At Misty View Cottages, the Sunshine Coast Hinterland sets an easy pace: rainforest and Lake Baroon outside, a private spa bath and fireplace inside. These self-contained cottages are reserved just for adults, making them a peaceful base for exploring Montville. Here’s why Misty View Cottages should be on your next romantic getaway.
Misty mornings start with Lake Baroon unfolding below
The cottages sit above Baroon Pocket Dam (also known as Lake Baroon) with verdant forest and sparkling water shaping the outlook. On cool mornings, mist can drift over the lake – it’s easy to see how the view gave Misty View its name.
Each cottage has its own take on the hinterland: some cottages look over the treetops towards the dam, while the Cottage with Private Plunge Pool sits among the rainforest with glimpses of the lake. Pick the view you want to wake up to and create your own romantic setting for the weekend.
The best place to unwind might be your own deck
Every cottage has its own unique character: the Cottage with Private Spa Pool has a heated spa on its deck, framed by rainforest. The Cottage with Private Plunge Pool also has its own heated plunge pool, while the other cottages offer a private balcony where you can pause among the greenery.
Inside, the cottages are self-contained, with kitchens and living spaces that make it easy to settle in for the night. Montville’s evenings can turn cool, which is when the cottage comes into its own. Some cottages come with a double spa bath and log fireplace that are perfect for when the mercury drops, while the Cottage with Private Spa Pool adds a freestanding bath and couples shower with a rainforest backdrop. It’s a simple pleasure, but one that gives a hinterland stay its own character.
There’s room to make the cottage your base without treating it as somewhere to sleep between activities. A slow morning, a book by the fire or an unhurried soak can be the plan, while the balcony brings the lake and tree canopy back into view whenever you step outside.
Let a private chef take care of dinner for a night
Want to take your romantic trip to new heights? Misty View Cottages has the answer with a private-chef experience hosted by Alan Dawes. Just sit back, relax and live the life of luxury as a six-course menu is whipped up for you.
The six-course sample menu gives a sense of the style, with dishes such as coral trout with celeriac, pumpkin consommé and dill; local crayfish with lemongrass and wattle-seed granola; and Wagyu with macadamia caramel and master stock. There’s a playful finish, too: one sample dessert pairs tonka-bean chocolate with rhubarb.
Kondalilla Falls and Montville are the best reasons to head out
With Kondalilla National Park close by, hikers and walking enthusiasts can spend their days exploring the eucalypt forest and subtropical rainforest. The 4.7-kilometre Kondalilla Falls circuit takes around three hours to finish, passing by rock pools and a lookout before descending through rainforest to the base of the falls. Look for bunya pines and piccabeen palms along the route. For a shorter walk, the 1.7-kilometre Picnic Creek circuit takes around an hour and takes you through forest to a serene creek.
Montville village is nearby with cafés, restaurants and boutique shops for an easy afternoon wander. Montville Art Gallery occupies an 1890s Queenslander and displays work by 41 artists, making it a worthwhile stop. The building’s character adds another layer to the visit, with the hinterland setting continuing from the village street into the gallery itself.
In the warmer months, take up kayaking and stand-up paddling on Lake Baroon. This is another way to take in the landscape around you beyond the forest trails and village streets.
