narrows-escape-montville-location-treetops | Narrows Escape

Experience

Learn about the Bunya Nut Tree

The Bunya Nut Tree (Araucaria Bidwillii)

Historically, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from across South East Queensland would follow pathways to the Bunya gatherings held at the Bunya Mountains in January and feast on the nuts.

Origin and Conditions for Growing

Cultivated in many areas and, despite its sub-tropical/tropical origins, is hardy in cold areas
Too big for growing in pots – needs a large open area for optimal growth

Characteristics

Dome-shaped conifer, averaging 40m high
Quite slow to mature (starts producing at 5-7 years) and harvest occurs approximately every 3 years, in January-February Produces large cones weighing up to 5kg each and should not be planted where falling cones may cause damage or injury Long, prickly green leaves are clustered at the end of branches
Large oval shaped bundles of nuts grow off the branches

Edible Portion

Nut; found inside casing and kernel – nuts can be stored frozen in airtight bags. CAUTION: Yellow core inside the nut can cause sickness if consumed – remove this.

Nutrition

Good source of protein, fibre and complex carbohydrates High in magnesium and potassium.

Uses: Traditional and Current

Traditionally a very important food source where the green seed kernel was eaten raw or roasted as it matured. Seeds were carefully germinated in a large cane basket and eaten after a few months of being buried in the mud
Currently not commonly used as a food source, rather for furniture and planted for wind breaking.

Bake or boil the nuts to get the husk off. They can be eaten raw when fresh or chopped and made into a paste or used in damper, cakes and desserts


All Experiences

Family Owned & Operated

We own and operate our beautiful boutique villas.  We are here to make your stay exceptional, whether it's catering to special dietary requirements or writing a handwritten note to surprise your loved one on arrival.  We love our little slice of paradise and the special memories that we help to create.  It is you, our guests, who make us love what we do.  This is our business, our home, our everything, so please give us a call and let us know how we can help make your getaway as magical as possible.

Custom Packages

Looking for something extra special or a little out of the ordinary?  Maybe you are thinking of proposing and want some help to make that special moment as magical as it can be, or perhaps you want to book out the whole property with some friends for a special birthday celebration.  We own and operate our boutique luxury villas and we love to work with you, our guests, to make your stay incredible.  Give us a call and let us know what plans you are hatching and we can see how we can help you make it happen.

Sustainability

We are proudly advanced eco-certified and love to source and showcase the best local products because we believe the Sunshine Coast region is incredibly special.  We are always looking at how we can improve our property to make it greener. We love the little suggestions that you, our guests, share with us and we are excited to implement these, like switching to Australian biodegradable coffee pods, reducing single-serve plastics, creating a compost and worm farm for food scraps and we now have solar panels to reduce our footprint! We believe that luxurious travel can still have a small footprint.  We have also upgraded to a hybrid car for transferring our guests and picking up our local goods because we know every little bit counts.

Check In 3pm

Check Out 11am

Daily Reception Hours

8am - 8pm

If you need a late check-in just give us a call