5 stars on TripAdvisor
Couldn't fault a thing
15 May 2018

The 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.

Debra M
5 stars on TripAdvisor
Second Visit – Just keeps getting better & better
5 April 2018

My 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.

lkmilan (Tamarind, a Creekside Spa Cabin)
5 stars on TripAdvisor
Old banana plantation transformed!
3 April 2018

There 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!

David M(Tamborine Lodge, a Luxury Mountain View Lodge)Greater Newcastle NSW
5 stars on TripAdvisor
20th Anniversary Magical Rainforest Retreat
24 March 2018

My 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.

Troy P(Quandong, a Creekside Spa Cabin)Brisbane, QLD
5 stars on Facebook
Beyond amazing
21 March 2018

Last 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.

Ashleigh Wilson
5 stars on TripAdvisor
WOW! Amazing
20 March 2018

I 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.

queenhotcheapsuit(Numinbah Lodge, a Luxury Mountain View Lodge)Melbourne, VIC
5 stars on Facebook
Absolutely exquisite! Hidden little gem
20 March 2018

My 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!

Morgan B(Carabeen, a Creekside Spa Cabin)
5 stars on TripAdvisor
1 2 3 4 5
A true romantic & re-energising getaway
15 March 2018

This 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.

peternR6793AKSydney, NSW
5 stars on TripAdvisor
Best romantic luxury holiday in Australia
28 February 2018

There 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 :)

rb26dett741(Luxury Mountain View Lodge)Port Hedland WA
5 stars on TripAdvisor
Exquisite, private and very relaxing. Just nature and us!!!!!!!
17 February 2018

We 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.

Julie SAlstonville NSW
5 stars on Facebook
Better than we ever could have imagined
16 February 2018

So 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.

Gabrielle Garner(Luxury Mountain View Lodge)
5 stars on TripAdvisor
Treat yourself to a romantic relaxing getaway
12 February 2018

We stayed in the Luxury Rainforest Lodge for one night and it was amazing. Just the perfect romantic getaway in the rainforest. Candle light dinner, glow worms, private pool, spa bath. You can take a trip through the creek and then have a rest in one of the hammocks over the creek.

MissShanz89(Cedar Lodge, the Luxury Rainforest Lodge)
5 stars on TripAdvisor
Magnificent
5 February 2018

We had the Lamington Mountain Lodge over the weekend which overlooked the forest. Beautifully appointed MASSIVE free standing private villa (think Qualia) lovely plunge pool. Spotless. All mod cons. Double sided fireplace. Easy drive up car port. Very private. Booked again in July for a winter weekend break. Highly recommend.

Kathy P(Lamington Lodge, a Luxury Mountain View Lodge)
5 stars on TripAdvisor
Paradise in the Rainforest
24 January 2018

We spent 5 nights here in this ‘hideaway heaven’. I know there were other bungalows around the resort only because I saw a map, each one is hidden from the other, the only way we knew others were staying there was through the canopy of the forest at night we could see one light and one night we ran in to another couple whilst we were looking at glow worms by the creek (where the hammocks hang!) The two (precooked) evening meals and the 5 breakfasts we pre-ordered were delivered quietly when we were not around. This was an experience of a lifetime! The whole ‘scenic rim’ area the retreat is set in is filled with endless trails, waterfalls and beaut little cafes… of course after a day out bushwalking we returned to champagne and a spa in our bungalow… this was as good as it gets for me!!

Room Tip: Any bungalow is hidden from the next. We had a rainforest canopy one.

5 stars on TripAdvisor
Breath-taking views, great hosts, perfect 10th anniversary get away
15 January 2018

Wasn’t sure what I was signing up for, but this place is truly breathtaking, and so much more than what I could have imagined. A perfect combination of the secluded beauty of the Gold Coast hinterland and the luxurious accommodation, purpose built to be completely submerged in the divine beauty of nature that surrounded, Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat is a must visit place for all who want to enjoy the world heritage Australian rainforests. I was here with my wife for our 10th marriage anniversary and stayed two nights, and we were both in awe of the surroundings, spent a lot of time just enjoying the clouds coming in through the trees as the tropical rain interrupted the many walks available around the accommodation. I would highly recommend this retreat if you want to disconnect from the craziness from your everyday life and enjoy a few days appreciating the breath-taking world we live in. Mark, Stefan and Kathryn were fantastic hosts and made sure that we had everything we needed to make the stay memorable. 10/10

rishinicolaiACT