Honeymoon
13 June 2018I wish I could rate this place higher than the top rating. It’s in a category of its own. We stayed in the Lamington Lodge in March 2018 and I have not stopped thinking about it. It was the perfect place for a honeymoon and I loved every part of what they had to offer. We had planned on going out a little, but those plans changed after we settled in. The accommodation and the hampers were beyond gorgeous. The only down side was that the infinity edge [pool] was not working properly and we thought it was not on because of the overcast skies (solar), so we didn’t mention anything about it until toward the end of our stay. It actually works fine on cloudy days and the pump just needed to be reset. If you think something is not quite right do not be afraid to speak up. The staff were so quick to respond and so helpful when we did say something. This place is world-class… when I want a good holiday I don’t think about going back to Thailand anymore. I think about this place!
Peace and serenity to die for
13 June 2018To all who had an involvement in our stay: Thank you one and all! The accommodation was superb, the food and manner in which it was presented was new to us and suited us to a tee. The quality was excellent! The accommodation is beautiful, the vista is breathtaking. The peace and serenity to die for. We shall sing your praises to the highest.
Thanks so much for a sublime weekend!
20 May 2018We just spent the weekend in the Kamala bungalow, one of the Rainforest Canopy bungalows, and the setting was just magic. So secluded, if you didn’t leave the bungalow you wouldn’t know there were any others there and chances are, when you did leave your bungalow you wouldn’t see anyone anyway. We loved our bungalow, the view of Springbrook Mountain was awesome and the spa bath in our bungalow was just amazing, sunken into the floor and surrounded on three sides by glass so you looked straight out into the rainforest. We got up early on both mornings and did the Lookout Walk and then the Boundary Walk, great exercise and so beautiful walking through the rainforest. The view from the Lookout is awesome, looking right over the Tweed Valley to the ocean. Each night we would wander down to the creek and lay in the hammocks in the dark looking at the glow worms on the banks lining the creek. Just magical! We also had a visitor one day, a big monitor wandered out of the bush, it would have been 5 foot long, head to tail. Then a few hours later a smaller one was there as well. Amazing! I can’t recommend this place enough, it is just such a perfect place to relax and get away from everyone and everything, and just enjoy utter peace and quiet and the sounds of birds. It was so sad to have to leave but we are so grateful to have experienced it. We will be back!! Thanks so much CCRR for a sublime weekend!
Thanks for a sublime weekend!
20 May 2018We just spent the weekend in the Kamala bungalow, one of the Rainforest Canopy bungalows, and the setting was just magic. So secluded, if you didn’t leave the bungalow you wouldn’t know there were any others there and chances are, when you did leave your bungalow you wouldn’t see anyone anyway. We loved our bungalow, the view of Springbrook Mountain was awesome and the spa bath in our bungalow was just amazing, sunken into the floor and surrounded on three sides by glass so you looked straight out into the rainforest. We got up early on both mornings and did the Lookout Walk and then the Boundary Walk, great exercise and so beautiful walking through the rainforest. The view from the Lookout is awesome, looking right over the Tweed Valley to the ocean. Each night we would wander down to the creek and lay in the hammocks in the dark looking at the glow worms on the banks lining the creek. Just magical! We also had a visitor one day, a big monitor wandered out of the bush, it would have been 5 foot long, head to tail. Then a few hours later a smaller one was there as well. Amazing! I can’t recommend this place enough, it is just such a perfect place to relax and get away from everyone and everything, and just enjoy utter peace and quiet and the sounds of birds. It was so sad to have to leave but we are so grateful to have experienced it. We will be back!! Thanks so much CCRR for a sublime weekend!
Couldn't fault a thing
15 May 2018The absolutely most relaxing awesome retreat we have ever been at. I will [sing] our praises of this place forever. Couldn’t fault a thing. The views and surrrounds are totally private and amazingly beautiful.
Second Visit – Just keeps getting better & better
5 April 2018My husband & I returned to Crystal Creek on the 26th March to celebrate our 1 year wedding anniversary as we stayed here for our Honeymoon. We didn’t stay in the same cabin as last time (Creekside Spa) we thought we would stay in the Tamarind Bungalow – AMAZING I am so glad that we returned, you can’t fault this place. If you are looking for relaxation, quite time, privacy etc this is the place for you. I would also recommend ordering their food – simply amazing better than most up market restaurants. We recommend this place to everyone.
