A 1,000-bottle wine bar inside a Northern Rivers rainforest retreat

Secluded by 250 acres of ancient rainforest, an ultra-romantic hideaway is harbouring a secret. A newly opened, impressively well-stocked wine cellar and bar, helmed by a hospitality veteran, is giving nature lovers another reason to head for the Tweed hinterland.

At Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat, in Upper Crystal Creek in Northern New South Wales, guests wake to a gentle soundtrack of birdsong and the burbling creeks that slither across the landscape. While by night, they can unwind by a crackling fire in a lounge space that’s home to an expansive wine cellar brimming with top-notch drops.

Though it’s common to spot wildlife beyond the large glass windows that encase your spacious and contemporary cabin-esque accommodation at this rainforest-encircled retreat, it’s rare to cross paths with another human at this secluded spot. That is, unless you choose to set foot in the retreat’s new bar lounge and wine cellar, where you’re likely to meet Matt Semark, a hospitality stalwart and the property’s manager alongside his wife, Ani. Semark’s also responsible for curating the newly installed wine collection.

A two-level timber-clad wine cellar and bar with a pool table in the middle — The new bar lounge and wine cellar is a cosy spot to sample a range of drops from France to Australia.

“I’ve gotten a lot of enjoyment from recommending wines and hearing the positive comments from guests. I find our guests have more confidence going off-piste when we discuss their preferences and tastes one-on-one. Then I can recommend alternatives based on their personal tastes. From my culinary background and personal wine journey, I’ve learnt a fair bit along the way and do enjoy opening guests up to new wines," Semark says.

The cellar’s wines have a European leaning, based on Semark’s proclivity towards French and Italian varietals – though he has ensured there are plenty of top-notch Australian drops, too.

Semark says, “We’ve partnered with our good friend Doctor Justin Ardill, from South Australia’s Clare Valley, to offer a complimentary bottle of his wine – under the label Reillys Wines – to our guests. We also showcase nine styles of his delicious wines in our wine cellar, including his award-winning Riesling."

A timber wine cellar and bar with bar stools — The space features carefully crafted details embedded in handmade wooden furnishings.

Having recently relocated his family to the Northern Rivers from the Caribbean, Semark’s also ensured there’s a solid selection of rums (both local and Caribbean-sourced). And yet, teetotalers can rest assured they have been catered to, with an exciting choice of non-alcoholic drinks on hand, too.

In the bar and lounge spaces, and throughout the on-site accommodation, the eager eye will spot the carefully crafted details embedded in handmade wooden furnishings – with designs that reflect the abundant wildlife beyond each building’s walls. These well-made furniture pieces are the handiwork of Chris Ball, who owns the retreat alongside his antiques and furniture business.

Rainforest views from a suite at Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat Bar Lounge and Wine Cellar — Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat offers guests spectacular rainforest views.

Restless travellers can make the most of the retreat’s hiking trails that stretch across the large property – varying in difficulty – spanning 8 kilometres of rainforest. E-bikes are also available for those hoping to explore the region a little more widely, or wishing to visit a neighbouring cafe.

Guests can opt to soak in a heated plunge pool on their mountain-view lodge’s deck, fill a bath with hot water and aromatic bath salts, light their indoor fireplace, or lie back in a hammock suspended over the creek and while away a day immersed in this naturally striking setting.

Hammocks hanging over a creek at Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat — Lie back in a hammock suspended over the creek.

Come nightfall, glow worms glitter on the creek’s edge, and guests are invited to grab a torch and a blanket to enjoy the natural light show.

Massages are available to book, as is the mollifying (and appetising) experience of a Creekside Pavilion Lunch. Like a treehouse cantilevered over a creek, the pavilion presents an ideal perch for leisurely daytime dining. Bathe in the cooling rockpools below, then enjoy antipasto and charcuterie platters accompanied by your drink of choice, before reclining on the sheltered daybed swaddled by nature – all set to the soundscape provided by the creek and rainforest.

A Luxury Mountain View Lodge Bedroom at Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat — A Luxury Mountain View Lodge Bedroom.

While self-catering is an easy option, with well-equipped kitchens available to the avid cook, pre-ordered meals designed for private dining – think lamb shanks, tagines, curries and fajitas – can be discreetly delivered to your room on request. Barbecue hampers and picnic baskets make light work of lunches, and breakfast baskets are ideal for slow mornings (after a sleep-in, of course).

Despite its remote feel, Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat is a short, 15-minute drive from the centre of Murwullimbah – a perfect spot to stock up on a snacks and comfort dishes from the likes of Kat Harvey Cheese, Pasta’bah, one of the town’s excellent bakeries, and coffee from Keith. On your way out, peruse its gift stores, art galleries and road-trip between its neighbouring towns.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.

The beaches fringing Bate Bay – Cronulla, North Cronulla, Wanda, Elouera and Greenhills – have topped Tourism Australia’s 2026 list of best Australian beaches (as curated by Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer). For locals, it’s less revelation, more recognition.

