Spicer's Tamarind Retreat Tour

Itinerary

The itinerary for your Spicers Tamarind Retreat Helicopter Tour includes:

• Brisbane Airport – Private helicopter departure
• Glass House Mountains – Scenic aerial views
• Spicers Tamarind Retreat – Banquet-style Asian-fusion lunch
• Optional wine pairing with lunch
• Optional overnight stay at Spicers Tamarind Retreat
• Return flight to Brisbane Airport

What to Expect from Your Spicers Tamarind Retreat Helicopter Tour

Your trip starts with a thrilling helicopter ride that takes off in Brisbane. It's a relatively short flight to Spicers Tamarind, about 20 minutes. It may not be long, but it sure does make for an amazing journey.

Here, you'll fly northeast from Brisbane and get to see a variety of landscapes, from the city at first to forests, farmland, and even the Glasshouse Mountains. It's certainly an experience worth undertaking, especially thanks to the spacious cabin that makes the trip super comfortable.

Once you're at Spicers Tamarind, you'll immediately notice the dense rainforest surrounding it, right near Gardners Falls. It's very secluded and peaceful - the perfect place to relax, read a book, spend time with loved ones, and yes, enjoy one of the best meals ever. The fact that there are tall palms and lily ponds everywhere makes it a sight worth seeing.

Of course, the real fun starts when you get to the restaurant, where you'll get to partake in a banquet feast, as much as you can eat, and it's guaranteed to be as tasty as can be.

The restaurant is known for its Asian fusion dishes, as it is heavily inspired by Thai food, making for delectable flavour combinations. Guests also have the option to add a wine pairing to the mix, and even to stay the night in one of the retreat's many accommodations - all of which are clean and feature full service.

What's Included With Your Spicers Tamarind Retreat Helicopter Tour?

Of course, the first thing included with the tour is the helicopter flight, as well as the return flight. You'll take off from Brisbane airport in a spacious, luxurious, and air-conditioned chopper, complete with plenty of leg room and huge windows that make it easy for everyone, including the whole family, to see the ground below.

In terms of what you'll get to see along the way, it's one of the most scenic flights in Australia, not to mention that your pilot will provide commentary along the way to the property.

Once you land at the Tamarind Retreat, that's when the real fun begins, because you'll be guided to the dining room where a full banquet meal awaits you. Just some of the dishes you might get to taste include starters such as coconut and galangal soup with smoked fish and macadamia, alongside caramelised pork topped with roasted chilli jam, peanuts, and fresh fruit.

Mains include options such as sticky pork belly glazed in tamarind caramel, spiced Mooloolaba prawns with lemongrass and chilli jam, and steamed chicken dumplings with dipping sauce. Curry is another staple, then come the desserts, including bites such as pandan coconut parfait with mango-passionfruit sorbet and peanut crumble. With this kind of delicious food, it's hard to keep yourself in check and not overeat!

Optional Add-On: Wine Pairings

What makes this experience even better is that there is the option to add a wine pairing to the banquet meal, where you'll get to taste some of the finest wines in Australia, combined with table service that just can't be beat.

Some of the most popular wines that you'll find at the Tamarind Retreat include Frogmore Creek’s FGR Riesling from Tasmania, Brockenchack’s ‘Charli Jaye’ Chardonnay from Eden Valley, Soul Growers GSM from Barossa Valley, Henschke’s Euphonium, German Dr. Loosen Spätlese Riesling, and La Crema Chardonnay from California. There's a wine to match every bite of food at Spicers Tamarind Retreat.

Optional Add-On: Overnight Stay

If you chose the overnight stay add-on, then you are in for a real treat, because the Spicers Tamarind Retreat's hotel rooms are top of the line - many of which come with their own hot tub and a bed that you might want to never get out of.

Although there are only 22 rooms in 14 villas, each one is designed to fit in perfectly with the surrounding rainforest. The hotel features a variety of villa types, including Falls Villas with Japanese-style cedar hot-tubs and open fireplaces, Luxury Forest Villas with rain showers and modern amenities, and much more.

Just make sure to always check availability first, because you don't want to book the wrong time and end up not having a bed or room at the Spicers Tamarind Retreat hotel. If you're looking for a tranquil place to relax, soak in a hot tub, enjoy an open fire, and take in the refreshing sights of the rainforest, then this is certainly worth it, not to mention that you'll get a complimentary breakfast the next morning too.

About the Destination

Spicers Tamarind Retreat is located in Maleny, about 90 minutes out of Brisbane, or a much shorter helicopter ride. It is right by the Gardeners Falls in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Although it only opened in 2010, it has quickly gained a reputation for being one of the best luxury retreats in Australia, one with surprisingly fair prices.

It also happens to be near the Maleny Botanic Gardens, the Glasshouse Mountains, and plenty of country markets. Spicer's Tamarind Retreat is well-known for its modern Asian-fusion cuisine, and thanks to this, the restaurant has received several chef hats over the years and is also a part of many "best of" dining lists on a constant basis.

It has also earned a variety of awards from TripAdvisor, Australian Gourmet Traveller, and the Queensland Tourism Awards. It's all about the serene and quiet atmosphere that you get from being in the rainforest, combined with world-class dining, wine, and accommodation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Spicers Tamarind Retreat Located?

Spicers Tamarind Retreat is located at 88 Obi Ln S, Maleny QLD 4552, Australia.

When Is Spicers Tamaring Retreat Restaurant Open for Lunch?

The restaurant is open for lunch 12pm to 2pm Saturday and Sunday, as open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday.

How Long is the Flight from Brisbane to Spicers Tamarind Retreat?

The helicopter flight from Brisbane to Spicers is roughly 20 minutes.