tractors, cranes and trucks, too many to name them all but each on their own worthy of a trip to see, let alone this wonderful collection all together, in one place, for all to enjoy.

I was amazed at how many collections are to be found here. Rob and Maree even have a collection of old chainsaw and hand brace and bits and drills.

                           Many of their antique vehicles still actually run and operate.

“The land here was flat farmland, but I've contoured it with all my own machinery. The dam and moat around the island I built using my own TD6 dozer, which I rebuilt myself,” Rob said proudly. “I rebuilt the little International which has a diesel pump on one side of the block and a distributor and spark plugs for the petrol and kerosene on the other, and hitched it to the Tumbling Tommy to do all the earth work.”

Even in the middle of a drought this location is so picturesque 

“This dozer is one of the many antique machines on show here at the park,” Rob highlighted.

The Golden Park Retreat even has it's own museum. You could easily spend the better part of a day going over everything that Rob and Maree have in this building. There are antiques galore hidden away here, from washing machines, cream cans, wood stoves, lathes, motors and kitchenware.

“We are building a new and larger museum building soon and all the antiques will be moved into this to be once again proudly on display only with a larger viewing area to walk amongst them”, Rob said.

As I leave the museum I am surrounded with farming machinery from the past. There are dozens of old steel wheeled ploughs, offsets and planters. This place is a paradise for anyone who wants to gaze though a time window into our past and see how our forefathers worked the land.

Maree and Rob overlooking the Japanese Garden area

From the magic of the museum and antique farm equipment I walk across to the island completely surrounded by a moat full of water. The island is reached by walking over an archway bridge and has a gas barbeque and an undercover area with seating and tables as well as it's own fresh water rain tank.

I lost count of the number of park benches I passed whilst walking along the paths, which shows just how much thought has been put into the layout of this retreat.

“We have regular visits from retirement and nursing homes throughout the districts including Moura, Monto, Baralaba, Biloela and even Rockhampton,” Maree said. “All our walkways are weather, wheelchair and walker friendly with bench seating spaced around the park should anyone choose to sit for a spell and take it all in.”

I can say that one of my boxes to be ticked to qualify for the perfect venue requires well designed and well cleaned toilets. The Golden Park Retreat's “rest rooms” are spacious and clean and are set up for wheelchair access as well. These rooms are immaculate so this box has definitely been ticked.

Another dream spot for photographs

As I look around the park I can see why this place is no longer a well kept secret and has become so popular for not only the travelling tourists and locals alike but also for those special functions that require just the right venue.

Simply put, it is the dream location for couples to make their vows and celebrate their wedding with family and friends.

“To date we have had 7 weddings here in the retreat,” Rob announces. “ We are very proud of our wedding area.”

It was attending a friends 70^th birthday party here last week that I discovered “the magic of the park” and how I know first hand that it is an all weather venue. Before arriving to the party, a huge downpour of rain blessed the event which still went ahead as normal as if there hadn't been any rain at all.

The Putt Putt is very popular with the kids

It is also kid friendly. My three year old loved playing in the playground whilst mum and dad were mingling with the adults.

There is even a Putt Putt golf course for the kids.

And for those not so keen to venture onto the paths and be “at one with nature” there is an undercover pool table and TV area not far from the massive dining area which is large enough to cater for most functions.

“We have lots of work Christmas Parties every year and they are always a big hit,” Rob said. “Our biggest attraction would still have to be our Camp Oven Roasts and Dampers with Billy Tea. We have interstate travellers returning every year to not only enjoy the food but to take in the serenity of the park while doing so. With our camp oven roasts we use all our own home grown vegetables from our very own vegetable gardens here in the park.”

As I walk back to the main dining area I notice an old timber phone box beside the walking path and enquire as to whether it is the original red phone box from outside the Goovigen post office from many years ago. I am happy to say that it is, having been donated by Don and Kerry Nissen and was renovated by one of the parks faithful volunteers.

Camp Oven Roasts and Dampers with Billy Tea is still number 1 on the menu

"We couldn't do what we do here if it wasn't for our wonderful volunteers," Rob said.  "They always try and make themselves available to help with our big functions and without them we wouldn't be able to provide this service or be able to keep the park maintained as we do."

Goovigen's Golden Park Retreat most definitely ticks all the boxes for anyone who would like to have a function with a difference or even just an afternoon to relax and enjoy not only the renown camp oven roast dinners but to take in everything that this wonderful place has to offer.

 It's a big thumbs up from me and a big congratulations to Rob and Maree on their “not so hidden anymore” golden gem.