Event organisers find their grove
From accommodation in a vintage bus to long lunches, the familiar faces behind this Scenic Rim farmstay have big dreams for their property
WELL-KNOWN Gold Coast event duo Kat Creasey and Matt Whalley have escaped to the country, and they’re throwing open the doors to their new home.
The pair, who host food and beer festivals across southeast Queensland and Northern NSW and produced more than 100 events in 2018/19, bought Olive View Estate in the Scenic Rim after the pandemic shutdown delivered a wake-up call.
“We were gearing up to have a very busy 2020 but – just like everyone in the events industry – our world stopped with COVID-19,” Ms Creasey said.
“It was most definitely the break we needed because it made us re-evaluate where we wanted to be.
“We have always had our heart set on living and working in the Scenic Rim.
“We restore classic cars and vintage caravans and we were needing a property with large sheds to house all of our projects so that our whole family can work from home.
“We looked at more than 50 properties before we found this beauty and we instantly fell in love.
“Formerly called The Grove Cottage, we have renamed this 35-acre, 700-tree olive grove Olive View Estate – it sounds like ‘I love you’ if you say it fast enough.”
The pair have hit the ground running, spending the past few months gardening and clearing paddocks to pave the way for their new vision, including one very personal event.
“Our plan is to host a variety of events from long table lunches to private functions and music festivals,” Ms Creasey said.
“We have had a lot of couples ask if they can get married in the olive grove.
“It is a whole new world of events for us but we are keen to get weddings happening here. We need to start planning our own wedding here!”
A 1960s Bedford vintage bus will be transformed into additional accommodation, with a top deck so guests can soak up the mountain views.
In the meantime, Olive View Estate’s existing cottage is available for bookings through Airbnb.
“The mountain views from every direction with the olive trees swaying in the breeze looks like a painting of Europe,” Ms Creasey said.
“The cottage has French styling throughout and overlooks the olive trees.
“Ideal for couples or families, it has a fireplace, three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a private pool.
“Our guests love that it is a family friendly farm and the kids can meet our two goats Billy and Gruff and see what living on a farm is like.”
The passionate foodies have a range of grazing boards that guests can add to their stay. “We love setting up a romantic table in the olive grove at sunset,” Ms Creasey said.
Olive View’s Boonah base also offers opportunity to explore further afield.
“We are surprised how many Brisbane and Gold Coast locals are unaware just how far the Scenic Rim spans,” Ms Creasey said.
“When we mention Canungra or Tamborine they know these locations, but we encourage anyone to take a weekend to drive that little bit further to experience this stunning region and all of its local businesses.
“From mountain hikes and bushwalks to swimming in heart-shaped natural pools – the wildlife, the views, the sunsets and the food of this region is truly incredible and we will never move away.”