7 Romantic getaways in Queensland that mix sunshine and luxury

Secrets on the Lake | Montville

Awaken your inner Tarzan and Jane at a secluded treehouse resort high in the rainforest canopy on the shores of Lake Baroon. Not to be confused with your childhood playground, the treehouses at Secrets on the Lake are fully kitted out for luxury with functioning fireplaces, kitchens and barbecue areas. Deep spa baths let you and your partner sink into a mountain of scented bubbles while gazing directly into lush treetops. Gilded wooden balconies with views over the lake mean morning coffees in the sky as you swing lazily on suspended benches.

Secrets’ Café on the Deck shares the unrivalled view over Lake Baroon, flanked by a backdrop of rainforest-swathed mountains. This fine dining option offers a mouthwateringly imaginative lunch and dinner menu, with temptations like slow-cooked lamb shank tajin or seared whiting with sweet potato, bunya nuts, spinach and fragrant dill butter. Breakfast is just as delicious with options like truffled mushrooms, herb roasted tomatoes, creamy avocado and sourdough toast.

In the late afternoon, ease into provided house robes and order an in-room massage. Romance-heavy favourites include the Cupid’s Garden and Sunset Surrender, both designed for couples.

Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat | Montville

A luxury cabin tucked deep in the rainforest is the epitome of romance. Surrounded by subtropical flora on the border of Kondalilla National Park, Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat caters to couples seeking a romantic getaway with a slice of eco-luxury.

Slip into the cool waters of the resort’s saltwater pool under a canopy of gently rustling palms and tropical bird calls. Wander the forest trails with your loved one, or take a picnic to share by the babbling creek for a pastoral scene straight out of a romance novel. For something more private, enjoy a couples massage in the comforts of your room.

With just six detached cabins in the whole resort, seclusion here is a specialty. Each cabin features a kitchen for slow-paced, post-lie-in breakfasts; a deep, double whirlpool spa bath for sudsy candlelit evenings; and a log fireplace for cuddling up next to crackling orange flames as night falls on the forest. Pad out in slippers and a robe onto your rainforest veranda to listen to the serenade of treefrogs and songbirds while you sip the morning’s first cup of tea.

With Lake Baroon, Noosa beach, Fraser Island and even Brisbane nearby, Narrows Escape is an accessible getaway. From here you can explore charming hinterland villages, art galleries and wineries easily – if you can tear yourself away from the resort, that is.

Hunchy Hideaway | Montville

Nestled in the foothills of the Blackall Mountains, Hunchy Hideaway is a sweet spot for a quiet and romantic getaway. Idyllic settings meet expertly thoughtful service here – smiling staff greet guests on arrival with a hamper brimming with breakfast provisions, cream tea, chocolate and roses so the relaxation and pampering can begin immediately.

In this ‘slice of heaven’ – so described by warm hosts Ali and Denis – guests can choose from rainforest villas to tree-themed cottages built for two. The Fig Tree Cottage, slightly larger and presenting intimate touches like an open brick fireplace and a spa bath, makes a roomy and romantic setting for honeymooners. Imagine prepping a fanciful breakfast of scones and chocolate in the cottage’s wood-trimmed kitchen, then stepping outside in fluffy robes to dine overlooking the jungle-rimmed glassy pond.

Should you not want to leave your hidden paradise come dinnertime, you can order a decadent seafood hamper stuffed with lobster and prawns or a barbecue set of organic steak and sausage for preparing dinner by moonlight on your personal deck. Invigorating couples massages using tea tree oil can be ordered directly to the private luxury of your cottage or villa.

Blue Summit Cottages | Maleny

Leave city life behind in exchange for watching the sun sink behind purple mountains from your elevated veranda at Blue Summit Cottages. Four detached units, each with a theme based on a local bird, are designed so you can drink in the soothing landscape from every room – the king-sized bed, the leather couch, the double spa bath, or the wooden deck loungers. On your private deck, find your own Weber set for grilling and dining in intimacy with views of the valley below.

Gleaming red-gum timber floors make each space luxe yet warm. Cottages are immaculate and well equipped with log-effect fires, air-con and kitchens kitted out with everything for a foodie’s night in, from Nutribullet to dishwasher. Extra touches like oversized towels, a generous list of fine wines, custom pillows on demand and a gourmet breakfast hamper piled high with local goods elevate stays here into the extraordinary.

