As the temperatures dips, the welcome is always warm at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and Canungra Valley Vineyards with winter heralding fine new wines, wonderful walks, crackling fires, comfort food and special activities – all the ingredients that saw O’Reilly’s win Best Deluxe Accommodation at the Queensland Tourism Awards.

After marking 80 years of serving up nature with their legendary hospitality, the log fires are still burning at the famous Rainforest Retreat and it’s the ideal time to experience the exciting and expanded Discovery Program.

For many guests winter is synonymous with a stay at O’Reilly’s, with walking in World Heritage listed Lamington National Park at its comfortable best and the comfort food you crave at its most tempting, (after all you’ve probably walked it off already).

Outside the air is crisp, the days cold and clear, the sunsets spectacular and the stars at night put on a stunning show.

Inside the fire is warm and the upstairs bar is the best place to watch day turn into night in a kaleidoscope of pinks and oranges, relaxing over a cocktail or a glass of wine of course.

O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards launches three new wines this winter, including its first Verdelho vintage, bottled as the Vince Reserve Verdelho.

With passionfruit and mango aromas, medium body and a zesty citrus finish it is great for drinking now or will develop its smooth tropical flavour over the next 3-5 years.

Also launching to members on June 16 will be the new Platypus Play Semillon, bottled from a record harvest of 7.2 tonnes of the popular grape variety in February.

If the chill in the air means a red is preferred then O’Reilly’s has some superb and robust reds, including its signature Bernard Reserve Chambourcin.

Matching the menu to the wines perfectly, the vineyard’s Vintage restaurant’s enticing winter selection features such mouth waterers as an entrée of Smoked Salmon and Goat Cheese en croute served warmed with petit Garden Salad.

Mains include Slow-cooked Duck Legs with Braised Fennel and Red Cabbage on Chat Potatoes served with Orange Sauce and Herb-scented Rack of Lamb on Split Pea Fondue, Honey-glazed Parsnip and Carrot with Rhubarb Salsa.

A sunny spot on the verandah is the ideal place to wine and dine, or a picnic by the creek in the sunshine makes a relaxing casual option.

For Christmas in July celebrations (July 21), the festive fare is washed down with good cheer, with bookings filling fast for this popular event at just $55.00 per person ($50.00 for Platinum Club Members).

Also ever-popular is the annual Gold Coast Winemakers Dinner, which profiles O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyard wines alongside other hinterland wineries. Held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on August 25, the night promises a delicious five-course menu and matching wines to delight with tickets at $125.00 per person.

On the mountain the winter menu is warming, but never stodgy, traditional but never boring, with modern and lighter interpretations of classic dishes the flavour of the season.

Chef’s specialities include a Pressed Confit of Lamb Saddle with mint pea tartlet and rosemary jus, and delectable desserts like Rich Chocolate Pudding with Chocolate Orange Sauce and Chantilly Cream served up in the convivial atmosphere of the traditional timber-lined dining room.

No matter how cosy it is inside, nature always lures guests outdoors – onto the balcony to take in stunning views of mountains silhouetted against clear blue skies and into the rainforest to get up close and personal with the locals.

Winter wildlife is abundant – venture far enough a field and you may be lucky to spot the elusive Albert’s Lyrebird during its breeding season, the male putting on quite a show to impress the female.

There is always plenty to capture on film, with O’Reilly’s two photography weeks, held in conjunction with Australian Geographic at the beginning of June booked out well in advance. Early bookings are being taken for the 2008 event, while O’Reilly’s own Glen Trelfo is on hand for special nature documentary slideshows as part of the Discovery Program, and is happy to offer tips for how to snap nature at its best.

For those inspired to pick up a paintbrush instead of a camera, the Artist in Residence week (July 15-20) with renowned landscape artist John Morrison, gives participants the chance to interpret the beauty of the Lamington landscape in the clear and sharp colours of mid winter.

An accomplished watercolour specialist, who had the honour of being the first international artist in residence at the famous Rocky Mountains National Park in the US, John Morrison encourages everyone from beginners to professionals to immerse themselves in nature, to help them create their own masterpiece.

Walking is the central focus of the Discovery Program over the cooler months, with the annual Off The Beaten Track program (August 6-10 and 13-17) offering experienced bush walkers the opportunity to visit some of the spectacular areas of Lamington and surrounds that can’t be accessed by graded pathways.

Three full day treks to the site of the 1937 Stinson Airliner Crash have been scheduled such is the demand from walkers seeking the ultimate challenge, while paying tribute to the heroism of the brave rescuers and survivors.

The walks around O’Reilly’s are extensively featured in a new Queensland Tourism Walking website, www.queenslandholidays.com.au/queensland_walks/index.cfm, that grades bushwalking experiences and offers a wealth of information on the best tracks.

O’Reilly’s Discovery Program offers daily chances to join diverse guided walks of differing lengths and levels of difficulty or experience the exhilaration of a Flying Fox ride and take a thrill-seeking plunge on the Giant Swing.

For those who prefer their feet firmly on the ground learning to throw a Boomerang can be a buzz, if not an easy skill to master.

Birders aren’t forgotten with regular activities scheduled as part of the Daily Discovery Program, allowing early risers to wake up with the birds for a brisk short walk, and longer daytime excursions offered for more dedicated enthusiasts.

Scrub Club runs through the Queensland School Holidays (June 23 – July 8) giving kids fun-filled access to the educational opportunities of the ‘real’ Discovery Channel to be found in the trees, hollows and hideaways of the forest.

The program offers morning and afternoon sessions for school-aged children to get crafty or active and to get to know the cute and cuddly wildlife that abounds.

O’Reilly’s really is the natural place to indulge yourself this winter, and whatever the season. Our special ‘Winter Escape’ package starts from $164.00 per person per night (Sunday-Friday) twin share, and includes accommodation in a Mountain View Room, buffet breakfast and three-course dinner.

For further information, or to make a booking, contact O’Reilly’s Reservations on 1800 688 722 or e-mail reservations@oreillys.com.au.


ENDS.

Further information on the O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat.
Further information on the O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyards.
Further information on O'Reilly's Discovery Programs, including Photography Week, Artist in Residence and Off the Beaten Track.

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