Obvious statement of the day: if there’s a time to go all-out with a romantic escape, it’s for your honeymoon. Possibly the most important element of it all, choosing the perfect destination can really make or break a post-wedding escape. Luckily, we’re blessed with some seriously spectacular options in Australia – in North Queensland alone you’ll find some of the world’s dreamiest spots.
Inviting couples to discover the best that the region has to offer, Romantic Retreats tick all the boxes for a once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon. Boasting a collection of utterly enchanting private hideaways in postcard-perfect settings, the group are all about one thing – barefoot luxury without any rules. Intrigued? Take a sneak peek into Romantic Retreats’ sensational offerings and just try and resist being seduced by their beauty. Go on, we dare you.
Looking for romantic Queensland accommodation? Find the perfect place here…
A gourmand hideaway
For the couple who want… to indulge on gourmet delights in a rainforest setting, with the option of a Champagne helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef. You know, if the mood strikes.
You and your partner, a secluded rainforest villa (with its own pool, no less) and a heavenly landscape dotted with gourmet delights – sounds like a daydream, no? Located 40 minutes south of Cairns, Romantic Retreats’ Misty Mountains Rainforest Retreat allows you to live out this fantasy. One of North Queensland’s best-kept secrets, the rainforest oasis has all the essentials for couples to do as much (or as little) as they like.
For a memorable getaway, take a leisurely drive through the Atherton Tablelands and stop at waterfalls, hiking trails and foodie hotspots along the way (be sure to visit the local cheese factories, seafood suppliers and coffee plantations to pick up goodies for an in-villa romantic meal). Or, chill out with a private massage in the pristine rainforest, take to the skies with an exhilarating hot air balloon tour or discover the underwater playground that is the Great Barrier Reef, just ten minutes away.
However you choose to spend a stay here, you’ll really feel as if you’re the only two people in the world. With no neighbours for kilometres (except for the incredible local wildlife), the 200-acre Misty Mountains Rainforest Retreat is a true couples’ paradise.
Tropical luxe
For the couple who want… the ultimate tropical island experience.
Tropical island getaways don’t get much more romantic than East Badarra Island Retreat. A hidden gem in the world-famous Great Barrier Reef, this private luxury villa is tucked away on the island’s secluded eastern side, meaning you won’t see another soul during your stay. We’ll just leave these four words with you: clothing is optional here.
Perched on a granite boulder, the super-luxe villa alone seems straight out of a Hollywood film – we wouldn’t be surprised to find the likes of George Clooney sunbathing on its deck. Featuring direct access to the Coral Sea and the World Heritage-listed reef, it’s also home to a therapeutic saltwater pool (it’s actually fed water by the sea) and all the mod-cons. We’re talking everything from a fully equipped kitchen to a personal 3D moonlight cinema on the 120-square-metre undercover deck.
With two private beaches and its own reef, East Badarra Island Retreat is a natural playground for adventure-seekers and gourmands alike. Kayaking, snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing, nature walks, even sky-diving – it’s all here for you to enjoy. You can even catch your own fresh seafood (think straight-from-the-water lobster and prawns) and have the concierge prepare it for dinner that night. Everything at East Badarra is focused on privacy; self-catering (with fabulous provisions supplied by the retreat) keeps things laid-back and intimate. It’s no wonder culinary heavyweights like Manu Feildel are retreating here for a loved-up honeymoon.
Want more? Also situated on Bedarra Island, the private Bedarra Beach Villa is another wonderful option. Positioned near the waters’ edge on a private two-acre beachfront estate, the architect-designed villa features plenty of open-plan space and a large deck with views of Dorilla Beach and the Great Barrier Reef. There’s also a charming Beach Hut option here, right on the island’s powder-soft sands. Whichever you opt for, you can expect the best of ‘island life’ – from action-packed watersports to relaxing under the shade of swaying palms.
Laid-back coastal
For the couple who want… a sleepy and private seaside getaway with boutique shopping and cafes within easy reach.
Another beach haven with a ‘summer all-year’ atmosphere, Thirty-One Degrees offers all the charms of a Port Douglas honeymoon, minus the crowds of Four Mile Beach. Just ten minutes from the local township, the retreat is all kinds of coastal cool. Located on the soft, golden sands of Oak Beach, it’s renowned for its style – expect Hamptons-inspired luxury meets authentic Queensland soul. Listed as one of ‘the best beach houses in the world’ by Conde Nast Traveller UK, Thirty-One Degrees makes the most of its beach setting with breezy lounge areas, shady hammocks, enormous glass-louvered windows and a glamorous private pool – ideal for unwinding post-wedding.
The beauty of a stay here is that you can lap up the best of Port Douglas without sacrificing privacy. Before returning to your chic home-away-from-home, check out the township’s outstanding dining options and spas, and lose yourselves in the majesty of the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. At Thirty-One Degrees – and like at each of Romantic Retreats’ exceptional options – however you celebrate your honeymoon is up to you. How, well, romantic!
To find out more about Romantic Retreats or to make a booking, visit the website here.
