With the official opening of the new Koondrook Retreat on Tuesday, new Managers Shaun and Jennah Martin and Jennah’s parents, Nicole and Jason Lunghusen, have been overwhelmed with the response for the new nature based holiday tourism destination.

With the phone running hot with bookings and enquiries for the six new fully serviced glamping tents, nestled away amongst the secluded, idyllic Gunbower creek surrounds in Koondrook, it is the perfect getaway for visitors to the region.

With the success of their timely and thorough application with tender for an expression of interest through the Gannawarra Shire back in September this year, the family could not have imagined how their journey could have transpired to where it is today, to be overseeing the unique bush-styled holiday living.

“We presented a pretty extensive application. We are very lucky,” said Jennah.

Nicole spoke about the family’s closeness and support in the welcoming of guests to the wonderful bush accommodation.

“We can’t wait, we all get along. We’re all really close,” Nicole said.

“As from today (Tuesday) we will take over the management. We will be taking all the bookings plus a big website is just about to be launched. Everything is new age and easy. We are supplying kayaks and all those sorts of fun things too.

“It happened really quickly, once everything started coming together. It was in the pipeworks with Council for a little while,” Nicole continued on to say.

“We’ve got bookings already for next Monday. The phone hasn’t stopped,” Jason Lunghusen said.

“It’s been fantastic with the vision and enthusiasm of the Council to utilise tourism funding to do it. It’s terrific. This might direct a few Melbourne, Ballarat and Geelong people from Echuca, to this part of the Murray.”

“It’s so peaceful,” Nicole added.

Shaun and Jennah also manage Cohuna Caravan Park and have taken on assistant managers to allow for their new focus in Koondrook.

For more information about Koondrook Retreat, go to the Koondrook Retreat, Gannawarra Shire Council and Visit the Murray website and Facebook pages.