Bed and Breakfast Bundaberg Beginnings
Let me share with you how Branyan Retreat Bundaberg had its beginnings.
Take slabs of Australian hardwood timber, collectibles from around the world, a dash of Irish humour, good old Aussie know-how, and years of hard work, and you end up with the transformation of two dilapidated pioneer slab huts into a delightful Bed and Breakfast retreat. Set in peaceful rural surroundings with panoramic views across the Burnett River, Noel Devlin’s “Branyan Retreat” is only seven kilometres from the heart of Bundaberg in Queensland. The property slopes steeply from a high ridge down to the river where water-skiing and canoeing are enjoyed by locals and visitors.
In 1988 Noel purchased one third of Birra Barra Homestead property, including two of the original slab huts. The original property was named “Branyan” when land was opened for selection in 1871. The first dwelling built on the property was described as “One hut, hardwood slabs and shingles with outhouse attached. Value ten pounds.” The second hut, the station kitchen, was transported from the Goodnight Scrub area on the upper reaches of the Burnett River.
Over the years the large landholding was gradually sold off into smaller parcels. In 1973 the small section containing the slab huts was renamed “The Blue Anchor” and opened as a pioneer museum with furnishings and personal items dating back to the nineteenth century.
It was subsequently sold and re-named “Birra Barra Homestead”. Scenes from the movie “The Mango Tree” were shot on the grounds and local people were used as extras in the film.
After building their own home, Noel turned their attention to the two slab huts. Lovers of “all things old”, they saw the potential in the weathered timber that had survived the centuries. In their overseas travels they had often stayed at B&Bs, and appreciated getting to know the “true nature” of the country they were visiting. What better, they reasoned, than to give overseas visitors, and Australians, a taste of how our pioneers had lived.
Noel’s a mechanic by trade – the old-fashioned kind who made his own tools – so making the tools needed to modernise but keep the authentic touch when renovating the slab huts was no problem for him.” Noel bought trees standing on a local farm and with his sons’ help cut them down and hewed them. He also used recycled timber and scrounged demolition sites for “the right piece”. To get the heavy timber slabs into position, Noel needed a crane. So he bought an ex-Army Dodge truck for “about $200-$300”, and rebuilt it with a crane that lifts up to 25 feet. The benchtops in the kitchen were built from old railway sleepers; church pews and garage doors were re-fashioned into coffee tables and cupboards. Metal hinges and handles for doors were made by a local blacksmith. Noel is a hoarder, and the chandelier in one hut is an example of the many things they thought “might come in handy one day”. A timber candle holder, carved into the shape of the Hebrew sign for Yarweh, stands on the dresser.
In ‘Mulberry’ hut, an old milk can, attractively painted, holds colourful orchids, and more blooms peep from an oxen yoke hanging on the wall. In ‘Mango’ hut, slices of a mango tree trunk form the bedside tables, and a door has become the bedhead. A ceiling lamp hangs from a re-turned table leg. Sunlight streaming through a leadlight window enhances the rich warmth of timber walls, floor and ceiling.
Comfort and convenience haven’t been forgotten. The huts are fully self- contained and air-conditioned to combat Queensland’s summer heat. Squatters chairs on the verandah of ‘Mulberry’ Hut allow visitors to relax and enjoy the beautiful gardens and talk to Barney the cockatoo. Barney’s contribution to the renovations was to waddle behind Noel and peel out the sealer between the floorboards as Noel was placing it in. Noel’s soft brogue betrays his Northern Ireland roots. So it’s no surprise to see the blades in the windmill painted alternate orange and green.
But there’s no feuding at Branyan Retreat, and Noel likes to think they’ve kept a small part of Australia’s heritage alive for future generations to enjoy.
Noel and Glennis Devlin (Branyan Retreat Bundaberg)
