As the days grow longer and the weather warms, Ben’s Falls Retreat is inviting locals and visitors alike to celebrate the beauty of the season with a special evening under the stars. The Spring Soirée, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Severn River gorge, promises a night of live music, shared plates, and relaxed country hospitality on Saturday, October 19.
Guests can look forward to an unforgettable evening of tapas-style dining, with a menu designed to showcase vibrant flavours and local produce. Think Mooloolaba prawns with chilli and garlic, truffle and pecorino arancini, sticky pork belly with BBQ glaze, and double-crumbed camembert drizzled with bush honey—just a few highlights from an abundant spread that’s perfect for sharing among friends.
Allana Price, who runs the Retreat alongside her mother, is excited for this new chapter of Ben’s Falls.
“Our new chef, Braedon Griffiths, started with us at the beginning of this year, and he really loves trying new things and creating new menus, so we decided to open up the property once a month for a dining event that’s open to the public,” she said.
“We often hear from locals that they’d really like to come and see the property, but they haven’t had the opportunity to visit as part of a group booking, so this is a really nice way for anyone interested to come and check out the retreat.”
To match the food, a fully stocked bar will be available serving seasonal cocktails, wines, and local brews, making it the ideal setting for a laid-back night of laughter, conversation, and connection.
Adding to the ambience will be live tunes from the Williams Flinn Duo, a talented local act known for their warm acoustic sound and easy-listening favourites. Their music, paired with the golden glow of twilight and sweeping views across the gorge, will make for an unforgettable evening.
Located just outside Glen Innes, Ben’s Falls Retreat has quickly become a favourite for weddings, weekend escapes, and unique seasonal gatherings.
The Retreat itself is a labour of love for the family.
“My dad Allan started the Retreat in 2005 after my brother Ben passed away,” said Ms Price
“He was really inspired to create something and basically came home and told mum that he’d bought the property on the other side of the waterfall and that we were opening a retreat and mum could be the cook in the restaurant – from there we carved out the site and built everything from scratch.”
“Dad passed in 2014, and I’ve been running it with mum ever since, but she’s out travelling around Australia in a caravan and enjoying life as she should, and I’m very happy to be running the retreat while she’s away.”
The property is now recognised not only for its unique event space and exceptional hospitality, but also for the stunning natural beauty of the site and the section of the Severn River that runs through it.
When asked what people consider the highlight of the property, Ms Price laughs.
“Well we did win the Syndey Morning Herald’s Best Loo with a View a few years back – we have this urinal in the men’s toilet that is open to nature and you can just stand there and use it while staring out over the waterfall – so we have this ongoing joke where all the women end up in the men’s bathroom just to go and see the view.”
“But I think for most the real highlight is the property itself; it’s gorge country so there’s something different to the landscape around every corner and we have so much beautiful wildlife on the property as well so there’s so much to enjoy.”
With another cabin hopefully on the way next year and a growing calendar of events that highlight the charm of rural living and the simple pleasure of slowing down, there’s a lot planned for Ben’s Falls in the coming months.
Tickets for the Spring Soirée are $69 per person (food only), and places are limited. Bookings can be made via the Ben’s Falls Retreat website at www.bensfallsretreat.com.
Don’t miss this perfect night out under the stars!
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