Peaceful retreat in the Sunshine Coast hinterland
Staying in a villa nestled in rainforest and among picturesque gardens is ideal for a relaxing Sunshine Coast holiday.
Queensland’s Sunshine Coast has always been a popular destination for beach holidays, especially in Noosa, Coolum and Mooloolaba.
Yet many holidaymakers seek a more relaxed stay away from the crowds in the rolling hills of the hinterland.
On a recent visit to the Sunshine Coast I headed inland to experience the peaceful luxury of Spicers Tamarind Retreat.
Travelling from Noosa via the Blackall Range Tourist Drive to the township of Maleny, Spicers Tamarind Retreat has 14 villas nestled on seven hectares of rainforest and picturesque gardens.
Some villas are nestled among the trees, others have garden views and some are situated close to Gardners Falls. All are set apart to ensure privacy – often the only sounds you hear are those of the birds in the trees.
After parking your car near the villa entrance, it’s time to explore the resort on foot on its walking paths. One path through the gardens leads to Gardner Falls with its cascading waterfall and swimming hole.
My luxury forest villa is surrounded by trees and shrubs, offering a close connection to nature. The bedroom has a king-size bed while the ensuite has a free-standing bath and walk-in shower. There’s a comfortable lounge with fireplace, a kitchenette and an outdoor deck with a king-size daybed.
The Tamarind restaurant is renowned for its Asian‑inspired cuisine that incorporates local produce and is open for breakfast daily, lunch on weekends and dinner from Wednesday to Sunday.
On nights that the Tamarind restaurant is closed, guests can visit the nearby sister resort of Spicers Clovelly Estate and dine at the chef-hatted The Long Apron restaurant serving modern French cuisine.
However, as I was visiting when the Tamarind restaurant was closed for dinner, the resort offered a novel alternative – the BBQ experience where staff deliver a Weber BBQ to your villa along with a pre-ordered hamper.
After a quick lesson on working the Weber, the staff leave you in charge of your dinner. The hamper was stocked with salads, bread, condiments and drinks, plus our pre-ordered choice of meat or fish.
So I donned an apron and played chef. It was a fun way to enjoy a delicious BBQ dinner in the comfort of your villa.
From the resort it’s a short drive to the townships of Maleny, Mapleton and Montville with their charming main streets and shops, art galleries and cafes.
Visit the popular attractions such as the Mapleton Falls National Park and the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve for a lakeside walk against the backdrop of the Glasshouse Mountains.
The Eumundi market has been an iconic tourist attraction since opening in 1979, attracting visitors from as far as Brisbane to hundreds of stalls offering everything from art and jewellery, local produce and clothes, plus food to satisfy all tastes. It is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
One of the most popular events of the annual Sunshine Coast Asian Food Festival is The Curated Plate event held at Spicers Tamarind Retreat, which showcases top regional chefs preparing modern Asian dishes. In addition, guests can relax on the lawns under shady trees and be entertained by local performers.
Spicers Retreats is part of Worlds Apart, one of the brands of luxury resorts around Australia operated by Salter Brothers Hospitality.
For more information: worldsapart.club/spicers/tamarind-retreat