Best of the Gold Coast 2018: 10 best winter getaways
LOOKING for a cosy, romantic winter getaway? We’ve found 10 places to live out your fireplaces fantasies within a short drive of the Gold Coast.
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WE’VE found 10 places to live out your fireplaces fantasies within a short drive of the Gold Coast.
Here’s our 10 best winter getaways.
Pethers Rainforest Retreat
28B Geissmann Street, Tamborine Mountain
Drive half an hour from the Gold Coast and you could be cuddled up in the canopy, toasting your toes by a fire and sipping the local vino.
Hidden in 12 acres of rainforest, Pethers Rainforest Retreat’s 10 private treehouses set a snug scene for exploring Mt Tamborine.
“Each of our treehouses features a king bed, 100sq m of open-plan dining and living, and floor-to-ceiling windows opening on to your own deck surrounded by lush, pristine rainforest,” general manager Shona Philps says.
“The birds are calling as your spa bath fills with scented bubbles and the glow of the fireplace warms the room as you snuggle up and absorb the surroundings.”
While it may be hard to tear yourself away from the forest fantasy, a misty winter wonderland awaits.
“There is a multitude of spectacular walks through untouched ancient rainforests or you can get up close and personal with glow worms at the Cedar Creek Estate Winery,” Shona says.
“For the more adventurous, there is even a high ropes course at the Tree Top Challenge in Thunder Bird Park.
“Visit one of Tamborine Mountain’s exceptional wineries, enjoy handcrafted artisan cheeses and locally brewed craft beers or just book a massage in front of the fire in your treehouse.”
Things are heating up on the food front too.
If romance is on the menu, Pethers Rainforest Restaurant delivers dreamy dinners, with its massive open-sided fireplace overlooking dramatically floodlit rainforest.
Venture further afield to find everything from beautiful breakfasts at Wild Plum Kitchen to slow-cooked, sticky-finger spreads and cool cocktails at Hickory.
Pethers has a midweek massage package for $699 including two nights in a treehouse, a breakfast basket delivered daily to your door, two 30-minute massages in front of the fire and an antipasto platter and bottle of wine on arrival.
The Mouses House Rainforest Retreat
2807 Springbrook Rd, Springbrook
At the Springbrook source of hot chocolates in homey cafes, The Mouses House has everything you need for winter hibernation.
“Enjoy hiding away in your very own cosy wooden chalet tucked away among 10 acres of an enchanted rainforest,” owner Christine Randall says.
“Each chalet has a lovely crackling wood-burning fireplace, as well as electric blankets on the beds, free Wi-Fi, movies on-demand, a full kitchen and reverse cycle airconditioning for heating.
Cuddle up on the comfy lounge in front of the glowing fireplace with a glass of port to warm you from the inside.
All chalets have a large two-person spa bath with a rainforest view plus our luxury level chalets also have an outside hot tub.”
During the day, embark on a bushwalk or go cafe hopping.
“The Springbrook Winter Fair in July adds to the mountain community experience with lots of local arts, crafts and natural goodies,” Christine says.
The Old Church B&B Boonah
438 Milford Rd, Milford
Traditional B&Bs are few and far between, but this old-world haven in the Scenic Rim keeps the authenticity alive.
Built in 1874 and charmingly renovated, the character-filled Old Church B&B boasts lofty white-washed ceilings, gorgeous arched windows and a welcoming fire. Break bread (handmade sourdough still warm from the oven) with your salt-of-the-earth hosts before venturing down the road to Kooroomba Vineyard and Lavender Farm to frolic through fields of purple blooms.
If you’re a foodie, make sure you time your visit to catch Scenic Rim Eat Local Week from June 30 to July 8.
Mavis’s Kitchen & Cabins
64 Mt Warning Rd, Uki, NSW
If you’ve been waiting for cooler temps to tackle the Mt Warning pilgrimage, put up those weary feet at Mavis’s.
At the mountain’s base, the picturesque property is home to charming B&B cabins.
There’s the rustic Log Cabin where you can savour a cheese plate on the porch, or the whitewashed Old Dairy with a stonewalled skylight bathroom.
Must love dogs? These guys get it, and you’re welcome to bring your pup. Breakfast hampers are delivered to your room, but don’t miss the country hospitality at Mavis’s Kitchen.
Dine on the verandas of the beautiful old Queenslander, feasting on produce plucked fresh from the rambling organic kitchen garden.
