Eco Retreat & Glamping Tents :: Sal Sails, Ningaloo Reef, WA

Well the days are quickly ticking away until we go and there is still much preparation and research still to do...

However to get me into the beach vibe and as I still have not left sunny Australia today I tam traveling to a location that my husband has always wanted to go... Ningaloo Reef. 

And what a better way to experience this beautiful National Park and beach environment than to stay in these eco retreats and glamping tents right on the beach at Sal Sails.

What's great about this retreat is that the whole experience is built around ecological principles to ensure that your stay generates minimal environmental impact and the only thing you leave behind is your footprint in the sand! For example...

• Each wilderness tent is built on a raised deck to allow for coastal breezes to naturally cool the rooms.
• The African Style tent colour allows the retreat to blend in naturally with the surrounding pristine environment.
• All power is 100% solar.
• All recycling and waste is returned to Exmouth recycle depot.

• The en-suite room at the rear of the tent is open to the surrounding environment and fitted with a solar hot water, a hand pumped shower and a Nature Loo or composting toilet.

images from Sal Sails

• All linen is supplied by Eco Down Under which is organic cotton and chemical free.
• Sheets are a sand colour and are not bleached to maintain pure whiteness. Their composition means that they can be hung dry and eliminate the need for ironing! 

Not bad for a luxury tent retreat!

Have fun.

Richard Branson's Makepeace Private Island :: Noosa River, Australia

If you ever wished to stay on one of Richard Branson's Islands now you can!

A little bit piece of Bali has just arrived nearer to home in Richard Branson's Makepeace Private Island here on the Noosa River in Queensland.

The island accommodates up to 22 guests with a mixture of accommodation ranging from private Balinese Bures (Villa's), a Bali House and a Boat House. 

Each building is detailed in a traditional Balinese style.

This bath looks like it has been hand carved from Indonesia stone. 

All buildings have been designed and constructed in Bali and then reassembled on the island. This retains the Balinese traditional building style and supports both the local Balinese and Australian builders.

Also all furnishings, sculptures, antiques and lighting are one off original pieces sourced from throughout Bali, Java and Indonesia. That would have been a fantastic research and shopping excursion for someone!

images via Makepeace Island

You have to admire the traditional timber detailing.

Have a great weekend.

Fjall :: Falls Creek, Victoria, Australia

It is always the way that the year you do not plan for a ski holiday is the season of perfect snow! 


In celebration of a great year for Australia's ski resorts I would like to tell you about Fjall Ski Lodge in Falls Creek. For those of you that have been following me from last year would know that I had the opportunity to stay in Falls Creek and view some of their lovely lodges.


This luxury alpine lodge with interiors designed by Hecker, Phelan & Guthrie brings a strong sense of nature and the outdoors inside with a subtle reference to the Scandinavian interior design style. 

Their palette uses a mix of oak timber floors, custom designed oak timber joinery softened with a palette of charcoal, white, black and pale grey fabrics and upholstery. They also keep to an Australian made focus with their beds and ottomans made by Jardan.

images by Peter Bennetts

These rooms certainly provide a sense of calm and balance reflecting the landscape that surrounds this lodge. If you are interested in staying at Falls Creek for your next Ski holiday, click here for further details on the Fjall Ski Lodge. 


Have fun.

Alcheringa :: Lamington NP, Queensland

It's now mid winter here in South East Queensland and contrary to the perception of a hot sub-tropical climate it can get really cold here. 

So this time of year my thoughts go to sunny decks, outside hot tubs and cosy wood fire burners. 

One place that springs to mind that I have been trying to get a booking for a while is Alcheringa in Lamington National Park.

This retreat is an Architect designed house of rock, timber and glass which overlooks the stunning Numinbah & Coomera Valleys below.

With the use of timber cladding, filtered sunlight and a cosy fireplace this home creates a feeling of warmth, peace and tranquility which makes you leave the city life behind and feel the real meaning of a mountain retreat.

images from Alcheringa

I have been told that from the Master bedroom you can even wake up to see the clouds below you and with the massive deck and spa overlooking the forest, you can really feel like you are at one with nature!

