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.

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.

Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat :: Queensland-NSW border

It's funny how the weather reminds me of places I have stayed.
It's raining today and when thinking of today's reterat I think back to my rather wet Honeymoon stay at the Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat.

a plunge pool with a view!

This place is a bit of a treat and definitely designed for couples. There are small number of unique architect-designed bungalows set in 100 hectares, surrounded by world heritage-listed national parks and set amongst rainforest or mountain views. No need to worry about bumping into anyone as each of the luxury bungalows are strategically placed to provide total seclusion.

images via Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat

Each bungalow’s has spacious living areas, an open plan design, natural timbers to exude warmth and floor to ceiling glass windows to providing an amazing inside and out experience. This connection to nature provides peace, tranquility and total relaxation to ease all the stresses of life!

When we stayed there was a huge amount of tropical rain which just added to the whole experience.

This was one of our first places we stayed when we arrived in Australia. Coming form the UK and it's dense housing, I was so taken by the experience of waking up surrounding by nature that I decided that this style of architecture would lend itself to my future home design and it's indoor outdoor location and style of living.

Have a great weekend.

Buddha Gardens Day Spa :: Byron Bay, NSW

After my long weekend in Bryon Bay, I would like to share with you one of my favourite day spas in the area. No weekend in Byron is complete for me without a few hours relaxing in the Buddha Gardens Day Spa.

images via Buddha Gardens Day Spa

I am always drawn to this day spa not only for the quality of massage but also for the tranquil tropical gardens which are available for guests to use either before or after their your treatment.

photo above by Ross Doonan & © Beautiful Accommodation

This is one of those gardens that have such a relaxing feel about it... It's just big enough for 4 people with a sauna, a heated plunge pool, waterfull and also the property's resident water dragons! Now I know that if I was a water dragon I would if I lived here!

Home to these lucky guys!

There is also the Orchid Room which features a spa bath set in natural rock, waterfall, an open air shower and Balinese Day Bed which is ideally suited to couples.

I know this will sound rather indulgent... but one day I would love to recreate something similar to this tranquil outdoor space in my own back garden... and all local water dragons will be welcome!

Have a great weekend.

Byron Bay Vista Lodge :: Byron Bay hinterland, NSW

Just a quick post today as I am away in Byron for the weekend. We are staying at the Byron Bay Vista Lodge, just a little inland from Byron. The lodge is architect designed and set on 2 acres of semi-tropical trees, landscaped gardens and has a saltwater pool.

The lodge is spacious with high-ceilings and a huge deck and is set amongst beautiful gum trees, cow and horse paddocks and amazing hinterland views.

You are also welcomed by the owners playful dogs and the local bird life.

The decor is of a traditional old world timber theme set against a background of beautiful gum trees and pastures. As an example of recycling, the timber kitchen is second hand from Ebay and likewise most of the furniture is also sourced from a mixture of secondhand shops and Ebay.

image via Byron Bay Vista Lodge

A great place for relaxing for both couples and families and it gets a big thumbs up from my friends that are also here.

Have fun.