Your 72-hour luxe getaway at Spicers Sangoma Retreat in the lower Blue Mountains opens with a glass of bubbly, followed by lunch at Sangoma restaurant, which is exclusive to in-house guests.
Nestled on the eastern side of the lower Blue Mountains in Bowen Mountain, Spicers Sangoma Retreat is the ideal haven for those seeking upmarket pampering, eco tours and fine dining in a tranquil, private setting just 70 minutes from the Sydney CBD, and close to the historic townships of Richmond and Windsor.
Packages are all-inclusive, with all accommodation, gourmet meals and beverages covered. There are only eight suites at the adults-only retreat, meaning that not only will your escape be peaceful, but you’ll find your well being and enjoyment is the focus of the attentive and friendly staff.
No-one will blame you if you while away your first afternoon just kicking back and enjoying the views and your private suite. Make your way to the restaurant for the five-course tasting menu, run by Head Chef Will Houia. After a nightcap, return to your king size, custom made Spicers bed to enjoy a blissful night’s sleep.
A hearty breakfast awaits on day two, before setting off on a half-day Rocks to Rainforest 4WD tour. You’ll travel in a luxury 4WD and bypass the tourist trail for areas less well-worn, allowing marvellous perspectives on awe-inspiring wilderness in the Blue Mountains World Heritage area.
You’ll take in panorama escarpments, fascinating rock formations and deep canyons with ancient rainforest, and you might be lucky enough to spy a roo in the Megalong Valley. Short walks in the wilderness accentuate your interpretive ecological experience.
The guides have extensive knowledge of geology, flora and fauna, Indigenous culture and astronomy, so you’ll emerge from your adventure with a deeper understanding of this natural wonderland on the western fringes of Sydney.
Take a dip in the outdoor pool back at the retreat with views on a clear day back to Sydney, or spend some time in the sauna.
Ahead of your next decadent meal in the restaurant tonight, which will feature a whole new menu, you might like to take a tour to the Vale of Avoca, a lookout 300 metres above the Grose River Gorge that affords sensational views up and into the Blue Mountains.
After breakfast on day three, take a scenic mountain drive along Bells Line of Road through Kurrajong Heights, Bilpin and Berambing to the Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens in Mount Tomah, with its 70 acres of gardens, lawns and woodlands. From December through to April you can go fruit picking at one of the many Bilpin farms – pears, apples, peaches and more. Pine Crest Orchard is always a favourite.
Pampering awaits following lunch. The onsite day spa offers a range of treatments designed to soothe, relax and restore your body and soul. The spa itself is a sanctuary in the heart of the bush – a luxury tent perched between lush greenery, complete with a chandelier and improvised soundtrack supplied by the Australian bush. It’s unlike you have ever seen before.
The Sangoma Signature treatment will have you experiencing the integration of traditional healing practices with contemporary massage techniques, flowing through in unison to immerse your senses into stillness. Dova Therapy is a bespoke restorative treatment to alleviate muscle aches, release tension and encourage the flow of nutrients in the body. The Youth Elixir Spa Facial, meanwhile, is the ultimate anti-ageing treatment, offering an infusion of precious omega serums and opulent essential oils to deeply rejuvenate, replenish and
renew.
After another superb dinner, you might like to relax in your suite with a DVD or enjoy a board game in the lounge.
After breakfast on your final day work off all those good times with a ride on one of Spicers’ mountain bikes, visit an apple cider brewery in Bilpin, or browse the shops in local villages. A relaxed checkout concludes your 72 hours at Spicers Sangoma Retreat, a small slice of paradise in the foothills of the Blue Mountains.
Written by: William Holmes
