Poppies Bed and Breakfast in Queensland, Australia

Queensland is in northeast Australia, home to the cities of Brisbane and Cairns. Mooloolah (a name which means "black snake" in aboriginal) is generally described as a peaceful, rural town -- and within easy driving distance of many attractions.

At Poppies Bed and Breakfast in Mooloolah, four guest rooms are available, each with a queen-size bed and a private bath. Innkeeper Freda Lyttle was kind to answer some questions for us about the relatively new B&B and the Mooloolah area.

Please tell us a little about your inn's history and why you decided to become innkeepers.

Our bed and breakfast opened at Christmas 2006 after two years of planning (one year in building) and all the delays in the world that only builders can come up with. The decision to turn our home into a bed and breakfast was because of the beautiful location in the middle of Queensland's busy Sunshine Coast.

What are some of your inn's unique features?

Our unique feature is the space: 2.25 acres of gardens, peaceful, lots of birds and trees. Yet we are only 5 to 15 minutes from all tourist attractions. The other benefit is our mainly perfect year-round weather, which makes outdoor activity no problem.

What are some of the attractions in your area that guests seem to enjoy the most?

Our most famous attraction that draws thousands to the area is Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo, which is 10 minutes away.

Across the road from Poppies B&B is a large recreational dam, Ewan Maddock Dam, which is used for safe swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and long shady walks and barbecues.

Other attractions are the beautiful Caloundra beaches, ideal for surfing and protected beaches for families or older folk; the Ancient Glasshouse Mountains; Big Kart Track and Bungy Jump; the comic strip-inspired Ettamogah Pub; Aussie World family fun park; Buderim Ginger Factory; Mooloolaba beaches and cafes; and golf courses.

Our inn is a one-hour drive to Brisbane, and two hours to the Gold Coast.

How do you make a stay at your B&B special?

We aim to give our guests freedom and privacy. The suites are self-contained, so breakfast is at their time, not ours. Home-baked goodies such as cake, marmalades and fresh seasonal fruit from the garden are provided. Each room has a good supply of books, DVDs, CDs, etc., and a lovely deck to enjoy breakfast in our warm climate. Guests can use the barbecue in the shady garden and billabong area.

What might a guest expect to have at a "typical" breakfast in your inn?

A typical breakfast would be bacon, eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, bread, muffins or waffles, choice of cereals, yoghurt, fresh fruit, juice, coffee and tea selection.

Which is your personal favorite room at your bed and breakfast?

All the rooms are named after our beautiful granddaughters. My favorite room is the Madeleine Room, which has a slipper bath and large shower and a choice of two decks.

What was your first month as innkeepers like?

Our first month was stress-filled, waiting to find out if the customers are as pleased with the rooms as we are.