The most romantic getaways near Brisbane

LIST

By Danielle Reckless

The sparkling River City may set the scene for many exciting dates – but there’s something about getting out of the rat race and into some fresh air that quiets the mind and lets the heart soar.

Looking for a little time out with your S.O.? Whether your tastes run beach getaway, country escape, or hiking through national park by day and cosying up in a cabin by night– these are some of the most romantic getaways near Brisbane that’ll offer a slice of serenity for your much-needed quality time.

Cosy up in the Scenic Rim

A couple sitting outside a luxury camping tent — Nightfall, Scenic Rim, Brisbane

Long a locals-favourite romantic escape near Brisbane – the secret is finally out – with the Scenic Rim named one of Lonely Planet’s best places to visit in 2022. Luckily, you’re spoilt for choice with luxury accommodation to retreat to, and you’ll still feel like you have the place all to yourselves – whether you want to do it all, or simply do nothing at all.

Cosy up in eco safari tents (complete with bathtub and fireplace) at nightfall, rustic Worendo Cottages or hop between private rockpools and spacious patio at Wongari Eco Retreat near Lamington National Park. Close to Springbrook National Park, you’ll find fairytale-esque cottages at Mouses House or the stand-alone, impeccably designed tiny home known as Palmer & Gunn, which has its own outdoor cedar hot tub for nights under the stars. Or, escape among the trees of Tamborine at Pethers Rainforest Retreat and Songbirds. The choice is yours.

If you want to keep busy:

Feast your way around the cafes, restaurants and farms of the Scenic Rim
Discover hidden gems in Tamborine Mountain
Plan an action-packed 48 hours

Sleep in a national park

Aerial of a couple standing on the balcony of a rainforest retreat in the trees — O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat, Lamington National Park, Gold Coast

These digs deserve special mention for the adventurous romantics out there who want national park beauty right on their doorstep. Set in Lamington National Park – a slice of pre-dinosaur, World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest – you’ll find two romantic getaways near Brisbane.

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat offers a range of accommodation from camping to lodges, but the safari tents among the trees are your best bet for romance, featuring their own private spa overlooking the range. At the other side of the park, Binna Burra Sky Lodges and tiny homes perch 800m above sea level in the forest, where you’re truly among the sounds and sights of nature.

If you want to keep busy:

Here’s how to do Lamington National Park
Lace up your hiking boots for these incredible trails

Lap up luxury at a Spicers Retreat

Chef showing a couple through the kitchen garden, at Spicers Tamarind Retreat — Spicers Tamarind Retreat, Maleny, Sunshine Coast

There’s luxury – and then there’s Spicers. Known for their opulent retreats among spectacular nature, Spicers really shows off the Sunshine State at its finest, whether you choose to escape to their properties tucked into the Sunshine Coast Hinterland or Scenic Rim.

Exquisite chef-hatted dining with ingredients pulled fresh from the farm (even their own market garden) meet beautifully-appointed accommodation and indulgent day spas - yet each retreat offers their own unique lineup of experiences.

If you want to keep busy:

Sign up for an award-winning cooking class at Spicers Tamarind
Slow down in the French-inspired surrounds of Montville’s Spicers Clovelly
Hike or bike the trails around Spicers Hidden Vale, take a scenic heli flight over the Scenic Rim or head out with a wildlife tracker to spot koalas.

Relax by the beach

Couple walking onto Coolum Beach Sunshine Coast — Coolum Beach, Sunshine Coast

Prefer sand between your toes while you switch off? Ocean views don’t get any better than from your own apartment at Oceans Mooloolaba, where you can soak up coastal breezes from the balcony – just moments from the surf – and great restaurants too.

For a more remote romantic beach getaway, head north to Rainbow Beach and ensconce yourselves at Rainbow Sands Resort. These hillside apartments are perfect for taking in the views while taking a break together, whether your weekend plans run action-packed or laid back.

If you want to keep busy:

Discover the rainbow sands and sights along Great Beach Drive
Explore these things to do on the Sunshine Coast for couples

Retreat to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Couple enjoying the rainforest views from their Villa at Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat, Sunshine Coast Hinterland — Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat, Montville, Sunshine Coast

Rolling green hills dotted with quaint villages, farms, wineries and romantic cottages – the Sunshine Coast Hinterland is made for couples, just an hour drive from the city. And with so many incredible places to stay, it’s the romantic getaway from Brisbane you could do time and time again.

