The best Coastal Queensland honeymoon destinations

Daydream Island Resort

Daydream Island Resort and Living Reef is ideally located in the heart of Queensland’s Whitsunday Islands and the gateway to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. Following an extensive $140 million redevelopment in 2018-2019, the stylish and tranquil island resort offers a range of refurbished spacious and modern rooms and suites with stunning views overlooking the resort pool landscapes and tropical gardens or looking out to the impossibly blue waters of the Whitsundays.

The Living Reef is the main centrepiece of the island which is a unique freeform coral lagoon wrapping 200m (650 feet) around the central building and holding over 1.5 million litres of water. The Living Reef is home to over 100 species of marine fish, over 80 species of coral and a variety of invertebrates such as starfish, sea cucumbers and crabs. Our pick is either the Vista Suite with contemporary furnishings and a generous balcony, or the expansive Serenity Suite with spectacular picturesque views of Lovers Cove.

Qualia Resort

Winner of Best Coastal Resort in the World in 2017, qualia is situated on the northernmost part of Hamilton Island, surrounded by the natural wonder of the Great Barrier Reef and with views across the Coral Sea and Whitsundays. An oasis of Australian style, qualia provides exceptional levels of award-winning luxury and intuitive, friendly service. The resort has been designed and built to honour and harmoniously blend with the unique and spectacular surrounding natural environment; while at the same time protecting and respecting it. Set amongst native Eucalypts, each luxury pavilion has been handcrafted from the finest imported and local timber and stone. Choose from two pavilion types at qualia: the Leeward Pavilions provide a hideaway with a mix of tropical bushland and sea views, and the Windward Pavilions offer private plunge pools. Signature experiences on offer to make your honeymoon extra special include private sailing charters, helicopter flights over Heart Reef, gourmet food and wine pairing experiences, and snorkelling and scuba diving day trips.

InterContinental Hayman Island Resort

One of only four islands in the Whitsundays to offer resort accommodation, Hayman Island is Australia’s most iconic private island resort. Surrounded by verdant cliffs, crescent-shaped white beaches and celestial-blue sea, InterContinental Hayman Island Resort presents a spectacular sensory experience teeming with natural beauty. From the moment you step off your seaplane, helicopter or luxury yacht, you will discover an idyllic destination of privacy and pampering; where diving the Great Barrier Reef, basking in your private pool, sailing the Coral Sea, indulging in culinary artistry and soulful spa treatments are but yet the beginning. Nestled at the northernmost point of Australia’s Whitsunday archipelago, Hayman Island is the nearest Whitsunday Island to the outer reef, including the world-famous Heart Reef and Whitehaven Beach. From sophisticated sea-facing escapes to lush garden sanctuaries, each world-class residence is a magnificent blend of intuitive design and impeccable taste.

Suggested itinerary to visit the Whitsundays

For the most romantic and indulgent Coastal Queensland honeymoon, the team here at First Light Travel HQ highly recommend our 12 Day Australia Reef and Rainforest Luxury Honeymoon itinerary.

This luxury honeymoon fly/drive whisks you away to Australia's colourful coral reefs and ancient rainforests, with sumptuous accommodation throughout. Soak up the sunshine in the Whitsundays, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef,

and experience the glorious seclusion of the lush Daintree Rainforest. Our perfectly planned, fully customisable 12 day honeymoon itinerary is aimed at discerning travelers who value having ample time to experience each stunning location without feeling rushed. We minimise the driving and maximise your opportunities to unwind.

Great Barrier Reef Islands

Rich in biodiversity and natural wonder, the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system, stretching from the tip of Cape York in Queensland’s north, all the way to Bundaberg in the south. From rocky outcrops, to sprawling national parks of untouched rainforest, to exclusive private resorts fringed with powder-white beaches, the islands of the Great Barrier Reef are as diverse as the life below the waterline.

With 3000 separate reefs and over 900 continental islands and coral cays, the Great Barrier Reef is home to some of the world’s best dive and snorkel sights, with a myriad of marine life you won’t find anywhere else on earth. Spend your time exploring its breathtaking beauty by snorkelling fringing reefs off tropical islands, diving the kaleidoscope of corals and marine life of the outer reefs, or seeing the vast magnificence from above in a helicopter or seaplane.

Orpheus Island Lodge

Enjoy newlywed bliss at the Great Barrier Reef’s most romantic and idyllic island honeymoon destination. Spend your wanderlust-worthy days lounging by the infinity pool, indulging in a couples spa treatment at the Gwandalan Day Spa, finding seclusion on a private beach complete with gourmet picnic hamper, exploring the Great Barrier Reef or sampling an intimate degustation dinner on the island’s jetty. Accommodating just 28 people, Orpheus is an all-inclusive, private island lodge located a 30 minute helicopter journey from Townsville.

