Intriguingly, the plant has significant historical background, having survived from Ancient
Greek and Roman times. In bygone eras, a motif shaped like an Oyster Plant leaf was used
to embellish the tops of Corinthian pillars. Greek sculptor, Callimachus, was particularly
inspired by the plant, and designed most of his columns with the plant’s shape crowning
them. The Oyster Plant’s influence on Greco-Roman architecture is still visible on numerous
buildings today, particularly in Athens.

Overtime, the plant’s enduring nature developed into a symbol of immortality. This
symbolism is recognisable in many graveyards, where the plant is carved decoratively into
headstones to represent the afterlife and perpetuity of the soul. According to historical
records, European monasteries have utilised the plant for medical purposes.
When in the correct conditions, an Oyster Plant can grow relatively fast. At maximum size, it
can be nearly two metres high and two metres wide. It is best to plant an Oyster Plant
between Spring-Summer, as the warmer months allow the plant to grow and flourish. For
optimal chance at cultivation, Oyster Plants should be planted in areas with full sun exposure
or, at the very least, partial sun exposure.

Gardeners love Oyster Plants as they are considered low maintenance and require little
watering once established. In Australia, the best climate for the plant is nearer to the coast,
as opposed to the dry centre of the country. This is because a deep, moist soil is more
appropriate than a desiccated one.

You can enjoy this magical plant during a stay with us, click on the link and book Bendles Cottages

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If you wish to stay and enjoy the company of our very friendly Magpies, click on this link Bendles Cottages

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If you are an Australian or holidaying on the East Coast of Australia; you would have heard the iconic kookaburra and their ‘bushman clock’ dawn alarm call, usually one of the first birds to wake up (and a reference to the aboriginal legend where the kookaburra chorus is described as a signal for the sky people to light the great fire that illuminates and warms the earth by day). Their ‘laugh’ is loud, heard over long distances and can be heard at any time of day (more often it is at dawn or at dusk, with some locals believing rain is on its way if they ‘laugh’ during the day). A friend once described Laughing kookaburras in a tree outside her bedroom window as ‘fighting monkies’, which is not too far off the sound if you have heard the manic human laughter-like call of a Laughing kookaburra. It might surprise you to know at least 2 birds are required to make the famed kookaburra song. One bird starts with a low hiccupping chuckle, then the bird throws its head back in raucous laughter before several others join in, at different times, making the volume rise and fall. Kookaburras have a range of calls that they use; from cackles, chuckles and squawks to chucks and croons.

Kookaburras nest in tree hollows and branches and have the same mate for life. Usually, a pair of breeding Kookaburra’s is accompanied by up to five fully grown offspring from previous years which help their parents protect their territory and raise the chicks. When the young birds start learning to fly, the group continue to feed them for up to ten weeks until they can forage for themselves.

Two of the four species of kookaburras (terrestrial tree kingfishers) are found around the Bendles cottages in Maleny: the Blue-Winged kookaburra (usually found in the moister parts of northern Australia, including the Top End and as far south as Broome on the west coast and Brisbane on the east) and the Laughing kookaburra (usually found all along the east coast from the Eyre Peninsula to Cape York, southwest of Geraldton on the west coast and Hopetoun on the south coast, westwards from Victoria to the Yorke Peninsula, Tasmania, the Flinders Ranges and Kangaroo Islands.

To enjoy this very special and unique bird click on this link to book Bendles Cottages

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Australian Eastern Whip Bird

Ever heard what sounds like a whip crack. You have probably heard the call of the elusive Australian whip bird, as it is heard more often than seen. They like to hide and hop in dense undergrowth, camouflaging themselves into the background. Their call is loud and distinct and can make many people stop mid-track when walking through the Australian wet temperate forests which whip birds like to call home. Their call is actually a duet between a male and female (monogamous pairs), acting a call and answer sequence, to signal their territory and to identify the caller’s position, as they forage for insects in leaf litter. They forage mainly by foot, flying/hopping with their tail fanned through the underbrush. The male makes a long drawn out whistle and then a whipcrack, and if the female replies, she makes a follow-on note that is a sort of a “choo choo choo” sound. It sounds amazing if you happen to be between the pair when they call. Calls are most frequent in the early morning, though do occur through the day, with small peaks at noon and sunset.

If you are luckily to spot a whip bird; it can be identified as slim and small, at approximately 30cm in length and weighing 50-70g. The male is also slightly larger than the female. It is olive green, with a paler abdomen, black head and breast as well as a fairly long dark olive-green tail, tipped with white. The small black crest on their head is a distinguishing feature. It also has a white cheek-patch on its face, black bill, brown/red eye and blackish feet. Juveniles are a duller olive-brown and lack the white cheek stripes and dark throat.

The eastern whip bird is distributed on the Eastern coast, from south Melbourne to just north of Cairns. If you are looking to try your luck at seeing one of these birds, or simply listen to their beautiful songs, then a population can be found at Maleny (hinterland of the Sunshine Coast), at Bendles Cottages.

They have adapted to living within their gardens, as well as the native bush, which is all around the property. They are very shy and hard to photograph, so you might need a bit of patience and persistence. However, they are always outside the open windows, hiding in the foliage and making their beautiful call.

To have chance of enjoying this beautiful little fellow go to Bendles Cottages

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In the 1800’s, early almanacs, calendars, and the Sydney Gazette marked 26 January as First Landing Day or Foundation Day. To celebrate the occasion, early settlers held anniversary dinners and celebratory drinking started to become customary, as well as sporting events such as horse-race and annual regattas at Sydney Harbour.

Nowadays, there are some ways that Australians do to celebrate it. We can get together in our yard and have relaxed barbecue party (but remember, not too much prawns, mates, we prefer T-bones and lambs! :D) or head out to local parks for a picnic there. Don’t forget to bring Aussie treats like Tim tam, pavlova, vegemite sandwich, lamingtons, meat pies and lots of cold drinks (oh, and sunscreen and umbrella!). Since it’s in the middle of summer and we have lots of lovely beaches, cooling down there is always a good option. While doing so, put on your Aussie memorabilia. Blue shorts, Aussie flag singlets, Southern Cross bucket hat thongs, thongs and sunnies are good. Remember it’s not a legit Australia Day without sports (we do love sports!), so bring your frisbee or watch cockroach race in the arvo. In the evening, watching fireworks display would be a perfect way to end the day. Whichever fun things you choose to do, hope your Straya Day would ‘come good’ for you, mate

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