Inside Queensland’s hottest new luxury retreat

Escape the hustle of city life at this new retreat boasting fine food, a delightful spa and luxury cabins.

The gorgeous Hazlewood Estate, located at Beechmont.

The wallabies and hares aren’t a bit bothered. Out they scamper, just around dusk, to nibble on the grass by the lake.

It’s as if they don’t even notice the cabins dotted nearby, or the people inside them. Birds, of varieties too many to name, are also seemingly unfazed by this latest activity on their patch of Gold Coast hinterland.

Peaceful co-existence is no accident at Hazelwood Estate in Beechmont.

Considered efforts were made from the beginning to work with nature, not against it. The newly established resort, which also happens to be a polo and wagyu beef farm, exudes understated elegance. It’s luxury without pretension.

After navigating a winding road with stunning Scenic Rim views on the home stretch of the 100km drive from Brisbane CBD, I arrive at the gated 75ha property, punch in an access code, and head up to the main pavilion.

Hazlewood Estate.

It’s a beautifully designed space, with lashings of stone, tongue and groove walls, vaulted ceilings and abundant natural light.

Here is the reception, gift shop and The Paddock restaurant, which offers indoor and outdoor dining, a rustic fireplace complimented by leather couches, coffee table books and an oversized chess set and, not surprisingly, a very well-stocked bar.

The area has a welcoming clubhouse feel, magnified by the friendliness of the staff, many of whom have been drilled in five-star hospitality in overseas ski resorts and leading boutique hotels.

Executive chef in residence Cameron Matthews, renowned for his passion for local produce, delivers dishes as pretty as they are delicious.

Although the menu changes often, it always features vegetables and herbs from the garden, and on my visit standout dishes included aged wagyu tartare with beetroot butter, porcini and crispy leaves, duck and cherry pate, and olive-oil poached tooth fish with heirloom tomato salad and edible flowers.

Hazlewood Estate.

Lunch and dinner menus are the same, with breakfast another showcase altogether. Think poached eggs with creamy herbed mushrooms, tomato, mascarpone and dill salad, plump bacon with sautéed spinach, and excellent coffee from Paradox roasters in Surfers Paradise.

From the pavilion the views are simply gorgeous.

Look up to the polo field and stables and down to the guest cabins and day spa. I stayed in one of three aptly named “luxury pavilions”, with a spacious lounge, fireplace, queen sofa bed, kitchenette, deck, deep bath and dreamy king bed. There are 17 smaller “king farm” cabins, and all feature Australian-made Salus body products.

The spa is a delight. Unassuming in (and by) design, its therapists are brilliant. Do the three-hour massage, body wrap and facial package if you can. It’s heavenly.

Hazelwood Estate offers wine and cheese tastings and market garden tours, and you can book external horse riding adventures.

Hazlewood Estate.

Owners Andrew Northcott and Claire Burman so loved the property they bought several years ago to escape city life that they married here in 2019.

Hazelwood Estate, which opened quietly in September this year, also caters for corporate and health retreats, and guests must be at least 14 years old.

The Paddock is open to visitors, and from December will welcome a new executive chef in Simon Furley, most recently of Spicers’ Homage restaurant in Grandchester.

With properties such as this, it’s easy to see why Lonely Planet named the Scenic Rim in the top 10 regions in the world to visit in 2022. The wallabies and hares await.

The writer was a guest of the operators

HAZELWOOD ESTATE

422 Binna Burra Rd,

Beechmont, Queensland

Ph: 07 5602 9710

Open Wed-Sun

Cabins from $649 per night, including breakfast and three-course a la carte dinner for two.

hazelwoodestate.com.au