Distinctive Retreats

Hiddins and the Chain of Ponds Winery released the distinctive Bush Tucker Man wines in 2002. Since 2001, Hiddins has been at the forefront of establishing wilderness retreats for war Veterans. “Pandanus Park”, the flagship for these retreats, is a parcel of Normanby River frontage on “Kalpowar Station”, adjoining Lakefield National Park in Cape York Peninsula. On 28 March 2008 Hiddins was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science by James Cook University’s Faculty of Science, Engineering and Information Technology: “in recognition for his outstanding and distinguished contribution to Australia and the northern Queensland community through his work on the ABC TV series Bush Tucker Man, his time in the defence force (including two tours of duty) where he worked with indigenous communities and establishing a bush retreat in Cape York for Vietnam veterans to enjoy.” [2] In 2009, Hiddins is enjoying his retirement, still bringing the Aussie bush to others through re-runs globally of the Bush Tucker Man series. Ray Mears made a BBC programme about and with him, shown on BBC Two in June 2009 as part of his Ray Mears Goes Walkabout series.