Best places to holiday near the Gold Coast: Scenic Rim's Ketchup’s Bank Glamping
Floating 1000 feet above sea level on an infinity hammock, there’s nothing between you and the view when you stay in the Scenic Rim’s first tiny house eco retreat. ALL THE DETAILS >>>
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IT’S what’s outside that counts at this tiny home.
Baya, which means “to come into view” in the traditional Yugambeh language, is designed to showcase the beauty of its Scenic Rim surrounds.
Owner-operators Alex and Anna Cooper describe the newest accommodation at Ketchup’s Bank Glamping as an evolution of their personal tree change.
“Anna and I bought Ketchup’s Bank Glamping in December of 2017,” Mr Cooper said.
“The natural beauty along with a diverse ecosystem really ticked all the boxes of what we wanted to be able to share with those who needed a little checkout time from their everyday lives.
“We initially knew we needed to add to the already two eco-tents on the property … but adding more canvas tents would have required significant clearing and harm to the current flora and fauna, so we decided to take on the challenge of being the first tiny house eco retreat in the Scenic Rim.”
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Baya is completely self-sustaining.
“It has a full off-grid system that allows guests to understand that you don’t always need poles and wires to have power,” Mr Cooper said.
“Baya also has a gas hot water system for nice hot showers along with a rain shower head for extra luxury.
“And, of course, a normal flushing toilet which, believe it or not, is not that common in genuine eco experiences.”
Mr Cooper said the tiny home’s custom design meant they were also able to include features such as a loft bed with a stargazing window.
“We thought when designing it that would be a bit of a gimmick, but it’s actually quite awesome on a clear night,” he said.
“The infinity hammock is also rather awesome.
“It extends 4m off the end of Baya where our guests can take a couple of throw rugs out at night and lie under the stars.
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“If it’s a little chilly, there is a fire pit overlooking the valleys and mountains and also a fireplace inside.
“There’s bean bags, a barbecue, a sunset bar, bi-fold windows to bring the outside in, and one side of Baya is just glass so you can wake up with nothing but the Scenic Rim in front of you.
“There’s a view in every direction but not another house or person to be seen.”
While the set up is cosy for couples, it also draws singles seeking solitude.
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“Whether their art is painting or writing music, it has been the perfect place for them to be in their own thoughts without distraction,” Mr Cooper said.
“It is purely a place to reconnect and relax.”
The compact stay may be tucked on its own private ridgeline, but it’s only 15 minutes to the country town of Boonah and beyond to tracks, treats and tipples.
“The Scenic Rim is full of hidden gems and the top of that list would have to be the great wineries and breweries,” Mr Cooper said.
“Karoomba Winery has an incredible cellar door and first-class restaurant where you can sample some of the region’s best local produce.
“If beer is your thing, just down the road is the iconic Scenic Rim Brewery or why not enjoy a good old-fashioned pub lunch at the historic Dugandan Hotel?
“The Overflow Estate 1895 looks over Lake Wyralong and is a great place for a Sunday lunch and live music.
“If trekking is more where your motivation takes you, try out some of the 10km of bushwalking on our property, or the Lower Portals walk in Mt Barney National Park.”
'Unique, off-grid': How COVID changed our Coast holiday
THE co-founder of a Northern Rivers eco-camp says the pandemic has changed the way we holiday.
Salty Cabins’ David Wilkinson said he believed unique, off-grid stays were the future of Australian travel.
“Gone are the days of pulling up to a concrete jungle, weaving away through corridors to find your hotel room and sitting in an airconditioned box,” he said.
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“2020 just knocked us all off our feet and I think people who never imagined themselves under the stars in a canvas tent are now seeking just that kind of experience.
“We’ve had elderly couples, young couples, families and small groups, but our core guests have been young professionals seeking an escape from the city just like us.”
Mr Wilkinson said their business Salty Cabins was inspired by their own desire to trade the big city for a less hectic life.
“My wife Teagan and I lived in Sydney and in mid-2017 we listed our rental bungalow on the northern Beaches on Airbnb,” he said.
