Hidden on the Far North Coast of New South Wales, Australia in the Tweed region is Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat. A scenic hour drive from the Gold Coast and you are on the doorstep of this lush valley, surrounded on three sides by the world heritage-listed Numinbah Nature Reserve and Springbrook National Park.

The scenic beauty of this region is brought right to your doorstep at Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat. My abode for a few nights was Lamington Lodge, one of the five Luxury Mountain View Lodges found higher in the Retreat.

These lodges are as breathtaking on the inside as the views outside. Luxurious down to the last detail whilst being environmentally conscious, the open planned space mixed with floor-to-ceiling glass windows make you feel at one with nature.

Days here are spent on the back deck, enjoying the symphonies of the surrounding rainforest while cooling off in the private plunge pool or relaxing in the intimate space just admiring the movements amongst the trees.

Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat is a place where your living space is just as much your destination. There are no restaurants on site. Instead, a delicious hamper option to purchase is available for daily meals that you can cook yourself in the fully functional kitchen or out on the back-deck BBQ.

If you can drag yourself away from the blissful retreat, you can venture on a short walk through the rainforest to the rockpools. The cold waters in these pools are perfect for a refreshing swim before retiring to the hammocks hung across the flowing creek below. It is hard not to drift off into a peaceful snooze, listening to the waterfalls over the rocks and rainforest birds call.

As darkness falls around the tropical bushland, the starry night sky comes down to meet you. Twinkling amongst the foliage are glow worms, invisible to the eye during daylight, they create an entrancing display at night.

Back at Lamington Lodge, falling asleep to the forest’s natural orchestra of cicadas and wind in the leaves is only rivalled by waking to the sun rising over the silhouette of the canopy as morning birds stir.

The entire experience at Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat is a magical one, where you can immerse yourself in nature, rest, rejuvenate and repeat, leaving you refreshed and revived.

A two-night minimum stay is required at Crystal Creek Retreat. Prices in a Luxury Mountain View Lodge start from $675 per couple from April to August and $675 per couple from September to March. Meal packages and hampers are additional and paid direct.