Tamborine Mountain’s magical fairy cottages just a quick drive west

NESTLED in the heart of the Gold Coast Hinterland is a place worthy of magical fairytales. And it’s just the place for a romantic getaway too.

Witches Falls Cottages at Tamborine Mountain

Spiralling up tree-lined streets to the top of Tamborine Mountain, it’s easy to feel like you’re slowly entering an alternate universe.

This passageway to the Gold Coast’s Narnia transports you to the perfect little town to recharge your batteries and escape the real world.

Time on the mountain makes you feel like you could easily adjust to a simpler, slower, more wholesome life. But before you quit your job and start searching for Tambo real estate, here’s a taste of what this fairytale setting has to offer.

Witches Falls Cottages at Tamborine Mountain

STAY

Tamborine Mountain is synonymous with romance, which is kind of strange considering it looks like your grandma was in charge of decorating everything.

There’s something about the nostalgic, old-timey buildings and all-pervading cosiness that makes you want to cuddle up with someone.

I think as Aussies living in year-round sweltering temperatures we’re usually too sweaty to cuddle, so the crisp air and allure of a crackling fireplace casts a sweet spell over us.

Witches Falls Cottages has all the ingredients for the ultimate lovers’ weekend away.

Witches Falls Cottages has all the ingredients for the ultimate lovers’ weekend away, which is why I took one of my best friends who has been with her boyfriend for seven years.

It may be a small town, but mountaineers are still open minded, with our live-in grounds manager Kelly not even batting an eye when we turned up together. It is 2018 after all, and something tells me Kelly and her husband Mark have seen sights far more scandalous than two girls staying together.

The amazing bathroom!

I say that because as Kelly leads us down the mystical footpath to our cottage, she tells us most people don’t even notice her and Mark getting around, they’re too busy … you know.

And despite being on a strictly platonic girls weekend, I can see why.

Our cottage looks like a fairy cabin in the woods, with a pointed roof and covering of creeping vines.

Inside is more like a fairy palace. All in one warmly lit room is a raised four-poster curtained bed, a soft, comfy couch, small kitchenette, two-seater table, outside patio and real fireplace. Mark had set it up so even a child could light it, but that didn’t stop us from feeling like Bear Grylls when we had it roaring later in the night.

The real jaw dropper here though is the bathroom. In a separate room, it is one of the most Instagrammable bathrooms I’ve ever seen, with an extremely welcoming spa bath (for two people, of course) and a greenery wall.

Romantic food to boot.

One wall is all window, but don’t worry, it faces out to a full foliage enclosure, not the open world.

The crisp white and vibrant green creates such a stunning effect it really is the type of bathroom you can just stand back and admire. Which we did. I’m sure a regular couple would already be filling it up and cracking the wine.

Instead we tuck into the cheese basket Kelly drops off, filled with local cheeses and accompanied by a bottle of wine of our choice.

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She warns us that Mark will be down to top up our wood basket and in the morning she will drop off our breakfast hamper, so just in case things heat up, please close the curtains. It’s plainly obvious this woman has seen some things.

Outside the cottages.

In the morning, sure enough, a hamper arrives with freshly baked bread, eggs, tomato, bacon, Kransky sausages, mushrooms and more for us to cook on the barbecue outside surrounded by more lush vegetation.

I’m not usually a fan of doing things myself, but it’s actually a really nice touch, extending the uninterrupted alone time for couples. For us it means we can unapologetically drink coffee and scoff breakfast in our bathrobes.

PLAY

If you thought this cute couple’s getaway between two friends couldn’t get any more romantic, well you’re wrong.

Witches Falls had arranged treatments from Ripple Massage. Our two massage therapists arrived at the cottage doorstep and set up in the living area while we soaked our feet and made awkward jokes about the fact we were getting a couples’ massage.

I was treated to Ripple’s honey massage using fresh honey from the Numinbah Valley. Honey is magic for the skin, I’m told.

