Shonnea and Jamie Nicol open luxury glasshouse retreat for couples in Tweed, NSW

Ringed by otherworldly mountains, a new luxury glasshouse retreat complete with a stargazing bath is a secret staycay just an hour from the Gold Coast. Check it out

Avion Retreat at Pumpenbil, NSW Picture: Sally Singh

It could be Hawaii, but this holiday paradise is much closer to home.

Ringed by otherworldly mountains and saturated in shades of green, Avion Retreat is regularly compared to the island playground, but it’s actually at Pumpenbil in northern NSW – just under an hour’s drive from Gold Coast Airport.

“We have guests that turn up, get out of the car and go, ‘What is this place, this is insane’,” owner Shonnea Nicol said.

“They say it looks like Hawaii because it’s so green and there are crazy mountains everywhere.”

Shonnea and her husband Jamie were living in London when they conceived the idea for Avion Retreat, made up of two luxury glasshouses planted in 150 acres of private farmland.

“It took us nearly two years to find exactly the place we had in mind, but we bought the most magnificent property in the Tweed Valley,” she said.

“It had everything we wanted with views of mountains everywhere – Wollumbin, the Pinnacle and the Border Ranges – a creek, dams and the original 1920s homestead.”

Designed to blend into the scenery, the glasshouses offer mountain views from every angle. Picture: Sally Singh

The couple live in the homestead, which also houses the reception where guests can park and check in.

They’re then lent an electric golf buggy to reach the newly built glasshouses, tucked 1km away on an internal road that weaves through the trees.

Designed to suit couples, each home has a fireplace, outdoor stone bath, kitchen, a deck with a daybed and barbecue, electric blinds, and a TV that drops from the ceiling.

Floor-to-ceiling glass wraps three sides of the off-grid accommodation, so mountain views loom large, even from the king bed.

“It’s an adults-only escape so our guests truly get to relax and have time out,” Shonnea says.

“There’s beautiful linen, Bemboka robes, slippers, luxury toiletries from Leif – everything you have in a five-star hotel but you’re in the middle of a paddock overlooking mountains.

“You can sit in the bath and look up at the stars and I’ve even had guests who say they’ve slept outside on the big day bed.

The outdoor bath is a popular spot for stargazing. Picture: Sally Singh

“The skies are unreal because there’s not much light pollution – you can just see a little hue of light over the Border Ranges – that’s the Gold Coast.

“There are plenty of places for people to explore, including the best sunset picnic spot on top of another ridgeline where we’ve put some beanbags.”

Food is a focus at the retreat, with Shonnea seeing it as a way to introduce visitors – some who come from as far as Europe – to the region’s riches.

“Breakfast is included in all of our stays and we focus heavily on showcasing the produce of the Northern Rivers with Sourdough Crumpet Co crumpets – they are so good – Mad Mountain jams, Mariefields organic honey that is just next door, local sourdough and fresh-farm eggs,” she said.

More mountain views from the daybed. Picture: Sally Singh

“We also have platters and pasta dinners, including pasta and sauces from Woodland Farm (the venison ragu is to die for), Nimbin Valley Cheese, Cheeses Loves You Cheese, Grumpy Grandmas smoked olives, Byron Bay crackers and Rainforest Farmer Macadamias.”

The owners often act as concierge, unlocking local secrets for guests who want to explore further afield.

“It’s not like staying in an Airbnb where you get a key out of a lockbox,” Shonnea says.

“When our guests arrive I always have a chat with them about what they are looking to do.

“My tips for our foodie guests include dinner at Tweed River House or Bistro Livi, enjoying a gin or rum or three at Husk Distillery, and exploring the Wednesday morning farmers’ markets in Murwillumbah.

Tweed River House is one of many tips for foodies visiting the Northern Rivers.

“I always suggest a trip just 10 minutes from Avion to Tyalgum. It’s a little village with Flutterbies Café, a pub, a general store and quaint little shops.

“Nature lovers can explore Byrill Creek Walking track, Brummies Lookout or take a swim at Jackson’s Creek Falls in Chillingham.”

THREE TWEED TREATS TO TRY

TWEED RIVER HOUSE

131 River Street, South Murwillumbah

With views across the cane fields to Wollumbin and the Border Ranges, the stately home-turned-restaurant on the banks of the Tweed River revives old-world hospitality. A table on the terrace is recommended for a relaxed lunch, or dine degustation style under the chandeliers.

BISTRO LIVI

1A 1-3 Brisbane St, Murwillumbah

Housed in an art deco building in Murwillumbah’s Art Precinct, is a “small neighbourhood restaurant” with big ideas. Chef Ewen Crawford’s small-plate menu heroes the homegrown, nurturing connections with local fishermen and suppliers.

Picnic on the lawn at Husk Farm’s cellar door.

HUSK FARM DISTILLERY

1152 Dulguigan Rd, North Tumbulgum

You’ll see its famous exports on most local cocktail menus, but nothing beats going straight to the source of handcrafted rum and colour-changing gin. The scenic cellar door sets the scene for tours, tastings, picnics on the lawn and long lunches.