Unsurpassed luxury can be found at the historic homestead of Eden House on the Atherton Tablelands.

Take a deep breath. Get in the car and drive. Discover a world beyond the reefs and rainforests. Step back in time without sacrificing modern comforts and elegance. Indulge. Relax. Unwind.

These are just a scattering of sentences and descriptions filling our minds as we turn into the pebbled driveway of Eden House, located in the heart of Yungaburra on the Atherton Tableland. 

While Tropical North Queensland is internationally famous for its iconic destinations and attractions such as the Great Barrier Reef, Port Douglas, Palm Cove and the Daintree, the charming country town of Yungaburra remains a relatively low profile getaway.

Surrounded by rolling hills and farming land and nestled in a valley just over the Gillies Range, Yungaburra is lessthan an hour’s drive from Cairns.

Established in the 1800s as a stop for people travelling west to the mines, Yungaburra has retained its unique atmosphere of those days gone by.

This small village is the largest National Trust site in Queensland, with 18 heritage-listed buildings.

But that does not rule out 21st century style, service and facilities. And that is the magic of a stay at Eden House.

The main homestead is considered to be oldest of its kind in Yungaburra, built around 1912. Back then it was known as “Cedrella” and owned by timber merchant Archie Belson.

It later became a focal point of social activity in the town, complete with large verandas, tennis court and English-style gardens.

But by the mid-1980s the state of the building had declined, and it wasn’t until Gordon and Susan Chuck bought the property in 1998 that Eden House began its transformation.

They opened the award-winning Eden House Heritage Restaurant in October that year, and soon built the Eden House Garden Cottages, a move rewarded with a North Queensland Tourism Award for best new Property Development.

The final jewel in the Eden House crown was opened less than a year ago, with the impeccably designed Mountain Day Spa facility opening in November 2006.

We stayed in a spacious spa villa, featuring stunning interior design and furnishings, private courtyard, an electric fireplace, and of course a double spa.

Indeed it is hard to imagine such a sleepy village is home to such elegance and contemporary style.

Before we are due at the Mountain Spa for our massage, we take a walk around Yungaburra to soak up the old world charm, and take time to experience the serenity of a walk around Peterson Creek, the ideal place to spot a platypus.

Once back at Eden House, we stroll over to the Mountain Spa for a deluxe one-hour massage. Stepping in to the spa facility is like entering an alternate universe.

The relaxing atmosphere washes over us and we’re amazed by the range of treatment rooms, spas, hot tubs, and a sauna on offer.

We are seated in the relaxation area and asked to choose an aromatic oil that suits our mood before heading to a private room to enjoy the relaxing treatment and gentle music.

The rhythmic massage leaves us floating as we walk back to our rooms for a short break before dinner at Eden House Heritage Restaurant.

By now, the quiet surrounds and peaceful aura of Eden House and the Mountain Spa has completely swept away the stress of the working week.

The world-class benchmarks set by our villa and the day spa continues through to the restaurant at the historic homestead.

The dishes on offer are remarkably creative, using fresh local produce where possible. For entree, we chose red claw yabbie and sweet potato gnocchi and cold smoked barramundi with pickled cucumber, avocado and potato salad.

Our mains were slow-roasted rump of beef with red wine sauce and blue cheese butter and milk-fed veal fillet mignon with bacon, green peas and roast garlic aioli.

Despite our hunger being well and truly satiated, we couldn’t resist sharing an exquisite chocolate and espresso mousse with macadamia wagers for dessert.

The combination of peaceful and romantic surrounds, elegant and stylish accommodation, indulgent relaxation at the day spa and fine food and wine makes Eden House one of the most romantic and luxurious in Tropical North Queensland.

INFORMATION:
WHAT: Eden House Retreat & Mountain Spa
WHERE: 20 Gillies Highway, Yungaburra on the Atherton Tablelands, about one hour drive from Cairns.
HOW MUCH: Garden Cottages cost $215 per night for two people; Spa Cottages & Luxury Spa Villas cost $235 per night for two people. Spa treatments vary according to choice.
DETAILS: Phone +61 7 4095 335 or email  indulge@edenhouse.com.au or visit http://www.edenhouse.com.au/

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