The mood shifts from the moment you step off the T4 train service from Central to Cronulla and catch a glimpse of the ocean. At dawn, the Esplanade is already buzzing with regulars, and by mid-morning, parents have staked out a toasty spot on Cronulla Beach where excited toddlers clamber over rocks, and the Jellybean swim squad at Oak Park have donned their bright pink caps while singing Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.

By the afternoon, towels are being collected from across the sand as visitors wander back to Cronulla in loose formation.

North Cronulla beach — Dive into the world’s best beaches.

That’s the thing about Bate Bay beaches. This isn’t a story about a single beach. This long, uninterrupted sweep of sand and sea, where you can walk for kilometres without breaking stride, is not just enjoyed over summer; it’s a year-round destination. Here, Cronulla’s buzz gives way to Wanda’s wild edges, before stretching out to the quieter reaches of Greenhills.

But while Bate Bay’s beaches may have taken top honours in the 2026 Best Australian Beaches list, they’re only part of the drawcard. Sutherland Shire stacks up as a full-spectrum coastal escape, where good food, national park adventures and on-the-water experiences sit within easy reach of the shoreline. Whether you’re planning a long weekend or stretching out a stay, here’s how to make the most of Cronulla beyond the sand, sea and surf.

Beyond the beaches

Dining

The Sutherland Shire dining scene delivers from early morning to late at night with a mix of vibrant cafes, bars and pubs. Start your day at Grind Espresso, where the coffee comes strong and fast. From there, drift towards HAM for pastries, best eaten buttery warm.

By midday, locals linger across sun-lit tables. Loaf and Next Door appeal to the surfers who come in for snacks after chasing waves. Blackwood’s Pantry and The Press are also popular for breakfast and lunch, while Pilgrim’s continues to hold a special place in the hearts of vegans.

Newer arrivals signal where Cronulla is heading: Homer Rogue Taverna is being hailed as one of the best restaurants in Cronulla, with the confidence that comes from understanding what locals want. Ask a local to reveal their favourite restaurant for a special occasion, and it’ll likely be Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare, Yalla Sawa or Alphabet Street. Summer Salt, Sealevel, Benny’s, Bobbys and Pippis are a few of the best waterfront restaurants in the Shire.

Finally, when most places are winding down, Duke’s Providore shifts gears to become Duke’s After Hours – a low-lit romantic spot perfect for a date night. Parc Pavilion, Northies Cronulla and bars The Blind Bear, Las Chicas and Low & Lofty’s are also part of Cronulla’s identity.

Visit Bundeena

Bundeena Ferry Wharf — Catch a ferry to Bundeena.

A short ferry ride from Cronulla, Bundeena offers a counterpoint to Cronulla’s mighty surf beaches. If Cronulla is the Shire’s social heart, Bundeena – or Bundenesia, as it’s affectionately known – is the place to go to exhale and unwind.

Hop on the ferry from Cronulla, and within 30 minutes, you’ll be inhaling the eucalyptus-scented air. Check the creative pulse of the local community by timing your visit with the Bundeena Maianbar Art Trail on the first Sunday of every month.

One of the best things to do in Bundeena is paddle into Cabbage Tree Basin with Bundeena Kayaks. Follow the five-kilometre Jibbon Beach Loop Track that leads past quiet coves to ancient Indigenous rock art, or simply find a stretch of pearl-white sand to relax on.

Pristine walking trails

Royal National Park Cape Baily Walking Track — Cool off with a coastal stroll.

Beyond the coastline, Sutherland Shire offers myriad ways to shift gears. Royal National Park – the oldest national park in Australia – sits just minutes from the surf. Clifftop walks trace the edge of the continent, the rugged bushland is threaded with creeks and hidden waterfalls, and a network of tracks rewards those willing to go a little further.

Take the Coast Track, where the land drops cleanly into the ocean over sheer cliffs that have been stacked together like giant Jenga. Or veer inland, where pockets of forest cool the air and filter the light. It’s a reminder of how close nature sits to the bustle of suburbs in the Sutherland Shire.

Enjoy whale watching

humpback whale sighting noosa experiences — Spot whales from May to October. (Credit: The Edit Suite)

Twist your binoculars until the ocean is in focus, stretched like a creased blue sheet all around. Come May, the East Coast becomes the humpback highway. Thousands of whales migrate along this stretch of coastline each year, their movements tracked by keen eyes from vantage points like the Cape Solander platform in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, one of the best places for whale watching in Australia. There’s something quietly thrilling about seeing that first telltale spout or the arc of a breaching body against the vastness of the sea. From June to October, whale-watching cruises depart from Cronulla, offering a closer look at the migration.

Awards come and go. But places like Cronulla endure because they belong as much to the visitors as they do the early-morning swimmers, walkers and surfers.

Plan your escape at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.

Found: a 1,000-bottle wine bar inside a secluded Northern Rivers rainforest retreat

Secluded by 250 acres of ancient rainforest, an ultra-romantic hideaway is harbouring a secret. A newly opened, impressively well-stocked wine cellar and bar, helmed by a hospitality veteran, is giving nature lovers another reason to head for the Tweed hinterland.

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