There is something especially beautiful about the Sunshine Coast Hinterland in spring. The days are warmer, the rainforest is lush and green, gardens are bursting into life, and there is just enough of a coolness in the air to make a morning walk or evening by the fire feel perfect.
For couples, spring is an ideal time to slow down, explore the Blackall Range and enjoy a few days where there is nowhere else you need to be, and with a private rainforest cottage at Lovestone Cottages as your base, you can spend your days discovering the Hinterland before returning to your own secluded retreat each afternoon.
Here’s our idea of the perfect 3-day Spring getaway for couples in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland:
Day One: Slow into spring in Maleny and Montville
- Morning: Wander the Obi Obi Boardwalk
Start your getaway gently with a morning walk along the Obi Obi Boardwalk in Maleny. The easy walk follows the Obi Obi Creek through lush subtropical vegetation and is a lovely introduction to the Hinterland. At around 1 km return, it is short enough to enjoy without turning your first morning into an expedition, leaving plenty of time to explore Maleny afterwards. Spring is a particularly lovely time to be outdoors here. Listen for native birdlife, take your time beside the creek and let yourself settle into the slower pace of the Hinterland.
- Midday: Explore Maleny
Continue into Maleny for a relaxed morning of wandering, browsing local shops and enjoying a leisurely lunch. Spring is made for taking your time, so resist the temptation to pack too much into the day. Grab a coffee, explore the village and enjoy the local character before continuing towards Montville.
- Afternoon: Gerrards Lookout
As the afternoon rolls on, make your way towards Gerrards Lookout, one of the Hinterland’s most spectacular viewpoints, with sweeping views across the green valleys towards the Sunshine Coast coastline. It is particularly beautiful later in the day as the light begins to soften across the ranges. Pack a little something to enjoy together, take a seat and simply watch the landscape change.
- Check in at Lovestone
Hidden amongst five acres of rainforest, your private cottage becomes your home for the next two nights. Each cottage has its own sense of seclusion, with a spa bath, fireplace, private outdoor space and the sounds of the rainforest surrounding you. If you have booked the Indulgence Curation package, this is where the holiday really starts to feel special, settle in with handmade chocolates, chilled Australian Prosecco and your local produce charcuterie platter. Later, enjoy a deluxe two-course BBQ dinner, including dessert, delivered directly to your cottage. No restaurant reservations. No driving. Just dinner, wine, rainforest and the person you came away with.
Day Two: Rainforest walks, long lunches and a little indulgence
- Morning: Kondalilla National Park
Wake slowly, enjoy your Hinterland breakfast before heading out for a morning surrounded by rainforest at Kondalilla National Park. The Kondalilla Falls area is one of the Hinterland’s best-known natural attractions, with lush rainforest, creeks and the spectacular 90-metre waterfall. Spring is a beautiful time to explore the forest, with fresh greenery, and warmer temperatures making a morning walk particularly enjoyable.
- Lunch: The Edge, Montville
After your morning walk, head back towards Montville for a long, lazy lunch at The Edge Cafe, Bar & Restaurant. Perched right on the escarpment, The Edge has panoramic views across the Hinterland towards the coast, making it the perfect place to sit down and do absolutely nothing for a while. Order something delicious, enjoy the view and let lunch stretch into the afternoon.
- Afternoon: Back to Lovestone
After lunch, head back to your cottage for the part of the day that is all about you. The Indulgence Curation package includes a 60-minute couples massage in the privacy of your cottage, giving you the perfect excuse to slow down after a morning of exploring. After your massage, sink into the spa bath, relax on your private deck or curl up beside the fire.
- Evening: Dinner in the Hinterland
When you are ready for dinner, your Indulgence Curation package includes a three-course dinner at one of Lovestone’s selected à la carte restaurants, with courtesy pick-up and drop-off included. It is the perfect way to finish a spring day in the Hinterland. And when you return to Lovestone, take your charcuterie platter outside, pour another glass of Prosecco and look up, away from the brightness of the city and into the calm rainforest night sky.
Day Three: Waterfalls, rainforest and a final Hinterland lunch
- Morning: Mapleton Falls
Wake up slowly, enjoy breakfast at your cottage and take one last moment to sit on your deck amongst the rainforest, then head towards Mapleton Falls National Park. The Wompoo Circuit is an easy rainforest walk of around 1.3 km, with the Mapleton Falls lookout offering expansive views across the Mary Valley. Spring is a beautiful time to experience the forest here, with lush greenery, birds moving through the canopy and the warmer weather making a gentle morning walk the perfect final adventure.
- Lunch: Mapleton Public House
After your walk, make your way into Mapleton for lunch at Mapleton Public House, it is the kind of stop that suits the end of a Hinterland getaway perfectly: relaxed, local and unhurried.
- One last scenic drive
Before leaving the mountains, take the scenic route back through the Blackall Range, and appreciate the hills rolling past with the warm Spring air – windows down of course!
Make your spring escape a little more indulgent
A spring getaway doesn’t need to be packed with activities. The Indulgence Curation package at Lovestone Cottages has been designed for exactly that kind of escape. Your two-night stay includes breakfast and a welcome hamper, a deluxe two-course BBQ dinner delivered to your cottage, handmade chocolates, Australian Prosecco, a local produce charcuterie platter, a private 60-minute couples massage and a three-course dinner at one of Lovestone’s selected restaurants with courtesy transfers.
It means you can spend your days exploring the best of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, then come home to a private rainforest cottage where everything has already been taken care of.
