Ten perfect luxe stays within the Scenic Rim

From luxury stays on mountaintops with stunning views for days, to nature-immersing eco-pods, extraordinary escapes with award-winning chefs, lakeside retreats, sky lodges, a five-star glamping experience, and possibly Australia’s best infinity pool, all at home under a sea of brilliant stars, Queensland’s Scenic Rim region has pushed the go button on luxury!

Recently voted as one of the Lonely Planet’s hottest destinations to visit, these Scenic Rim luxe stays harmonise with the natural environment and elevate the notion of luxury with pools, day spas, elegant architecture and a suite of amazing food and nature experiences.

Only a 90 minute drive from Brisbane and the Gold Coast; isn’t it time to pack your bags and head into the hinterland to relax and indulge at these ten unmissable escapes?

Beechmont Estate

Beechmont Estate, shown above, is a luxury country retreat on Lamington National Park’s Beechmont plateau. Here you’ll find a fusion of effortless style, paddock-to-plate fine dining and eco credentials.

The 75-acre property is home to luxury cabins and pavilions that are the epitome of country elegance. Or, for a one-of-a-kind escape, reserve the stunning, four-bedroom The Residence for groups of up to 8 people, complete with a private infinity pool, champagne on arrival and meals at their acclaimed Paddock Restaurant.

Guests are invited to stroll on over to the serene spa to indulge in organic facials, massage, scrubs and wraps inspired by the riches of the Scenic Rim, or to simply watch the sun set over green rolling pastures, enjoy a glass of wine by the open fire on the terrace before retreating to soak in free-standing baths and slumber in king beds with luxuriant linens.

In the estate’s chef-hatted restaurant, The Paddock, the acclaimed husband and wife culinary team Chris and Alex Norman, create contemporary dishes for dinner and lunch with a focus on hyper-local and sustainable produce with a menu that is seasonally curated.

Mount French Lodge

Commanding prime position on a majestic mountainside overlooking the Scenic Rim near Boonah, Mount French Lodge exudes modern luxury. With eight private apartments catering to up to 16 guests, the Lodge is designed to provide total ownership for a small group experience.

For some, that’s reclining with a champagne framed against an endless horizon; for others, it’s a dip in the pool or walking around the 100 acres of the mountain followed by music around a fire-lit sunset.

Included in any stay is breakfast and dinner created from local produce from the gourmet kitchen, select beverages, local walking tracks, a stunning saltwater pool, huge lawn area, tennis courts, enjoyment of the famous Great Room for meals and celebrations, and exclusive use of the property.

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat Villas

The home of the most spectacular infinity pool, with views that last forever across mountains, rainforest and sky, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat’s one, two and three bedroom villas are for those wanting self-contained luxury and access to a wide variety of nature activities.

These stylish, luxuriously appointed villas embody a no-need-to-leave feel with fireplaces, lounges and well-equipped kitchen areas, air-conditioning, king beds, en-suite bathrooms,  and expansive decks with BBQs and spa baths surrounded by the rainforest.

Reasons to leave all depend on how little or much you’d like to explore. For a start, there’s the Lost World Day Spa, guided walks, morning yoga, e-bikes, stargazing tours, treetop walks, flying fox course, glow worm viewing and so much more.

Binna Burra Sky Lodges

Early pioneers of ecotourism in Queensland, Binna Burra Lodge is a cherished heritage-listed destination set in the misty mountains of Lamington National Park.

In 2019, the retreat entered a new era of luxury with the introduction of the Binna Burra Sky Lodges with unparalleled comfort and sophistication, luxury stone finishes, reclaimed hardwood, wood fireplaces and king beds with unhindered views of valleys below.

The surrounding environment is yours to explore with many trails around Binna Burra for self-guided bushwalks and bird-watching adventures. The lodge also offers private transfer every Saturday morning to the trailhead of the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk for the bucket-list 21km walk back to Binna Burra.

