It’s a big day for Bendigo as Bethany Mockington opens Bendigo’s newest tourist attraction, Norm’s Yurt.
“It’s a magical experience, with a series of traditional Yurts made to recreate the spirit of the ancient Copper Age,” said Mrs Mockington, 28, of California Gully.
Visitors will be invited to enter a world where smelting wasn’t advanced, writing was a step above witchcraft, and sanitation was not a real thing.
“We’ll have toilets to use, as is stipulated under council regulations, but in keeping with the period we wont be requiring anybody to use them, not even me,” said Mrs Mockington, who then squatted in the street and revealed herself. “See!?”
Yes, effluent mixing in the piss based mud is one thing visitors can enjoy.
“We’ll also cater for the foodie tourist by serving raw turnips, yak milk, dead birds found on the ground, and once a week, if you’re lucky, a badger will be placed on the communal fire for roasting,” said Mrs Mockington.
It really is a communal feel at Norm’s Yurt, with young families choosing to move to the village as a way of disconnecting from the hustle and bustle Bendigo life.
“Yes, for those keen on a time before fluoride in the water, before vaccinations against polio, and before pasteurised milk, we have an ideal setting,” said Mrs Mockington.
The Coper Age was a time when most people died before 20 and were lucky to live to 30, with only fancy academics making it passed 40 – and those were mainly priests because they didn’t get syphilis.
“Considering that, it’s kind of like the Olympic Village,” said Mrs Mockington.
The wonder of Norm’s Yurt can be experienced out near Lockwood, just follow the stench.
