Earth & Soul Retreat
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Out & About on Earth & Soul

Experience the Consciousness~See the Patterns~Feel the Love

11/4/2024

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Walk the Earth & Soul Labyrinth
World Labyrinth Day

Saturday 4th May 2024 is World Labyrinth Day.
Every year on the first Saturday in May thousands of people around the Globe celebrate together in a walking meditation participating in an experience of conscious awareness. At 1pm in every time zone around the Planet, someone starts walking their Labyrinth. We commence walking the Earth & Soul Labyrinth at 1pm in our time zone creating a rolling wave of consciousness around the World.
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Earth & Soul Labyrinth
Earth & Soul Labyrinth is registered with the International Labyrinth Society and the Australian Labyrinth Network. Every year we register the Earth & Soul Labyrinth with the Legacy Labyrinth Project and participate in the global study of the energy of labyrinths.
Earlier this year Donna and I reestablished the paths of the Earth & Soul Labyrinth with granite rocks collected from around our 300-acre property.  
We also added some painted stones at each turn in the winding path.
We look forward to walking the Earth & Soul Labyrinth on World Labyrinth Day.

If you would like to join us, we are offering a special deal for those wishing to join us at Earth & Soul Retreat for World Labyrinth Day. Book direct with us and mention World Labyrinth Day in your booking comments to receive an extra night on us, afternoon tea following the walking meditation and a guided tour of the Tree of Life Spiritual Walk.
Earth & Soul Retreat World Labyrinth Day Join us at Earth and Soul Retreat on May 4th.  Book your stay Join us to walk the Earth & Soul Labyrinth as one at one. Enjoy a scrumptious homemade afternoon tea beside the Labyrinth. Plus receive a complimentary guided tour of the Tree of Life Spiritual Walk.  Stay 3 nights, get an extra night FREE 3rd - 6th May 2024 when booked directly through earthandsoulretreat.com.au.
Stay with us for World Labyrinth Day
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2023 - A year of progress.

1/3/2023

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The Soul Cabin is close to being ready.  Fitting out, oiling the deck, landscaping, all the finishing touches. 
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The picture of me oiling the deck is unfair to Donna as she has done the mountain of work that has got us here but she is reasonably camera shy.
The deck looks fantastic. Shawn Palmer (4th Pig Pty Ltd), the builder of our cabins, has completed extraordinary work around the granite boulders. Check out Shawn & Sandra's photo gallery on their website showcasing their beautiful work. 
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The rock work and landscaping is also second to none.  All timber, iron bark, provided by Schulte Sawmill.
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The solar and electrical work is done by Solar Blessing in Stanthorpe. Plumbing work is done by Michael Beckett Plumbing Pty Ltd. 
Evenings looking over to the open area of the Tree of Life Spiritual Walk are captivating. 
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The stone bath on the deck has a spectacular sky view.
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The Angel Wings Labyrinth, (thank you to Mark Healy, The Labyrinth Collective for allowing us to use his design), provides a quiet garden space just beside the Soul Cabin working in with the spiritual theme.
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There is more to be done to make it extra special.  The Earth Cabin set the bar exceptionally high and we didn't know how or if we would achieve the high standard. Overall, Donna and I are pretty blown away with what we have achieved. We can't wait to get it out there for you, but we have to wait because it has to be right. 
The dream continues... To have the Earth Cabin and the Soul Cabin on Earth & Soul Retreat. Luxury 5-Star, secluded, exclusive, couples' accommodation on the Granite Belt. Soon you will be able to share it with your friends.
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Soul Cabin
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Earth Cabin
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A bit of nature - good for the soul.

30/12/2022

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Everything seems a bit late this year. This is a slideshow of some of what's there to be found in nature on Earth & Soul Retreat.
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Nearly November 2022- Where does a year go?

