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Glamping on Australia’s Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Spicers Tamarind Retreat is an intimate getaway set near a rainforest waterfall in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland near Maleny. Thai style meets the tranquillity of the Australian bush for a stunningly unique retreat experience. This is the type of vacation destination where you can do as little or as much as you want.

The 18-acre property is situated next to Gardners Falls in a picturesque rainforest. Maleny is nestled in the gorgeous hills and countryside of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. The nearby towns of Mapleton, Montville and Noosa complete the area and add to the list of activity options for the perfect unhurried vacation.

The villas are private and romantic with a chic modern style in true glamping spirit. Relax in your private cedar hot tub on the balcony of your villa. From the hot tub, you can hear the sounds of Gardners Falls and the abundant wildlife in the area – it’s pure zen. On chillier nights, cozy up in front of the wood-burning fireplace. The villas are the perfect resting spot inbetween adventures exploring the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Spicers Tamarind features 12 stand-alone villas for the ultimate in privacy and comfort. Five are 1-bedroom and the remaining seven are 2-bedroom units. The location is perfect for a romantic getaway.

tamarind-2bedvilla-bedroom - smaller imagePhoto: Spicers Tamarind

Spicers Tamarind Retreat’s restaurant, The Tamarind, brings a taste of Thailand to the foothills of Maleny. Savour the culinary skills of award-winning chefs at the restaurant. As a side note, there are cooking classes on site where you can learn the intricacies of Thai cuisine. The restaurant is an outdoor pavilion designed to capitalize on the peaceful location. The Tamarind specializes in innovative modern Asian cuisine. Every dish with its harmonious balance of Thai flavors of sweet, sour, and spicy will leave your mouth watering. Favorites include nee grob (three caramelized meats with crispy fried noodles), to a green curry of yellow tail kingfish with Thai apple eggplant, and a delicious dessert medley featuring sweet yam pudding, coconut ice cream and coconut lime tart. The Tamarind’s ever-changing menu and perfectly matched wines make this a true gourmet destination for both in-house guests and the general public alike.

Spicers Tamarind Retreat’s stunning rainforest location makes it easy to get lost in relaxation and nature. Explore the natural wonders of the local area on mountain bike, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the herb garden and orchard or just relax with a picnic by stunning Gardners Falls. For real adventure why not go bushwalking in Kondalilla Falls National Park and take a dip in the rock pool at the top of the Falls. Take a stroll along Obi Obi creek and nearby Gardners Falls. From lush walking trails, breathtaking waterfalls and charming local towns, to Spicers Tamarind Retreat’s very own day spa and cooking school, there’s plenty of pleasures to fill your day.

banner-poolPhoto: Spicers Tamarind

Spa Anise is open to both in-house guests and day visitors. Whether it’s a day of laughs, lunch and bubbly with friends, soaking in the hydrotherapy room or a few hours of therapeutic massages and foot rituals to freshen up your work team for the new year, Spa Anise Tamarind Retreat offers a unique and memorable spa experience, tailored to you. The spa overlooks the soft green rolling hills and rainforest of the Sunshine Coast hinterland and has four treatment rooms including double rooms for couples, a mineral infused spa, a foot therapy room, a steam room, rain shower and a tailored spa cuisine menu.

Just a short drive away, the quaint villages of Maleny and Montville are home to a range of quality fashion boutiques and gift shops, each offering a diverse range of affordable locally made products. Montville is fondly known as the creative heart of the Sunshine Coast. Spend the day wandering between art and craft galleries and soak up the best of uniquely rich cultural area.

Learn more about planning a trip to Spicers Tamarind.

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Glamping Down Under, Spicers Canopy, Australia

In the heart of the spectacular Scenic Rim region, a rich eco tourism experience can be found at Spicers Canopy. First change the image in your mind from ‘camping’ to ‘glamping.’ Although encounters with Australia’s unique plant and animal life are a central focus, Spicers Canopy caters to adventurers who are accustomed to life’s luxuries.

Spicers Canopy is a permanent campsite neighboring 8,000 acres of Australia’s most scenic private nature refuge. The camp is a 90-minute drive from Brisbane. Situated high on a grass-covered plateau, the air is fresh and crisp. The views towards Mount Mitchell, Spicers Peak and Mount Cordeaux are stunning. At night, guests look into skies so clear that satellites can be seen tracking past the canvas of stars. Be sure to take in the mountain views when they are most magnificent, at sunrise and sunset.

