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The Scenic Rim’s newest luxury accommodation, the Binna Burra Sky Lodges, have been recognised by the Australian Institute of Architects.
The architects behind the Sky Lodges, dm2architecture, took out the house of the year category in the AIA Gold Coast-Northern Rivers Awards.
The Sky Lodges also received a regional commendation and people’s choice award.
The $12-million project features 21 one, two and three-bedroom Sky Lodges, built within the Lamington National Park.
The privately owned lodges are leased through the Binna Burra Mountain Lodge and feature high ceilings, glass, louvers, stone, copper and hardwood timber. Solar panels generate electricity for the property and a large underground water tank catches roof water, which is diverted for use in toilets and gardens.
The Sky Lodges are the first stage of a 10-year masterplan for Binna Burra, which includes a major upgrade of conference and seminar facilities, the development of boutique safari tents and an eco-centre for school groups.
Find out more about the Binna Burra Sky Lodges
The judging panel included Sunland group executive development manager David Brown, Aspect Architecture principal Matt Cooper, Gold Coast City Council principal architect Finn Jones and architect Paul Robertson.

Scenic Rim artist Chelsi Foskett takes us into the workspaces of local artists with her photographic exhibition Studios, Sheds & Kitchen Tables. This image of Scenic Rim bookbinder Lorraine Brown features in the exhibition which is on at The Centre in Brisbane St Beaudesert until August 24.
Chelsi’s exhibition is a prelude to September’s Studios of the Scenic Rim project which celebrates the rich diversity of the local arts community and invites visitors to see many of the region’s artists create.
Profiles and information about the Studios of the Scenic Rim program will feature on Visit Scenic Rim ahead of the event.

The Scenic Rim Regional Council’s tourism promotional campaign is about to spring into a new season.
The final two-month phase of the six-month 2010 campaign will feature television and radio promotions with the tagline, ‘This Spring, colour your life in the Scenic Rim.’
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THE career leap from professional wrestler to winemaker was a big one but Cam Dearsly’s body is happy he made it.
Cam and his wife Kandy own and run Sarabah Estate Vineyard and Winery at Canungra. It’s a real family affair – Kandy is the winemaker and Cam and his sons care for the vines.

Cam and Kandy planted their first vines in 2004 on a property they had owned for 10 years. Each year they continued to plant another variety of grape until 2007 when they launched their first wine. In April 2008 he couple and their two sons opened the doors of Sarabah Estate to the public.
They now have 15 acres under vines on a Canungra property which they originally purchased for weekend escapes.
Kandy who is well into a wine science degree at Charles Sturt University oversees the winemaking which is conducted at Mt Tamborine. Cam and his sons care for the vines which produce a rose, a table wine, a cabernet sauvignon, a port, and a recently-released sparkling merlot.
“We have the capacity at full production to produce about 35,000 bottles a year,” says Cam, who is also the president of the Queensland Wine Industry Association.
“We always had a passion for wine and we did a lot of travelling through Europe for many years. We had this property for about 10 years and after much research decided to plant our first vines.
“My original occupation was as a professional wrestler in New Zealand, Australia and in the US then we moved into construction.
“We brought this property as a weekender.”
The property features a large dam which is full of fish which are hand fed daily. There is a bocce court and on the last Sunday of each month Cam and Kandy host a themed buffet and live music, which is popular with many of the winery’s members. Sarabah Estate is also equipped to host functions and weddings. Cam says the fully licensed restaurant offers meals to suit all tastes and budgets, from pizzas to steaks.
Sarabah Estate is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 4.30pm.