Discover why your Gold Coast Hinterland trip must include a visit to O'Reilly's!

Are you looking for ways to re-energise? Are you wanting to remember what it’s like to get your head stuck in the clouds? To truly lose yourself in the sights, sounds and feel that nature has to offer?

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat is on the mountain-side of the gorgeous Lamington National Park

Are you due for a digital detox? What if that paradise was only a short 2 hour drive from Brisbane (or 1.5 hours from the heart of the Gold Coast) A long winding, narrow road that leads you deep into the dense foliage and rainforest canopies of the Gold Coast Hinterland,  until you reach the magical destination of O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat! 

Rainforest Paradise

Well we did just that! What an experience! We had been out and about over the New Year break, searched for a last minute quickie getaway to help our son get a little distracted about the looming start of high school (he is not a fan!). Discover Queensland popped up in my Insta Feed and after a quick check, found that a visit to O’Reilly’s was not only 50% off, offering all kinds of extra’s, but also available to book DURING school holidays - that was such a huuuge bonus! Had never been, no idea why really, as have always wanted to go.

Find the time to immerse yourself in nature……

So let me tell you about this hidden gem and why your Gold Coast Hinterland Trip must include a visit to O’Reilly’s!

1.Breathe in the Fresh Air

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat is rated 3 stars, though it felt like a 5 star experience in my opinion. It is perched high on the mountain side of the glorious Lamington National Park. We had a mountain view room which overlooked the vast valleys below and of course, the mountains in the distance. You could feel the change in the air as we ascended the mountain and change in scenery at every turn. Absolutely picture perfect!

Breathe in the fresh mountain air - take it all in! Photo taken from the Infinity pool near the Lost World Day Spa

2. Meet the Wildlife

A Wildlife encounter was included in the deal with Discover Queensland - a great chance to get up close and personal with Russ (Carpet Snake), Wally (Cockatoo), the squirrel gliders and be introduced to a sea eagle in training. Loved this experience - feeling Russ’s glorious scales, letting the gliders suckle honey from my fingertips and greeting Wally with his incessant return mimic of “Hello”.

3. Take a night trek in search of Glow Worms

As the sun went down, we boarded a short 4WD trip from the main lodge, down a long bumpy road and then started a night trek into the rainforest (this was truly exhilarating all on its own). On the way, we got to meet the crayfish (yes they came up from the creeks onto the banks!), the Barred frogs and even a Brown tree snake (Linc thought it performed Parkour!) crossed our path and slithered its way into the treetops.

There were so many Barred Frogs on our Night Trek to the Glow Worms - we couldn’t get a pic of the Glow Worms - just too dark!!!

Once we made it to the cliff face, the torches were switched off, making it pitch black and the glow worms lit up the embankment like a starry night sky. Hundreds of glow worms twinkled brightly. Australia is home to 8 different glow worm species so this was such an impressive spectacle! The tour was very reasonably priced (kids were free with a paying adult). An absolute must do!

4. Take to the Treetops Walk

The Treetops walk was amazing! A purpose built boardwalk and suspension bridge that sat high above the rainforest floor. Our son loved this. Especially that it had an outlook weaved into the gigantic trees - 2 levels whereby you could literally climb high up to the first platform (max 3 people). Then you could take a steep vertical ladder climb to the very top of the tree to the next platform (max 2 people). The views were truly majestic! FREE to access the Treetops Walk (and FREE access to the Botanical Gardens). This was an easy walk and very do-able for anyone making the visit.

5. Take a Walk on the Wild Side

Find yourself a hiking trail. Lamington National Park is surrounded by walking trails, from easy to very challenging trails. Log your hike with O’Reilly’s, then simply take a walk on the wild side. There was a diary with recordings of sightings made during the day. Many people commented that they had seen “wild dogs” such as Alsatians or German Shepherds when in fact they had seen dingoes. Dingoes have 4 distinctive colours and this sometimes confuses tourists. What did we discover on our hike? A black snake, that slithered across our path - we were very happy that it just went on its merry way!

6. Chase Waterfalls

We chose an easy trail - a 1.5 hour return trip, descending down the rainforest path to Moran Waterfalls. The sound of the Cicadas was incredibly loud, a true measure that you were deep in the heart of a rainforest. Find a creek, stream or waterfall to cool off in the refreshing waters. This was a lot of fun.

Remember to make time to chase Waterfalls - Moran Waterfalls

7. Champagne Breakfasts

Bubbly for Breakky? Yes there was!! The deal we got allowed 2 for 1 Buffet Breakfasts with Champers (a huge selection of great food - even home made porridge and freshly baked breads!) Linc’s breakfast was free. So Breakfast worked out to be an absolute bargain! Must say, the thought of having a bubbly for breakfast was really enticing, but with big days planned, thought I shouldn’t really start my day off with a tipple! - Lol!

