Day 1
Morning: Relaxation is key to romance so activate holiday/ honeymoon mode with a leisurely day exploring Currumbin from coast to Hinterland. Head inland and follow Currumbin Creek Road west. Within minutes you’ll be driving through sem-rural landscape of rolling green hills, winding roads and paddocks of cows. Pop into Pasture & Co at Currumbin Eco Village for a nourishing brunch made from fresh, organic and sustainably sourced ingredients in a relaxed, rustic cafe, surrounded by serene greenery. Keep an eye out for the local mob of kangaroos grazing nearby.
Noon: Once your belly is full and the caffeine has kicked in, keep driving out to the end of Currumbin Valley Road until you reach the car park for Cougal Cascades. Follow the walking track through lush rainforest and and boulder hop down to the creek and follow the waterway to find numerous freshwater swimming spots beneath towering trees. BYO drinks and snacks or pack a picnic as there aren’t any shops or cafes out this way.
Spend some time reconnecting in nature at Cougal Cascades in Currumbin Valley. Image: City of Gold Coast.
Day 2
Morning: Worth an early wake up, a hot air balloon flight over the Gold Coast Hinterland will take your love to new heights. It’s an ethereal and magical experience, floating like a cloud far above as the first rays of light spill across the stunning landscape. Hot Air Balloon Gold Coast offers the perfect package. Once you’ve touched down they’ll whisk you away to O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyard for a hot breakfast with sparkling wine on the verandah of a beautiful old Queenslander overlooking the grapevines. Cheers to that!
Noon: Head south for a few hours of lazing about in absolute bliss on the banks of Tallebudgera Creek. Its shaded sandy banks, fringed with rainforest on one side and pandanus palms on the other, are a favourite spot to throw down a towel, take a dip and soak up the magic of this spot along with the sunshine. If you’re feeling active, hire some paddleboards and explore this gorgeous waterway at your leisure.
Night: Burleigh Hill is a favorite sunset spot and it’s not hard to see why. With sweeping views of coastline, the horizon and surfers riding waves below, it’s an excellent vantage point to sit back and enjoy the moment as the day fades. There are some delicious take away options on nearby James St if you feel like an alfresco picnic here - Freddy’s for burgers and chicken, Govinda’s for a vegan feast, Justin Lane for wonderful woodfired pizzas or Fishmongers for fish and chips. If fine dining is more your thing, book at table at The Tropic for a Mediterranean-inspired menu of seafood, shareable treats and reimagined classics all enjoyed at one of the best beachside dining venues in the city.
Beachside fine dining at The Tropic. Image: Tourism Events Queensland
Day 3
Morning: HOTA stands for Home of the Arts and this sprawling parklands and arts precinct in Bundall is an iconic Gold Coast destination where creativity, entertainment, culture and lifestyle meet. On Sunday mornings from 6 - 11.30am the HOTA Farmers & Artisan Market set up in the shady lakeside parklands with a vibrant array of stalls selling in-season farm-fresh produce, delicious artisan foods, boutique fashion and handcrafted wears. Have a browse, grab some breakfast from one of the fabulous food vendors and enjoy it in the sunshine while you listen to live music. Then head to the colourful HOTA Gallery for a cultural interlude. With five levels of visual art, sculpture and installation, it’s a feast for the senses and the view from the The Exhibitionist rooftop bar on Level 5 is unbeatable.
Noon: Ready for some relaxation? Book in for a session at Soak Bathhouse in Mermaid Beach from some luxe self-care. Move between open-air hot spas, mineral baths, a cold plunge pool, steam room and sauna. At this magnificent modern bath house. Disconnect from the daily grind and reconnect with each other as the stress and tension melt away. Treat yourselves to a massage, LED facial or private infrared sauna for some extra TLC.
Night: A hot air balloon is definitely the most romantic mode of transport for airborne adventures, but on Gold Coast’s spectacular waterways that weave through the central suburbs and parklands, a dinner cruise on your own private gondola will really raise the romance stakes. Recline in comfort and luxury in the elegant cabin and enjoy a memorable meal as you glide over the water, which reflects the glittering lights and pastel skies at sunset. It’s such a fairytale experience that many people have popped the question aboard a Gold Coast Gondolas cruise.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Destination Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.