Decadent desserts, rich coffee, a large spa for two and plush decor are all yours at Barking Owl Retreat near Tinaroo Lake on the Cairns Highlands.

It was so quiet I could hear the cows chewing. No neighbours and lots and lots of soothing, blissful quiet makes Barking Owl the perfect retreat for city-weary visitors.

The nearest home is the other "cottage" about 500m down the road and then further on still is the home of hosts Chris and Tanya Bassford.

Our retreat, Dingo's Lair, was at the end of the road with its own spa, own dam and, of course, resident cows.

My husband couldn't believe I was taking photos of cows, but I was determined to highlight the fact that while sipping red wine and eating local macadamias on the back veranda you could easily hear the contented crunching of these locals.

At this point, I would also like to add that the red wine was in fact a very smooth Barking Owl 2007 Shiraz Viognier from Millbrook winery in Western Australia, a most fortunate naming coincidence for the property's owners who stock numerous bottles of their reds and whites in each cottage.

The mini bar is a misnomer - it can by no means be called "mini"- with a large range of the gourmet delights from local producers including the macadamias from Wondaree Macadamia Farm and flavoured peanuts from The Peanut Place.

When you enter your fully self-contained cottage you'll find complemintary chocolates as well as ground coffee from The Coffee Works.

As you can imagine, these disappeared in record time.

What will also catch your eye when you step into Dingo's Lair are the wonderful touches of luxury in each room.

All decorated in the colours of the Barking Owl native to the area, (hence the retreat's name), the chocolates and creams combine to provide a very pleasing backdrop.

If Tanya wants to change careers she could easily become an interior decorator.

The kitchen, of course, has that magnificent "mini" bar, the decadent desserts hiding in the fridge and some very modern appliances including a dishwasher.

The giant spa, feather cushions, mink-style comforter, thick fluffy bath mats, the latest technology barbecue and a large plasma TV on the wall are just some of the other touches.

Oh, and did I mention, that apart from the small dam behind Dingo's Lair, you also have your other dam for fishing - stocked with barramundi and black bream?

Chris and Tanya will supply your fishing gear and a choice of hampers including the popular wine and cheese delight on request.

There's also a choice of barbecue hampers so you don't have to bring anything with you and you're still able to wine and dine at "home".

They also supply guests with special offers from the region's producers including a "green season" 50 per cent off admission to the Ultimate Tasting Experience at The Coffee Works in Mareeba, free tasting at Mt Uncle Distillery and Tichum Creek Coffee Farm.

And don't forget the Ka Huna massage packages and treatments you can enjoy from the comfort of your own cottage.

The rooms are heated for the winter months but when we visited they provided a welcome relief from the heat of Cairns, as it's always cooler on the highands.

Kairi is just a few kilometres down the road and we had a hearty and very reasonably priced meal at the hotel on Saturday night.

Our visit was also well timed with the Kairi markets on Sunday morning.

Though not a large market, I still managed to walk away with homemade passionfruit butter, cakes and biscuits, plants, fruit and some vegetables.

And I should have bought that lovely blue and white vase for only $3.

INFORMATION 
WHAT: Barking Owl Retreat luxury fully self-contained cottages.
WHERE: Only a few kilometres from Kairi, a small township on the way to Lake Tinaroo, at 409 Hough Rd (at the end of the 4km road).
COSTS: Prices start at $210 per night mid-week or stay seven nights and get one free.
CONTACT: Visit www.barkingowlretreat.com.au for location, tariffs and activities.

Click here for more information on Cairns Accommodation

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