Walking trails around the property afford fresh mountain air and breathtaking vistas for hand-in-hand afternoon wanderings. Secluded and removed from life’s hustle and bustle, it’s easy to forget that the Sunshine Coast and Maroochydore Airport are only 20 minutes away.

BreakFree Alexandra Beach Resort | Alexandra Headlands

A straight shot from Brisbane and next to the spectacular Grace Beach sits BreakFree Alexandra Beach Resort. Multi-level buildings in easy, coastal colours surround three swimming pools, a spa and a beach. All meals and drinks are included here, so forget about the tab and have an icy daiquiri at the pool bar before swimming home.

Modern suites – from studios to three-bedroom apartments – make getaways easy with equipped kitchens and laundry facilities. Sliding glass doors onto wide, sun-soaked balconies let guests make the most of beachside living. BreakFree International Restaurant, which faces the turquoise expanse of Grace Bay, will add a Caribbean spice kick to your romantic stay. If you’re feeling athletic, take a spin in the gym, warm up on the tennis court, try out the water trampolines or take stand-up paddleboards and the sailboats out on the water. Alexandra Headland has some of the best surf on the Sunshine Coast, so wave chasers can grab a board right from the hotel beach and paddle out.

BreakFree is only a few minutes away from Sapodilla Bay and Leeward Marinas, where young (or young-at-heart) couples will find lively bars and trendy restaurants. Sunshine Coast Airport is only a 10-minute drive from the resort, so even visitors from afar will have their feet up on sun loungers and a cocktail in hand in no time.

Spicers Clovelly Estate | Montville

Covering 22 acres at the foot of the Glass House Mountains, this exclusive retreat in the Sunshine Coast hinterland lets guests delve into European luxury. Breezy suites at the Spicers Clovelly Estate are dressed in soft white walls and rich textiles tell tales of the French countryside. Spa bathrooms, opulent in white-and-grey marble with silver finishes, invite leisurely soaks perfumed by fresh-cut blooms. For even more finery, pad barefoot over heated floors or take a cup of tea on a cushy window seat overlooking the estate’s rolling gardens.

Beneath the shade of flowering jacarandas and magnolia trees, you’ll find a spacious covered deck, the luxury Spa Anise and a secluded pool. Borrow a complimentary bicycle to explore the country or mosey over to the pretty town of Montville. In winter months, curl up with a book and blanket by the hotel’s crackling log fire, a house glüwein (mulled wine) in hand.

The Chef Hatted Long Apron is a pioneering Australian restaurant with renowned chef Chris Hagan at the helm. Clean, precise dishes balance creative flavours with exquisite presentation. Begin the day with sumptuous delights like brioche french toast with dark chocolate ganache, and watch dusk fall while you peruse luxurious à la carte and vegetarian tasting menus.

Simba Sunrise Bed & Breakfast | Woombye

Awake in a room of rich blues, terracotta, creamy whites and natural timbers. Refreshed and invigorated, rise from luxury linens (and your choice of pillows) for a freshly prepared breakfast of seasonal, organic produce. Watch from your elevated perch on the hotel deck as morning mist rises from the mountains to reveal lush, subtropical flora.

Simba Sunrise is a luxury B&B on the Sunshine Coast with panoramic views of the Blackall mountain range, all to the gentle soundtrack of a cascading creek. Made with vacationing couples in mind, boutique rooms – poetically named after local bird life – are spacious and private while still fully catered.

The hotel’s cool lounge deck reaches out into the hinterland, making it a favourite spot for watching awe-inspiring sunsets or graceful rainbows after a jungle rain. Come mealtime, the deck doubles as a cooking and dining space. Cook up something fresh and flavourful on the barbecue while looking out over acres of wild gardens. Everything tastes better here in the open air, and distinctive local wines are available to pair with dishes sweet or savoury.

While surrounded by the calls of kingfishers and kookaburras, you’ll nonetheless be fully connected to the outside world – WiFi is available on the property, and even family pets (provided they’re well-behaved) can come as special guests.