Spending time in the Scenic Rim's own slice of heaven is a great way to refresh the soul, writes Phil Brown
16 July, 2006

We could have been in Scotland. The air was crisp, the fire crackling and the view was that of the highlands if ever I've seen one. We weren't there, of course, but it didn't seem to matter at Spring Creek Mountain Café and Cottages, high on a plateau in the Scenic Rim.

About two hours from Brisbane, between Boonah and Killarney, this is a little patch of heaven - a mountain hideaway consisting of several cute cottages (or chalets, if you will) overlooking some of the most spectacular scenery in our region.

A dinner companion had recommended it and I'd heard it mentioned in passing some time before then. Since our utopian weekend there I've also spoken to others who have been and the mere mention of it has bought a smile to their faces and a faraway look to t heir eyes.

Then the superlatives follow, tripping easily off the tongue. Part of the secret or the magic, if you like is, I believe, the care that has clearly gone in to creating this getaway.

Owner Bev Ruskey and her late husband Bruce first came upon the locale when they were living in Brisbane's bayside. They went for a drive in the country – a very long drive, as it happens – and found this remarkable paddock surrounded by World Heritage-listed rainforest and mountains with sweeping vistas from the Condamine Gorge to Wilson's Peak.

They purchased this gem of a plot of land and used to have picnics there on weekends, planning their dream and eventually building it. Tragically, Bruce died suddenly just alter it was finished.

But Bev stayed on and lovingly saw the dream to fruition, building a business that is now a success, largely due to the ecstatic word of mouth it receives.

Staying at Spring Creek you can feel the love - it's in the simple detail, the cosy comfort of the cottages (they are great for families and suitable for disabled visitors too). It's also importantly, in the excellent food that's served in the Café.

Bev, a fine cook herself and chef Chris Henry run a country kitchen that should be the envy of many.

I did search the excellent menu for haggis at first and was a little disappointed not to find it but the pot-roasted cider chicken made up for that. It warmed the cockles of the heart, and the apple, pear fig and ginger crumble my wife and I took back to the room for desert was superb.

Foodies have given Bev's menu the nod time and time again. Even The Sydney Morning Herald has raved about the place, and that's saying something considering it's on the wrong side of the border.

We took our son Hamish (you can tell we are Scotopbiles) with us for the weekend and he had a ball Some rural getaways ban kids but Hamish was welcome and encouraged to feed the chooks and gather eggs in the henhouse that supplies the kitchen.

We visited the nearby stunning Queen Mary Falls together and went on a bushwalk on the afternoon of our arrival but didn't wander too far afield after that, though there's plenty to see in the area.

We just felt like staying close to our nicely appointed cottage, stoking the fire, drinking tea and gawping, awestruck, at the view. Being able to relax with a five year old in tow is something but here it seemed eminently possible.

When we woke in the morning, we watched the sun slowly bum off the mist that had snaked up the valley below overnight.

And as we wandered in the cool, still morning, birdsong filled the air. Wrens twitched in the hedges, while eagles soared and wheeled above.

I'm reliably informed that lyrebirds reside in the forested vale and wallabies are regulars too. Our weekend at Spring Creek Mountain Café and Cottages was a real tonic, a balm for the soul It sounds like I'm exaggerating I know but when I close my eyes and think about the place I smile too.

We've been to Scotland twice and can't wait to go back. But it is a long haul, so Caledonia can wait and in the meantime we have another highland option.