A new hinterland hideaway within easy reach of Brisbane has opened after a multimillion-dollar rebrand.
Should you be looking for an excuse to ditch the desk and make a dash for the mountains (aren’t we all?), let me steer you towards Peppers Clear Mountain.
The Moreton Bay retreat, formerly Mercure Clear Mountain, has just emerged from a multimillion-dollar renovation and rebrand – and is now welcoming guests into its 51 fully refurbished rooms. The transformation has given the long-standing mountain accommodation a fresh lease on life, with refined interiors designed to make the most of the enviable outlooks.
Located a zippy 35-minute drive from Brisbane, the hotel is set on 20 hectares of picturesque hinterland among Queensland’s native flora and fauna. Guests are promised views across Lake Samsonvale and the Glass House Mountains – a striking cluster of dramatic volcanic peaks dating back some 25 million years. Add in a treetop pool, on-site vineyard and revamped restaurant, and there’s plenty to get excited about.
A Moreton Bay milestone
Peppers Clear Mountain is set on 20 hectares of hinterland.
Peppers Clear Mountain is part of the Accor network and, as Moreton Bay’s first five-star hotel, marks a significant moment for the region. The multimillion-dollar transformation was announced in August 2025 and, now complete, is bringing an elevated level of hospitality to an area that has long been better known for day trips than weekend stays.
Tourism and Events Moreton Bay CEO Luke Edwards says the hotel will help change the way people see the region.
“Moreton Bay has traditionally been somewhere Brisbane visitors know well for a day trip, but increasingly we’re seeing the region evolve into a destination where people want to stay, slow down and explore."
The news follows several recent tourism developments in the wider Moreton Bay region, including the announcement of the new Tangalooma Dunes Cabana Club coming to Moreton Island.
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Hotel highlights
The hotel's revamp included the lobby area.
The rooms have been brought up to a premium standard.
Rooms feature a courtyard or private balcony.
With room rates starting from $309 per night, Peppers Clear Mountain makes a convincing case for swapping city for bush for the weekend – without having to break the bank.
The renovation was delivered in partnership with Sydney-based hospitality design and construction firm Dezign, delivering refreshed interiors that lean into a palette of muted greens and warm woods.
Across all 51 rooms, private balconies or courtyards make the most of the surrounding landscape, while artwork depicting native flora provides a subtle sense of place. In the refreshed lobby, tartan carpet, plum-hued lounge seating and natural stone add to the considered feel. And a new billiard room makes for a relaxed place to engage in some friendly competition.
A central fireplace and lounge area connects to the restaurant and bar.
Also new is The Glasshouse Restaurant. The new-look dining destination boasts gorgeous hinterland views, with a new statement fireplace, contemporary bar, relaxed lounge areas and two private dining rooms giving the space a distinctly grown-up feel. A new Chef’s Garden will supply seasonal produce for the kitchen.
The pool area features new decking and elevated lounges.
Outdoors, the treetop pool cradled by bushland is now finished with new decking, glass balustrades and comfortable loungers. The revamp also included improvements to the Serenity Lawn and upgraded connections between the Pavilion and on-site vineyard.
And for those looking to unwind and indulge, the hotel’s day spa remains a guest favourite.
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Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or testing her friends’ patience with increasingly obscure vocabulary.
Halfway between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, the coastline is hiding a holiday gem. Meet Moreton Bay: a region brimming with unexpected experiences.
Weekends are a finite resource. Each year, we must decide how to extract the most value from just 52 of them – and Moreton Bay may just be the perfect way to do it.
But don’t be fooled by the region’s easy accessibility. It’s somehow remained an unspoken secret among locals and travellers alike.
It has the fresh seafood and the island-dotted bay, but did you know about the wizarding store, the disco royalty, or the vintage train-carriage-stay tucked into a national park?
The best part? You can explore them all without touching your annual leave balance.
1. Oyster Shed at Sandstone Point
Be sure to stop for oysters. (Credit: Tourism and Events Moreton Bay)
What was once a humble, wooden oyster farming shack in the 1900s is now a seaside paradise: day beds bathed in Queensland sunshine, a jetty that pierces the sea, and a seafood menu based on their exclusive fishing partner’s daily catches.
