Whether it’s a treehouse escape in the heart of the Daintree Rainforest, or private island indulgence on the Great Barrier Reef, these are the most unique stays in Queensland’s.
From the vast outback to the island-studded Whitsundays and the Daintree Rainforest’s ancient magic, Queensland sure knows how to put on a show. And what better way to appreciate the handiwork of Mother Nature than by choosing to stay smack-bang in the centre of it all?
Mountain lodges, private island resorts and privately chartered catamarans – discover some of the sunshine state’s most unique stays to immerse yourself in Queensland’s natural wonders.
Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef
Many have heard of Lizard Island’s natural beauty, but few are fortunate enough to have stayed here themselves. This exclusive private island located on the Great Barrier Reef also doubles as a national park. Encompassing an expansive 2,400 acres, the island boasts 24 sugar white-sand beaches and rich birdlife. Discover an abundance of scenic walking trails that weave across the island and cater to all levels of exploration, from the easy-graded Blue Lagoon walk to the intermediate Cooks Look trail (a 2.5-hour trek featuring loose track surface, steep inclines and tough access points). Lizard Island Resort is the perfect place to retreat after a day exploring the land and sea, with the Essentia Day Spa menu featuring decadent treatments that incorporate native ingredients, such as the invigorating organic Australian lemon myrtle scrub, or the Kakadu plum and cucumber body soufflé.
Hide away on Maryvale’s moody mountains at Spicers Peak Lodge, a five-star mountain lodge overlooking the Great Dividing Range. Wake up each morning among the clouds, which roll across the horizon to reveal a rising sun, while the resident highland cows moo-in the morning. When it comes to dining, Spicers Peak Lodge takes inspiration from its surrounds. The cuisine is defined as elevated, modern Australian, with the ethos of ‘the best of Australia on a plate’, evident in dishes like school mackerel with Mooloolaba prawn, red gum lamb rack and Abrolhos Island scallops. Beyond the culinary triumphs, Spicers Peak Lodge offers a total immersion into nature, where the magnificence of the mountains converges with the indulgence of a world-class retreat. The lodge is a sanctuary, inviting you to experience the finest of Queensland hospitality amid a backdrop of untamed wilderness.
This is a very special place in a equally stunning location. About 2 1/2 hours from the Gold Coast airport and about 2 hours from Brisbane.
The drive up from the main road through the paddocks and the forest is beautiful and unsealed. I suggest a car that’s a bit off-road-ish.
The lodge is warm and welcoming and so is the staff. We arrived after lunchtime and still got the full experience, as they waited for us.
Rooms are lovely, we stayed in the main lodge on the ground floor with our own terrace. Having stayed there in autumn, it was a bit cold and overcast, but when the sun is out….
You need to get used to the pretty cows that surround the property, but they will get out of your way when you approach them.
If you get a chance to visit the spa, you should.
The food is simply amazing! Service ever attending and very friendly.
The lodge does not offer a lot of entertainment, there are nature walks and a daily afternoon activity. However they provide yoga mats and mountain bikes.
There is a stunning pool, unheated, but there also is a hot tub.
Overall a very beautiful get away and I would visit again.
10.0
Sally L.
Thank you to Adrian and his team for the most wonderful stay! This was such a beautiful and blissful winter getaway. It was also an amazing culinary experience and we never ate the same thing twice and everything was delicious. There’s so much attention to details, like having the rooms quickly made up when we were at breakfast, backpack and walking sticks for walks and staff somehow always knowing where we are in the property to ask whether we needed an extra drink! We also really enjoyed the smores by the fire. We will definitely be back!
10.0
Polo T.
Wow wow wow. We had three nights here. Stunning location in that you didn’t want to leave. The food was awesome – although a fixed menu each meal was exceptional with great flavours and very varied. Dinner was a seven course menu, sometimes those can try too hard and go all poncy but no this was the right amount of food but none of the weird stuff (although the sweet potato ice cream one evening was straying on the poncy side….). Activities included amazing walks which were needed to walk off the marshmallows around the log fire and the cocktails from the cocktail making session. Oh yes and the wine that was included. But above all the service from all the staff was amazing. Many hotels around the world have great service when you ask for something. Here you didn’t need to have to ask, but here they kind of they predicted what you needed. Simple things like on the morning of departure the car was brought round and waiting for whenever we wanted to leave. I didn’t have to ask for it. One day we chose not to have the room serviced (save the planet etc) but they still came in and replenished the water, redid the log fire so it was ready to be used again that day. Simple things that I would have asked for but were just done anyway. Sounds like small stuff but made such a difference to our stay. Highly recommend for a few nights of ultimate luxury and pampering.
