Ideas for a celebratory weekend?

[mlob]

I have got the big 50 birthday this year. I am looking for a a long weekend experience for myself my two sisters and my 79 year old mother. I'm ex gold coast and they are all ex Sydney. For my elder sisters 50th two years ago we all went and stayed at Sails Uluru and and had a fabulous time. It really hit the mark.

Strangely I'm struggling with trying to find a similar trip. I would like it to be about the same budget. Something in the order of $1000 a night for accomodation for the 4 of us would be about our limit. More if it included meals. I think we were paying $800 a night for the 4 of us and that included a fabulous Sounds of Silence dinner.

I got interested in the idea of heading to NZ and staying in one of their fabulous all inc lodges but they are all quite remote and pushing the long weekend limit. Plus prob pushing our budgetary limits too. Simarlarly Pine Trees at Lorde Howe was attractive but proved pricey and difficult to swing for a long weekend.

Where would you Head to? Ideas that have been mooted are Barossa Valley ( struggling with accomodation options) or a north Queensland island resort. I tried to push the length of the trip and head to Bali but that got a resounding no from the sisters.

TIA for any ideas.

 

[get me outta here]

Which month are you thinking?

I have got the big 50 birthday this year. I am looking for a a long weekend experience for myself my two sisters and my 79 year old mother. I'm ex gold coast and they are all ex Sydney. For my elder sisters 50th two years ago we all went and stayed at Sails Uluru and and had a fabulous time. It really hit the mark.

Strangely I'm struggling with trying to find a similar trip. I would like it to be about the same budget. Something in the order of $1000 a night for accomodation for the 4 of us would be about our limit. More if it included meals. I think we were paying $800 a night for the 4 of us and that included a fabulous Sounds of Silence dinner.

I got interested in the idea of heading to NZ and staying in one of their fabulous all inc lodges but they are all quite remote and pushing the long weekend limit. Plus prob pushing our budgetary limits too. Simarlarly Pine Trees at Lorde Howe was attractive but proved pricey and difficult to swing for a long weekend.

Where would you Head to? Ideas that have been mooted are Barossa Valley ( struggling with accomodation options) or a north Queensland island resort. I tried to push the length of the trip and head to Bali but that got a resounding no from the sisters.

TIA for any ideas.

 

[mlob]

The actual birthday is June but we could do it any time this year. Excluding April and July due to other travel commitments.

 

[RooFlyer]

Cradle Mountain Lodge in winter. A very different experience for people from QLD and NSW!

Cosy log fires and nice easy walks.

 

[UP4014]

The actual birthday is June but we could do it any time this year. Excluding April and July due to other travel commitments.

I have the same big birthday the second half of this year as well, for me it's a BAM trip and AFFers will be invited ! (is that a good idea, I don't know)

 

[Pushka]

I have a big zero birthday in June too. But add another 10.

And am spending it on my ultimate bucket list trip - cruise and landtour of Alaska. On my actual birthday the ship will be spending the whole day in Glacier Bay - think whales, icebergs floating around us, glaciers and blue sea. Something like this:
http://youtu.be/E0oUvR8UaTY

Now I've whetted your appetite for snow, how about Christmas in July in the Snowy Mountains?

 

[Boca68]

It might be at the higher end of your budget, but I'd recommend El Questro Homestead in The Kimberly region of WA. I know they have various options, so have a look. Stayed there a few years ago as my brother is good friends with some of the Management. It's amazing.

Also throw in a second for RooFlyer's recommendation of Cradle Mountain Lodge.

 

[snabbu]

Another vote for Cradle Mountain which would fit into your budget. Was there in August last year and had a blast, highly recommended.

 

[medhead]

I think Novotel Resort in the Barossa is about as up market as it gets. I've stayed at Lyndoch Hills, which is a very interesting location - grand buildings and all that. But I'm not sure about the luxury aspect.

Chapel Hill Winery in Mclaren Vale has on site accommodation that looks tempting whenever I visit the cellar door. Chapel Hill McLaren Vale

But Cradle Mountain sounds really exciting to me. Closer to you perhaps O'Reilly's is a similar prospect.

 

[mlob]

Looks like Cradle Mountain is popular on here. I did go there with my parents over 20 years ago. I don't think my sisters have been though. I was looking at their wine site today and they had an interesting food/wine weekend too.

 

[mlob]

I think Novotel Resort in the Barossa is about as up market as it gets. I've stayed at Lyndoch Hills, which is a very interesting location - grand buildings and all that. But I'm not sure about the luxury aspect.

Chapel Hill Winery in Mclaren Vale has on site accommodation that looks tempting whenever I visit the cellar door. Chapel Hill McLaren Vale

But Cradle Mountain sounds really exciting to me. Closer to you perhaps O'Reilly's is a similar prospect.

My sisters and Mum and I did a weekend in the Hunter to celebrate my mum's 79th birthday. It was our present to her to spend a couple of days their and see one of her old heart throbs Neil Diamond . We do like celebrate birthdays!! Three of us had never done the whole wine tasting thing and we really enjoyed our weekend. It got us thinking about the Barossa. But when I started having a look around I couldn't see anything that got me too excited. Ill have to check out Chapel Hill Winery. We did a cute AirBNB cottage that weekend.

 

[mlob]

I have a big zero birthday in June too. But add another 10.

And am spending it on my ultimate bucket list trip - cruise and landtour of Alaska. On my actual birthday the ship will be spending the whole day in Glacier Bay - think whales, icebergs floating around us, glaciers and blue sea. Something like this:
http://youtu.be/E0oUvR8UaTY

Now I've whetted your appetite for snow, how about Christmas in July in the Snowy Mountains?

Looks awesome. Might have to put that one away for in ten years time.

 

[bsb]

Cradle Mountain is OK, but Freycinet Peninsula (Wineglass Bay) is awesome. There are several accomodation options and budgets available. Just not sure about Winter in Tasmania, although I'm sure it's stunning.

You could also splash out and go high end in Melbourne. The Winter exhibition will be on at NGV and you could book in to Vue de Monde for an amazing meal (book well in advance for that option) and Hopetoun Tea Rooms for the best high tea on earth. Winter in Melbourne is fun if you dress for it. And fly Business Class, you deserve it (there's a sale on too at the moment with QF)

 

[mlob]

Ooooo Im enjoying this thread. Putting some of these ideas away for more birthdays!!!

 

[VPS]

Chapel Hill Winery in Mclaren Vale has on site accommodation that looks tempting whenever I visit the cellar door. Chapel Hill McLaren Vale

I've stayed at Chapel Hill winery - it was a few years ago but really nice - the food was fantastic and there are some great restaurants in McLaren Vale - went to Salopian Inn recently and the food was superb and so many gins to try and so little time

 

[Pushka]

Looks awesome. Might have to put that one away for in ten years time.

I planned it that long ago! Has been on the bucket list as long as I can remember.

 

[stoneman]

Norfolk island - would be my suggestion!