The Gold Coast is known for its endless summer, but for those of us who live here, we sometimes find ourselves dreaming of misty mountain mornings, curling up beside a crackling fire and wrapping our fingers around a mug of something mulled.

Turns out, we’re not the only ones. A growing number of travellers are swapping beach breaks for brisk escapes, trading sunburn for stargazing and chasing the chill instead of running from it.

Enter the Coolcation – the latest travel trend that’s all about leaning into winter’s cosier side. And the best part? For us Queenslanders, a perfectly chilled escape is closer than you think. Spicers has wrapped up a luxe lineup of five-star frost-fests at their retreats around the country for an indulgent winter getaway.

Spicers Retreats Coolcation packages are tailor-made for those who love their holidays with a side of snuggly robes and soul-warming scenery. Whether you’re after forest bathing, gourmet grazing or just an excuse to wear that chunky knit jumper, the Spicers Retreats destinations are bringing the chill without the chill factor.

Let’s start at the peak of cool, quite literally, with Spicers Peak Lodge in Maryvale. From just $1,799 per night (all-inclusive), it’s a luxe escape perched atop the Scenic Rim, where the air is crisp, the views are sweeping and the mulled wine is served piping hot. Think mountain lodge meets high-end indulgence, with no need to lift a finger (except to toast a marshmallow or two).

Just down the range, Spicers Hidden Vale offers rustic charm with all the mod-cons, and, from $449 per night for two, it’s a more accessible slice of country calm. Picture vintage Queenslander cottages, hot toddies by the fire, and maybe even a wombat sighting.

In the heart of Brisbane, Spicers Balfour Hotel brings a cool city stay to the table from $419 per night, perfect for urbanites who like their winter nights with a rooftop cocktail and a side of skyline.

Up in the hinterland, Spicers Clovelly Estate in Montville and Spicers Tamarind Retreat in Maleny deliver on the rainforest romance. We’re talking outdoor hot tubs, misty bushwalks and Asian-fusion feasts that make the chill downright delicious from a cool $499 and $569 respectively.

Each Coolcation package includes overnight accommodation for two, breakfast, a fireside or in-room beverage experience and a stargazing guide.

Further afield, Spicers Retreats chilly line-up continues with stunning stays in the Hunter Valley, Blue Mountains, Bowral and even South Australia’s Barossa Valley, where the wine tastes even better directly from the cellar.

But for Queenslanders looking to escape without the interstate schlep, the five Spicers spots close to home are a brrr-illiant place to start.

So this winter, skip the tropics and embrace the chill. Your scarf’s been waiting all year for this.

Click here to book your coolcation now.

Where: Spicers Retreats can be found in Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia.
When: Bookings from May 2nd, 2025, to June 30th, 2025, for stays up to August 30th, 2025. Terms and conditions apply, subject to availability.

Words by Lisette Drew

STORY SPONSORED BY SPICERS RETREATS

Every January the Australian Good Food Guide (AGFG) bestows upon us its much anticipated Chef Hat Awards, a discerning and definitive ranking of culinary excellence. Aka, the foodie holy grail. For hardcore dining devotees, it feels a lot like Christmas morning. Our very own cheat sheet to work our way, hungry caterpillar style, around the most esteemed and decorated local destinations.

Our Northern Rivers neighbours, in particular, are giving us plenty of reasons to pack our appetites and venture south for some serious nosh. Here are 11 of this year’s most road trip worthy restaurants.

Pipit
Founded by former Paper Daisy chef, Pipit owner Ben Devlin is no stranger to the art of crafting exquisite eats – nor has he pulled any punches when it comes to his first solo venture. And AGFG clearly agrees, with Pottsville’s Coronation Avenue darling taking out the coveted top spot among this year’s most noteworthy Northern Rivers Hat recipients.

Pipit’s superb score of 16/20 propels them to pole position on our day trip priority list and also, according to the AGFG, ‘ worth a detour’ designation.

Set aside a few hours and treat yourself to the revelatory set menu dining experience, a curated sequence of flavours, textures and ideas spanning over several hours, one which Ben likens to ‘a day trip around the Northern Rivers’ in and of itself.
Where: 8 Coronation Avenue, Pottsville

Rae’s Dining Room
Coming in second place with a score of 15 is Byron Bay institution, Raes on Wategos. Headed by Executive Chef Jason Saxby, the restaurant serves modern Australian cuisine with a Mediterranean influence deemed ‘Quite Out of the Ordinary’ by AGFG- we wholeheartedly agree.

The chic, boutique retreat, an icon set amongst Byron’s idyllic beaches, delivers a fine dining experience in its Dining Room, headed by Executive Chef Jason Saxby. A culinary showcase of the region, curated with Mediterranean influences, the menu offers Caviar service, 3-course a la carte and Tasting Menu options.