10.0
Rob C.
My wife and I had a fab time on a recent stay at Peak Lodge. We opted for a little extra space and privacy and stayed in the One Bedroom Private Lodge, a brief walk (250m) from the main homestead. A wonderful, relaxing experience. Every mouthful of food was delicious, each meal expanding our taste buds, reaffirming the quality of this luxury location. The staff were attentive, knowledgeable, and always one step ahead of our expectations. Collectively we did some planning, reading, painting (my wife bought her easel) and generally just relaxed, perfect. Will certainly make it back for a future stay and would highly recommend.
Orpheus Island Lodge, North Queensland
Picture yourself cocooned on a private island in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. From beneath the canopy of gently swaying palm trees, you’ll see water stretching to the horizon – and no one else in sight. Is this heaven? Not quite, it’s just private island luxury at Orpheus Island Lodge. Only 28 guests are permitted on the island at a time, ensuring that the service at this all-inclusive lodge is personal and bespoke. With the Great Barrier Reef literally on your doorstep, you can’t pass up an opportunity to explore the underwater world. In addition to snorkelling and diving, the chance to take a private charter out on the reef or – to go that extra mile – soar over the reef in a helicopter for a gourmet picnic on Havannah Island is also available.
An unforgettable, divine experience at Orpheus Island Lodge!
My husband and I recently enjoyed a long-awaited getaway — just the two of us, no kids — and it truly felt like a second honeymoon. From the moment we stepped off the helicopter, we were greeted with warmth, smiles, and five-star service that set the tone for our entire stay.
The customer service was exceptional — every staff member went above and beyond to make us feel cared for and completely relaxed. The food was absolutely divine, beautifully presented, and paired with top-quality beverages that made every meal feel like a celebration.
Our accommodation was on another level — modern, luxurious, spotlessly clean, and designed to make you feel at peace with the island’s stunning natural surroundings. The attention to detail everywhere was incredible.
A huge thank you to the wonderful manager, Chrissy, for making us feel so special. Her warm and genuine approach made our stay even more memorable.
Everything about Orpheus Island Lodge exudes tranquillity, luxury, and genuine hospitality. It’s the kind of place that fills your heart and soul — we left feeling refreshed, reconnected, and already dreaming of coming back.
Highly recommend to anyone looking for the ultimate romantic escape!
10.0
Hans G.
We had an absolutely amazing two-night stay on Orpheus Island — it truly felt like a second honeymoon! Everything, from the warm welcome on arrival to the heartfelt farewell as we flew off by helicopter, was simply perfect. We constantly felt genuinely cared for and incredibly welcome.
The food was outstanding — without a doubt, your restaurant would earn a Michelin star if it were in Europe. The snorkelling tour with Laughlin was fantastic and full of unforgettable moments. Every time we returned to our room, it had been refreshed and lovingly prepared for the night — even with a pot of tea waiting for us. Such attention to detail is truly special.
Even the laundry service was fast and impeccable! A special thank-you to Nick, who flew us safely to and from the island, and to Jack for creating an unforgettable “Dining with the Tides” experience. We wish Jack all the best in pursuing his sommelier dreams.
To all the staff — including the restaurant and bar team, the chefs, the gardeners who keep the resort looking stunning, and everyone behind the scenes — our sincere thanks for making this such an extraordinary experience.
If it weren’t so far from home, we would definitely return. We can only give Orpheus Island our warmest and most enthusiastic recommendation!
10.0
Roslin
This was an amazing ,awesome place
It was magical. Went with the family to my nephews wedding. I have never stayed at such a beautiful place with such a great service . Everybody was so friendly. . The rooms were beautiful. . The outskirts were beautiful with the farm animals .
The wedding set up was so beautiful and very organised. The staff were the best doing everything to the highest standard. Never experienced such standards before.
I would recommend this place for a family vacation or for something special also .
10.0
Debbie B.
What a fabulous time we had. Orpheus Island Lodge delivered so many wonderful experiences to suit our situation. The level of service and attention to detail was exceptional. The food divine. The staff friendly and professional no matter whether we were dining or snorkelling! It really is a luxury escape which satisfies either the need to be active and enjoy water activities, or just to relax by the pool and read a great book. Would we return – absolutely and with a huge grin on our faces! But did I mention the bonus? We saw whales and dolphins on our trip to the local jetty to have a picnic and snorkel using our privately provided boat. A true island paradise which we will be recommending wholeheartedly to our family and friends. A huge thanks to everyone who looked after us so beautifully. Cheers.