Elements of Byron
144 Bayshore Drive, Byron Bay, NSW
Coastal can be cosy too – for proof, book one of the beachfront Dunal Villas at Elements Byron Bay.
A word of warning: you might be tempted to spend your entire stay stretched out on the silvery cowhide in front of the fire, or chin-deep in bubbles on the private bathing deck.
With the crashing surf as a soundtrack, it’s all too easy to lose track of time in that free-standing tub.
You could also plan a picnic at The Farm Byron Bay, just a few minutes down the road, or head up to the lighthouse for an unparalleled perspective of the humpback highway.
GET FULL DIGITAL ACCESS FOR 50C A DAY
Spicers Peak Lodge
Wilkinsons Rd, Maryvale
For winter perks without the pilgrimage interstate, head to the highest non-alpine lodge in Australia.
That honour belongs to Spicers Peak, where general manager Felicity Sharwood says the romance of cool weather and warm fireplaces, fresh air and a remote countryside location are on our doorstep.
“Dine next to stone fireplaces with amazing food and enjoy European architecture with stunning view, while you kick back and relax with a glass of wine.”
Seasonal visitors can also look forward to fog-blanketed mornings and ideal temperatures for hiking.
“Sunsets are particularly beautiful this time of year,” Felicity says.
“We also offer cocktail classes or gin appreciation classes.”
Pencil July 21 in your calendar to experience Christmas in July.
O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
At the end of Lamington National Park Rd
Epic rainforest and valley views come with the territory when you book one of the self-contained mountain villas at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.
Whether you soak up the scenery from a spa on the deck or fireside, it’s an ideal base for exploring the World Heritage Lamington National Park.
The 20,200 hectares of varying forest types, from temperate Antarctic beech forest high on the border ranges through to precious pockets of subtropical rainforests or dry eucalypt forest, will turn anyone into a tree-hugger.
One of the favourite hikes is to Elabana Falls (7.6km return), but you can choose your own adventure.
Sanctuary by Sirromet
850-938 Mount Cotton Road, Mount Cotton
Queensland’s first winery glamping experience opened this month at Sirromet Wines estate, around 40 minutes from the Gold Coast.
Surrounded by paperbarks and giant scribbly gums, Sanctuary by Sirromet’s 18 tented pavilions feature balconies floating above the landscape, just the spot for sipping a glass of wine while the sun sets.
Stay snug on chilly nights thanks to sumptuous beds with top-of-the-line linen and reverse cycle airconditioning.
You’ll wake up to a locally sourced breakfast hamper packed with buttery croissants, house-smoked salmon bagels and Sirromet blended coffee.
Guests can also enjoy meals a short mini-cart ride away at one of three on-site venues: the casual Cellar Door Café, Italian-inspired Tuscan Terrace or fine diner Restaurant Lurleen’s.
Spicers Tamarind Retreat
88 Obi Lane South, Maleny, Sunshine Coast Hinterland
Sitting snug between Maleny and Montville, you’ll find hinterland heaven on the Sunshine Coast.
Spicers Tamarind general manager Ryan Dillon says all of their rooms have a fireplace and the choice of either an outdoor cedar hot tub or cocoon bath.
“We also have our newly built fire pit, which is perfect for toasting marshmallows at night and enjoying the cooler weather.
At this time of year many of our guests are cosying up in their villas with a glass of red and a good book in front of the fire or relaxing in the hydrotherapy pool at Spa Anise.”
You can also turn up the heat in the kitchen with a soul-warming cooking class.
“We have just changed into our winter menu where guests can choose from Modern Asian, Thai, Italian or French cuisines and enjoy their three-course creation at the end of the class with a class of wine,” Ryan says.
Nightfall
Christmas Creek Road, Lamington
Nightfall offer safari tent glamping amid the wild beauty of Lamington National Park rainforest.
With canvas and mesh roll-down walls, the stunning sanctuaries include rotating fireplaces, vintage baths and rain showers.
Views in every direction showcase the forest surrounds or, when the tent walls are down, the light of the fireplace flames flickers on a canvas ceiling.
You get almost all of the benefits of five-star accommodation, including local organic food, while staying connected to the elements.
Make like a mermaid in natural spa pools, laze in a hammock or tell stories around the campfire.
The ultimate indulgence is an alfresco massage – no prerecorded spa sounds here, just the real thing: birds, wind in the trees and the tumbling creek.
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