Food, nature and pure luxury – this is a one of a kind weekend
April 8, 2020
Relaxed luxury is elegance without pretension. It’s comfort and charm, without ‘look at me’ ostentation. It’s ‘they’ve thought of everything’, underpinned with ‘I want to live here forever’.
It’s the hot water bottle slipped between the sheets of my turned-down king. It’s the fluffy robe waiting for me after a day of adventure and the never-empty glass of red that reflects the flicker of an open fire. It’s the three-course dinner prepared by our very own chef using all local produce, and it’s the fact I’m camping yet I’ve never felt more comfortable, that really define the notion of relaxed luxury.
Spicers Retreats is known for its impeccable style and unforgettable experiences and its Scenic Rim property, Spicers Canopy, is no exception. This is glamping with all the creature comforts. Sheets with thread-counts in the thousands, bathrooms that rival a day spa, polished timber floors inside every tent and food to send your taste buds into meltdown are all part of the package at Canopy.
Luxury tents at Spicers Canopy
Set among 5000-acres of private nature refuge, Canopy boasts 10 luxury tents, each with unobstructed views of the rolling mountain range and star-lit sky. With a hot tub, gorgeous communal lodge, outdoor firepit and beanbags perched paddock-side for prime stargazing, there really is nothing to compare.
Staying here is part of Spicers’ Two-Day Scenic Rim Trail which sees 28km of hiking over two days with two nights at Canopy. All meals and drinks are included, so all you have to do is turn up and soak it all in.
When it comes to the food, only the freshest produce lands on your plate and I got to taste it first-hand. On the first night, It was the choice of lamb backstrap with beans, baby carrots, parsnip chips, sweet potato fritters and farm-style corn on a cob, or baked salmon with a lemon butter and caper sauce. Tough choice, but with both prepared by expert chef Paul Stubbings, you can’t go wrong. Dessert is poached pears with gingernut crunch and house-made whisky ice-cream that will excite and calm your senses all at the same time.
baked salmon with a lemon butter and caper sauce on Scenic Rim Trail 2 day walk
Dinner number two is a choice between eye fillet with a red wine jus, or grilled barramundi, both with a parmesan-crusted sweet potato and paprika roast veg stack, broccoli and smashed baby chat potatoes. Dessert is another eye-rolling delight with orange and almond cake, chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne ice-cream. Menus change with the seasons, but if this is anything to go by, you will not be disappointed.
With your inner foodie and comfort-seeker well and truly looked after, the nature-lover is next to be indulged with 5000-acres of walking trails at your doorstep and two days of guided hiking to ensure you get a quality dose of what’s on offer. If it’s a collage of adventure, relaxation, nature and luxury you’re after, this is the experience for you.
The 2-day Scenic Rim Trail is $1490pp twin share including all meals, drinks, accommodation and hiking equipment. It departs most weekends from March to November and maximum group size is 12.
Words by Georja Ryan.
