Hidden treasures of well-known travel spot

Tucked away on the Gold Coast are some hidden treasures waiting to be explored.

The Gold Coast hinterland is full of hidden treasures.

Sitting surrounded by the rainforest canopy, listening to cicadas buzz and frogs croak as you indulge in a mouth-watering meal, you’re a far cry from the hustle and bustle of Surfers Paradise or the sandy beaches of the Gold Coast.

The city might be best known for its Glitter Strip and golden sand, but there are some hidden treasures waiting to be discovered if you take just a short trip to the mountains.

Tamborine Mountain is a quaint little village full of endless things to do.

We got started on our journey up the mountain at Fox and Hounds, a traditional English pub as cosy as it sounds.

Full of English football scarfs and cartoon strips from the 70s, the atmosphere is as good as the food, which is hearty and delicious.

With bellies full, we made our way to check-in at Witches Falls Cottages.

The team makes you feel welcome as soon as you arrive.

Witches Falls Cottages is an idyllic couples retreat with private, self-contained cottages tucked away along rainforest pathways directly opposite Witches Falls National Park, the oldest national park in Queensland.

From here you can walk to local wineries, antique shops or the head to the picturesque village, taking a stroll through Gallery Walk with all its quirky and quaint local stores to explore.

To end the afternoon we lazed by the vineyard at Witches Falls Winery, indulging in a cheese platter as we tasted their wines.

It’s the perfect spot to lay down a picnic blanket and spend the afternoon learning about the winery, which has achieved a Five Red Star rating from James Halliday, placing it in the top 10 per cent of wineries in Australia.

The picturesque Witches Falls Winery.

The entrance to Songbirds Rainforest Retreat.

For dinner we were off to Three Little Pigs Bar and Bistro, a hidden culinary gem, popular with locals.

A large stone fireplace dominates a light, airy dining room of polished wood and large windows, or guests can choose to dine alfresco at a wine barrel table and enjoy the lush, green surrounds and chirping birds.

When you’re staying in a place as nice as Witches Falls Cottages, you want to make the most of it.

So the next day we had Ripples Massage come to us.

We had their Indulgent Day Spa package which features a full body aromatherapy massage, an organic green clay face mask, head and face massage and warm peppermint foot bath.

The rain started falling on our cabin as we lay there, providing the perfect setting for a morning of rest and relaxation.

For lunch it was off to the The Polish Place, which was a highlight of the trip.

The restaurant features Polish decor, an open fireplace and a deck that has stunning views.

We had the delicious traditional dumplings, washed down with Polish beer and we didn’t want to leave. It’s easily a place you can kick back for the afternoon as you watch the rainbow lorikeets fly in for a feed too.

If we weren’t full enough already, that night we indulged in a six-course degustation at Songbirds Rainforest Retreat.

Fronted by the Gold Coast’s only Michelin Star chef Meyjitte Boughenout, Songbirds offers inventive dishes that are certain to delight foodies and push the boundaries of taste

expectations.

We were given a surprise dessert which turned out to be olive sorbet.

The best part about Tamborine Mountain is there’s plenty of tracks to walk off all the calories you accumulate.

And if you really want to experience the rainforest, you can even walk high among the canopies at the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk.

The eco-tourism attraction provides a unique way to explore the rainforest and see what you can spot along the way.

For more information on Skywalk and other deals and trip ideas visit Destination Gold Coast.

The writer was a guest of Destination Gold Coast.