“Whenever we got a reservation for the weekend, we packed up the house and the car and hit the road searching for ideas.
“We had the idea of building a collection of cabins set among the bush somewhere on the eastern side of Australia.
“As we explored, we realised budget and resources wouldn’t allow such an elaborate setup, so we started dreaming up an alternative.”
The couple pulled up their camper in the Northern Rivers, finding the field for their dreams around 30 minutes north of Byron Bay.
“After visiting a few times we fell in love with the hinterland,” he said.
“The Northern Rivers are a magical spot filled with waterfalls, hikes, towns and cafes.”
Salty Cabins’ first site – The Camp at Yelgun – comprises a canvas bell and adjoining solar-powered cabin, paving the way for a network of off-grid sustainable escapes.
“The site overlooks the ocean, and a 180 turn reveals the valley and stunning sunsets,” Mr Wilkinson said.
“The Camp is made up of a 6m bell tent filled with a queen-size bed and comfy lounging area.
“It sits on a timber deck linked to a cabin, which houses the bathroom and kitchen.
“It’s filled with all the organic linen and bits and pieces you need for a pretty sweet glamping stay.”
An additional accommodation option called The Cabin will open next month overlooking the ocean.
“Slow and steady, we are rolling out a network of unique stays,” Mr Wilkinson said.
While the combination of canvas and cabin means there’s compromise on comfort, both structures are entirely off-grid, running on solar and rainwater.
“With each Salty Cabins stay we donate $20 to Sea Shepherd – a small token in the fight to keep our planet strong and healthy,” Mr Wilkinson said.
“We also plant a tree in (guests’) honour.”
Splash out on a pool with a view
SOAK up the scenery while you’re submerged in a pool with a panoramic view.
From hinterland vistas to beachfront bliss, they’re all within driving distance of the Gold Coast.
Is this the best holiday spot near the Coast?
Plan a sleepover at a brewery or vineyard within a short drive of the Gold Coast
O’REILLY’S RAINFOREST RETREAT
Lamington National Park
Float above the clouds and soak up views to infinity and beyond from O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. The resort’s infinity pool, reserved for in-house guests, captures views over the Lost World Valley and is a cracking spot to snap a sunset.
MOJITO HOLIDAY HOME
Noosa
The focus is on the underwater action at this luxe holiday home. Listed with Stayz, it includes a resort-sized solar-heated pool overlooking the Noosa River, complete with a clear viewing panel. In-pool hydrotherapy spa jets add to the therapy benefits of magnesium mineral waters. The best bit? You won’t have to share it with anybody else. “The best thing about booking a holiday home instead of a hotel is that you get the heavenly pool all to yourself with you and your family, so no having to share with other hotel patrons, or laying your towel down before breakfast to get the best seat poolside,” Stayz travel expert Simone Scoppa says.
THE FANTAUZZO
Brisbane
You’ll be walking on sunshine and floating on clouds in The Fantauzzo’s infinity pool, with a mirror-like surface that reflects the sky and Story Bridge. Watch the world and the City Cats go by with a cocktail in hand from a lounge on the pool deck or in the pool itself. The water is heated year-round so you won’t want to budge from this Brissie beauty.
FAIRSHORE NOOSA BEACHFRONT APARTMENTS
Noosa
Gently swaying palm trees, sparkling sands and dolphins playing in the breakers – poolgoers at Fairshore Noosa Beachfront Apartments have the best seat in the house. The heated pool with a wading section and scenic spa affords unobstructed views of Noosa’s Main Beach and all the people-watching potential of the boardwalk.
EMPORIUM HOTEL SOUTH BANK
Brisbane
Suspended 21 floors above terra firma, Emporium general manager John McIlwain says the hotel is unrivalled when it comes to poolside panoramas. “The unobstructed vistas will have you feeling on top of the world,” he says. “Splash in style in Brisbane’s most luxurious pool, then sip on poolside cocktails and watch the sunset over the city.”
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