When the chaos of everyday life starts to get a bit much, we seek out a combination of fresh country air, nurturing food and a place where we can truly unwind. Nestled in the heart of the Scenic Rim, Beechmont Estate provides all of that and more, making it the ideal location to escape, relax and reset.
The effects of a trip to Beechmont Estate will hit you before you even reach your destination. As you wind through the lush, picturesque roads of the Scenic Rim, you’ll quickly forget the busyness you’ve left behind. Tropical rainforests interweave with rolling countryside hills and verdant farmlands, many of which are fronted by quaint roadside stalls brimming with fruit, vegetables, honey and homemade jams – and you best believe we stocked up on those souvenirs.
Rolling up to the grand gates of Beechmont Estate, our welcome was nothing short of breathtaking. A long driveway guides you over the 75-acre property’s undulating hills dotted with charming cabins, leading you to the main estate. After checking in, we made our way down, past the abundant kitchen garden, to our Hinterland View Cabin. Complete with potbelly fireplace, our cosy cabin featured all of the essentials for a country escape. We spent a lazy afternoon soaking up the panoramic views on the cabin’s back deck, allowing ourselves to truly unwind.
As the sun began its descent, the sky transformed into a vast canvas, with brush strokes of honey gold and soft pink splayed across the horizon. Wisps of clouds caught the fading light and, as the blue of day retreated, the tree-dotted horizon glowed deep orange with the last embers of sunlight. We made our way to the aptly named Sunset Terrace to watch the magic unfold with a cocktail in hand, warming ourselves by the fire pit as the evening’s first stars began to appear.
With some of the country’s best produce surrounding Beechmont Estate in the Scenic Rim, it’s no surprise that its on-site restaurant, The Paddock, is renowned for its world-class offering. Executive chef Chris Norman and executive sous and pastry chef Alex Norman bring meticulous culinary art to The Paddock’s kitchen, drawing on experience working in Michelin-starred establishments across the globe. The duo works closely with local suppliers and producers to craft The Paddock’s menu, committed to a sustainable and ethical fam-to-table ethos.
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We indulged in the restaurant’s five-course set menu, starting with freshly baked bread still warm from the oven. Whipped Summerland Camels fetta with Valley Pride beetroot, pesto (made with sorrel plucked from the kitchen garden) and puffed wild rice came first, followed by Brisbane Valley quail paired with pearl barley, smoked bacon and nasturtium. Next came a dry-aged fillet of Murray cod with zucchini, fennel, lilly pilly, elderflower and buttermilk, then melt-in-your-mouth wagyu rump cap, served with smoked bone-marrow mash (as incredible as it sounds), fire-grilled pine mushrooms and shiraz jus. The degustation’s cherry on top was a delicate pecan praline parfait, featuring Valrhona chocolate cremeux, Pedro Ximénez and cocoa husk ice-cream. To say we went to bed satisfied is an understatement.
We woke to birdsong the next day, emerging from our cabin to find the estate around us shimmering, as a delicate tapestry of dew drops caught the first light of day. The smell of freshly baked pastries led us back up to The Paddock, where breakfast is served to in-house guests. Once seated we discovered the source of the alluring pastry aromas, as a plate of spiced morning buns and fresh fruit appeared before us. Breakfast at The Paddock takes a much more casual approach – guests are presented the chefs’ selection of shared breakfast delights, utilising the region’s best in-season produce. We feasted on house-made sourdough paired local Scenic Rim sausages and poached eggs, and pumpkin topped with whipped Summerland Camels fetta.
With full bellies and much lighter shoulders, we said farewell to our hinterland escape. We can’t wait to visit again.
To book your own weekend of rejuvenation, head to the Beechmont Estate website. Reservations for The Paddock Restaurant are also open to non-staying guests for lunch and dinner.