Old banana plantation transformed!
3 April 2018There is little to suggest to the first-time visitor that the world class luxury rainforest retreat at the end of Upper Crystal Creek road used to be a run-down banana plantation, but that is the history of this lovely place. And it is a place for couples only, which is a welcome benefit for those who want absolute privacy and to be able to sit out on the balcony and hear nothing but whip birds and wind through the rainforest canopy.
Our ‘Tamborine’ lodge was the epitome of luxury with design highlights being the extensive use of glass walls, floor-to-ceiling windows and chunky wooden furniture pieces throughout. Whilst the two-person spa bath could have been a little more generous in proportions (or we could have been a little thinner, I suppose), the overall impression was that the choice of fittings and appliances has been thought through properly.
On the ‘quirky-but-luxurious’ list was the combined toilet-bidet with the wall-mounted control panel providing hours of fun exploring all the possible settings…
The property itself sits on the side of one of the walls of the crater formed by the erosion of the Tweed Shield volcano, of which Mount Warning is the obvious remnant. It is a place where a stick placed in the ground will grow, such is the quality of the soil and the rainfall rate. The property is managed through a mutual conservation agreement between the owners and conservation authorities, permitting all the rainforest walks and associated activities to be undertaken with proper conservation approaches ensured, which is the reason for its existence in the first place.
Self-cater your food to the extent practical, as the option of buying in breakfast and dinner packages can become expensive (however you won’t go hungry if you do).
The activity options available are totally weather-dependent, but if it is not raining, the walks in the rainforest are not to be missed, followed by a dip in the rockpools and lay in the hammocks strung over the creek. The rocks in the creek bed played havoc on our urban girl and urban boy bare feet, so take some thongs or similar if you intend to go swimming. Take heed of the guidelines about protection against leeches. Enough said…
Overall, the retreat is not for the budget-conscious, the clock-watcher or those who cannot live without their mobile phone and the more time you spend listening to the birds in the trees and absorbing the ambience of the rainforest, the healthier you will feel after a stay here. Highly recommended!
20th Anniversary Magical Rainforest Retreat
24 March 2018My wife and I celebrated our 20th anniversary and couldn’t have selected a better location. Nestled at the base of the Springbrook range and embedded within the rainforest it was a wonderful place to recharge our batteries.
We stayed in one of the Creekside Spa Cabin (Quandong). This bungalow very private, well appointed and had enormous windows in the bedroom and bathroom, bringing the rainforest inside, to you.
Whilst I am sure the food is excellent, we decided to self-cater, the kitchen had everything we needed to make this easy.
Our hosts were very helpful and welcoming.
I would thoroughly recommend a stay at Crystal Creek to anyone.
Room Tip: Any room would be good.
Beyond amazing
21 March 2018Last year I won a free stay at Crystal Creek. It was beyond amazing and I couldn’t be more thankful for the chance to stay here. I was just thinking back on the trip today and decided I needed to post a review! This place was the perfect getaway. From the beautiful creek walks to your private villa. The rose petals scattered throughout and on the bed was the perfect little touch. I couldn’t recommend this place any more! I still to this day tell my friends about it! I just wish I could come back.
WOW! Amazing
20 March 2018I would give this place 99 out of 100. It is truly beautiful. We stayed in Numinbah lodge which is a mountain view lodge. The lodges are designed beautifully and are very well equipped to cater for yourselves. Plunge pool was big and deep and the perfect temperature. They don’t service the rooms if you are there for just 2 nights which is actually nice because you are left to your own devices and don’t get any knocks on the door when you are not expecting them. We went on the rainforest walk and swam in the swimming holes which was REFRESHING (code for very cold) but great to cool down after your walk. Kitchen in the room had everything. We used the BBQ for most meals. Even got a free bottle of wine and some lovely soaps upon departure. Can’t say enough nice things. The only reason I don’t give it 100/100 is that husband didn’t think the bed was comfortable and the pillows and linen could be upgraded but very minor gripes, so much so that I am a little embarrassed even mentioning it when the place really is heaven.
