Foodies Beat a Path to Hinterland's Songbirds Restaurant and Retreat

While most Gold Coast holidaymakers find seventh heaven with surf and sand, others are drawn to the green behind the gold.

The Gold Coast Hinterland is draped like a crushed velvet backdrop to the high-rises, theme parks, and glitz of the coastal strip. You won't find bikin'd meter maids or shopping arcades in the 'green behind the gold', but you'll gain a new appreciation of the region's hidden charms.

In the heart of the Hinterland's Mount Tambourine National Park, is the acclaimed Songbirds Retreat. Once a run-down tearooms struggling to pay its way, Bonnie Rodwell had the vision in 2004 to transform the 51-acre rainforest property into a unique hideaway of gourmet restaurant, luxury villas and spa. Within 18 months, she'd beaten 500 other restaurants to win Queensland's Best Restaurant – the first time the Gold Coast had taken top honours from Noosa and Brisbane's established restaurants.

Foodies beat a path to her door while stressed city-dwellers book in for a few days of massage, pampering and battery recharging.

Despite its popularity, Songbirds remains a haven of tranquility. Kookaburras and colourful parrots gather at feeding trays around the open air restaurant. human visitors are also encouraged – lunchtime guests are invited to explore the retreat's walking trails and lush organic gardens before plunging back into the coastal throng.

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