About us

Hello to all the loyal followers of @caverockcottages … we are the new kids on the block here at Christmas Creek… It’s been a busy few weeks adventuring and exploring our new surrounds while making friends with the locals 🦘 🦜 🐨 Kathie and Jim have built such a special place here that we will treasure and care for. We will continue on with their legacy and motto: ENJOY ~ RELAX ~EXPLORE We look forward to sharing @caverockcottages with you all again soon…

All good things must come to an end and over a cuppa of tea one morning Jim and I decided that the time had come to sell Cave Rock Cottages. Amazingly enough some people came to look at it on my birthday in July and even before it had gone on the market officially, they saw what a special place it is too! We will leave at the end of August. We have had almost 6 wonderful years here and we have thoroughly enjoyed sharing it with family, friends and guests. Sky is really going to miss the space, the walks and all the extra walks she has taken as she has tagged along with guests. We are not quite sure what lies ahead for us but we are looking forward to our next chapter. We wish the new owners well as they start their own adventures here. 💛Kathie and Jim💚

The Wattles are all blooming at present and look so colourful and beautiful. Spring mustn’t be too far away! 🤞 #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek

It was meant to be a warm 23° at Lamington today but the clouds are low over the hills, a cool 18° and it has just started to sprinkle with rain! Looking east up the valley towards Lamington National Park with Buchanan’s Fort in the top left corner! Photo courtesy of Blinsaff #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek

We visited Oaky Creek Farm & Harvest Cafe for lunch on the way home from the Rathdowney tip last Saturday. We really enjoyed our meals and it sits up high on a hill with lovely country and mountain views. You can eat outside or inside and there is a playground for the kids too. Well worth a visit! #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek

Jim and I and Brad Beaverson and Mark (from Wongari Christmas Creek Eco Retreat) thoroughly enjoyed Angel Strings playing an afternoon concert at The Old Laravale School on Christmas Creek Road on Saturday. A really lovely collection of jazz songs and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons was played beautifully. We drank great wine from Bunjurgen Estate Vineyard and ate from a fantastic grazing box from That Platter Company in Tamborine. Thank you to Wendy for organising such a special afternoon!

The sun is coming up over Buchanan’s Fort and we have blue skies again. A glorious dewy morning to start the day. #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek

We have this very stunning female Satin Bowerbird that has been visiting us from time to time. We think her mate lives over the road at a neighbour’s place. PS. That’s not a real frog!

BIG frost out here this morning. Ice on our windscreen, ice on the lawn, the most widespread frost we have seen in our 5 1/2 years out here!

It’s been lovely seeing the sun of late but right now it is 7° outside at 6pm so maybe there could be a frost one morning soon!

Some guests last weekend took a walk up to Cave Rock and discovered this beautiful Brown Tree Snake curled up in there! They are generally considered harmless to people (weakly venomous) Thank you Ruth-Ellen and Ben for sending us the pic!

On our way back home to Lamington this afternoon the skies were amazing. To our right we had a cloud burst over Kooralbyn with the sun shining through the clouds, and on our left a double rainbow with gorgeous colours. Spectacular sights!

Once upon a time we used to get excited about a flood but now 🤨…😩…😏…🙄…😡 ‘cos we’ve had them on ➡️27th November 2021, ➡️5th January 2022 ➡️24th February 2022 ➡️30 March 2022 and now ➡️13th May 2022

Our Westray Cottage has recently had an addition of a deck. The perfect spot to enjoy breakfast in the sun on a winter’s morning and the ideal location to have afternoon drinks on a summer’s day. Jim built it with the help of Craig Kerry back in mid March. Westray Cottage has two bedrooms, two toilets , two decks and plenty of room for families visiting Cave Rock. (Tap on each picture to see them in full) #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek

A frequent visitor at Cave Rock is the galah. These photos were taken by Blinsaff on a recent stay. They can also be known as the Pink and Grey Cockatoo or Rose-breasted cockatoo. They can live up to 40 years and a male and female will mate for life. A very social and affectionate bird they seem to like the rain and can be often seen dangling from the power lines to have a clean!