A word of warning, though – after tasting dishes like Australian Bay Lobster (bug), glazed in fermented chilli, hand-rolled fregola pasta, and the Lemon Meringue Bombe, served with lemon aspen sorbet and lemon myrtle semifreddo, you might just want to move in.
Where: 6 – 8 Marine Parade, Byron Bay

Tweed River House
Murwillumbah’s aptly named Tweed River House, perched just a stone’s throw from its banks, also scored a hat – earning a rating of 14 for its gastronomic bistro and bar experience. Shout out to master chef Dayron Perugorria.

The venue, housed in a spruced up, century-old colonial-style mansion – offers a panoramic river vantage flanked by wraparound verandas, and elevated eats to match.

The luxurious and immaculately appointed interiors alone make it worth filling your tank. Still, decadent dishes like Ratatouille made with confit eggplant, tomato consommé, roasted zucchini, condiment puree and tapenade and the Citrus Bavarois with lime & gin biscuit, orange gel, lemongrass powder and macadamia certainly sweeten the deal.
Where: 131 River St, South Murwillumbah

Bistro Livi
Another noshery deemed to be one of the best in the Northern Rivers Restaurant category is Murwillumbah’s Bistro Livi, scoring the prestigious hat accolade with its total of 14.

A short 30km trek from Cooly and one of the fresher faces among its culinary cohort – if you’re yet to be acquainted with Livi, it’s an easy one to tick off the list when you’re looking for a low effort adventure snap you out of the Sunday lazies (or scaries).

Tucked within the arts precinct of the tight-knit Murbah community – the European-inspired venue radiates romance with rustic textures and an inviting, intimate ambience, while Spanish influences inform the menu. It’s certainly not just the AGFG critics that this regional gem has succeeded in winning over… #swoon.
Where: 1A 1-3 Brisbane St, Murwillumbah

Frida’s Field
If long, lazy farm lunches are your vibe, Frida’s Field is a must. Set on 120 dreamy acres just outside Bangalow, this paddock-to-plate gem dishes up a seasonal feast that scored 13/20. Award-winning chef Alastair Waddell lets Northern Rivers produce shine with a modern Australian menu that changes every six weeks—think wood-fired meats, farm-fresh veggies and big, bold flavours.

With only three long lunches a week (Friday to Sunday), this is a slow-food experience in every sense—one sitting per service, plenty of time to sip, savor, and soak up the Byron hinterland views. Whether you go omnivore or veg, you’re in for a next-level spread that might just ruin you for regular dining forever.
Where: 76 Booyong Road, Nashua

The Hut Byron Bay
This Possum Creek gem scored 13, shocking absolutely no one who’s ever eaten there. Set in a literal old-school setting (the former OPossum Creek Public School), it pairs Southern European flavors with Byron hinterland charm.

Soak up garden views through airy white windows as you dive into fresh oysters or Burrata with grilled zucchini, bottarga, and pistachios. For mains, expect delights such as  Pappardelle al Ragù, beef and pork ragù, fresh radicchio and Parmigiano Reggiano and whole butterflied snapper with fish with tahini butter, fried capers and olive crumb.

Rustic, refined, and ridiculously good—this is one lesson in good taste you won’t want to skip.
Where: 471 Friday Hut Road, Possum Creek

Beach Byron Bay
With a score of 13 and front-row seats to Clarkes Beach, Beach Byron Bay is a local fave for good reason. Their seafood-focused, hyper-seasonal menu celebrates Northern Rivers produce and their wine list is equally well-curated.

Start with the Byron Bay ricotta, local figs, honey, almond, sourdough crackers before moving on to the Duck breast with hazelnut, muscat grape, and watercress. For dessert, don’t restrain yourself, there’s Mille Feuille with peach custard, lemon myrtle, and vanilla mousse to be had!
Where: Clarkes Beach, 2 Massinger Street, Byron Bay

Shelter
For a long, leisurely meal in a ridiculously scenic spot, Shelter is the move. with a score of 13, an award-winning wine list, and bi-fold windows framing 7 Mile Beach, it’s got everything going for it—top-tier food, service, and views.

From sunrise to sunset, they’re serving up seasonal, sustainable, and ethically sourced goodness. Kick off your morning with spiced falafel, whipped tahini, poached eggs, pomegranate, pistachio, herbs and roti or swing by later for gems like local sashimi, ginger, bonito vinegar, lemon oil, followed by 350g Rangers Valley porterhouse steak, black sesame and roasted miso emulsion. Don’t skip the smashed chat potatoes with togarashi mayo and paprika salt. Trust us.
Where: 41 Pacific Parade, Lennox Head

Paper Daisy
Halcyon House’s beloved Paper Daisy of course also earned itself a nod, with an honourable 14. The esteemed and elegant eatery, sitting pretty against Cabarita Beach’s stunning shores – is not just reserved for sandy-footed in-house guests.