Nightfall

Set in a large and relatively untouched pocket of forest in the Lost World area of the Scenic Rim, Nightfall’s luxury glamping tents sit delicately beside the crystal-clear tumbling headwaters of Christmas Creek and Queensland’s ancient Lamington National Park gondwana rainforest.

The Nightfall experience steps away from the excess and complications of modern life, redefining luxury with architect-inspired, hand-built, permanent safari tents, sumptuous home-cooked organic food and the relaxed feeling of staying with old friends.

Limited to eight adults at any one time, the well-spaced safari tents ensure privacy, intimacy and seclusion. Each spacious safari tent has a 360-degree rotating fireplace, a luxurious king-size bed with organic linens, lounge, dining and well-stocked kitchenette, and twin vintage baths, a flushing toilet and rain-head shower.

Wander

Wander is a stylish, eco-pod luxury accommodation experience that reconnects guests with nature and invites them into the story of the local community. A leader in sustainable tourism, it’s no wonder Wander chose the Scenic Rim as their first home.

Five secluded WanderPods overlook the peaceful Lake Wyaralong and 1,600 hectares of bushland at The Overflow Estate 1895, the acclaimed winery, cellar door and restaurant between Boonah and Beaudesert.

Each WanderPod is named after a local mountain and is beautifully and sustainably appointed. You’ll find outdoor stone baths, rain showers and luxurious king beds for a relaxing getaway, and feel good eco-features such as off-grid rainwater and solar harvesting, compost systems and energy friendly amenities.

Tamborine Mountain Glades

Tamborine Mountain Glades (formerly Cedar Creek Lodges) shares a magnificent 112-hectare rainforest property on Tamborine Mountain with adventure-mecca, Thunderbird Park, alongside the beautiful Cedar Creek.

Here guests can adventure, go bushwalking, swim in rock pools, order Farm to Fork platters, schedule a massage and listen to the sounds of the forest while staying in stylish Vista suites or take glamping to a new level in a Woodland tent, surrounded by rainforest.

Verandah House Country Estate

Making the most of its stunning panoramic views of the green Gold Coast hinterland and sparkling ocean in the distance, Verandah House Country Estate is a haven of classic style and 5-star luxury atop Tamborine Mountain.

Eight designer-appointed guest suites capture beautiful country style with modern-day luxuries and bespoke interiors with French oak furniture and custom king beds for ultimate comfort.

Guests can enjoy a wellness space, a cedar hot tub with the most breathtaking views and wide lawns with a communal fire-pit to gather and relax.

Alcheringa Houses

Adjacent to the famous Binna Burra Lodge and Lamington National Park, Alcheringa‘s  two houses – Coomera and Numinbah – are defined by understated luxury featuring natural materials, grand spaces, floating fireplaces and ever-changing views of the world-famous ancient Gondwana rainforest.

A true nature lover’s paradise, the houses are the gateway to over 145km of walking tracks in Lamington National Park that offer a wealth of scenic beauty: waterfalls, subtropical rainforest, ancient Antarctic beech trees, open eucalypt forest, wind eroded caves and 180 species of Australian birds and bush animals.

The houses are designed to allow maximum interaction with nature, with multiple decks, windows and viewpoints to truly feel at one with the landscape.

Moogerah Lake Houses

On the shores of the stunning Lake Moogerah near Boonah the Moogerah Lake Houses are a collection of six magnificent holiday houses, perfect for groups of family and friends to relax and enjoy stunning lake views.

Each house is architecturally, creating a luxurious and secluded escape and featuring seriously luxe inclusions such as heated spas, saunas, firepits, entertainment areas and outdoor showers.

Looking for more stays like this in the Scenic Rim?
The Scenic Rim is bursting with holiday houses, cottages, farm stays, camping and glamping, and luxury retreats and lodges to help you recharge and reconnect with nature.  Click here to book your stay.