Massages are bloody awesome, no one can deny that. Yet the whole romantic getaway feat. couples massage is just a little cliche at this point.
How about the true bonding that comes with adventure? Or the bragging rights that come with being the first people to try a new experience? Or the bomb photos you can splash all over your socials to show the world how adventurous you are as a couple? You can’t get those in a day spa, mates.
However, you CAN get them in some pretty mind-blowing places around Queensland. Allow me to prove my point in seven bonding experiences:
1. Enjoy Nature, But Make It Glam
Sitting around the campfire swapping stories and waking up to the sounds of nature, just you and boo? Totes romantic.
Noosa Everglades
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How about doing it in only one of two everglade ecosystems in the world? Yep, the tropical wetlands of Noosa Everglades are as unique as your love. Spend your days kayaking down the picturesque Lake Cootharaba, then relax back at your eco-friendly tent at Habitat Glamping. PS they have their own 100% natural brewery on-site, so that’s your evenings sorted.
North West Island
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Find your own little world on the secluded North West Island, the largest coral cay in the southern Great Barrier Reef. It actually forms part of the Capricorn Cays National Park, home to the largest breeding population of loggerhead turtles. In fact, they’re a protected area for many varied and endangered marine species. It’s completely off the grid – just you, mother nature and whatever provisions you pack for yourselves.
2. Get High Above It All
“That time we took a helicopter over the Great Barrier Reef” is one of those stories you can easily imagine telling the future kids, amiright? Though you and bae won’t just settle for any old heli ride over this icon, oh no.
Vlasoff Cay
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You’ll want to turn the romance up to 11 with a helicopter ride from GBR Helicopters right out of Cairns that’ll not only fly you around the tropical islands and reef, but they’ll also make a lunch stop in the middle of the beauty on Vlasoff Cay so you can enjoy a private picnic.
Heart Reef
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Or, you can take flight together over the Instagram favourite, Heart Reef and make like this heart-shaped coral formation was made by nature purely to celebrate your love. Oh but don’t just fly over it. Jump on a Heart Reef Experience tour out of Hamilton Island and land nearby for a snorkel too.
3. Watch The Time Fly By
Ok just stop everything you’re doing and please pay attention to the fact that the perfect pub crawl DOES exist, and it exists only in Queensland.
Country Pub Crawl
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An absolute genius created Country Pub Crawl by Chopper by Pterodactyl Helicopters – yes, that is a pub crawl by helicopter. Let us first address the pure joy that is Australian country pubs. The camaraderie, the quirkiness and the charm only Aussie pubs have, once you leave the big cities behind.
The last thing you want on a pub crawl is to be stuck as deso driver. Never fear, your helicopter is here. Can you actually imagine being able to tell people your deso was a heli pilot?
Not to mention, no other pub crawls have between-bar aerial views of the Scenic Rim, Ipswich and Lockyer Valley regions west of Brisbane.
4. Put Your Best Foot Forward
You will have literally no problem at all finding a stunner of a hike in Queensland – but if you’re looking for something truly rare, grab your lover and head on one of the top 10 ranked hikes in the WORLD together.
Hinchinbrook Island
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That gem is none other than the Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island, just off the coast of Townsville in North Queensland. Think four days, 32-kilometres, and the two of you adventuring through ancient, untouched, world-heritage listed nature.
The terrain here ranges from lush rainforest, to mangrove-fringed waterways, to eucalypt forest, to rocky headlands and towering mountains. Permits are issued for max 40 people at any one time, so it’ll truly feel like you have the beauty all to yourselves
5. Literally Sleep With The Fishes
Look, the Great Barrier Reef is incredible. There are over 1500 species of fish, 411 types of hard coral, 134 species of sharks and rays, most of the world’s seven threatened marine turtles species, and more than 30 types of marine mammals. You need more than one day to take it in. So stay out there overnight, duh.
Reef Sleep
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Staying overnight is exactly what Reef Sleep allows you to do. They’ll take you on a cruise through the Whitsunday Islands to their exclusive and fully catered Heart Pontoon at Hardy Reef. You can choose whether to snorkel, jump in a semi-submarine, or try a bit of scuba-diving. Then spend the night gazing up at the stars and do it all again the next day.
Scuba-Diving
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If you’re really serious about perfecting your diving skills, you can join one of several liveaboard options around the Great Barrier Reef. Imagine the two of you joining forces with Pro Dive Cairns for a three-day diving trip to up to 11 of the best dive sights. Doesn’t get better.
6. Indulge Your Competitive Side
Of course, nothing is better for a relationship than a little healthy competition – probably. Queensland has more than one famous sporting event for the two of you to train together for and compete in.
Gold Coast Marathon
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The Gold Coast Marathon is just one of those. This 40-year strong event draws 28000 participants from over 50 countries for one weekend in July. All ages and abilities compete too, so no need to worry about being out of place. The best part? The course is flat and scenic as heck, weaving around the Goldie’s best beaches.
The Greenhouse
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Ok, there’s a secret benefit to this race too – afterward you can treat your tired muscles to a massage at The Greenhouse day spa in Tallebudgera Valley. Yes, I know what I said earlier and I stand by it – but this Morrocco-style bathhouse is on another level and you worked hard. Besides, I won’t tell if you don’t.
If that’s still not your jam, you’re on the Gold Coast! There are plenty of amazing beaches, restaurants and stunning hinterlands to help you recharge.
7. Strip Down And Cool Off
Guys, absolutely do go chasing waterfalls – TLC had no idea what they were on about. Especially if you’re in Queensland, the home of abundant and particularly stunning waterfalls.
Atherton Tablelands
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Nature’s own infinity pool is probably a good place to start, yeah? That would be Windin Falls in the Atherton Tablelands’ Wooroonooran National Park. It’s relatively undiscovered and completely breathtaking. Work up a sweat on the one and a half hour hike to the top then enjoy rolling views of the rainforest-covered mountains as you cool off in the water once you get there.
Wooroonooran National Park
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A little further north again will get you to Nandroya Falls in the Palmerston section of Wooroonooran National Park. You’ll find this multi-drop waterfall in the middle of a moderate-intensity 6.6 km loop through dense, ancient rainforest. It’s so idyllic I honestly can’t decide if it looks more like the backdrop of a shampoo ad or a fairy ring.
See? All the romance just with a little less mush and a whole lot more adventure for a trip you won’t be forgetting any time soon.