GG2476-800x600-Canopy-single-beds_0Photo: Spicers Canopy website

Offering 10 luxury tents, rest assured your stay will be comfortable and private. The tents are fully furnished, offering a king bed (or twin beds), luxury bed linen, lamps, armchairs, bedside tables, polished floorboards, and a covered deck with deck chairs. A place purposefully with no cars, computers, or TVs is where you can truly escape. This is safari-style camping at its finest.

Each Spicers destination provides a comprehensive gourmet experience. All Spicers restaurants are led by award-winning chefs with a passionate mandate to provide exceptional food and wine sourced from regional and international produce. The large communal and dining area is beautifully appointed with a stone fireplace and polished floors. At its center is a large custom-made table serving as the backrop for many gourmet meals. Sit back while your dedicated chef prepares all your meals and drinks.

There is plenty to do at Spicers Canopy, especially for those looking for natural beauty and serenity away from the city. Guided walks are great for exploring the private nature reserve. Domestic livestock and native wildlife co-exist in the quiet Australian bush. Take a dip in the private swimming hole or venture into the nearby bat cave. Spicers Canopy has a long list of other things to do including massages, horseback riding, 4WD tours, yoga, sporting clays, and more at the nearby Peak Lodge which is a sister property.

IMG_2342a_0_0Photo: Spicers Canopy website

The Austalian-owned Spicers has made it their mission to give guests a total experience that is intimately unique. The Spicers  boutique hotel group includes seven luxury travel destinations in Australia. Spicers Canopy embodies the glamping experience; it combines the individuality and service of a private bed and breakfast with the style and quality of a grand international hotel.

Spicers Canopy is for adventurers and groups looking for a different luxury holiday. Learn more about Spicers Canopy.

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Glamping in Australia at Longitude 131

Longitude 131 is truly an oasis in the middle of the red desert of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.  The fifteen luxury, glamping accommodations lie at the gateway to this national park.  Located just a short distance away from the famed Uluru (Ayer’s Rock), Longitude 131 is named for the exact location on which this beautiful rock formation sits.  Guests to Longitude 131 may come to view the natural beauty of Uluru, but stay for the immaculate, luxury accommodations and impeccable service provided by this Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award winning luxury resort.

From the moment guests arrive at the airport, the pampering begins with a Longitude 131 employee there to whisk you away to your destination.  You are then driven straight to the resort where you will be greeted with a glass of chilled champagne and canapés and shown to your tent. Each tent is named for a different prominent figure in early Australia’s history and decorated in a modern, chic style with historical relics from each explorers’ excursions.

 

The extravagant accommodations of each tent are plush and inviting and include a sumptuous, king size bed, an en suite bathroom,  iPad, Bose sound system, and Wi-Fi.  There are no televisions in the tents however, as all of the entertainment you need is right outside of your floor to ceiling windows.  Each tent is a stone’s throw away from Uluru, and provides amazing uninterrupted views of this naturally-made wonder.  For guests that prefer to enjoy the beautiful colors of a desert sunrise from the comfort of their bed, simply flip the bedside switch to raise the blinds.

Each day, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy, which center around exploring and learning about the natural landscape and aboriginal people to this land.  Expert local guides are prepared to escort guests through the surrounding desert landscape to Uluru for a morning excursion around the base of this enormous monolith, which like an iceberg, has most of its mass underground. Guests will also get an opportunity to view the sun setting over this majestic sandstone structure, whose reddish hue is derived from the rusting of the naturally-occurring iron contained within.  Or enjoy Table 131, where guests are greeted by the sound of a didgeridoo and entertained by indigenous performers displaying one of their own cultural dances, all while feasting on a decadent three-course meal under the unspoiled, twinkling night sky that only a remote desert location could showcase in such splendor.  For an opportunity to unwind, visit the Red Ochre Spa where guests can let their tensions melt away.  Try the Red Ochre Spa Signature Treatment for the ultimate in relaxation.  For a unique view of this natural wonder, guests can treat themselves to a helicopter tour over the national park or a Harley ride on a late model Heritage Softail.   Camel rides are another great way to explore the amazing views, complete with a trained guide to point out the wildlife and plant life

Perhaps the biggest compliment that any resort could ever expect to receive is rave reviews about their staff.  One point that seemingly all guests can agree upon about Longitude 131 is the level of attention to detail by their expertly-trained staff.  Many guests tout that “no” is a word that must not be in the vocabulary at Longitude 131.  The staff at this top-of-the-line resort brings the level of luxury to a point that is unparalleled by most other resorts. One point is certain – guests should come to this diamond in the rough prepared to be spoiled.