Looking for a romantic bike getaway?

Just you and your bike, or you and your other significant other – pillion-in-a-million or fellow rider – should try a weekend romantic getaway at Ravensbourne Escape. 

The luxury retreat is 90 minutes west of Brisbane at the top the Great Dividing Range on the challenging and scenic Esk-Hampton Road. 

It’s 45 minutes north of Toowoomba and 20km from Crows Nest, the latest Motorcycle Friendly Town. In fact, the whole area is very motorcycle friendly.

Ravensbourne Escape is set among the tall eucalyptus forest on the Hampton Range with stunning views east over the Brisbane Valley. A very romantic setting for a couple after their ride.

In summer, it’s several degrees cooler. In winter, it’s a great place to cosy up by a log fire.

The retreat is the perfect location to station yourself for a romantic getaway where you can ride the many roads that snake up and down the Great Dividing Range.

They include, but are not limited to the Blackbutt Range, Hampton Range, Murphy’s Creek, Flagstone Creek Rd, the Cooyar Range, Bunya Mountains and MaMa Creek Rd.

Along the way there are plenty of lookouts, cafes and attractions.

Ravensbourne Escape is part of Ravensbourne Mountain Retreat which is a collection of privately owned chalets managed by Rob Clarke and Tuskanas cafe/restaurant and function centre. 

Rob is a former rider who understands the freedom and thrill of riding and wants to attract motorcycle riders and host club rides and other motorcycle events.

He also knows what riders need at the end of a day’s ride: a bit of comfort and a dry, sheltered place to park your bike on concrete.

Romantic chalets

Ravensbourne Escape is made up of nine (soon to be 11) individual, self-contained, luxury chalet-style houses connected by proper asphalt driveways, not gravel, so you won’t drop your bike!

The romantic chalets have up to four bedrooms and multiple bathrooms, so you can go with another couple or two.

The chalets are within a gated community with a computer-coded security gate so your motorcycle will be secure. 

In fact, the day before you arrive, you will receive a handy text message with the gate security number. The same number also gets you into a “safe” which contains the key to your chalet. No need to go to reception, go straight to your chalet.

Most chalets have a big-screen TV and DVDs, stereo system, fireplace, big verandahs with stunning forestry and Brisbane Valley views, quality linen, comfortable beds and a self-contained kitchen.

Some have hot spa baths on the verandah or in the bedroom. How romantic … and not bad for easing sore muscles after a long day in the saddle.

Most riders won’t take advantage of the kitchen, but you can walk about 100m to the licensed cafe/bar/restaurant for a drink or meal.

It serves high quality “a la carte” breakfast, lunch and dinner menu with tables looking out over one of the most mouth-watering views of the Brisbane Valley, framed by tall trees and flowering gardens.

For this reason, it’s a popular venue for weddings.

But its main purpose is as weekend retreats for Brisbane and Gold and Sunshine Coast couples looking for a romantic getaway.

It’s quiet with just the occasional exhaust throb of a motorcycle enjoying the nearby sweeping 100km/h bends. 

Don’t worry; you’ll get a good night’s rest as there is almost no traffic at night and the road is rarely used by trucks day or night.

The only sound you will probably hear is the birds and your own pulse as you come down from the day’s thrilling ride.

It makes a great place to kick back with your pillion or riding companion after a fun day riding the many challenging roads in the region.

Luxury comes at a price

Prices are on the luxurious side as befitting the accommodation, but are cheaper if you have more than one night and if you share with other couples.

And if you stay for the third night on the Sunday it costs only an extra $50.

Rob has organised a special 5% discount rate for Motorbike Writer readers with a $40 brekky voucher thrown in.

Also, if riders book two or more nights before the end of April, they will get a $100 voucher to spend on dinner, lunch or breakfast Tuskanas.

You can also organise a special couples therapeutic massage right in your room from $85 for one massage or $160 for two with private health fund rebates available.

So next time you’re riding between Esk and Hampton, drop in for a coffee, breakfast or lunch and ask Rob if you can check out one of the chalets.

Tuskanas cafe is open from noon on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9am with midweek opening soon.

Click on this map and check out the squiggly road, especially to the east.

Ravensbourne Escape

• Phone: 07 4697 8092
• Ravensbourne Mountain Retreat (formerly Sketches)
• 3143 Esk-Hampton Road, Ravensbourne Qld 4352
• Website: www.ravensbourneescape.com.au
• Email: Info@ravensbourneescape.com.au
• Rates:

  One night only $320 per one bedroom (up to 2 people)

  Two nights for a one bedroom $500 (up to 2 people)

  Two nights for two bedrooms in the same house (up to 4 people) = $640

  Two nights for three bedrooms in the same house (up to 6 people) = $740

  (You only pay for the bedrooms you use.)