ESCAPE TO THE HINTERLAND

As the weather cools (a little) it’s time to take advantage of the nearby Gold Coast Hinterland. Think cosy nights in, a morning soundtrack featuring rainforest birds and wistful wanders to sparkling waterfalls.

Only a 40 drive from the coast, it’s an easy choice when when you’re in need of a little serenity.

Discover waterfalls, rainforests, fresh mountain air and a stillness only punctuated by sweet birdsong. Trust us, green is great.

Treat your tastebuds. Everything they could possibly crave is right here. Local wines, fine dining, quaint cafes, craft breweries, charcuteries, ice creameries, perfect picnic spots and the best fudge ever. It’s foodie heaven!

Relax and set your body clock to ‘mountain’. Wander through shops along Gallery Walk, park yourself in a café for an hour or so, then zone out completely and soak up the feeling that time just doesn’t matter up here.

Take relaxing to another level and detox your body and mind at a day spa or retreat. Hang out with the wildlife at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat or become everything zen at Gwinganna. You’ll leave feeling recharged and ready to go another round with the sports fans.

Set up camp in Numinbah Valley where you can kick off your shoes, grab a glass (or two) of vino and gaze at a sky filled with a million stars. Altogether now…. Aaaaahh..

We mentioned the waterfalls right? So many waterfalls! Check out Elabana Falls in Lamington National Park or hike out to Purling Brook Falls in Springbrook. Cool rainforest trails lead to curtains of misty magnificence. Who knew there was this much waterfall action so close to the beach?

Keep exploring and you’ll discover endless hiking trails, picnic spots and little pockets of beauty. Peer down at the trees from the Rainforest Skywalk or soar high above in a hot air balloon. From every vantage point the whole place is just stunning.

If adventure floats your boat then go mountain biking, horse riding or swing through the trees on a flying fox. Nobody said you have to slow right down to take a break.

Make friends with the wildlife. Rainforest birds are always keen to sing for you, possums, lizards, frogs and curious critters will happily say hello and at Natural Bridge you’ll find twinkling glow worms sharing a cave with a colony of micro bats. You haven’t seen cute until you’ve seen a colony of micro bats.

And back to the scenery. You’ll do well to find vistas as startlingly pretty. From sunrise to sunset the hinterland is a view-seekers paradise.