Escape the coast crowds and heat this summer (and cool the planet)

Perched a kilometre above sea level in the lush rainforest, O’Reilly’s offers the ultimate summer escape from the heat and the crowds, and a chance to help cool the planet while you relax and unwind.

Guests can forget the Christmas crush at shopping centres and enjoy what nature provides for free, while there’s no need to stake out a spot on the scorching sand. Air conditioners can be avoided thanks to maximum temperatures up to 8 degrees below the sultry coast, and taking a breath of fresh air has never been easier.

At Australia’s leading rainforest retreat good things really do come naturally and the simple things can be enjoyed without the distractions of in-room televisions and phones, making for a peaceful holiday and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

As well as keeping yourself refreshed in what is a ‘cool change’ to the summer beach holiday, guests can enjoy the comforts knowing they’re helping to make a ‘green change’, according to O’Reilly’s Managing Director Shane O’Reilly.

“More people are making conscious choices when they take their holidays to do their bit for conservation,” Mr O’Reilly said.

“As one of Australia’s oldest ecotourism operators we have always appreciated this and aside from the great opportunities we provide to experience the environment and join in active conservation, simply staying at O’Reilly’s is an environmentally friendly alternative to other holiday destinations.”

O’Reilly’s enjoys Advanced National Eco-Accreditation and has achieved international benchmarking certificates from the renowned Green Globe organisation for the past two years.

The opening of the new eco-friendly luxury Mountain Villas last month has only enhanced O’Reilly’s eco-credentials.

The villas feature energy efficient design, lighting and appliances, rainwater tanks and water saving devices, and the development has seen O’Reilly’s invest in a new state-of-the-art, energy efficient Wastewater Treatment system that slashes per capita water consumption.

O’Reilly’s has embraced the Energex Earth Choices program, purchasing 20% of its power requirements from green sources, while a comprehensive environmental management plan commits O’Reilly’s to the very highest standards in energy, water and waste management.

The beautiful chorus of the frogs, a summer-time custom, is very much a call to adventurous and leisurely visitors alike, signally summer has arrived and conditions are perfect for bush walking through World Heritage listed Lamington National Park or checking out the verdant vineyards in the lead up to harvest time.

“Many guests associate O’Reilly’s with cosy winter nights by the fire, but it is equally attractive as an alternative to coastal holidays in summer,” Mr O’Reilly said.

“And just like the Gold Coast we offer our own theme park experience, only in the forest.”

The adventurous can try out the Flying Fox and Giant Swing activity rides, which are both also offered as a day-tour options, and a school holiday program on offer in the Scrub Club for families staying in-house.

“With average summer day-time temperatures of just 25-26 degrees on the mountain, you don’t need a swim in the surf to cool off, although of course we have our pool and spa facilities to enjoy,” Mr O’Reilly said.

Night-time temperatures of around 16-17 degrees are also more clement than the coast, making for ideal conditions for evening BBQ’s, stargazing, and spotlighting.

Summer sunsets are stunning, while summer storms make for a spectacular sight over the western ranges, particularly as many storms roll in from the southwest.

In the hinterland below, O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards offers the shade of silky oak trees for a picnic beside a picturesque creek, with award winning wines the perfect refreshment.

“The end of summer or early autumn sees the hive of activity of harvest time at our winery, but in the meantime our picnics are hugely popular for a casual summer lunch for day visitors or guests on the way to or from the mountain,” Mr O’Reilly said.

With a host of new releases to sample, the Platypus Play Semillon 2007 is a strong recommendation as we move into summer, with its warm citrus and herbaceous nose complemented by the fresh lime and a hint of apple in its fruit flavours.

It is matched perfectly with the current Vintage Restaurant’s specialty, Sumac Crusted Chicken Breast, filled with toasted macadamia nuts on lemon myrtle fruit couscous with tarragon sauce.

O’Reilly’s Activities Manager Tim O’Reilly says many species are more active in the warmer weather.

“We usually see pademelons, possums, and gliders, while the frogs are at their most active during the warm, wet months and glow worms are out in force,” Mr O’Reilly said.

“During summer the sun sets over the most spectacular peaks of the western ranges, including Mt Lindsay and Mt Barney, and it really is a breathtaking sight,” Mr O’Reilly said.

Or course summer sunsets can still be enjoyed indoors, from the famous Rainforest Room upstairs bar, even sans the log fire, and when the stars come out, the season proves the best time to view Saturn in the night sky.

“Orion’s belt (the ‘saucepan’) is very distinctive and a good starting point, and Sirius is the brightest star in the night sky and easy to spot even for the amateur stargazer,” Mr O’Reilly said.

Hinterland hospitality is to the fore as guests share in O’Reilly family yuletide traditions – including a special menu in the dining room at the Retreat and a festive feast for vineyard members on Christmas Day (fully booked) or the casual option of a picnic at the vineyard with all the goodies.

Then it’s five days of merriment leading into New Year Festivities heralding a big year that will see the opening of the new Lifestyle Conference Centre and Lost World Spa mid-2008.

January heralds a full school holiday program as the popular Scrub Club delivers up a real ‘Discovery Channel’ experience.

The kids can fly through the forest on a flying fox, set their own hand-made catamarans sail on a mountain creek, and find frogs and furry creatures and other weird and wonderful wildlife – and learn lots while they’re having so much fun.

What doesn’t change with the seasons is the O’Reilly family’s unique brand of hospitality, backed up by eight decades of experience making guests feel right at home.

O’Reilly’s is offering special Summer Escape Packages from just $116.00 per person, per night, twin share (Sunday to Friday nights). Enjoy a night’s accommodation in a Mountain View Room with full buffet breakfast.

For further information or to make a booking, contact O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and Mountain Villas on 1800 688 722 or O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards on 07 5543 4011, or visit the website on www.oreillys.com.au.

ENDS.

Further information on O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat.
Further information on O'Reilly's Mountain Villas.
Further information on O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyards.

MEDIA:
For further information on this press release, please contact:
Amanda Tidmarsh
Phone: 07 5502 4900
Fax: 07 5502 0988
E-mail: amanda@oreillys.com.au
Or
Kathy Bourke
Phone: 07 5539 9883
Mobile: 0419 757 622
E-mail: kathy@articulatecommunications.com.au