Absolutely exquisite! Hidden little gem
20 March 2018My partner and I stayed at Crystal Creek Carabeen cabin for 3 nights over the Australia Day long weekend and we fell in love instantly! From the serene drive to the retreat, to seeing all the beautiful animals, as soon as we walked into our cabin we knew we had found the most romantic and perfect accomodation, we are already talking about our next stay. Thank you to the wonderful hosts and for all the little things that made our stay just perfect! The bottle of wine, surround sound, the amazing bath and the little his and hers pressies. We loved the glow worms and we even saw some little frogs on our romantic walks at night! Crystal Creek you little beauty! Wish we could rate it 10 star! What a truly beautiful place. Cannot wait to go back!
A true romantic & re-energising getaway
15 March 2018This was a fourth stay and we love it more and more each time. The connection with nature also allows for a couple to truly relax and connect with each other. You can choose to travel about the immediate area or just stay put, either option works. As this was our fourth stay we ventured out to the Springbrook National Park to bush walk amongst the breath taking waterfalls and swim in beautiful water holes. We drove past a road named “The Garden of Eden” and that just sums up this whole magical area. We now treat ourselves to the top of line accommodation but if your budget does not allow it then the other options will not disappoint.
Best romantic luxury holiday in Australia
28 February 2018There is so much right about Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat and after trying really hard to scrutinise it I can only find one minor issue. I’ll start with the one teeny issue and then recall the many truly great things that make this the best romantic holiday in Australia. The only negative about the retreat is that there are leeches in the rainforest, this is common in all rainforests around Australia so it shouldn’t be a surprise. But, I hate them so much that their existence in such a tranquil place makes me sad.
However, the near perfection of the luxury lodges is not in any way tarnished by the tiny blood suckers. Every lodge is perfectly appointed and privately positioned through the ancient northern NSW rainforest. Every need has been thought about and every comfort has been provided in the base rate for every lodge. Just the feeling of waking up amongst Millenia old harder trees and chirping birds blows my mind every time. The food that gets prepared and delivered every day is amazing home-cooked style delicacies that relax and satisfy. The views from each lodge are breathtaking yet unique and provide a sedating setting for all. The level of luxury in each lodge is akin of any 6 star resort or lodge and offers amazing value for money when compared to other similarly equipped stays. They set out tea light candles throughout the lodge before your stay, a free bottle of wine on arrival and a free games room with a fully stocked blu ray library. It is the kind of place that has to be seen to be believed and gets under your skin. I mean that in a good way not the leech getting under the skin kind of way :)
Exquisite, private and very relaxing. Just nature and us!!!!!!!
17 February 2018We only arrived yesterday afternoon for our 2 night stay but we are blown away! A very warm welcome from Katherine, check in done, then given directions to drive to the front door of our beautiful and so very private chalet. Undercover parking, important with the storms hanging around. Our air conditioned chalet is just beautiful, very well appointed, our very yummy dinner for last night and this morning’s breakfast in the fridge, cold water, milk, a beautiful bottle of Moët already chilled. The bed is just so comfy, looking out to the rainforest, no need to close the blinds.
The bathroom also very beautiful and all amenities supplied. A large marble bath and of course our own outdoor pool. I have gone to heaven!!!!
Very highly recommended.
Better than we ever could have imagined
16 February 2018So I’m not normally one to write reviews whether it’s good or bad, but I feel Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat really deserve one. My partner and I stayed here for 2 nights for Valentine’s Day. From the moment we drove onto the property to the time we left the retreat 2 days later we received nothing but a 10/10 service. We stayed in the luxury mountain view lodge and it was better then we could have ever imagined. We had dinner both nights while there and wow the food was absolutely amazing as well. There is not 1 thing I could fault about this place. My partner and I travel quite a lot and stay in some beautiful places and we both have agreed this has been one of our favourite. So I would like to say a massive thank you to CCRR for giving us a beautiful few days away. I would definitely recommend this place to everyone I know, and we will be back.
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