The minute we arrived outside our private pole home at Mt Quincan Crater Retreat and saw the rosebuds scattered by our front door we knew we were in store for a special weekend.

And when we walked inside and saw fresh roses throughout the luxuriously appointed pole cabin, with its immaculate well-stocked kitchen, spa, fireplace and a balcony with some of the best views you’ll see on the Tablelands, we knew we had found a unique ultra-private paradise.

While four of the six pole cabins on the property face sprawling green fields and the rolling hills of the lush Tableland region, ours was one of two that faced one of the area’s most distinct natural attractions – Mt Quincan crater.

Untlike the well-known craters that have formed into Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine, Mt Quincan’s crater has become a circular reed-dense wetland and a unique nature reserve.

The 170m crater, which is about .5km in diameter, is home to 40ha of highly endangered Mabi Forest, which is the natural habitat for 114 different bird species. Mt Quincan Crater Resort owners Barb and Kerrie Kehoe, who run a Nature Refuge program and aim to plant another 4500 Mabi Forest tree species over the next two years, built the six pole homes on the property to blend naturally and sensitively into the slopes of the crater.

And they made sure you have everything you could possibly need at your fingertips. The couples-only retreat is so well appointed you will want for nothing. You can enjoy a candle-lit spa, curl up in a fluffy housecoat and slippers next to a cozy fire or enjoy a romantic dinner on the veranda among the treetops. Complimentary fresh homemade bread and jam along with local fresh coffee, port and chocolate add to the pampered mood.

The generously appointed kitchen has everything you need to create the perfect meal for a romantic dinner. Linen tablecloths and napkins and scented candles add the finishing touches.

You can stretch out on the comfy sofa lounge or king-size bed and watch a movie or enjoy the complimentary reading material or just relax on the veranda taking in the spectacular views. And for those who can drag themselves away from the pole homes, there are a few spectacular walks on the property, including one that circles the crater. We couldn’t bring ourselves to leave the quiet confines of our private hideaway and only left when it was check-out time!

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