Ben Ricketts Environmental Preserve

22/01/2026

Ben Ricketts is beautiful in all weather, but it's a particular delight after a lot of rain, like we had last weekend. On Sunday there was water everywhere, and our many cascades were gushing wonderfully. But even then, among all the drama was the joy of a misty view through the forest.

31/10/2025

I’m up at Binna Burra Lodge, Lamington National Park in SE Qld. Lovely walking. The lodge has a ‘Friends of Binna Burra’ group who engage in working bees much like we do at BREP. They have faced significant challenges since 2019 - lodge & cabins burned to the ground - rebuilding started last year with an $18 million grant from Qld government - then in early 2025, a cyclone damaged their 6 tiny houses and ‘glamping’ safari tents.

But they are a resilient community.

What made me post about Binna Burra tonight was the backpack on the library wall! Made by Paddy Pallin, donated by a member/ friend of Binna Burra

19/08/2025

Just returned from a delightful 4-day long weekend and working bee at Ben Ricketts. Lots of maintenance jobs completed including scrubbing & painting external cabin walls, cleaning outside walls of the caretakers house. Great catering thanks to Stephen & Jane Gye. Next working bee is in October.

31/05/2025

Book a restful holiday this year at Ben Ricketts. Cosy woodfires in the evening, crisp morning walks along Misty Lane.

https://www.benricketts.com.au/rates

Our next working bees will be from 15-17 August. Join us if you can. We will be doing maintenance and cleaning to the cabins and communal area, and some weeding on the property.

26/09/2024

Well done Nancy Pallin! Lovely birds. I sometimes see one in the Strickland Forest on the Central Coast

25/09/2024

It's very exciting to see how our conservation work at Ben Ricketts contributes to the region's environmental health!

15/04/2024

Come and stay with us these school holidays! After the recent rain the property is looking BEAUTIFUL. The sound of the creeks running full of water is a joy and everything feels fresh.

There's so much to do without leaving the property:
- explore our two marked trails through the rainforest
- relax around the fire, indoors or out
- sit with a cuppa and watch the yellow robins, firetails and more from your verandah
- wander down Misty Lane at twilight and greet the wombats and kangaroos
- explore behind the cabins. Even a few metres into the forest you will see wonderful things.
- share the holiday with friends. Bringing a couple of families together at Ben Ricketts is a guarantee of a wonderful time.

25/10/2023

Our final working bee of 2023 was recently attended by 10 shareholders / friends, and included our AGM F2F and online. Much work was done including cleaning of the communal area, cabin cupboards, the shed (oh my!), gutter cleaning, fitting extra curtains, and weeding. Local walks including Barren Grounds are at their best at this time of year, as the flowers are out, birds are many, and the temperature is perfect. A great time to visit. Next working bee in Feb - date to be confirmed.

10/08/2023

Before you vote for your favourite Australian bush sound, come and hear all ten finalists at Ben Ricketts!

It's time to vote again as our quest to find Australia's favourite animal sound reaches a crescendo. Is your favourite among the top 10, and will it win the race for the nation's hearts and ears?

14/07/2023

OPEN AT LAST!

We are delighted to report that Jamberoo Mountain Road is once again open to through traffic. It's been a long year!

To celebrate Ben Ricketts Environmental Preserve is offering discounted rate for all stays between now and 31 October. The weekend rate is $190 a night, and the midweek rate is $130. Check out our website for full information and to book: https://www.benricketts.com.au/accommodation

16/01/2023

One of the BREP community captured this incredible lyrebird performance on their wildlife camera. Our forest is full of birdsong at the moment!

An amazing close-up performance from a lyrebird on Ben Ricketts16 November 2022, 9AM

01/11/2022

We have some marvellous birds and beasts at Ben Ricketts, and we have captured several of them on our wildlife camera. Check them out!