Tamborine Mountain high!
Put away the iPads, smartphones and any other electronic devices.
Cedar Creek Lodges is the ideal holiday for the active family that needs a technology detox.
There’s horse riding through the lush greenery of the Tamborine Mountain hinterland and swimming in the deep black rock pools. If mini golf, Laser Skirmish, bush walking, bird feeding are your thing, then you are covered. For those that love a challenge, there’s the Canyon Flyer and the TreeTop Challenge.
A study of Australian children found that 12-13 year olds are spending up to 30 per cent of their day using screens. That’s way beyond healthy levels.
The decade long study found 64 per cent of the group (pre-schoolers to teens) exceeded the daily screen time limit.
Discover the great outdoors again
Take the kids here and watch them emerge from their cyber coma and come to life as they rediscover the great outdoors.
Cedar Creek Lodges has lodges that can sleep up to nine guests as well as spa rooms. It is located about an hour’s drive from Brisbane and about the same from the Gold Coast Airport.
It is tucked off the road on the corner of Cedar Creek Falls Rd and Tamborine Mountain Rd. The road leading to the resort has just been refurbished making access really easy. And even though you are in the bush, you don’t need a four-wheel drive.
The spa rooms have been stylishly renovated and have much more space than your average hotel room. The good news is they are also value for money when it comes time to pay the bill. The in-room spas are huge and a welcome attraction after a tough day of exploring the resort, especially if you have successfully navigated the physically-taxing TreeTop Challenge course.
Luxury in the rainforest
The rooms are about a two-minute walk from the main restaurant, bar and function area which is set among the rainforest canopy.
Well-known Gold Coast chef Luke Turner from Providore at Marina Mirage has just revitalised the Rainforest Restaurant menu which now consists of mainly themed tapas plates (garden, sea, land and vegetarian) that were created to be shared.
I recently dined there with my wife on a Sunday afternoon and shared four plates — which was more than enough for two people. The crispy pork belly, minted peas, feta, lemon juice, mint, coriander, and olive oil ($14) was the highlight. You could taste the freshness of the mint and coriander.
People have been raving about Turner’s food creations since his days at Spendlove on Ferry Rd, and this menu doesn’t disappoint. It is simple, yet creative and mouth-watering, especially when paired with the local Tamborine Mountain wines.
It’s just not for kids
Cedar Creek Lodges is not just for the kids though.
It is a great venue for weddings and corporates who need a retreat, and privacy, for a dose of workmate bonding sessions.
The property has three large rooms that can host conference events; offers free high-speed Wi-Fi for conference guests; and can organise meals and entertainment. The fact that it is also remote from the Gold Coast nightlife means guests stay together during the conference.
FACT FILE
Cedar Creek Lodges is on the corner of Cedar Creek Falls Rd and Tamborine Mountain Rd, Tamborine Mountain.