We’re all invited to see what the fuss is about courtesy of the bar, open from 3pm, or for dinner. Led by Andrew Milford, the kitchen shoots for ‘sophisticated simplicity’, where you can expect to delight in inventive and delectable dishes like Local Hiramasa kingfish, cos, radish, pea, brown rice vinegar butter or Rangers Valley Wagyu flank MB5+, poblano pepper, potato confit, whey & mustard.

We’d recommend packing your appetite (and your towel, because, y’know, Caba #phwoar).
Where: 21 Cypress Cres, Cabarita Beach

Potager
Capitalising on Carool’s sweeping valley views, Potager – A Kitchen Garden has long been a favourite destination among locals and discerning visitors. The charming nosher is also somewhat of a teacher’s pet, earning a score of 13 for its Modern Australian style eats in this year’s Chef Hat Awards – along with a near-perfect 4.8 score on Google, might we add… and honestly, we’re not sure which is harder to pull off.

Set on a small 10-acre farm, the seasonal menu is informed by locally sourced produce, much of which is grown on the property. Dishes like the Byron Bay burrata served with charred summer stone fruit, basil, evoo and warm focaccia, are a testament to the community-minded culinary experience, while the Alabama apple pie made with apple and rosemary sorbet, Brookies Mac compote, and cinnamon Swiss meringue macadamia gets a mention, because #yum
Where: 502 Carool Rd, Carool

Bar Heather
Perched on Byron Bay’s Jonson Lane, Bar Heather transports its diners to the charm of Paris or New York – at least that’s what it feels like. They lead with an exquisite selection of natural wine, followed by an equally impressive menu, so clearly designed to torture and tantalise you into returning time and time again. It’s no surprise that they, too, were awarded a 13/20.
You must try their mahi mahi with green chilli and brown butter (oh my) and the burnt honey and cardamom ice cream sandwich (oh my, oh my).
Where: 139 Jonson Lane, Byron Bay

Words by Chelsea Ipsen

Byron Bay – a holiday haven where the pace slows, the scenery stuns and adventure is always on the agenda. As a Gold Coaster, chances are you’ve holidayed here before, but if you’re looking for a fresh way to experience Australia’s most easterly point, it’s time to hit the trail – literally. Giddy up, because Zephyr Horses is ready to show you Byron like never before – on horseback.

Horse riding is all about connection – between horse, rider and the breathtaking natural world. For owner Kate Noller, Zephyr Horses is about sharing the experience she was lucky enough to grow up with.

“Riding through the forest and then onto the beach with friends, it was just a magical way to explore, unwind and enjoy time. Connecting with nature and grounding yourself all whilst riding one of your beautiful horses. It was important to me to show people the beauty in that. Exploring an area on horseback is something very special.”

We canter agree more. Just as importantly, Kate wanted to share a high-quality riding experience on healthy, happy, and well-cared-for horses.

“Our horses are our family,” Kate said. “They are loved and treasured, and their wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do.”

And that love and care shines through in every tour. Based in the stunning coastal landscape of Byron Bay, Zephyr Horses tours are designed to leave a lasting imprint, or should we say hoofprint? Whether you’re a first-time rider or a seasoned equestrian, Zephyr’s carefully curated tours are a choose-your-own-adventure experience.

The Forest to Beach Tour takes you on a picture perfect journey, it’s as if you’ve trotted into a dream. Weaving through shaded coastal forest before emerging onto the golden sands, the ocean breeze allows your worries to canter away.

For those who want to sink their horse shoes into Byron’s lush hinterland, the Forest Trail Tour offers a peaceful escape through native Tea Tree forest, exploring the flora and fauna of the region.

A horse walks into a bar… but this time, it’s with you in the saddle! Find out the punchline on Zephyr’s Pub Lunch Tour, where a scenic ride leads to a well-earned pit stop at a local pub. With good food, great company and a cold drink in hand, it’s the ultimate way to round out a day in the saddle.

Zephyr is also expanding into an exciting new space with the launch of Zen at Zephyr, an Equine Wellness Experience that blends Qi Gong, meditation, art and deep horse connection. This new offering invites guests to slow down and engage with these magnificent animals in a mindful, restorative way, allowing for an even deeper bond between human and horse. We are chomping at the bit for this one!

Where: Byron Bay
When: Rides are seven days a week, by appointment only. Book here.
Instagram: @zephyr_horses
Website: www.zephyrhorses.com

Words by Lisette Drew