Your first stop in Moreton Bay must be to try the area’s beloved Moreton Bay Bugs. Here, they’re served fresh in the sea breeze. Order the Crustacean Plate that’s prepared fresh each day. Or, try their signature baked fish tacos.
2. Ocean View Estates
Stop in for wine and grazing plates. (Credit: Tourism and Events Moreton Bay)
Tucked away in the hills of Moreton Bay, you’ll find Ocean View Estates, poured across 100 acres of sloping vineyards. Arrive via winding or scenic mountain roads.
Join the Wine & Dine in the Vines experience to be greeted with a glass of wine upon arrival before taking the time to stroll (wine in hand) through the grapevines. Spot the adorable herd of Highland cows before joining a behind-the-scenes tour of the vineyard’s operations. Sip wine straight from the vat before starting your four-course, wine-paired degustation.
If you can’t bear to leave, spend the night in one of the property’s quaint wine-themed cottages.
3. Green Thumb Farm
Learn about (and taste) sustainable food growing practices at Green Thumb.
Green Thumb Farm calls Samford Valley home. This not-for-profit, educational community farm’s goal is to share sustainable food growing practices with the community.
Each Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday morning, you can follow the ‘farm walk’ signs through the property on a self-guided walk to witness how growing food with regenerative farming principles can support pollinators and soil to help create a more resilient food cycle.
To sample the produce, stop by on a Saturday morning to explore the spray-free fruit and vegetable markets.
4. Redcliffe KiteFest
Watch the sky change colours during KiteFest.
Plan your visit to Moreton Bay for the weekend of the 19th and 20th of September this year and you’ll be greeted with an explosion of colour, creativity and family fun. Why? Because the Redcliffe annual KiteFest is back in town.
Browse the local food trucks as giant kites soar overhead, fly your own kite, let the kids try their hand at kite making with a series of workshops, and so much more.
For a colourful, family-friendly weekend close to Brisbane, you’ll be hard-pressed to find something better in your calendar.
5. Mt Nebo Railway Carriage and Chalet
Stay in one of the region’s most unique accommodations. (Credit: Tourism and Events Moreton Bay)
The rail carriage comes complete with Wi-Fi, a smart TV, and even a barbecue. Take your morning coffee in the buffet car’s booth seating while you browse the record selection from the train’s original luggage racks.
Here, among six acres of picturesque mountain rainforest, you’ll find quaint gardens, tranquil views and close access to walking trails.
6. Hip Hops Brewers
Try tasty craft beer flavours at Hip Hop Brewers.
Brendale’s Hip Hops Brewers has one of the region’s most exciting craft beer offerings. Their local taproom is home to 21 different, meticulously crafted beer offerings and their mammoth selection of local wines and spirits. Hip Hops Brewers works in collaboration with local artisans and charities to deliver on their offering of drinks and events.
Spend an afternoon working your way through the selection at their ridiculously welcoming taproom and brewery.
7. The Store of Requirement
Step inside for a touch of magic. (Credit: Tourism and Events Moreton Bay)
For Harry Potter fans, The Store of Requirement is a compulsory visit. Much like the story’s Room of Requirement, the shop exists to provide whatever it is you need at the moment. Yes, that does include their own butterscotch brew. You’ll find wands, Hogwarts uniforms, and all the ingredients you’ll need for potions class.
You’ll even find the powder blue car Ron and Harry crash-landed at Hogwarts parked right out front.
8. Bee Gees Way
Find the groove on Bee Gees Way. (Credit: Tourism and Events Moreton Bay)
Did you know that the Bee Gees brothers Barry, Robin and Maurice grew up in Moreton Bay? The disco supergroup called Redcliffe’s shores home before settling in at the top of the charts with hits like ‘Stayin’ Alive’.
Now, the spirit of disco is absolutely alive in Redcliffe thanks to Bee Gees Way.
The 70-metre outdoor museum pays homage to the band and was developed in collaboration with the band’s Barry Gibb. The experience is completely free and meanders along the Redcliffe foreshore. Walk down memory lane with photos, album covers, personal stories from the band, and exclusive interviews with Barry all about Moreton Bay.
Once the sun has set, catch the free light show set to the band’s greatest hits.
