We really enjoyed our peaceful 8-night stay at the Dingo Den.
We’re relatively new to naturism and had the place mostly to ourselves.
We were welcomed by an intense thunderstorm. The next morning, we woke with the birdcalls, watching the sunrise as the wallabies and kangaroos left the paddocks to shelter in the bush, and feeling the warm rays on our skin as we breakfasted on the verandah. The birds were numerous and diverse – pack your bird guide and binoculars.
Sun-bathing and sun-worship took on new meanings for us. Some windy days were cold enough for clothes. On hot days we kept our shirts and hats on to protect our skin on walks around the property which includes beautiful bushland, sometimes enjoying an outdoor shower in the sun afterwards. We watched the bearded dragons warm up in the sun too, climbing up the posts in the vineyard and, in the evenings, we watched the moon rise and star-bathed beneath the stunning night skies.
The Dingo Den facilities were excellent – a comfy bed, a large fridge, a sink, plenty of cutlery and crockery, a toaster and jug, the verandah, an outdoor toilet and shower, soft towels, with a shared kitchen a stroll away. Maalaabidi was also a perfect base to visit Warrumbungle and Timmallallie National Parks and the other natural and cultural attractions of the Piliga Forest.
Graham was a great host and so much more than that. He’s a story-teller, a didgeridoo and electric fiddle player, an ultralight pilot, a farmer, a barista, and an Aboriginal cultural ambassador. His family history, his culture, his work, and his whole life are grounded in this place which was a privilege for us to share and a great lived example of the connection to place that we all need to learn from. Thank you Graham (and Janice). We look forward to our next visit.