Conservation at Spicers Hidden Vale

Just 1-hour drive from the Gold Coast or Brisbane and you arrive in the World Heritage-listed Scenic Rim. Home to lush rainforests, spectacular mountain ranges and ancient landforms, this region is so spectacular, that Lonely Planet recently ranked it in its Top 10 Regions of the World list for 2022.

The Scenic Rim’s stretch of dramatic mountain ranges dates back millions of years and is part of a region known as the Green Cauldron. Once a volcanic hotspot, over time the region has grown into a lush landscape. This early volcanic activity reveals itself in the region’s rich flora and fauna, making the Scenic Rim region a treasure trove of unique plants, animals and distinctive vegetation types.

Here you will find Spicers Hidden Vale, a luxury lodge that sits on a massive 12,000 acres property. Guests stay in rustic heritage cottages decked out with everything you could need. Some cottages even have an outdoor bathtub so you can soak and watch kangaroos hop by. Don’t have an outdoor bath? Don’t worry, as there is a pool with a heated spa that is also a great viewing spot for wildlife.

Some of Australia’s most iconic species, like kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, platypus, echidna, kookaburra, lyrebird, wedge-tailed eagle, cockatoos and goannas have been spotted around the property and some right outside the cottages.

Wildlife conservation

It is also home to the Hidden Vale Wildlife Centre, a partnership between the University of Queensland and The Turner Family Foundation. The centre gives an insight into the wildlife conservation efforts and studies of the region’s wildlife.

The research undertaken at Hidden Vale aims to improve habitat quality, native wildlife biodiversity, reproduction and survival, and restore local ecosystems in the region. Researchers help achieve these aims through restoration and rewilding strategies, predator management approaches, and using our resources and facilities to investigate ecosystem and habitat conditions.

Spicers Hidden Vale – Scenic Rim. Photo Credit – Kate Webster

The Research Station’s wide-ranging and modern facilities support research, teaching and engagement activities, and serve as a base for conservation activities. There is an onsite veterinary clinic, education spaces and laboratories, and a wildlife centre for rare and threatened native wildlife species.

Guests staying at Spicers Hidden Vale can take the Koala Experience where you go behind the scenes at the Wildlife Centre and learn about the plight of koalas through the conservation outreach program, before heading ‘out bush’ to see what makes a koala successful in the wild. Tracking the koalas is done on the property and is vital in the collection of data for the Wildlife Centre.

Mountain Biking

Spicers Hidden Vale – Scenic Rim. Photo Credit – Kate Webster

Also located at Spicers Hidden Vale is the Hidden Vale Adventure Park (HVAP), with some 12,000 acres to explore over an amazing variety of terrain. The multi-use property has over 110 kilometres of World Class trail network of mountain biking, running and hiking tracks catering for all ages and abilities. Day visitors can pick up a 1 Day Trail Pass (starting from $10.00AUD) which allows access to the Trail Network during the hours of 7am – 3pm for the day selected. However, with so many trails on offer, you will be wanting to come back time and time again with a 6 Month Trail Pass (starting from $99.00AUD) allowing 182 Days of adventure.

For more visit spicersretreats.com/retreats/spicers-hidden-vale

Kate Webster is a world traveller, ocean lover and conservation warrior who is determined to make every moment count for not only herself but the world around her. This has inspired Kate to translate those moments and share them through her storytelling. A dedicated David Attenborough and Jane Goodall fan, Kate has delved into the world of wildlife and conservation travel to bring awareness.

kate@capturedtravel.com