Not a bad location for just a few hours outside Brisbane!

Have fun.

Retreat Accommodation :: Gaia Retreat, Byron, NSW

My birthday is soon approaching. Another year older and another year wiser and all that. 

I now see Birthday's as a chance to relax, unwind and chill out with a glass of wine and a soak in an outdoor spa! 

Last year was a bit of a milestone and a lovely skiing holiday in Falls Creek. I am now on the hunt for my birthday weekend break and I suppose that this post is a little hint to my husband...

Now this place I have had my eye on for a few years... 

Gaia is a retreat style accommodation, created by Olivia Newton-John and friend Gregg Cave from a run down farm in the Byron Bay Hinterland in 2004. 

The retreat is meant to reflects Olivia's connection with the environment, her healthy attitude to life and a statement of her personal style. 

This clearly comes through with the types of wellness programs that they run, their use of organic and locally grown produce and Byron's peaceful setting. 

I would say in style terms this is a place where "bare-foot meets contemporary Asian eclectic", with the decor mixing influences form Asian, Rococo style and natural contemporary furniture and materials.

The Kukura House - A Somoan style contemporary longhouse

The Decor - Where Asian meets contemporary, natural and eclectic

What a view!

No wonder I am drawn to this place!

Have fun.

Luxury Swag Camp :: Blue Mouintains

I know it is quite cold at the moment but I have been camping quite a bit recently, but nothing quite as glamourous as this 'swag camp' from Blue Mountains Private Safaris Luxury Swag Camp.

This camp is also an ideal model for Eco Tourism with no very basic infrastructure. There is no electricity, all water is filtered, all waste is removed from site and no fixed structures for minimal impact.

The camp is built to fit in with the surrounding environment, with raised timber 'swag' decks, with swag bedrolls, soft pillows and duvets for added comfort and a canopy overhead which you can roll back to see the stars.

 

Backing on to each deck there is an 'en-suite' hand basin and mirror plus an open air shower, chemical toilet and screened changing area.

There is also an outdoor fireplace set up to look like something you would find in your own home!

images via Blue Mountains Private Safaris Luxury Swag Camp 

There is no formal restaurant but instead your guide will provide all meals in an outdoor dining area shaded by canopy poles with great views of the mountains and river below. 

This is the best experience if you want to try luxury bush swag camping and feel at one with nature but not give up on those creature comforts.

Have a great weekend.

Beach Huts :: Middleton, South Australia

I had forgotten how quaint those beach huts were in Whitstable so I continued my search to see if there were any more closer to home.

Is was not long before I found this beach hut complex called Beach Huts in Middleton South Australia. 

There are 12 in total surrounding a restaurant and bar, a tennis court and a communal "village hall" type room open to all guests.

images via Beach Huts Middleton

Attention to detail is evident with the selection of decor, recycled furniture, beach side finds, white washed timber floors and walls and even patchwork fabric!

A nice mix of the contemporary and the traditional.


Have a great weekend.

Montague's of Montville :: Queensland, Australia

I hope you all had a relaxing Easter break. 

We spent a few days walking the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk, which is a 3-5 day walk 90km north of Brisbane. 


It's a fantastic walk that winds its way through the Blackwall Range and traverses scenic natural areas including warm subtropical rainforest, tall open eucalyptus forest and many picturesque waterfalls. 

We have camped near this walk before but this time we decided to stay in a local rainforest retreat, Montague's of Montville, at the base of Kondalila Falls Road. 


The owners, David and Geraldine have looked after us with hearty breakfast provisions, quality cosy accommodation, soft fluffy robes and providing lifts in the morning to start the walk. 

This is a perfect place for that indoor-outdoor experience or a special romantic break with the local wildlife dropping in on your deck, listening to the sound of Kondalilla falls and star gazing from your deck.

Many thanks to David and Geraldine for looking after us.

Have fun.