From fixer upper to eco chic

AFTER buying an old dairy farm and regenerating it, Bangalow couple Cath and Mike Tomkins have thrown open the gates to the property as a luxury retreat.

Located on the outskirts of town, Amaroo Bangalow has four stand-alone studios and a shared central pavilion, a kitchen, dining spaces, decks and an emerald pool.

The boutique accommodation offering can fit up to eight adults and six children and has so far been popular with couples, groups of friends and multi-generational families.

Originally from Queensland, the Tomkins bought the 86-hectare property in 2016 because they were looking for a lifestyle change.

“It was really overgrown,” Mike said. “It was previously owned by a local dairy farmer who had run dairy cattle on it for years. It was sold in 2000 and left for 16 years, so we wanted to restore it to its former glory.”

The couple has since worked with the Australian Koala Foundation to plant more than 10,000 trees to help establish a koala corridor.

They have also planted over 45,000 rainforest trees to regenerate the land and installed birdbaths and bee hives to promote biodiversity and pollination.

“We have 120 solar panels that power the property and we have our own water and filtration systems,” Mike said. “We grow our own veggies, chickens and beef. We use our biproducts to make organic fertiliser that feeds our gardens.

“We really didn’t realise the potential for the property as a luxury stay until we started getting feedback from our friends and family.

“Once we realised how unique and amazing the space was, we wanted to open it up for everyone to experience this stunning property, to connect with the land and each other in this pristine part of the world.”