Former Sunshine Coast real estate personality Jenny Tatton admits to asking herself “What have I done?” a few times in the months after buying a rundown nursery three years ago.
Jenny, who had been the principal of Montville Real Estate for 20 years, and partner Rob, a builder and one-time farmer, opted for a change of scenery in the Tweed Valley in NSW, with views of majestic Wollumbin/Mt Warning.
They went into business with Rob’s brother and his partner, with grand plans for the stunning 4.45-hectare rural property.
Responsibilities would be split down the middle between the two couples, with green-thumb Jenny running the nursery.
To open the doors in 2020 on Friday the 13th, after a solid three months of renovations, could have been a lucky omen.
Certainly, the local residents’ support for the newly opened Crystal Creek Estate – just 10 minutes’ drive from Murwillumbah, along scenic Numinbah Road – was positive and more than encouraging.
But then came two months of stop/start Covid-enforced lockdowns in NSW.
The family breathed a collective sigh of relief as the pandemic’s tourism fog began lifting.
The hectare of nursery and pet-friendly picnic gardens (complete with sprawling banyan tree), waterside cafe boasting tasty country-style cooking and gift shop filled to the brim with colour and curiosities soon started getting noticed by visitors, tour groups and even luxury car clubs further afield.
Then staffing shortages plagued the small business, as they did throughout Australia.
Next came the 2022 floods across the Northern Rivers, closing roads and creating potholes on the popular drive loop from Nerang on the Gold Coast to the Tweed Valley that passed by the estate’s doorstep.
Once again, the owners’ collective resolve was tested. Half of the partnership moved back to Brisbane.
Jenny, who was born and bred on the NSW Mid North Coast, found herself running the whole shebang, with an all-female team in support.
Despite all the challenges, she is now relishing every minute of her career change.
Her decision has finally been vindicated.
“It was brilliant for two weeks because there’s nothing at Crystal Creek,” Jenny says of the initial opening, as the omnipresent mountain – known as “the cloud catcher” – looms large in the background.
“We were really blown away, because all the locals came down in that two weeks. And we were saying: ‘Oh, it’s fantastic you’re here.’
“We opened on March 13 and we closed March 30. Then we’ve had floods.
“Would you believe it’s wetter than Montville here.
“Crystal Creek starts at Springbrook. So, when Springbrook gets 800mm overnight, we flood.”
Naturally, to keep the business afloat, Jenny has learned to adapt – just like a well-trained plant – and especially in creating the ambience of the landscaped grounds and the affordable range of nursery offerings.
“Coming from Montville, I thought I’d do cottage gardens because I love cottage gardens,” she says.
“But nah, it’s too wet for that.
“We have a few little herbs but it’s more that subtropical/natives/indoor plants. A mish-mash of everything because it’s not a big nursery.
“I only buy from within an hour or so’s radius.
“We’ve had that experience of what works and what doesn’t work.”
The property, which runs the family horses and cows in the back paddocks, started life as the cattle dip for the surrounding rural area, with saleyards where the car park now stands.
The nursery was established in the late 1970s/early 1980s, when the now-mature trees shading today’s picnic tables were planted.
“This is our beautiful banyan tree,” Jenny says, proudly gesturing to the beautiful centrepiece of the gardens.
“When we bought the place, this was all just white gravel and there were lilly pillies (Australian cherries) and palms all growing around it.
“We cut them all down and just left our banyan. She’s gorgeous.
“We think she’s probably been here since the start of the nursery: 40 years or so.”
Even the charming on-site gift shop has evolved, now showcasing the work of Tweed Coast and hinterland artists, artisans and craftspeople and boasting a quirky collection of items from dried and fresh flowers from the local florist, to soaps, candles, pottery, paintings, pots and ceramics, and even bird houses and garden art.
“I like gardens that are full of bits and pieces, knick-knacks and things like that,” Jenny says.
“A garden’s not just plants.
“Artists started coming in and saying, ‘Would you sell this for me? Would you sell that?’”
The business continues to be a big hit with the locals – residents of Crystal Creek, Upper Crystal Creek and Chillingham – and particularly the mature-aged patrons who come for great coffee, freshly baked cakes and a chat, wander around the nursery, and book for milestone birthday parties.
But word of mouth is also drawing back the drive market, with tourists joining regulars from Murwillumbah, Terranora and Banora Point in soaking up the picturesque setting, with the ever-present symphony of birdsong and relaxed vibe.
The dining deck is the main attraction.
“You sit looking over the creek. We’ve got the turtles and the fish,” Jenny says.
“Breakfast is a big thing here, especially on weekends.
“We get a big breakfast hit. Then during the week, it’s more lunch.
“It’s just easy, country food. It’s wholesome. It’s good. It’s clean.
“We’re not trying to be something that we’re not.
“It’s not fancy. But we had a table of three chefs sitting here yesterday and they raved about the food. What a compliment to the kitchen.
“We’re only little, we’re only 10 minutes out of town but we’re country.
“We’re cruisy. We’re chilled.”
Crystal Creek Estate is open six days a week (closed Wednesdays and public holidays) for breakfast and lunch from 7.30am-4pm at 1004 Numinbah Road, Crystal Creek. Phone (02) 6679 1060 or visit the website.
- The writer was a guest of The Tweed Tourism Co.
Footnote: The business changed hands over the Christmas-New Year period. Following some health scares over the past year, Jenny and Rob have decided to retire. The new owners are Ursula Thompson, who has 40 years’ experience in the hospitality industry – more recently managing acclaimed restaurant Mavis’s Kitchen at nearby Uki for the past five years – and business partner Diane Hather, a popular local artist.
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