23/10/2022

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Winter, Spring, Summer, the seasons keep coming round. One of the beautiful things about Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt is the quality of the four seasons. Each season is unique and inviting. Many like to visit when the winter is inviting us to warm up in front of a cosy fire.
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Perhaps my favourite time on the Granite Belt is September/October. Everyday involves an exciting exploration to find what is flowering today.  
White rice flower
Pink rice flower
Early Nancy
Heath
Bearded orchid
Yellow Donkey orchid
Tea Tree
Pink Kunzea
Bacon & Egg
Cinderella orchids
Queen of the bush
Lady's aprons
The abundant rain has Earth & Soul looking more beautiful than ever.
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This is the most consistently Cannon Creek has ever flowed. It used to take an overnight deluge of 8 inches of rain. Now it takes 10mm.
As we head into November and the summer months, it is good to know that we don't have the humidity and heat of other areas of Queensland. Donna and I hope to see you all again soon. Take care out there. What are you doing for fun lately?

Regards... Mark & Donna

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Water & Wind - not a good thing!

22/6/2022

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Since July last year, we have had unprecedented rainfall and flow down Cannon Creek and the Broadwater. Don't get me wrong, we're not complaining. It is fantastic. After 10 years of looking at the dry bottom of a waterhole it is a great change. The smokey quartz, topaz and other stones we were getting when the creeks were low are now hidden for another generation to find.
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The ground is so wet that areas are waterlogged and there is nowhere for the water to go. The Earth & Soul Labyrinth has been particularly effected by the inundation of water. The lavender and rosemary that was growing so beautifully, doesn't like getting wet feet. A lot of it has had to be removed and we will start again. 
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Add to the wet feet, in the last month we had a beauty of a windstorm and the big trees that were top heavy in blossom have just come crashing down. One half of the Labyrinth was covered with a large white peppermint gum that brought down four other trees beneath it. I have cleared the tree from the Labyrinth and we can walk it again, although it is still a little damp here and there. I have had to dig spoon drains and trenches around the labyrinth. Currently the landscaping isn't so pretty but when it dries out I may be able to improve on things.
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We finally made our way across the Cannon Creek crossing below the house. Once more I had to do some road work and fill in some big washouts to make it more trafficable. We then were able to get down the road to Doro's Hole and remove 4 big trees that had fallen across the road.
At the Point on Doro's Hole on the Broadwater, where we launch the kayaks, it is pretty muddy and not real inviting. Recently we bought a double kayak to add to our 2 single kayaks. Currently, we have left it at the dam where it is a little bit more accessible.
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Walking around the property, you see many big trees and limbs that have fallen. We will have plenty of good firewood in a couple of years. The problem with getting firewood at the moment is being able to get to it without sinking.
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Water, water, everywhere...

13/5/2022

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Donna's parents owned this property since 1956.
I'm sure if they were here to tell, they would confirm that there has never been such a consistent flow down Cannon Creek.
For the last 10 years, Cannon Creek was dry and even the big waterhole on the Broadwater dried up.
Cannon Creek has been flowing since last July.
Another 74mm overnight.
This photo below shows the crossing below the main home this morning.

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Bushwalking at Earth & Soul, at the moment, means gumboots & wet weather gear.
It is pretty exciting though!
The video below is the flow down Cannon Creek Gorge.
Looking from above the Gorge Terraces.

Now is the time to book a front row seat!
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A bonus at the moment, the five-corner berries are fruiting.
Search around the base of the bushes and gather the berries.
Remove the sepal, chew the berries and spit out the seeds.
Very high in vitamin C.
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It is always great to get around with the camera.
Here is an interesting Fungi I found in the grass up at the Tree of Life Walk.
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It was great to go for a walk this morning, despite the weather.
A benefit of the overcast skies iss that it isn't cold.
You just need to be ready for anything and get out there and enjoy.
Life is what you make it.
Take care out there!
Regards... Mark & Donna

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Earth & Soul Tree  Faces

2/5/2022

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The challenge is here!
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Spot the faces in the trees!
It is difficult.
Keep your eyes on the ground
watching where you step
​at the same time scan the trees.
There are 6 Tree Faces.
There are 3 on each side of Cannon Creek.
One at The Point where the kayaks are.

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One at the Fortress.
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One on the Ridge Walk.
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One at the 5 Cascades.
(Which you can also see from the Buddhas in the Bush.)

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There are 2 along the path from the Labyrinth to the Gorge.
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Best of Luck!
Enjoy getting to know your way around Earth & Soul.

