Unique Valentine’s Day ideas to spoil that special someone

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A couple walking through the vineyard at Witches Falls Winery

By Danielle Reckless

Published 1 year ago

Not all red roses and stuffed toys, Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to reconnect, step out of your everyday and make memories that will last well beyond that box of chocolates. If you’re looking for unique Valentine’s Day ideas in Queensland, look here for a few quirky, tasty and downright adventurous ways that take you from a first date in the city to a fully-fledged romantic getaway.

1. Get away from it all in Noosa Everglades

A couple kayaking through the Noosa Everglades — Noosa Everglades, Sunshine Coast

Venture beyond Noosa’s café-lined village and golden beaches to discover an incredible UNESCO biosphere just a short drive away. A truly special experience for your special someone – this is one of only two everglades systems in the world. Explore the diversity of the Everglades by day on an eco safari, where you’ll glide on mirrored waterways by boat and canoe, then settle into your cabin or glamp at lakefront Habitat Noosa Eco Camp afterwards.

Whether its luxury glamping in Lamington National Park, spending a night in the vines, or your own safari tent on the reef, Queensland has you covered for romantic back-to-nature escapes.

2. Head into the bush on a 4WD tour

Leave it all behind as you dive headfirst into the Gold Coast hinterland on a four wheel drive adventure with Southern Cross 4WD Tours. Swap the stars for the incredible natural light display provided by the Gold Coast’s sub-tropical rainforest glow worms on a glow worm tour. Or, jump aboard a full-day or half-day tour of Tamborine Mountain and Lamington National Park, where you’ll experience panoramic views, waterfalls, and the majesty of ancient Gondwana Rainforests on four wheels.

3. Feel the heat of a cooking class

Couple learning to cook at the Tamarind Cooking School — Spicers Tamarind Retreat, Sunshine Coast

Taking a cooking class or workshop is the gift that keeps on giving – especially when you’re learning the tricks of the trade from some of Queensland’s top chefs (and get to feast on the fruits of your labor afterwards). From Asian-inspired delights to whipping up your own authentic Italian gelato, check out these cooking schools near Brisbane.

4. Sail into the sunset

A couple on board a Saltwater Eco Tours boat with a guide — Saltwater Eco Tours, Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast

Commandeering your own yacht may be a romantic fantasy, but the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Brisbane’s eastern bayside suburb of Manly is here to bring you one step closer. Offering private sailing lessons that cater to all experience levels (including loved-up first timers) it’s a great excuse to spend a day on the big blue and learn something new while you’re at it.

Prefer to kick back and take in the views? You can do that while learning about local indigenous culture on Saltwater Eco Tours sails from Mooloolaba. If you’re up north, take a sunset cruise from Port Douglas, champagne in hand, with Sailaway – or go all out on a cruise through the Whitsundays Islands.

5. Get wild at Australia Zoo

Two friends sitting with Echindas on the grass at Australia Zoo — Australia Zoo, Sunshine Coast

Share your day with some of the cuddliest - and a few not-so-cuddly - animals from Australia and the world at Australia Zoo. This quintessential Queensland day out is even more fun on Valentine’s Day: check out the live music, wander the Affectionate Animal Trail, feast on a gourmet lunch at Crikey Café and keep your eye out for the bigscreen during the croc show thanks to the Crocoseum Kiss Cam!

6. Adopt a native Aussie animal

Forget the plush toys and go for the real deal this Valentine’s Day: adopt a native Australian animal from Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. A gift with a lot of heart, your symbolic adoption donation will help the conservation or endangered and under-threat animals, including koalas, wombats, echidnas and bilbies. If you want to get hands on, the sanctuary also offers volunteer programs.

7. See a whole new side of Brisbane

Goosebumps and a thudding heart aren’t just symptoms of new romance. Brisbane Ghost Tours provides plenty of hair-raising moments and genuine scares, whether you’re touring Boggo Road Goal, one of Brisbane’s oldest cemeteries, or a full Haunted Brisbane tour. Hold on tight to your date as you visit some of the nation’s most historic haunted sites and hear some spine tingling stories.

Don’t like getting a fright? Get some height instead, taking in Brisbane’s sparkling skyline from the Story Bridge Adventure Climb.

8. Take flight for a wine tour with a difference

A couple walking off a helicopter towards a romantic dinner for two — Pterodactyl Helicopters, Brisbane

There’s something about vineyards that sets hearts aflutter, even long before the buzz of a wine-tasting session. Take it to the next level this Valentine’s Day and arrive in style on board a Pterodactyl Helicopter tour that’ll deliver you to some of Queensland’s best cellar doors. Day tours offer the chance to taste your way through three or four wineries, relax over a gourmet long lunch, and take in the natural beauty of the region with a bird’s eye view in between sips.

9. Seek solace beneath a waterfall

A picnic is one for the timeless romantics out there – but skip your local park and instead make your way to one of these spectacular waterfalls. Crack the bubbly, and cool off in the waters below, where rushing water is your soundtrack.

10. Take a journey to the heart-shaped reef

Couple sitting on the boat, with the helicopter and Heart Reef Pontoon in the background — Hamilton Island Air, Hardy Lagoon, The Whitsundays

If you’re craving an island escape, add a touch of romance to your Great Barrier Reef visit on this day trip full of heart. Journey to the Heart is surely the most indulgent way to experience the reef from Hamilton Island: soar above the reef on a scenic flight, dive beneath the surface on a snorkel safari, tour Heart Reef lagoon via glass-bottom boat, then raise your glass with champagne and gourmet bites on the floating pontoon.

Here are a few other loved-up things to do in the Whitsundays for while you’re here.