It’s no secret that times are tough in some rural communities and many are turning to tourism to deliver an economic boost … and it seems their creativity in finding ways to lure grey nomads and others knows no bounds.
While ‘big things’, quirky events, rusty vehicle sculptures, and painted silos do the trick for some towns, an innovative farmer in the tiny south-west Queensland town of Eulo has turned – incredibly – to beauty treatments to turn a quid.
After giving up growing date several years ago, Ian Pike, has built up a collection of vintage bath tubs, which he has restored and installed in the bush setting for visitors to relax in under the stars.
The tubs are filled with artesian bore water, and then mud is added.
“We separate the fine clays and we put a decent amount of that in the tubs, and then you fill that up with hot or cold water, whatever they like,” Mr Pike told the ABC. “You soak in that for about half an hour, absorb the minerals through the skin, then they apply the body pack — which tightens up your skin — and when you take that off it cleans the skin … and they come out pretty much wrinkle free, I guess.”
Mr Pike told the ABC that diversification was the key to strengthening small rural communities like Eulo, a grazing town 800 kilometres or so west of Brisbane with a population of 100.
“People are starting to go more into farm stays and that sort of thing, which has its place,” he said. “If you can get people into your area and spending an extra couple of days here, they go away with a different impression.”
· Would you visit Eulo for a mud bath? What is the most innovative tourist attraction you have come across in the bush? Comment below.
Yes
No, too far to go for a bath of any kind. There would need to be more on offer and not expensive.
Sounds good to me!
We have been and had the mud bath – just fantastic – and would I go again? Yes we sure would! A really great experience, and fantastic fun too. Next time we are in the area we WILL be back, thanks.