The Queensland Hinterland behind the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane is a treasure trove of summer experiences and discoveries. From rainforest retreats to waterfalls, bushwalks and watering holes. Pubs with expansive valley vistas, local produce markets and excellent shopping. This ancient volcanic land is an easy domestic trip for Sydneysiders. The area is known for lush, rolling hills due to rich and fertile volcanic soil, subtropical rainforests, and charming towns. Make sure you base yourself at Spicers Tamarind Retreat and make your trip as restful or adventurous as you like.
The Stay
Spicers Tamarind Retreat is a well-known boutique getaway in Maleny surrounded by rainforest. It’s a wonderful destination in itself, no need to go anywhere, if you prefer to swim in the pool, eat, sleep, read, watch tv or enjoy drinks on your balcony. If you’re bringing kids, they can happily play on lovely lawn areas, while the parents keep an eye nearby or pass a happy day back and forth down to the swimming holes, a short walk away.The accommodation configuration is self-contrained villas set in the rainforest, each villa is separated so you can have a bath in the bathtub and open all the doors and feel ‘at one with nature’.
Foodie Culture
You’re in for a treat if you love your food. Enjoy gourmet food with a big Asian focus and local beverages in the restaurant and bar, The Tamarind. With modern Asian dining celebrating bold and balanced flavours with authentic Thai cooking techniques the range of food experiences in their lovely indoor/outdoor restaurant are amazing. One such experience,‘The Tamarind Experience, described as ‘A journey through bold Asian flavours, served banquet-style to share’ in 4 distinct courses consists of the first course- coconut and galangal soup of macadamia, smoked fish and caramelised pork, roasted chilli jam, peanuts and fruit. The main course includes sticky pork belly, roasted Mooloolaba prawns and steamed chicken dumplings. Third course, if you have room for more deliciousness is Chu Chee curry of slow cooked brisket, stir-fried fish and dessert is Pandan coconut parfait.
Choose wine pairing or mix and mingle pairing with your meal, the staff are knowledgeable and can create Coconut Margaritas or a lovely Thai Basil Gin Smash instead of a thoughtfully constructed beer and wine list. Other foodie experiences are delightful in their simplicity, such as Oyster Hour on the restaurant balcony, with Smoked Soy and Yuzu, Prik Nam Pla or Natural oysters paired with champagne, lager or gin martini. Don’t miss Mojito and Gelato Hour out by the pool or a low-key picnic on the grass or down at nearby Gardners Falls. If you want to level up your on-site experiences, join a horticultural tour of the property or join an Italian or French or Festive cooking class run on Saturdays at the cooking school established here but you will need to book ahead as they do fill up.
Hinterland Highlights
The region is in Jinibara Country, who lived here for 1000s of years pre-European settlement. Up in the mountains the temperature can be 4 degrees cooler than down below, a welcome respite in the summer months. A meandering drive along the Hinterland roads, takes you along ridges with dramatic views over east-facing escarpments or west facing farmlands. Stop at little villages and enjoy local honey, handicrafts, coffees or lunch. The Hinterland has a rich agricultural past, once known for pineapple plantations and other farming pursuits and that heritage is evident today in incredible fresh local produce in farmers markets and local restaurants. Locals take pride in supporting local woven into menus, making the food scene here something special. Try the limes, avocado and pineapples, they pop in your mouth with freshness. Spicers Tamarind Retreat sources local produce where possible and offers local beers, such as Brouhaha and sources water from an underground local water source.
Local Towns
Maleny, perched on the Blackall Range is a standout, it’s a little like Byron Bay, Noosa or Bowral in natural beauty and local shopping but unique in its Queensland-ness and has an artisanal vibe. In Maleney’s vibrant main street you can find Rosetta Books, a hugely substantial spot to lose yourself in for an hour, wonderful cafés, some of note are located in tiny lanes filled with locals enjoying time off and a visit to Ben Messina art gallery is a must-visit for local landscape photography. Local brewery, Brouhaha offers an extensive food menu as well as Hinterland pale ales and lagers and low-key Maleny Cheese Cafe, recently won Silver in Excellence in Food Tourism at Queensland’s Tourism awards and is a great spot for milkshakes, yoghurt and cheese tasting. The cheese simply melts in your mouth.
Montville
Known for gorgeous views, this village is popular among those in the know. It’s a perfect spot to experience that blend of history, scenery, and local charm, if you can get a parking spot and is an excellent place to buy gifts for loved ones back home.
How to Get Here
Fly into Brisbane Airport, there are multiple flights per day and picking up a rental car is easy and it’s necessary to have access to a vehicle to get the most out of your stay. If you prefer, you can fly into the Sunshine Coast Airport at Maroochydore, which is roughly the same driving distance to Maleny. In a little over one hour it’s a scenic drive up the mountain to Spicers Tamarind Retreat. Enroute you pass the majestic Glass House Mountain peaks, formed 27 million years ago, with the softer rocks eroding over time to form structures that appear to rise into the sky, Mt Coonowrin and Mt Tibrogargan are two of the 13 peaks that make up the Glass House Mountains.
Great Walks and Swimming Holes For Kids
Fabulous swimming spots abound in the region. There are stunning lookouts over Glass House Mountains and bushwalks of every length and ability required. Gardners Falls, just a short walk from Spicers Tamarind Retreat, located off Obi Lane South (the same road as the retreat) is an easy, flat walk down to a series of swimming holes and the morning I had the pleasure of swimming there I saw two turtles, reportedly rare to see, but it had been raining. If you prefer a gentle rainforest walk, the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is a short drive away and features well-maintained walking tracks and it is common to see a Pademelon, a marsupial, similar to a wallaby and it’s fun to spot them. This walk is suitable for all ages, the centre is really well run, there are activity maps for kids and you’ll discover stunning views of the Glass House Mountains right from the cafe.
Wheelchair Accessible
Spicers Tamarind Retreat has a wheelchair accessible villa with doorway and space surrounding the bed large enough for a wheelchair. Tamarind Restaurant has a wheelchair accessible ramp, you can enjoy the lawns next to the restaurant and nearby Bird World and Australia Zoo are wheelchair friendly.
Summer Cultural and Music Events in the Queensland Hinterland
The Hinterland region comes alive over summer with a variety of local music and cultural events that draw visitors from all over. If you’re not in the Hinterland for any of the major regional events, you can drop into Clovelly Estate in Montville for local music, this 22 acre former pineapple plantation welcomes all visitors for a drink or a meal and has a day spa on site.Head to https://spicersretreats.com/retreats/spicers-tamarind-retreat/ to book your easy Queensland Hinterland summer break, there is so much to do, you’ll need to come back next year.
