Mount Barney Lodge caretakers awarded search and rescue accolade
The owner-operators of ECO certified Mount Barney Lodge country retreat, Innes Larkin and his father John, were presented with the 2016 Australian Search and Rescue Award at an event hosted by the Western Australia Police in Fremantle recently.
An initiative of the Australian National Search and Rescue Council (NATSAR), the accolade recognises an outstanding contribution to search and rescue activities in Australia.
The NATSAR Council is comprised of members from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Australian Defence Force, State, Territory and Federal Police, who take turns hosting the annual award ceremony.
Mr Larkin and his father, have lent their extensive knowledge of the national parks and hiking trails surrounding their lodge to numerous search and rescue missions in the area since 1989. This local knowledge and experience has been sought after by search and rescue coordinators on more than 400 occasions for some 700 lost and overdue bushwalkers. In all cases the missing persons were found.
As well as participating in searches, Innes and John have offered the facilities of their lodge as a location for field search headquarters and helicopter landing and retrieval zones on countless occasions.
Innes and his father were humbled by the NATSAR Council’s decision to award hem with the 2016 accolade. “Helping out with search and rescue operations is our way of giving back to the mountain that provides us with our livelihood,” Innes said.
Advanced Ecotourism and Climate Action Business Accreditation
Mt Barney Lodge is an Advanced Ecotourism and Climate Action Business accredited retreat, providing the closest accommodation to World Heritage-listed Mt Barney National Park. The lodge specialises in group and family bookings with accommodation options including country homesteads, cabins, deluxe camper trailers and camping.
Their qualified outdoor leaders can take you on an adventure experience such as rock climbing and abseiling or you can immerse yourself in nature as they have creek frontage and bushwalks starting from the lodge.
All the accommodation allows you to self-cater, or you can have hearty country meals delivered to your table if you plan in advance.
Perfect for nature enthusiasts who wish to be accommodated in the wilderness setting of South East Queensland, located only a 90-minute drive from Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Find out more about the Mt Barney Lodge here: http://mtbarneylodge.com.au/
Images credit: Mt Barney Lodge, Scenic Rim, QLD
L to R: John Larkin, Innes Larkin