Forested paths and birdsong lead us through the rainforest to our secluded 1 and 2 bedroom villas at The Tamarind Retreat, welcome to Maleny!

Perched on the edge of the Obi River, The Tamarind combines contemporary Australian design with rainforest luxury. All rooms have their own bathroom and the tranquil beauty of the villas is matched with deep garden views. The Tamarind will be our base and oasis for the next five days.

Our welcome dinner begins at Clovelly Estate, where we will feast on a 3 Course French inspired dinner at The Long Apron Restaurant.

Meals: Dinner

We will have an hour or so to wander, exploring the charming village of Maleny before we walk up the road to my house! I live in an old Queenslander with my two daughters and husband Trevor Hart who is a cheesemaker!

You are invited to an intimate glimpse of the creative life as you explore my studio and I get muddy, demonstrating the making process from lump of clay to fine porcelain vessel. There will be plenty of opportunity to try throwing porcelain in my studio and browse the cupboard of treasures and work available to take home.

When we’ve worked up an appetite in the studio we will go next door to the cheeserie where Trevor will be making fresh burrata from local milk for our lunch. Making mozzarella is an alchemical process that turns whole milk into the delicious, fresh cheese. After all the making we will share
an Italian inspired lunch in the garden.

Dinner tonight is a relaxed Thai BBQ at The Tamarind Restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

I’m so excited to take you to visit the enchanting garden and house of Kate and Madhu Kazony.

Kate and Madhu live a fully creative life incorporating beauty into everything they do, from their house which is a series of contemporary pavilions joined by fishponds and gardens, through to their incredible subtropical garden full of exotic fruit, and vegetables they harvest and transform into delicious meals.

This is a very special experience and I know you will be spellbound by the gentle, peaceful way that Kate and Madhu integrate creativity into their lives.

We are invited to experience their garden and philosophy as we make a delicious feast from the garden for lunch.

This afternoon we will be welcomed into the private residence of opera singer Tobias Merz and his partner, contemporary dancer Fiona Jopp for cocktail hour with music!

Toby and Fiona moved to Maleny a few years ago after glittering careers in Opera Australia and the Sydney Dance Company. Now they create bespoke art events from their beautifully renovated farmhouse in Maleny.

Toby and Fiona have an amazing art collection and you will be treated with an intimate performance of live music and lovely cocktails as we relax into the evening.

Dinner tonight will be a surprise (but it will be amazing!)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we start with a visit to the charming once a month Witta Farmer’s Market about 10k’s out of Maleny.

Here we can sample local food, and bask in the sun listening to live music. Witta Farmer’s Market s a hidden gem of the hinterland and is held on the beautiful grounds of the Old Witta School.

This afternoon is for relaxing by the firepit at The Tamarind, or wandering up Maple St in Maleny checking out the shops, or dreaming in your beautiful room as you look at the rainforest. Tonight we have a 3 Course Dinner at The Tamarind Restaurant enjoying delicious contemporary Asian fusion.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

For our final day we travel from Maleny to the Conondale studio of contemporary jeweller Renee Blackwell.

Multi award winning jeweller Renee Blackwell’s workshop/studio “Harmony House” is set deep in the heart of her delightful 50- acre Eco-property in South East Queensland. As a designer of bespoke jewellery pieces, this peaceful environment is where her inspirations converge, creating her exquisite collections. Renee is an insatiable experimenter and learner, merging the boundaries between art and jewellery.

We have the chance to experience Renee’s jewellery studio and pore over her incredible collection of beads from all over the world. Renee will help us make a pair of earrings or something special to take home with us.

There will also be the opportunity to purchase Renee’s unique, gorgeous jewellery straight from the studio.

Meals: Breakfast