252 Taggerty-Thornton Road

Taggerty VIC 3714

Anyone familiar with ecopsychology and ecotherapy this farm provides the perfect place to immerse in forests and trees. The Japanese call it forest bathing but no water is involved. It is more the idea to immerse yourself, inspired by the Shinto reverence for nature.

Studies show that forest bathing has been shown to significantly reduce blood pressure and stress levels, as well as have cardiac and pulmonary benefits. Practitioners are finding that a 2.5 hour forest bathing walk can achieve as much as an eight-week course of mindfulness practice.

And, of course, in Australia the opportunity to partner with local Indigenous communities and introduce Welcome to Country and learn of Aboriginal mindfulness practices.

The retreat facilities would be built on the south side of the main dam for the views and the peacefulness of water, ideal for tiny cabins, meditation centre.

The main existing house and complex could remain the management centre for the farm.

The original plan for the visitor centre location below the main dam would also work well.

It will also be that ecotourism is where the arboretum becomes income earning proposition as well.

There are arboretums around the world and in Australia which attract visitors and to have this combine with other activities on the farm provides lots of different points of interest.

This would not need to be the only offering or commercial enterprise on the property.

Establishing other activities such as woodworking and furniture making using the timbers. It could equally become a wonderful place for woodworkers to be utilising the timber whilst also being a place for experiential tourism.

Whilst establishing the additional infrastructure it can be a working farm, including with carbon farming.

The design with wide spacing provides a range of benefits over traditional plantations.

Crops and pastures can continue Eg Hay including high value lucerne or silage, cropping, firewood, Seed orchard for native and deciduous, pine thinning, pulp for MDF, supply of trees for landscaping homes and suburbs, supply of trees for farms and cities

Other activities may be truffles with Australian specialist has already assessed this property ask us for more details of this assessment.

Also cattle and sheep, acquaculture, hazelnuts, could all be introduced.

Additional eco tourism activities can also be implemented:
Carbon Farming learn about it and how it fits with climate emergency measures
Educational/tourism tours (without Visitors centre)
Fishing for Recreation and Tourism
Horseriding
Bush walking extension to the Cathedral ranges only a couple of kilometres to access

Excellent documentation available and planning details for decision making for the next phase of this wonderful opportunity.