With only 14 rooms, suites and villas, Orpheus Island is the ultimate in secluded, unspoilt tropical paradise, and stretches across 11km (7 miles) of immaculate turquoise coastline. The island itself, comprising more than 1,000 hectares of national park, is surrounded by pristine fringing reef you can access simply by stepping out from your accommodation. All stays at Orpheus include three gourmet meals prepared daily by chef James Egan and his team, use of water sports equipment, unlimited Australian beer and wine as well as soft beverages, and a daily Orpheus experience.

Heron Island

Set 72kms (45 miles) off the coast of Queensland, Heron Island boasts accommodation in a stunning location: a natural coral cay surrounded by 24 hectares of coral reef at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. Heron Island is famous around the world for its spectacular coral reef, extraordinary variety of aquatic life, nesting turtles, migrating whales and as a breeding sanctuary for an abundance of bird life. Humpback whales are best seen between June and September, and turtles abound from October to March.

At Heron Island you are very much a guest of the natural environment. For the best romantic sunset views we recommend the private and spacious Point Suites. Additional experiences on offer to enhance your honeymoon include paddle boarding tours, sunset cruises, snorkelling, scuba diving, and the indulgent treatments available at the Aqua Soul Spa. If you’re after an eco-adventure for your honeymoon, then Heron Island is truly the place for you.

Suggested itinerary to visit the Great Barrier Reef

Our 14 Day Pacific Coast - Brisbane to Cairns itinerary can easily be customised to include a few nights stay at your pick of one (or more!) of the Great Barrier Reef’s gorgeous island resorts. This relaxing road trip shows off Queensland's gorgeous beaches, beautiful islands, forested national parks, Australian wildlife and of course the world-famous Great Barrier Reef. You'll be amazed at the contrasts on display as you embark on one of the most popular coastal drives in Australia. Fully customisable to suit you and your newlywed, this two-week self-drive itinerary offers ample time to experience each stunning location without feeling rushed: in such a laid-back part of the world, there's no need to hurry.

Fraser Island

Fraser Island is the world's largest sand island, 123km (76 miles) long by 15km (9 miles) wide. It was World Heritage Listed in 1992 and is a precious part of Australia's natural and cultural heritage. Fraser Island is a place of exceptional beauty, with its long uninterrupted white beaches flanked by strikingly coloured sand cliffs, and over 100 freshwater lakes, some tea-coloured and others clear and blue all ringed by white sandy beaches. Seemingly endless golden beaches encompass towering hardwood forests, barren heathland, pristine rainforests, huge creeping sand blown deserts, crystal clear freshwater lakes, gurgling blood red streams, prehistoric ferns, and mosaic coloured sands. The easiest way to access Fraser Island is to fly into Hervey Bay Airport on the Fraser Coast.

Kingfisher Bay Resort

Kingfisher Bay Resort is World Heritage-listed Fraser Island’s premiere eco-accommodation. Nestled amongst tree-covered dunes, the resort embraces its incredible natural surroundings and offers a wide range of accommodation options from hotel rooms to self contained villas overlooking the Great Sandy Strait. The Queensland-style wooden buildings with open verandas have curving tin roofs, imitating the rolling sand dunes. The greens, burgundy and golden browns of resort buildings are those of the surrounding vegetation so that the resort blends with its natural bush surroundings.

With three restaurants, four swimming pools, Ranger-guided walks, and activities, plus island tours departing daily, the resort offers endless ways to make honeymoon memories on Fraser Island that last forever. For something unique, explore the Tastes of Australia program and experience the delights of Queensland’s native bush tucker ingredients before an indulgent meal at Seabelle Restaurant. Nibble on native berries bursting with flavour, and relish in the refreshing citrus of lemon myrtle. With many of the ingredients grown on Fraser Island, the Bush Tucker Talk and Taste is a fantastic and memorable experience.

Suggested itinerary to visit Fraser Island

If you want to spot dingoes on Fraser Island, get back to nature and learn about Australian bush tucker, our customisable 8 Day Coastal Queensland Self Drive Tour might be just the honeymoon itinerary you are after. Whatever your preference you can count on sun, sea and sand to be your constant companions. We've carefully planned everything to afford you minimum hassle as you enjoy your laid-back coastal Queensland honeymoon to the fullest.

Are you inspired to start planning your Coastal Queensland Honeymoon? See our most popular Queensland Honeymoons here!

At First Light Travel we can plan the perfect self-drive holiday for you. To get started and find ideas you can view our most popular itineraries - all of our trips can be customised for you!