We have just had a lovely visit with Ian Campbell and Teresa Wagstaff staying for a couple of nights here. Ian, now 90, and his dad Hugh Campbell owned most of the land around us and dairy farmed up until 1994. Ian has many stories to tell and we enjoyed hearing a few over a cuppa. We sent him home with a copy of the History of Christmas Ck Valley for him to update and elaborate. Jim took them for a drive up our hill and to Cave Rock. Ian had never been up there before! #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek

Another long weekend and some more cloudy and drizzly weather again. Photo courtesy of @blinsaff #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek

Perfect weather for fires, friends and a few wines! #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek

Believe it or not but our Eucalypt Cottage is still available for Easter. We do have a minimum 4 night stay but if you would like to get away from the hustle and bustle our special valley is the place to come! You can book on our website www.caverock.com or email us at [email protected]

Autumn has arrived and the nights are cooling down. Perfect time to come spend some time and enjoy a warm log fire in your cosy cottage…maybe even a nice wine or two! #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek #enjoy #logfire

And just like that it’s back to calm and tranquillity for Christmas Creek.

Lamington Falls looking impressive after all the rain. Taken from our hill just down from Cave Rock by Jim.

Christmas Creek this morning is at it’s highest peak since this event started. Unlike Brisbane that has had over 700mm we’ve had only had 380mm in this event. This video shows the water up to our first shelter shed and onto the churning waters near our causeway!

So much grass for the cows to eat but I wouldn’t want to be standing outside getting drenched in this rain!

Another day and still lots of water ripping down Christmas Creek. It’s been a lot higher but it could come up with more rain that is expected today. Maybe we will be able to cross our causeway next month! 😉

These photos show our flooded causeway to access Cave Rock Cottages from Christmas Creek Road. The biggest flood in living memory was 2008 when it reached the bottom of the roof of the shelter sheds in our park. The other huge flood was in March 2017 when Cyclone Debbie inundated us not long after we’d moved in. Hopefully we won’t get that extreme but there is a lot of rain showing on the radar.

Not looking good for our guests that are due today and tomorrow.

We’ve just had a fun day at Cave Rock hosting Timothy Liam (photography) and his team for a photo shoot. Many thanks to Joel the producer and our models for the day Andrew FOLEY FITNESS and Rosslyn. Thanks also to Scenic Rim Regional Council for facilitating this!

Sitting out this evening at our Sunset Bar and Jim spots this trio of Tawny Frogmouths in the trees in front of us. Looks like Mum and her two chicks.

The striking flowers of the QLD Wheel of Fire Tree (Stenocarpus Sinuatis) We have two in our house yard that were planted by Gary and Gayle when they were here. Last year there were the first flowers on the tree. This year a few more. One of Australia’s most spectacular rainforest trees!

🎶 Kookaburra sits in the Apple Gum Tree🎶 Not sure if it’s this one but we have one kookaburra out here that struggles to laugh properly! It sounds like a different bird.

Rainbow kind of day, misty showers on and off all day! And the causeway is underwater again!

Jim and various guests have been enjoying the extra flow in Christmas Creek of late and have been tubing down the relatively small rapids trying to dodge rocks! Photo courtesy of Mark Trundle

Sunshine sparkling on Christmas Creek! #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek

We have had 53mm of rain since Sunday and it finally came over our causeway about lunchtime today. First time this year 🤣

In all the strong winds our phone line has gone down. Hopefully it will be up and running again soon! Meanwhile email is the way to make contact!

Another day another bird! This time it’s a Willy Wagtail sitting on a beautifully made nest in a She Oak hanging above Christmas Creek.

We have an Azure Kingfisher that frequents around the creek but on Christmas Eve I took this picture of a Sacred Kingfisher that was in the Apple Gums just near the house. There were actually two of them flitting around.

🎶 On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love sent to me, twelve scrabble tiles 🎶 #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek #twelvedaysofchristmas

🎶 On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me, eleven wines a chillin’ 🎶 #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek #nakedwines #twelvedaysofchristmas

🎶 On the tenth day of Christmas my true love sent to me, ten reindeer napkins 🎶 #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek #twelvedaysofchristmas

🎶 On the ninth day of Christmas my true love sent to me, nine wreaths of rosemary 🎶 #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek #twelvedaysofchristmas

🎶 On the eighth day of Christmas my true love sent to me, eight cards are hanging 🎶 #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek #twelvedaysofchristmas

🎶On the seventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me, seven seeds a swinging 🎶 #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek #twelvedaysofchristmas

🎶 On the sixth day of Christmas my true love sent to me, six homemade shortbread 🎶 #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek #twelvedaysofchristmas