My friend had the specialty chocolate treatment and I’m assured it was incredible. She smelled like a block of chocolate afterwards and I felt like I was in that Cadbury’s ad where everything is made of chocolate.

Mt Tamborine’s main road.

Afterwards we went for a stroll down the main road of Tamborine, aptly named Main Street, which in itself is like a portal to another dimension.

Historical, picturesque buildings sit side-by-side, with candy, curiosities and everything in between all for sale.

It’s the kind of place you’ll find unique, one off pieces that you’ll treasure for years.

Even the trees add to the whimsical feel of Tamborine’s main street — they’ve lost their leaves in the winter time like in a children’s book or vintage American Christmas movie. It’s always something I yearned for over here, curse our luscious Australian evergreens.

Try and time your visit to catch the Tamborine Mountain Country Markets on the second Sunday of each month at the showgrounds. They boast a huge range of fresh fruit and vegetables, locally produced cheeses, plants, herbs, flowers, coffee, arts and crafts, collectibles, garden ornaments, clothing, myriad homemade things and delicious temptations of all kinds. I’m a simple gal, and the popcorn stall was a winner for me. Plus, the owner calls himself the “POPrietor” and I’m a sucker for quality wordplay.

On the way out to the showgrounds you’ll pass a gorgeous lookout with uninterrupted views stretching to the west. I can only imagine it would be the best spot on the entire Gold Coast for sunset viewing.

The mountain is also well known for walking tracks, some complete with waterfalls.

Cedar Creek Falls, Palm Grove Rainforest Circuit, Jenyns Falls Circuit, Curtis Falls and Witches Falls Circuit are among the options, ranging from 900m return strolls to 3.1km hikes. Check visittamborine.com.au for entry points.

SAVOUR

There’s no rabbity hipster fare up here folks … it’s the country way and you will eat as though you’re a hungry farmer ready to gorge after a tough day on the land.

For us it was more like a hard day of massages and Instagram posting but still, when in Rome.

Our first night we headed to Hickory. Tucked into an unassuming mini shopping village, they have nailed the modern take on an old-school southern American smokehouse.

This was the only time on this seriously romantic weekend I thought, “Thank god I’m single” and also, “No wonder I’m single”.

See the wings in the corner topped with ribs? Yum!

We ordered the carnivorous board laden with farm-raised pork ribs with a touch of spice, sticky chicken wings, rosemary roasted potatoes and fresh slaw. You know how most ribs come out on a bed of lettuce or some kind of garnish? Not at Hickory.

At Hickory they come out on a bed of chicken wings. Irresistibly delicious ribs and chicken wings so good you can’t stop eating.

This is hands business too, no time for cutlery. The end result was big bellies, saucy hands and faces and a pile of bones — pure carnage. It was epic. Oh and gluten free, if you’re interested.

The cocktail list is far more intricate than I expected. We sipped on The Mountain Wallflower made with Tamborine Distillery Lemoncello, Small Batch Husk Gin shaken on ice and the special of the night, a fun blue concoction topped with a cherry. We waddled home. Needless to say, there was no romance that night.

Hickory drinks.

I also highly recommend The Monkey Tree on Main Street for relaxed drinks and food. We only got nibbles as we’d eaten enough food for a small army, but everything coming out of the kitchen looked hearty.

Its biggest appeal is the cascading three levels of seating underneath strings of fairy lights, facing a stage where the perfect Sunday session tunes were being played by a local muso. Leisurely sipping on a cider while families caught up and kiddies ran around created a really wholesome vibe.

If it’s mountain views you’re after, St Bernard’s Hotel is incredible. Go for lunch, admire the hinterland panorama and stroll around the lush gardens. True to their name, there is actually a beautiful Saint Bernard doggie called Molly there for pats.

For a fine-dining experience, Pethers Rainforest Retreat is among the best on the mountain. They boast an intimate restaurant set around an open-sided, elevated fireplace, overlooking pristine rainforest.