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The Fortress & other things

17/3/2022

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I had my 66th birthday last Monday and what a great day!
Another birthday - another walking track!
Donna & I had walked down across the Paperbark Crossing and along the Wallaby Trail.
Half way along the Wallaby Trail there are some lovely rocks before you get to the seats near Pig Rock.
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This is now the entrance to the path that takes you in to The Fortress!
The large boulders of the Fortress are in Cannon Creek Gorge.
They are seen when you enter the Gorge from behind the dam.
But you can't get across to them.

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For my birthday, I couldn't think of a better thing to do than be in the bush.
I was excited about working on the new path that winds through boulders and flannel flowers into the Fortress.
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Being the official photographer and as it was my birthday, someone had to do the work!
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​The track takes you in 108 metres and is a lovely, easy winding trail.

There are some lovely rocks to find shapes in and gradually the tale of the Fortress started to develop.


The field of stone and flannel flowers
Access to the Fortress
The dog that defends the Fortress
The saddle from the King's horse
The King's Throne
The Queen's Tiara
Smoko in the bush is always the greatest experience!
Just love it and the surroundings are exceptional.

Donna was rewarded for her hard work.
This beauty was picked up on the top of the sand at the Paperbark Crossing.

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Other nice finds while out & about include: 
Female eastern yellow robin
Young Eastern Yellow Robin
Two of the babies
Water Snowflake
Brown Goshawk
Austral ladies tresses
Scorpion with babies
A good sized red belly black snake
Bearded Dragon
We are also continuing to work on the Buddhas in the Bush.
View towards the Five Cascades from the Buddha Rocks
Buddha Rocks
Looking down on the Buddhas from the Rocks
Signpost to the Buddhas
Standing Buddha
Sitting Buddha
We are developing a sitting area at a spot we call the Kissing Tree.
The Kissing Tree is along the track from St Bernard Rock that takes you to the Top Crossing.
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A closer view shows you why it is called the Kissing Tree.
​The tree has grown against the large boulder as if kissing the stone.
It is just another nice area along the walk.
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Other activities that keep us healthy & happy.
Landscaping at the Soul Cabin
Landscaping near the Soul Cabin
Checking out the flow down cannon Creek Gorge.
New Welcome sign at the Gazebo & Labyrinth
Maintenance on the Labyrinth
A solution to wet feet
Colours & reflections on the Dam
Completed the Gorge Terraces Walk
Lounge Chair Rock looking up rom the Terraces
 See you soon at Earth & Soul.
Regards... Mark & Donna 

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Into 2022

9/2/2022

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Welcome to Earth & Soul in 2022. There has been a lot going on and I think pictures are the best way to tell the story.
Fairy Aprons
Cannon Creek Gorge in Flood
A white Bluebell
new beginnings
a shy encounter
They could be on a coin
Fairy stairs
Earth Cabin view
a bit wet at the campground
Gorge in Flood
Faces in the Rocks
Baby pacific heron
A wild Pig perhaps!
Leaden Flycatcher
Bearded Orchid
Faces in the Trees
Tree Face
More faces in the trees
Another Tree face
More baby herons
Fringed lily
Red Nape Snake
A welcome visitor near the Earth Cabin
Hyacinth orchid
Wattle
Another form of Hyacinth orchid
Centipede with babies
Buddha at the Meditation Glade
Rock setting at the Meditation Glade
Another Buddha at the Meditation Glade
Rock setting at the Meditation Glade
Bearded Orchid
Midge orchid
Kayaks are ready
Another Hyacinth orchid
Gum blossom
A very pale Hyacinth Orchid
A new sign at the entrance
second flood in a month
There has been a lot of rain. The Gorge, Doro's Hole and the Dam are looking fantastic. We have rebuilt the road at the Crossing below the main home. The vehicle track down to Doro's hole is now accessible.
Access across Cannon Creek, down by the Round Hole following the Wallaby Trail is closed indefinitely. The best path to cross Cannon Creek is the Paperbark Crossing. Then you can choose to follow the Wallaby Trail or the Ridge Walk.
The benefit from this is that we have developed a new walking trail along the western side of Cannon Creek and the Gorge. Currently it is marked with pink ribbon. It is  a work in progress.
Follow the path that takes you along the back of the dam, but don't turn down into the gorge. Continue along the rocky outcrop beyond the dam. The path takes you up to Lounge Chair Rock and the Terraces, looking across to the chairs on the Top of the Gorge on the other side. 