🎶On the fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me, five one lane bridges🎶 (Anyone visiting Cave Rock knows there are five bridges that cross the meandering Christmas Creek. They are Lamington Bridge, Taylor Bridge, Pile Bridge, Dennis Bridge and Foxley Bridge. Swipe to see them all. I happened to snap Chris’s car, one of our great cleaners whilst taking these pics!) #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek #onelanebridges #bridges #twelvedaysofchristmas

🎶0n the fourth day of Christmas my true love sent to me, four cosy cottages 🎶 #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek #twelvedaysofchristmas

🎶On the third day of Christmas my true love sent to me, three jars of honey🎶 #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek #christmascreekhoney #twelvedaysofchristmas

🎶On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me, two cockatoos🎶 #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek #twelvedaysofchristmas

🎶On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me, a wallaby near a gum tree🎶 #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek #twelvedaysofchristmas

Coming to a screen near you, commencing tomorrow for the next couple of weeks will be Cave Rock’s 12 Days of Christmas. Jim has given me my early christmas present…a new camera, so I can get some new and interesting shots. Although I must admit my IPhone camera has been a trusty and much loved companion. It gets a little harder each year as I don’t like to double up too much but this time round there will be some quirky and as yet undiscovered offerings!

Can you guess who this couple is? Some of you may know 🤔 We had Gary and Gayle drop in for morning tea. We bought Cave Rock from them back in 2016, just a little over 5 years ago. They enjoyed taking a walk around the place and doing some reminiscing!

The last day of November and we have recorded 306mm for the month so far. Today we have had 63mm and this is the water pouring out of our dam. It’s been raining all day and still is and yes we are stuck in AGAIN!

Water is off the causeway for now however lots of good flow in Christmas Creek. No rain yesterday or today so far but Tuesday we could see it all happen again! Jim was able to get out on the mower today and cut some of the long grass.

Our causeway this morning, but it was considerably higher at midnight. Our weather station says we got about 100mm!

On our afternoon walk today this is what we saw. Christmas Creek is up and flowing nicely after the rain however still below the causeway. Some mushrooms popping up and this rather stunning insect on our Bleeding Heart Tree. *** After consulting with Doug our expert on insects from the Qld Naturalist Group it is a Eucalyptus Tip Bug ( Amorbus Alternatus)***

Today we transferred our new bees into the Flow Hive that the kids gave us for Christmas last year. Thanks to Ocean Wemyss from Urban Native Bees for a very healthy nuc of ‘calm quiet ladies’. They now have a lovely new home near Christmas Creek to flourish and hopefully give us lots of honey 🍯

How about this for a bunch of red roses! Fifteen red and fragrant beauties picked from the one bush. More buds still to come. They must be loving all the rain and humidity at present.

Sky, everyone’s best friend! #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek #bordercollie

What Jim saw on his morning walk with Sky this morning… Jacarandas blooming and three Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoos. We often see Sulphur-Crested and Glossy Blacks out here but not the Yellow Tailed ones that are far bigger than the other two. ( Jim only had his phone camera on him so not the greatest clarity)

Buchanan’s Fort stands 800 metres tall out here in Southern Lamington. It proudly displays varying dramatic faces as you drive further up our valley. A challenging eight kilometre return walk and 600 metre ascent from Cave Rock through private property and permission is required. #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek

Gum trees…new and old! #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek

🎶Blue skies smiling at me, nothing but blue skies, do I see🎶 #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek

The road to Stinson Spa Cottage that overlooks our dam. #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek

One of our guests that left today took these beautiful photos of orchids flowering up on our hill near Cave Rock. Tick Orchid (Dendrobium Lingiuforme) Pink Rock Orchid ( Dendrobium Kingianum) #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek

Rainbow Lorikeet feasting on the nectar from a grevillea flower. #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek

What you see as you drive across our causeway just before you start to Enjoy your holiday, Relax and forget about home and Explore our 100 acres right beside Christmas Creek. #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek

Simply Relax. Enjoy. Explore #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek

A beautiful video taken from the top of Buchanan’s Fort by a guest. Spectacular day and vision of our Scenic Rim!

