My life is about to change … forever. I mean that in a positive sense – but, as all new parents know (and I am guessing!), there will be no going back to my former life as one half of a DINK (double income, no kids) couple. From now on it will be sleep routines, nappy changing, sleepless nights, mothers’ groups and an unkempt house … a far cry from our current lifestyle of soirees, travel, Champagne and deadlines. And with this impending ‘new’ life, I am embracing the growing trend of a ‘babymoon’ and my husband and I are on our way to the ultra-luxurious mountain retreat, Spicers Peak Lodge.

As we turn off the Cunningham Highway, we are greeted by a 12km climb through farmland and stunning bushland. We drive carefully and slowly, taking in the scenery and smells of the Australian bush and stopping frequently to snap photos of curious bush creatures including wallabies, lizards, brightly-coloured rosellas and scarlet finches – each bend in the road more scenic than the last. All the while slowly winding down from our busy lives.

As we reach the top of the mountain the land plateaus out before us, revealing the majestic Spicers Peak Lodge nestled amid rolling pastures dotted with curious cows that lazily move out of our way.

On arrival we are greeted by the staff, handed a refreshing drink and ushered inside to take in the lodge’s beauty. We are instantly transported to another world – a world where nothing is too much hassle and everything is included in the price – hooray! 

Rowan and I take the time to sit and relax. Taking in our surroundings, we could snuggle up with a good book on the plump couches, take in a game of billiards or head off on one of the many bushwalks or bike rides … clearly not high on my 30-week pregnancy agenda.

We opt for relaxation, and after checking into our cosy lodge room, complete with fireplace and spa, we both settle into armchairs and nose our way through the bookshelf – me with a soda in hand, Rowan with a crisp G&T. With the afternoon stretched out before us, we head to the wet-edge swimming pool for a dip, and frighten a local fox from its hiding spot in the bushes in the process. 

Nature is only ever a footstep away here at Spicers, and sprawled out before us we are treated to majestic views of the Great Dividing and Main Ranges. The afternoon is sultry with the hint of a storm on its way – we secretly hope  the storm comes rolling in so we can make use of the fireplace in our room.

Soon it is time for pre-dinner canapés – a nightly affair in the main lodge. We are surprised (and thrilled) to learn that we are the only guests for the evening so the staff move a dining table into the lounge, just for us. How positively romantic our ‘babymoon’ is turning out to be!

Dinner is a gastronomic affair – we tuck into a seven-course degustation dinner, each dish more delicious than the last. The chefs are mindful of my pregnancy and modify each meal to suit – no raw dishes and just a taste of the accompanying wines (one of the few drawbacks of being pregnant). We dine on local pork belly, braised quail legs, succulent Kingfish and orange blossom meringue. I am very happy I am eating for two!

We head off to our luxurious lodge suite feeling relaxed and sated and plunge into a cloud of pillows for a restful slumber while listening to the crackle of our stone fireplace. Good night!

A little like a happy dream, we are woken in the morning by the mooing of cows and head outside to our private deck to watch the herd graze contentedly while the calves frolic around their mothers. A fresh wind has come up from the valley, signalling a storm brewing from the west. I am quite happy for the storm to roll on in as I’m looking for an excuse to continue to do nothing. 

Breakfast is another gastronomic affair with a selection of homemade delights such as crumpets (minus the honey for me), fresh pastries, granola with local yoghurt and a fully-cooked meal. We both greedily tuck into the spread thinking that our babymoon is more about the food than anything else, though the spa menu looks extremely tempting with its Blissful Babymoon treatment – an hour and a half of nurturing massage using specific prenatal essential oils followed by a Petite Facial. 

They even recommend dad-to-be gets in on the action with a Lemongrass Escape massage. I knew Rowan wouldn’t disagree. So, with our tummies full and fog rolling in over the mountains, I guess there is nothing left for us to do before we head back to reality but to indulge … Spa Anise, here we come.