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We have also been working on a Meditation Glade.
​A loop has been added along the walk from the Cabins to the Labyrinth, between the turn off to the Gorge and the Five Cascades. 
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The Meditation Glade is another lovely, quiet place to sit and take in nature.
We are trying to add in a sense of the spirituality of Earth & Soul.
Climbing up on the rocks behind the glade provides a magnificent view of Cannon Creek below the Five Cascades.
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The Tree Faces provide another challenge for guests.
Watch out for them as you walk the property. 
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There is a new sign at the gate to greet you when you arrive.
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Next Monday is Valentines Day.
Our tradition is to take a bottle of white and a bottle of red, cheese and nibblies to the Top of the Gorge and take in the sunset.
It doesn't get much better.
​We look forward to seeing you in 2022.

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Little treasures

25/12/2021

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Yesterday we enjoyed the excitement of sharing some of our natural orchids with some enthusiasts from the Gold Coast.
Teresa Clifford from the Stanthorpe & Granite Belt Rare Wildflower Consortium introduced us and I thank Brad & Clare for the beautiful pictures below. 

​We are very lucky to have such natural treasures on our 300 acre property here at Earth & Soul.
​We have a rough common knowledge of our little treasures, so it was good to get some more scientific identification and put a name to a face (so to speak). 

The Dipodium Hamiltonianium is commonly referred to as a Yellow Hyacinth. This little fellow is quite rare. This is the second one we have found on the property and this is the second year in a row that we have had an appearance.

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Dipodium Hamiltonianium
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Dipodium Hamiltonianium
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Dipodium Hamiltonianium
The Dipodium Roseum is commonly known as the Pink Hyacinth.
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Dipodium Roseum
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Dipodium Roseum
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Dipodium Roseum
The ​Dipodium Punctatum is commonly known as a blotched hyacinth.
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Dipodium Punctatum
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Dipodium Punctatum
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Dipodium Punctatum
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Dipodium Punctatum
Calochilus therophilus​ is commonly known as the late beard orchid.
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Calochilus therophilus
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Calochilus therophilus
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Calochilus therophilus
It's like a Christmas present, isn't it.
Have a merry Christmas.
See you in the New Year.
Regards... Mark & Donna

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    Author - Mark Carter

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Earth & Soul Retreat

Make contact with the Earth. Nurture your Soul.
Architecturally & Environmentally designed ~ Rammed Earth construction ~ Secluded & Exclusive Bush Retreat Cabins ~ Earth Cabin & Soul Cabin ~ Off-grid standalone solar power ~ Baker's oven for warmth & practicality ~ ​Fully equipped kitchen ~ King bed ~Outdoor stone bath on the deck ~ Fire Pit ~ BBQ facilities on the deck
124 Barker Lane, ​Cannon Creek
Queensland QLD 4380
Phone: 0417 669 449
Email: [email protected]
  • Earth & Soul Retreat
  • Earth & Soul Choices
    • Special Deals!
  • Book Now!
  • Earth & Soul Experiences
    • Earth & Soul What to do? >
      • Doro's Hole on the Broadwater
      • Earth & Soul Walks >
        • Cannon Creek Top Crossing
        • Dragon's Backbone
        • Cannon Creek Gorge
        • The Fortress
        • Gorge Terraces Trail
        • Buddhas in the Bush
        • Five Cascades
        • The Wallaby Trail
        • The Ridge Walk
        • The Rock Guided Walk
        • Tree of Life Spiritual Walk
        • Earth & Soul Labyrinth
      • Kayaking, Swimming etc.
      • Spirituality
      • Photography
      • Creative Expression
      • Birdlife Gallery
      • Other Animals Gallery
      • Wild Flower Gallery
  • Our information
    • About Earth & Soul >
      • Our contact details
      • Our Story
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      • Our Region
      • Our News
      • Out & About on Earth & Soul
  • Testimonials