Silky Oaks Lodge, Tropical North Queensland
Find yourself surrounded by billions of years of natural history when you stay at Silky Oaks Lodge, located in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest. This is the world’s oldest continually surviving tropical rainforest, dating to at least 130 million years old. It’s incredibly bio-diverse, and you can admire the lush landscape and the trilling songs of native birdlife from your treehouse. Each of the 40 treehouses are styled in pared-back, refined luxury that is fitting for the landscape: with nature stealing the show, there’s no need for added frills. Step out onto your spacious veranda and sink into your hammock where you can while away the hours swaying in the cool breeze, listening to the symphony of the rainforest.
Everything was delicious! The bread was perfectly baked with coarse sea salt on the crust. The beef cubes were tender and flavorful, and the crispy potato slices made the dish even better. The side vegetables were fresh, and the cheesecake dessert with crispy wafers had amazing texture and flavor. Great atmosphere too—just remember to dress warmly because it’s a little cold inside. Highly recommend!
10.0
Deanna H.
When we decided to treat ourselves to a 3 night stay at Silky Oaks for our 25th wedding anniversary, it was the best decision ever.
The rooms, lodge, bar and restaurant are all beyond beautiful and tranquil.
We didnt venture out of the grounds our entire time, although we did do the walk and scramble to Fig Tree rapids. It is perfect to just let the surroundings decompress and envelope you in the best possible way.
The kind and efficient staff could not have done more for us. A special mention for Rachel, who looked after us with warmth and friendly service.
Our room was beautiful set amongst the trees complete with hammock and outdoor bath.
The river was tranquil, clean, and invigorating for a swim.
The food for breakfast and especially dinner was like fine dining everyday, and the amazing bar with endless wine to try was very enticing.
The spa service could not have been better.
We did both talks available on the grounds and were treated to a wealth of knowledge from both Roger and Paul.
I could not recommend Silky Oaks any more highly.
10.0
M M.
A splurge but worth the price. Dinner and pre-dinner drinks were top notch. I am vegetarian and was given a personalized menu each night with several choices. Having laundry facilities easily accessible to guests was amazing considering we ended up muddy and/or wet most days. My only regret is that we didn't stay longer.
10.0
Tamara B.
From the welcome meeting onwards, the staff were super friendly and went above and beyond. Everybody was professional throughout, making the whole stay memorable. Vanessa did an awesome job coordinating all the activities we wanted to do. The setting is stunning: swimming in the Mossman River below was beautiful, and riding an e-bike (provided free of charge) to Mossman Gorge was a real highlight. The morning eco talks with Steve and Damian were fascinating, we learnt so much. The restaurant team were exceptional, the food was amazing (we ate so much because we wanted to taste everything), and the cocktails were on point. My spa treatment was the perfect finishing touch, thanks, Laura. I highly recommend spending some time here in the Daintree if you get the chance.
Mt. Mulligan Lodge, Outback Queensland
About 150 kilometres north-west of Cairns on a sprawling 69,000-acre private heritage site is the stunning Mt. Mulligan Lodge. This all-inclusive lodge, accommodating just 28 guests at a time, offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the vastness of the Queensland outback in utmost comfort. Days start with an epic sunrise that casts golden hues upon Mount Mulligan. As the day progresses, participate in a myriad of activities: climb aboard your own ATV quad bike, enjoy a chef-prepared picnic on the property, go for a hike along the southern face of the mountain, or take advantage of the outback night sky with star gazing. The pinnacle of each day is the Sunset Bar experience, where you can unwind with a signature Mulligan Margarita, soaking in the awe-inspiring vistas.
Portland Roads, The Whitsundays
You can be the captain of your own adventure in the Whitsundays’ bejewelled seascape with acclaimed eco-tour agency Portland Roads – Sailing The Whitsundays. Private sailing charters are available for up to eight guests to set sail across the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, stopping for swims, snorkelling and island explorations. The 74 islands scattered across The Whitsundays are yours to discover: because you’re the skipper, you can choose which islands to make a pit stop at. Step ashore to silky silica sands and spend time lazing on beaches, enjoying short bushwalks and spotting local wildlife, from laughing kookaburras to bush turkeys.