Champers anyone? Utter Luxury for Breakky!

Just stuck with freshly made omelettes, juice, fruit and yoghurt selection. The rainforest was entwined with the lodge. Trees growing up through the atrium like centrepieces throughout the retreat.

The Atriums where the birds would join you for breakky.

The birds flew into the atriums and literally ate their breakfast alongside you as music played softly in the background! Was more than a perfect way to start the day.

8. Chill Out/Start a Digital Detox

The beauty of our visit, was we could do as much as we wanted or as little as we wanted. There were so many activities to do - Birds of Prey Show, Flying Fox above the rainforest, Bird Feeding, Bird Watching, 4WD tours and Segway tours through the creeks and landscape, plus so much more!! The cheapest way to do all the activities for a family was to buy a 24 hour pass and pack it all in! For us, it was also chance to just chill out - in the words of O’Reilly’s - ‘Escape, Experience and Connect’. That was exactly how we felt.

Whilst the lodge does have WiFi, we could only access it at the main lodge area. There also wasn’t any TV (or Aircon) in the Mountain View Rooms. Was available in the Villas (check variety of accommodation) at the Retreat. It was hot in January - mid summer and unusually extra warm. We had a ceiling fan only, but this was manageable.

We instead gazed at the clouds passing by, enjoyed the sounds of nature and took the time to watch the sunset. Also a bit of time to do family things like chat about our days and play cards. In today’s world, I think a digital detox is good thing.

Missed out on the Spa treatment so opted to swim in the Infinity pool - Trust me I was having a digital detox! - just a little footage for the blog!

Otherwise we headed to the lounge for a tickle on the ivories. It had a gorgeous fireplace, large leather chairs and lounges (Absolutely perfect for a winter getaway). We also headed to the upstairs bar for quiet pre-dinner drinks at happy hour (4 pm- 5.30pm every day). Great tasting local organic white wine.

Happy Hour - 4pm - 5.30pm. Enjoying a local Organic White Wine - perfect way to end a hard day relaxing with Gav!

9. Treat Yourself - Lost World Day Spa

One of the little extra’s in our deal with Discover Queensland was to get 2 X $50 spa vouchers towards a treatment at the Lost World Day Spa. I loved this idea but don't be like Dee! I was so caught up doing everything else, that I didn’t book in advance and missed out on what I am sure would have been quite a decadent experience.

Book early for the Lost Day Spa - I missed out as too caught up doing everything else!

10. Food, Food - Glorious Food

We really enjoyed the food at the restaurant - we only dined in for breakfast and dinners, choosing the cafe next door for simple lunches. Linc’s meals were free with the offer we had. The atmosphere was really relaxing and inviting with soft music played in the background and low lighting. The lodge interior was all timber, which gave off a lingering, feint, luxury smell that only timber can. (I simply loved that).

Thumbs up for the best Slow Cooked Lamb Board ever!

11. To get your head IN the clouds!

How many times have you been told to get your head out of the clouds?

The clouds started to roll in to our little Mountain View Rooms….

Well, maybe it’s time to get your head back in them! We stayed during the summer months and overnight the storms rolled in. We laid awake listening to the sound of thunder, the patter of the rain and the next morning the entire retreat was immersed in one gigantic cloud. It was truly beautiful! - our son had never experienced anything like that. It was a joy just to watch his reaction.

After the rains fell, one gigantic cloud enveloped the retreat - soooo perfect!

12. To Nourish your Soul!

Hoping by now you are seeing the picture of why you need to visit here! I don’t think photo’s can do it justice. We always rate our stay for how long it ‘felt’ like we were away.

View from our Mountain View Room

We were up at O’Reilly’s for just a few days. It felt like a week! Our only regret? - Not staying a wee bit longer. Felt so rejuvenating and incredibly good for our well-being!

Picture yourself here!

When was the last time that you did something good for your mind, body and soul?

• Please note: The Travel Deal we purchased was made through Discover Queensland. We did need to add on a surcharge for travelling on a Friday night. At that time, it was 50% off , which made it a very do-able break for us and allowed us more to spend more on dining, activities etc. Totally loved it - will be back!

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I almost forgot! O’Reillys has a vineyard at the bottom of the mountain in Canungra Valley. We had complimentary wine tasting included in our stay, however we didn’t stop in on our way down as the heaven’s opened and glorious rain descended (Was very much needed!) We will though be popping back for a visit to the stately winery!