The Ultimate Romantic Getaway: Spicers Tamarind Retreat, the Sunshine Coast, Queensland

Spicers Tamarind Resort in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland is the perfect escape. Grab a book, snuggle up next to your mister or missus and let your mind unwind!

Whenever someone says the word ‘retreat’ to me, three things spring immediately to mind: being a million miles away from civilisation, looking for some kind of spiritual reassessment of your soul and, of course, the French.

Silly cultural and historically inaccurate stereotypes aside, this is what a retreat is meant to symbolise, isn’t it? You getting away from it all to get some R&R. But you needn’t be so far from convenience.

Spicers Tamarind Retreat is only an hour out from Brisbane up in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Although it feels like you’re the only people around for miles, you’ve still got all the luxuries and amenities here needed for a proper relax.

Allow me to elaborate:

The villas

Image courtesy of Tourism & Events Queensland

Each villa is so completely private you can’t really see any other buildings from any of the windows. Our two-bedroom two-bath villa was so comfortable the only bad thing about it was leaving! The bed’s enormous as is the bath.

The living space is full of comfy squashy furniture, there’s a Nespresso coffee machine and best of all a big wood fuelled fireplace. It’s perfect for a romantic winter hideaway.

Outside, the deck has a comfy daybed and an outdoor table setting that’s actually comfortable!

The restaurant and bar

If you don’t want to go far for a meal, the restaurant’s on a deck overlooking the grounds of the retreat. Surrounded by pines, and grassy fields, it’s a very pretty spot to enjoy dinner or breakfast.

The bar serves some great cocktails like this chilli mojito, a Spicers Tamarind creation.

The spa

If you really want to splash out, get a treatment at the onsite day spa Spa Anise. They do the works – from massages and facials to makeup and manis.

The grounds

Spicers Tamarind is surrounded by acres of land. You really get the feeling of space and being in the countryside here – without all the weird smells!

There’s a decked walk that takes you all the way through a bit of bushland and through the trees at the back of the property.

There are also these very elegant (and surprisingly comfortable) cane swing chairs that are just aching for someone to sit in them with a good book.

If nature’s not your thing, there’s a pool with changing facilities and towels for guests to use.

The waterfall

Down the hill in a little valley is Gardners Falls – a fast-running stream that cascades over rocks and ledges. A quiet stroll along the banks adds to the romance and peace of the area.

The locals

If you’re lucky, you’ll also get to meet the local cow. This woolly little lady was quite heavily pregnant when we were here, so she wasn’t feeling particularly friendly! But you can tell she’s quite a character.

This place is so much better than I was expecting, I can’t even tell you. Even though that’s my job… anyway, where I was expecting something more like when we had a digital retreat at our friends’ place in New South Wales, we were in fact in luxury’s lap being rocked to sleep each night by Mother Nature herself. Bliss!

Spicers Tamarind Retreat & Spa

88 Obi Lane Sth,
Maleny,
Sunshine Coast Hinterland,
QLD 4552

Spicers Tamarind on Facebook

What do you do to unwind? Where’s the most secluded place you’ve been with your significant other? Tell us in the comments!

Images by Mr & Mrs Romance unless stated.
Mr & Mrs Romance stayed as guests of Tourism & Events Queensland.