Birdbrain

Whatever the temperature is on the Gold Coast, deduct 4 - 5C for Beechmont Plateau. Lower humidity and temperatures make even mid-summer nights quite bearable. The volcanic soil is fantastic for growing anything at all - fruit trees, most vegetables and most landscaping plants. Avocadoes, Macadamia and Citrus trees all thrive in the sunny crisp cooler atmosphere.

Being surrounded by large tracts of native bush many native birds call Beechmont home. Lorikeets, Rosellas, Black Cockatoos, Sulphur Cresteds, King Parrots, Whip Birds, Wompoo Pigeons and many many others can be heard and/or seen if you care to put in some native nectar plants or berry trees in your yard for them to visit. With your own tank water storage and on-sitewaste treatment systems you can manage very well provided you put in adequate water storage. Rainfall is between 1000 to 1600 mm a year on average and is pretty reliable. We put in 2 X 45,000 litre water tanks and have never run out since they were both filled during one wet Spring several years ago.

You have the benefits of living in the country with all the shops and services you want at the bottom of the mountain some 30 to 45 minutes drive away. I take the beautiful scenic drive each day to work on the Gold Coast. And as long as you plan your household supplies purchases intelligently you don't miss not having a shopping centre handy.