Our Wattles are stunning this year and smell great too. Photo courtesy @lutzowmark #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek

This Butcher Bird was keeping very busy with the seed pods on our Flame Tree. One again photos courtesy of @lutzowmark. #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek

Afternoon glow through the Eucalypts. Photo courtesy @lutzowmark #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek

Our guests just love to relax and go to sleep with the sound of Christmas Creek babbling in the background. Photo courtesy @lutzowmark #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek

Sky is gathering quite a reputation at Cave Rock as the wonder dog. She loves kids and anyone that gives her attention, accompanies guests on walks and is particularly good at pointing out echidnas. This is a photo courtesy of a recent guest during the school holidays.

We saw this rather demure Pale Headed Rosella on the weekend. This one came with its mate and didn’t hang around for long. Photo courtesy of our good friend @lutzowmark.

The male King Parrot is stunning with its red head and chest, but the female King Parrot has an all green head and neck. They are frequent visitors out here at Cave Rock!

Our harvest this morning. Though I should mention it is the only cauliflower that has come to a head… maybe the others are just slow! 🤔

Eat Local Week officially commences here in the Scenic Rim on Saturday June 26th through til July 4th. We are having a market stall at Christmas Ck Cafe and Cabins this Saturday selling Jim’s TreeCraft items and some of my craft. Commencing at 9am. ( please bring cash if possible) The theme is 50 Shades of Citrus so be prepared to see all kinds of lemons, oranges, limes, tangelos , lemon myrtle etc made into a variety of craft and tasty morsels! So if you feel like a day trip pop in and say hi, we’d love to see as many people as possible! #eatlocalscenicrim #scenicrim #eatlocalweek Christmas Creek Cafe & Cabins Accommodation #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek

It might be winter at present but our Liquid Amber trees are definitely telling us it’s Autumn.

Our Migunburri Walk has changed a lot in two years. The first shot was taken in August 2019 and the second today. Hard work does pay off ultimately! #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek

A lovely orchid growing up on our hill beyond Cave Rock.

Jim’s efforts from last night. Although we unfortunately saw no redness in the moon from our vantage point.

Waiting for a blood red ‘supermoon’ eclipse! The clouds have cleared and Jim is set up with his camera to take a pic or two....

A setting sun and a winter chill in the air. It’s the perfect time to visit Cave Rock...warm cosy fires at night, starry skies and beautiful blue sky days! #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek

Our first raspberries... nothing like the ones you buy in a punnet in the supermarket ... but quite tasty!

We have very recently renovated the bathroom/ laundry in our Christmas Creek Cottage. We had exactly 20 days to complete it in between bookings. We are very happy with the finished product. It now has a separate bath, walk in shower and a new front load washing machine. We hope our guests both new and returning will find it more serviceable!

How’s this for a wonderful message left in our Stinson Spa Cottage guest book after a lovely couple spent 4 nights out here. Thank you so much for making your entry extra special!

This afternoon I was outside watering the garden when I heard lots of different birds making a commotion. This gorgeous carpet python was slithering across the grass towards the garden and upsetting the birds. Such a beautiful looking snake with wonderful markings and colouring.

A beautiful big green tree frog on our deck tonight!

It’s been so wet we have mushrooms growing on our deck!

About 50mm of rain overnight....luckily no guests are due to arrive today because we wouldn’t want to greet them with this flooded causeway! We have a new little creek flowing into our dam!

Flooding at Christmas Creek.... very wet and soggy out here.... 35mm today ...162mm for the month of March!

Afternoon walk by Christmas Creek #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek

Looking pretty out here...green and grand! Photo courtesy of good friend CT #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek

No need for words..... #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek #brisbaneanyday #thisisqueensland #australia #thisisbrisbane #visitbrisbane #holidayherethisyear #seeaustralia

Our current guest at Cave Rock was very industrious today and made these lovely cascades near our swimming hole. So pretty that we had an afternoon drink by Christmas Creek! #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek

Looking great after 96mm of rain yesterday in two storms. The water did come over the causeway for awhile but all clear this morning. #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek @visitscenicrim

Guests of ours took this wonderful pic of a Lamington Crayfish they encountered on their walk to Larapinta Falls yesterday. Thank you @claytsclaytsclayts for allowing us to share it! Larapinta Falls can be accessed from the end of Christmas Creek Road. It is about a 4 hour return walk passing by Westray’s Gravesite and then rock hopping along the creek until you arrive at the impressive falls! #christmascreek #scenicrimtourism #scenicrimescapes #visitscenicrim #scenicrim #visitqueensland #caverockcottages #weekendaway #visitchristmascreek