With rolling green mountains, staggering peaks pierced by cascading waterfalls, luxurious lodgings, hiking havens, a beating cultural heart and countless paddock-to-plate dining experiences, the Sunshine Coast Hinterland is an ideal destination for a romantic getaway.

The perfect couples’ escape lies just an hour and a half from Brisbane, so grab the calendar and put a weekend side for dreamy hinterland escape where you can dial up the romance, take it slow and have a little fun along the way.

Day one

Afternoon

Time to settle in. From five-star estates to rainforest retreats and eco-lodges, there are boundless options when it comes to places to stay in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland – and there’s something for all budgets.

For couples, the luxury Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat is a secluded slice of paradise on the edge of Kondalilla National Park, while in the leafy town of Kin Kin (just 40 minutes from Noosa) you can wake up to grazing cattle and resident ducks in the luxe villas at Mayan Farm. The hinterland’s cultural hub Eumundi is home to Hola (House of Local Art), where a boutique collection of uniquely designed rooms give a nod to talented local artists and craftspeople. Tranquillity awaits in the form of luxury villas and tumbling waterfalls at the esteemed Spicers Tamarind Retreat in Maleny, which is also the home to the adults-only accommodation, Scandi at Maleny.

Over in the delightful Montville, green-hued hills set the scene for a romantic French-style escape at Spicers Clovelly Estate, and nearby you can sink into a spa bath with a view at Remingtons Private Cottages. For a unique and budget-friendly lodging experience, stay in train carriages, bungalows or even a church loft at the Glasshouse Eco Lodge.

Keen to start exploring? Check-in then spend the afternoon discovering gems along the Sunshine Coast’s art trail, or inhale that fresh mountain air up at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve – a stunning 55-hectare subtropical rainforest that overlooks the breathtaking Glass House Mountains.

Now, exhale.

Evening

Say cheers to a couples’ getaways and unwind with sunset sips at the award-winning Brouhaha Brewery in Maleny. Taste the iconic Maleny Lager or Hinterland Pale or test one of the brewery’s latest crafty creations. You can stick around for a bite, too. The Brouhaha restaurant goes full circle, serving local Wagyu beef that has been fed on the brewery’s own spent grain.

Romantic getaways are all about taking it easy, and there’s nothing more laid-back than enjoying a relaxing pub meal. Charming and refined hinterland pub, The Mapleton Public House, is a must-do destination for either lunch or dinner. With a food ethos that’s driven by a connection with the land, this beloved pub is where you can experience the true flavours of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, with a menu that balances classics with micro-seasonal produce plucked straight from its garden.

Day two

Morning

Take it slow, then venture out to the quaint township of Kin Kin (its name stems from the historic Aboriginal term for ‘small black ant’) where you’ll find Black Ant Gourmet  – a café that’s part of the Kin Kin General Store. Tuck into a true farm-to-fork breakfast with the locals before wandering the scenic surroundings.

Need to reconnect? On the hinterland fringe lies in the award-winning Ikatan Day Spa, where you can explore Balinese-style tropical gardens before blissing out with a soothing couples massage. Or recharge side-by-side in a delightful country setting at Lillypillys Cottages & Day Spa.

Continue the chilled-out vibes with a stroll through the placid 18-acre Maleny Botanic Gardens, a bird and nature-lovers haven that’s brimming with rare plants, exotic birds, waterfalls and more than six kilometres of landscaped walking tracks. Maleny Food Co. is a five-minute drive from the gardens, so cruise on over to sample the delicious hinterland-made cheeses and artisan gelatos and sorbets, all churned out fresh daily.

Tip: if your Sunshine Coast Hinterland sojourn falls on a Wednesday or Saturday, joining the droves of locals at the famed Eumundi Markets, held in the shadows of towering heritage-listed fig trees, is a must-do.

Afternoon

Savour the best of the Sunshine Coast with a trip to Yandina’s awarded dining destination and cooking school, Spirit House. The popular cooking-class experiences offer a fun hands-on insight into the hinterland’s culinary scene, or you can kick back and leave it to the talented chefs with a romantic long lunch (or make it an early dinner) at Spirit House’s Thai-style restaurant. Surrounded by peaceful ponds and thriving gardens, this unique dining spot is a wonderland at sunset.

Or, you can bottle up the romance with an afternoon hopping the Sunshine Coast’s best hinterland distilleries, sampling the region’s top drops together. Venture to Steampunk Distillery at Towen Mountain, sip barrel-aged rum on a tasting tour at Sunshine & Sons, or head to Pomona Distilling Co for pink gin and a long lunch in the sunshine.

Tip: snuggle up at sunset with (almost) 360-degree views at Gerrard’s Lookout on Maleny-Montville Road.

Evening

Really dial up the romance with a hinterland fine-dining experience. Eumundi standout, Bask, is well known for its long lunches and opens select nights for intimate dinners with a refined, ever-changing menu of modern Australian fare.

Montville’s French-style dining spot The Long Apron, located in the five-star Spicers Clovelly Estate, serves up decadent degustation menus that spotlight the Sunshine Coast region’s best produce – from fresh tomatoes plucked from up the road to sea succulents from the coastline.

In Maleny, The Tamarind plates up the season’s best local produce in a delicious and considered Thai style that’s designed to be shared. You can also learn the art of its coveted fare by booking into one of its cooking classes – be sure to check out the calendar before you visit!

Day three

Morning

Make a morning trip to the Eudlo General Store to score quality coffee and breakfast (they’re also known for their stellar homemade pies, too) before taking on the day.

Why not cap off your romantic 48 hours in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland with a burst of adventure? Wander through the depths of the Kondalilla National Park, or lace up and make tracks up one of these six Sunshine Coast Hinterland mountains and reward yourselves with soothing hinterland views. You can hike your way to secluded swimming holes in the Conondale National Park (stopping for treats at the famous Kenilworth Bakery, of course), or just take it easy and stroll hand-in-hand upstream along Obi Obi Creek in Maleny for a quiet moment by the cascading Gardners Falls.

Afternoon

Squeeze a little more out of your getaway (why not?) and head to The Doonan, a two-hectare farm-to-paddock estate on the fringe of the Noosa hinterland. Set in leafy surrounds just ten minutes from the coast, The Doonan features a paddock-to-plate Italian-style alfresco dining experience with bars, a beer garden, a cellar door and plenty of designer gardens to envy.

Bonus: take a peek at this local guide for more gems to check out in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.