Wild neighbours in winter

Winter at Riverdell is never as quiet as it first seems. In June, a bright flock moved across the lawn between the palms and tree ferns; a few weeks later, a tiny native hitchhiker turned up in the camper trailer and prompted the same reaction: stop, look carefully and give it room.

The property sits between paddock, creek and forest, so wildlife is part of everyday life rather than a scheduled attraction. We regularly see birds, wallabies, bandicoots and wombats, with each season bringing different visitors.

For guests, the best encounters usually come from keeping noise down, securing food, watching from a respectful distance and keeping dogs under control. The aim is to share the place without interrupting the lives already moving through it.