Lovestone Cottages at Montville the perfect getaway for Gold Coasters

IF you’re in the mood for a rainforest romance, this luxury love nest will set the scene. FIND OUT THE DETAILS

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IF you’re in the mood for a rainforest romance, a luxury love nest in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland will set the scene.

With tempting tubs, fireplaces and guaranteed seclusion, Lovestone Cottages at Montville turns up the heat on a winter getaway.

Originally called Montville Grove, the cottages were renamed and renovated with couples in mind by current owners Tamara and Jonathan Large.

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The romantic rebrand preserves a slice of local history, a nod to Montville’s first European settlers.

“In 2018 my husband and I set about transforming it into a luxury couples’ retreat,” Mrs Large said.

“In early 2020 we gutted and transformed the first cottage and at the same time rebranded the accommodation to Lovestone Cottages.

Lovestone Cottages in Montville

“The main house and property date back to 1906 and we named it Lovestone in honour of Hamilton Muirhead.“Hamilton, his wife and five children came from Ayrshire in Scotland.

“The Lovestone Plantation was a massive 666 acres of trees planted on the Bargany Estate, where Hamilton learned his timber trade.

Lovestone Cottages in Montville

“The Montville area is also known for its rich and dense forests, so Lovestone seemed a fitting name for the cottages.

“Fortunately, Montville enjoys a far warmer climate than Hamilton’s native Ayrshire.”

While snow is thin on the ground in this neck of the woods, crisp winter nights are still an opportunity for couples to cuddle around the fireplace or sink into a steamy steam bath.

“Each cottage has a double spa, a wood fireplace, fully equipped kitchen, double showers and kingsize beds,” Mrs Large said.

“All verandas afford beautiful views of our escarpment, rainforest and Lake Baroon, equipped with a barbecue and a comfortable timber bar allowing you to take in the view over a glass off bubbly.

“Every window captures a unique view too.”

Mrs Large said privacy was a priority.

Lovestone Cottages in Montville

“We deliver a complimentary fresh breakfast hamper on arrival and, of course, we’re always on call, but otherwise we let our guests just soak up the serenity in peace,” she said.

While many choose not to budge from that blissful bubble, attractions on the accommodation’s doorstep include the picnic-worthy Kondalilla Falls and a host of restaurants ready to woo with candlelit dinners and seductive fare.

“The Sunshine Coast Hinterland is such a wonderfully diverse region with outstanding local produce, which can be sampled at a wide range of cafes, restaurants and markets,” Mrs Large said.

“We have cooking schools, a winery and distilleries all close by.

Kondalilla Falls on the Sunshine Coast. For Lovestone Cottages in Montville feature in Gold Coast Getaways. Supplied by Sunshine Coast Tourism

“There is a very authentic art and craft scene, which can be seen at galleries in and around Montville and at local markets.

“Almost next door to us is the Hinterland Great Walk, which is part of a network of spectacular walking trails and hikes for bird watchers and nature lovers.

“I don’t think there is a more spiritually uplifting and naturally refreshing destination in Queensland.”

Ultimate getaway for Gold Coast luxury lovers

When you want to spoil someone special, it pays to have friends in high places.

At just over two hours’ drive west of the Gold Coast, Spicers Peak Lodge couldn’t feel further from the everyday.

Perched on a plateau amid 8000 acres of World Heritage Listed national park, this luxury lodge floats 1100m above sea level with only the clouds for company.

No neighbours except nature, no decisions more taxing than settling on a favourite colour (red or white?).

Australia’s highest non-alpine lodge is the pioneer property in the luxury Spicers portfolio and perhaps the most personal of its visionary, Jude Turner.

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Jude met her husband Graham in London where the Flight Centre founder was working on the then-fledgling Topdeck Travel, but both grew up in the Scenic Rim and their hearts still hankered for country life.

She first spied the lodge’s surreal setting from a chopper, convincing the pilot to set down for a sticky beak.

Built from scratch on the working cattle farm, the current residence was originally intended as a farmhouse for family visits. Maybe that’s why it feels nothing like a hotel.

It’s full of things the family loves – a pair of sinfully comfortable chairs Jude smuggled from New York in her hand luggage after sweet-talking the Ralph Lauren boutique into parting with them, and cherished pieces from a personal art collection.

The all-inclusive pricetag – and they’re generous in its definition – further removes any reminder a stay at Spicers Peak Lodge is a commercial transaction.

Stay in one of the stately Lodge Suites, which whispers quiet elegance from the roomy marble bathroom to handsome bluestone fireplace.

There are also more secluded residences on the property, including a two-bedroom private lodge on the edge of the escarpment with views that flow from the outdoor jacuzzi over Spicers Gap.

A daily rhythm revolves around food. The Peak restaurant’s head chef Dean Alsford leads a kitchen team reinvigorating fine-dining fare with first-class Australian produce, imaginative technique and artistic plating.

Anyone value-minded keen to break down nightly room rates of more than $1000 will get their satisfaction here – breakfast, lunch, dinner or room-service menu, the food is unforgettable.

Every night there’s a five-course degustation menu that’s closer to 10 when you factor in myriad amuse bouche, palate cleansers and the chefs’ whimsy, along with insightful wine pairings from a resident sommelier.

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With wine and cheese plates materialising at the merest thought, signing up for a few of the activities on offer is probably for the best.

It’s all downhill when you opt for the 7km guided or solo mountain bike ride down the brumby track through eucalypt woodland, crossing Freestone Creek and skirting steep rocky plateaus.

One of the lodge’s smartly stamped 4WDs will be waiting at the bottom to ferry you back to base.

The silver steeds are also put to use in sunset 4WD tours, bouncing along the ridge line to the west-facing Ryan’s Lookout to watch the sun melt into the Great Dividing Range.

They can drop you with a thoughtfully packed hamper in picturesque places for a picnic or arrange a chopper chauffeur to up the ante.