Witches Falls Cottages is located on Tamborine Mountain in the Queensland hinterland, an hour south of Brisbane and 45 minutes inland from the Gold Coast. We speak to David and Daniela Kennedy to find out more about their beautiful Witches Falls Cottages.
What was your initial vision for Witches Falls Cottages?
Daniela and I wanted to create a getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and offer a place where couples could spend time together. Our guiding principle has been to create a place that provides what we would want when we take a holiday. Relax, rejuvenate and reconnect is our catchphrase and that’s as true today as it was when we bought Witches Falls Cottages in 2007.
Why did you decide to set up Witches Falls Cottages on Tamborine Mountain?
When we began looking for a location to realise our vision, we searched far and wide. We went up as far as Mission Beach and to northern NSW and everywhere between. When we stumbled upon Tamborine Mountain we instantly knew this was the place. Here we’re immersed in nature, can wander through gorgeous rainforests, enjoy great local food and wine and be part of a vibrant village community. All this is just an hour from Brisbane, so the facilities of the big smoke are there if you need them, but we could be a million miles away on Tamborine Mountain
What do the cottages offer?
The key aspects of the cottages are privacy and the environment. All the cottages are set up for couples and spread through lush rainforest-inspired grounds. Big comfy lounges in front of real log fires set the scene and a small kitchen offers the independence to have all you need close at hand. Each cottage has a private courtyard garden, barbecue and outdoor dining area which complements an indoor dining area.
Daniela, the queen of the spa bath, made sure we provided something very special when we were fitting out the cottage bathrooms. Each bathroom comes with a huge double spa bath, with sliding glass doors opening to a second private garden. But the ultimate relaxation is the glass roof, where you can watch the stars above while enjoying one of the great local wines.
What activities are available for guests of Witches Falls Cottages?
Often the thing our guests say they enjoyed most about their stay was doing nothing at all. At Witches Falls Cottages you have everything on hand to do as little or as much as you want. We have a huge range of activities on offer, from swimming in a waterfall to walking through the rainforest, watching the sunset, visiting one of the many local art galleries or walking to one of the wineries for lunch. There are seven wineries on the mountain and fortunately you can walk to three of them from Witches Falls Cottages. For a night out, we recommend Hickory, where guests can enjoy dry-rubbed ribs, succulent maple chilli chicken wings, salads and decadent desserts. Whether guests decide to do a little or a lot, a Ripple Massage is always a welcome addition to a Witches Falls Cottages stay.
In conjunction with another bed and breakfast on the mountain, we have produced a series of interactive maps to show our guests the many activities they can enjoy on or around Tamborine Mountain. These include a number of day trips and art galleries to explore, and even a map of our favourite roadside stalls where you can find a great selection of farm produce. You can find all these maps here.
The food at Witches Falls Cottages is incredible. Where do you source your produce?
We try to support our local producers by using fresh local and seasonal products where possible. We are also known for our fresh bread we bake each morning as part of our guest breakfasts.
What sustainable practices does Witches Falls Cottages adhere to?
At Witches Falls Cottages we have an environmental policy aimed at minimising our footprint. For example, we have our own veggie and herb garden where guests are able to help themselves, and our chickens provide fresh eggs for breakfasts.
What are your three must-dos for those visiting Witches Falls Cottages?
- Walk the track in Witches Falls National Park, our nearest neighbour and the third oldest national park in the world. Don’t forget your camera and take a photo with a magnificent 400-year-old rainforest giant.
- Pick your favourite wine from one of our great local wineries and enjoy a spa while watching the stars at night.
- Relax, rejuvenate and reconnect.
What’s next for Witches Falls Cottages?
We recently added a couple of holiday houses to our portfolio so that we can cater to families, get-togethers and groups. We collaborate with many other local businesses and are currently working hard on further developing a co-operative initiative to better offer visitors a vision of all that our beautiful region offers.
