Latest news with #SootyGrunter
Courier-Mail
10 hours ago
- Business
- Courier-Mail
Business listed for sale complete with a camel called Sandy
A unique business opportunity is for sale, and it comes complete with a camel called Sandy. Operating at EcoPark Fishing Park & Farm Stay, the 3.11ha site is located at Luscombe, which is located between Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Listed with Ray White Shore Group, 2 Hall St is zoned Commercial and classified as a Special Tourist Attraction. It boasts 'beautifully landscaped grounds featuring fishing ponds, open picnic areas, native wildlife, and engaging family-friendly activities'. At the entrance is a retail gift shop and fully operational kitchen, servicing visitors and guests throughout the week. An onsite property also provides a steady income stream. The business website describes it as a fishing park and farm stay. There are two accommodations types – the EcoPark Lodge and overnight camping for one group only. Exclusive overnight camping starts at $499 for four people, with an additional $75 per person, right up to $1500 for 20 people, and $75 per person after that. EcoPark Lodge is a self-contained house that sleeps up to 18 people. Activities include fishing, with all gear supplied, a 36-hole mini golf course, animal and bird feeding, a jumping castle, paddleboats. waterbikes, large boardgames, swings and slides, table tennis and football. There is also pedal go karts, 4WD buggy rides and tours. The catch and release fishing involves try to land one of the thousands of fish within the ponds, including Barcoo Grunter, Sooty Grunter, Silver Perch, Eel-tailed catfish, Australian Bass, Golden Perch (or Yellow Belly) and Murray Cod. 'Our catch and release policy ensure that there are plenty of fish for all to enjoy catching,' the website says. MORE: Adrian Portelli's mega Block sell off Party pad that has hosted celebs and sports stars hits the market ATO's dragnet: Millions of side hustles face shock tax bill And as for the other animals, these include Sandy the Camel, rabbits Miss Poppins and Lady Blue, a number of macaws, deer, and Dorothy the Pig. The website also says that a shark and ray encounter is 'coming soon'. There is also peacocks, donkeys, sheep, goats, guinea pigs, ducks, turkeys and baby chicks.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Fisherman's simple safety tip to spot hidden underwater dangers: 'A must'
A fisherman who had a close encounter with one of Australia's most formidable predators revealed the single item all Aussies need to protect themselves while exploring Aussie waterways. Matty Carpenter was fishing near the Herbert River, close to Ingham in Far North Queensland, when he looked down at the water to discover that he was not alone. A 3.5m crocodile was lying beneath the surface eyeing him up as he was about to cast his line. The only reason Matty was able to spot the inconspicuous croc was with the polarised sunglasses he was wearing. Without them, all that could be seen was the glassy surface of the water. "Without the polarised sunglasses, I would not have seen it," he told Yahoo News. Posting footage of the stark contrast between what can be seen with and without the glasses shows just how important taking simple safety measures is in croc country. Matty told his followers on social media the big croc was "definitely" eyeing him off as a meal, pointing out that you "can't be complacent" in Far North Queensland. Matty, who spends a lot of time fishing out on the water, adds that the same can be said for oceans due to their ability to cut through glare and increase visibility near water. "They are a must on the water either out on the ocean or the creeks for that glare," he said. Speaking about the croc encounter, Matty told Yahoo he was walking up a small creek that leads to the much bigger Herbert River, casting lures and chasing after two types of fish: Sooty Grunter and Jungle Perch. Usually, he only sees the slide marks left behind by crocs since most crocs are "wary" of humans. "Most of the time I see them as they hit the water as soon as they see or hear you," he explained. But this time was different. "As I got closer to the Herbert, knowing it is crocodile country, I decided to get up a bit higher and walk on top of one of the banks," he explained. His glasses helped improve his visibility, so he could get a "bird's eye view of any fish I could cast to". "After walking a short distance through the bush lining the bank, I looked down to see the crocodile staring straight at me," he said. 🎣 Aussies urged to rethink 'harmless' fishing practice 🐊 Grim prediction following rare sighting of 'vagrant' crocodile 🐢 Driver captures predator's wild act on Aussie beach Matty stopped to get out his phone and snap some photos of the incredible scene. "After staring at each other for a while the crocodile slowly submerged and headed off downstream," he said. Matty thought nothing of the interaction until a short distance later, through his glasses, Matty spotted what he believed was the same croc right beside him on the river bank. "I walked another short distance only to notice the crocodile lying under the water next to the bank in the shade," he said. "This time without the polarised sunglasses I would not have seen it." Matty points out that the croc was far away from humans and homes, and in sharing the encounter he merely wanted to highlight the incredible abilities of the glasses. "The best way to stay safe I've found is just being alert and not complacent," he said. "It's easy to be overconfident when you don't see them but I've definitely noticed an increase in numbers and encounters over the 30 years I've explored my area." The fisherman isn't the first Aussie to hail the benefits of polarised sunglasses. Previously, croc expert and avid fisherman Tommy Hayes told Yahoo he never goes anywhere without his polarised glasses. "You can see fish way better. When you look at the water, it takes that shine off and you can literally see straight to the bottom," he said. "Polarised sunnies, of course they can make a massive difference. Potentially they are a very simple safety measure." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
