HINTERLAND HIDEAWAY

Stay

The Panorama 6 bedrooms; sleeps 19 | $$ From $690 per night (minimum three nights) | goldcoasthinterlandaccommodation.net.au

Beyond the buzz of Surfers is the Gold Coast Hinterland, with its lush mountains and forests, serene waterfalls, serpentine roads and stately homes. Perched on a hill in the tranquil suburb of Tallai, about a 20-minute drive southwest of the Goldie, the two-storey Panorama is set on three hectares of sloping grassland – a favourite hangout for kangaroos and the odd sleepy koala. The entrance with high ceilings and a polished timber staircase welcomes guests and all six bedrooms are awash with light. But it’s the first-floor deck where The Panorama makes the most of its location. The vast outdoor area is surrounded by eucalypts and offers stunning views of the Gold Coast skyline. Take in the spectacle at sunrise when the first rays dance across the ocean’s surface.

Do

Explore the verdant surroundings on foot, with views of Hinze Dam on one side and the city on the other. Or sign up for a half-day Springbrook National Park excursion with Southern Cross 4WD Tours (sc4wd.com.au) that includes a guided rainforest walk among 3000-year-old beech trees, visits to cascading waterfalls and Natural Bridge (below), and wildlife spotting.

Eat

Seclusion is this location’s strong point so don’t expect cafés, bars or restaurants nearby. Instead, put the open-plan kitchen to use. Or take advantage of My Holiday Concierge (myholidayconcierge.com.au), a local company that can arrange for a chef to prepare a multi-course meal in-house or deliver breakfast, lunch and dinner hampers packed with inclusions such as fresh pastries and breads from Bisou Bakery and a jalapeño-infused cashew dip by Botanical Cuisine.