You don’t have to be getting married to snag a treehouse cabin at Secrets on the Lake – though you might just want to after sinking into the bathtubs overlooking the property. Just outside charming Montville and steps from Kondalilla National Park, Narrows Escape is a luxury rainforest retreat, complete with log fireplace, whirlpool spa and a deck among the trees that’ll keep you captivated by visiting wildlife, while nearby The Falls sets the scene for romance in Queenslander style cottages.

For total seclusion, be the only guests at Wild Duck Farm in Peachester. Here, you can recharge on 35 acres of peaceful rainforest and farmland in your dog-friendly one-bedroom cabin that boasts a stone bath on the deck, an inside fireplace and an outdoor fire pit.

If you want to keep busy:

Stretch your legs on a short hike in the Glass House Mountains or Kondalilla Falls
Return visitors should check out these lesser-known adventures

Escape to the Brisbane Hinterland

Two comfortable chairs on the veranda at Maiala Park Lodge — Maiala Park Lodge, Brisbane

Escape the everyday and reconnect with nature and your partner in the lush, tranquil surrounds of the Brisbane Hinterland. Just 40 minutes from the city, D’Aguilar National Park offers the perfect backdrop for a romantic getaway filled with peace, privacy, and breathtaking views.

Stay at luxury retreats like Maiala Park Lodge, where secluded accommodation options range from private self-contained cottages with rainforest views to shared verandas overlooking Brisbane City and Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island).

Nestled in the heart of the rainforest, this lodge invites you to cosy up by the fireplace, enjoy bird watching or explore nearby nature trails. And with its location in the Brisbane Hinterland, you’ll feel worlds away without venturing too far from home.

If you want to keep busy:

Stroll through the Maiala day-use area and enjoy the scenic rainforest walks.
Discover the vibrant birdlife and other wildlife in D’Aguilar National Park.
Wind down with a picnic or barbecue surrounded by serene natural beauty.

Go off-grid by the Bunya Mountains

Rustic cottage stands among rolling hills, with a firepit and two chairs outside cabin at The Firebreak — The Firebreak, Yarraman, Queensland Country

The Firebreak's intimate cabins are tucked among the rolling foothills of the Bunya Mountains on Wakka Wakka land. Part of a family-owned and operated regenerative farm, these off-grid hideaways offer couples a perfect blend of privacy and connection – to nature and each other. Soak in outdoor tubs under dazzling night skies or share stories and a bottle of wine beside the crackling fireplace.

If you want to keep busy:

Explore the ancient bunya pine forests on walks through Bunya Mountains National Park
Cycle a section of the historic Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, passing through picturesque countryside and quaint towns - nearby Yarraman is the northernmost destination of the trail.

Soak in a winery escape

A couple walking through the vineyards at Sirromet Winery — Sirromet Winery, Mt Cotton, Brisbane

Fall asleep beside the vineyards, listening to the sounds of the bush from your elevated safari tent among the gumtrees at Sanctuary by Sirromet. Set on the winery at Mt Cotton, it’s just 30 minutes from Brisbane before you can taste your way through the cellar door, savour flavours at the onsite restaurant, or get out and explore the area.

Or, escape an hour north of the city to Cabins at The View, tucked into 40 acres of mountain property in Mount Mee – it’ll feel like a whole other world away. Here, you’ll have the beauty of D’Aguilar National Park to explore whenever you’re ready to take it to the next level – plus local wineries, restaurants and more.

Head west to wide open spaces

A couple at the front of Abbey Boutique Hotel with bikes — Abbey Boutique Hotel, Warwick, Queensland Country. Photo by @visitdarlingdowns

Queensland Country boasts rugged countryside, and plenty of opportunities to hop between cellar doors and waterfalls. Those with a taste for history should escape to Warwick’s 1891 heritage Abbey Boutique Hotel – the closest thing to staying in your own castle, complete with giant chess, four-poster beds and private dining.

If you want to keep busy:

Hike to the base of Queen Mary Falls
Head south to taste your way through the Granite Belt

This is just the beginning – there are so many more country escapes you can squeeze into a weekend next time you’re looking for a romantic getaway near Brisbane.