What Hinterland Accommodation Means on the Sunshine Coast
On the Sunshine Coast, “hinterland accommodation” usually refers to places to stay in the hills and valleys behind the main coastal strip – in and around villages such as Montville, Maleny and Mapleton, as well as the Lake Baroon and Kondalilla Falls areas. Rather than being surrounded by esplanades and surf clubs, you are enveloped by rainforest, rolling farmland, national parks and lookouts over the Glass House Mountains and the coastline.
The Sunshine Coast Hinterland sits an easy drive from the beaches, yet it feels like a different region. Montville and Maleny are set along the Blackall Range, with the calm waters of Lake Baroon nestled below, while Kondalilla National Park and the Sunshine Coast Great Walk wind through rainforest, waterfalls and lookouts. This landscape supports a distinctive style of accommodation: treehouses, cabins, cottages, small retreats and boutique stays rather than large towers or sprawling coastal resorts.
If you are comparing hinterland accommodation with coastal options, there are a few key differences:
- Atmosphere: The hinterland brings cooler nights, misty mornings, starry skies and the sound of birds and forest, rather than surf and nightlife. It is particularly appealing for couples, small groups and travellers who value quiet, space and views.
- Setting: Hinterland stays often sit on acreage, in rainforest or beside features like Lake Baroon, giving you direct access to nature from your deck or verandah. Coastal stays, by contrast, are more likely to be apartments or hotels lining busy beachfronts.
- Style of stay: In the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, you are more likely to find hand-built treehouses, heritage cabins, cottages with fireplaces and small-scale retreats. Many include self-catering facilities, spa baths, decks, gardens and access to walking trails – designed to slow your pace and encourage time on the property, not just in town.
Within hinterland accommodation itself, there is variety:
- Romantic treehouses and cabins: Elevated, often surrounded by rainforest, with spa baths, fireplaces and views – ideal for couples’ getaways, mini-moons and anniversaries.
- Lakeside retreats: Properties positioned on or near Lake Baroon or other water, blending hinterland views with calm, reflective water scenery.
- Farm stays and cottages: On working or hobby farms, offering a more rustic country experience with views over paddocks and hills.
- Boutique lodges and guest houses: Small-scale, often hosted accommodation with shared lounges, dining rooms and gardens, appealing for those who like interaction and hosted experiences.
Choosing hinterland accommodation in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland is often about the kind of time you want: do you want to be able to stroll into Montville village, or would you prefer to be tucked away right on Lake Baroon? Do you want self-contained treehouses where you can cook and linger in your own space, or a more traditional guest house with shared areas? By understanding these options, you can decide what type of hinterland accommodation suits your escape best – and then look for properties that match, like a treehouse retreat directly on Lake Baroon.
Secrets on the Lake – Signature Hinterland Accommodation on Lake Baroon
Secrets on the Lake is one of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland’s most distinctive hinterland accommodation experiences, precisely because it puts the region’s natural assets at the centre of your stay. The retreat sits on about 20 acres of rainforest on the edge of Lake Baroon, just outside Montville, with individually designed treehouses and cabins positioned in the canopy or close to the lakeshore.
Instead of standard motel rooms or generic apartments, Secrets on the Lake offers handcrafted treehouses and penthouses with carved timber, leadlight windows, pottery and wrought iron details that reflect the surrounding rainforest and lake. Many retreats feature spa baths or deep spa-style tubs, suspended or glass-fronted fireplaces, and broad decks that look out across Lake Baroon and the Sunshine Coast Hinterland landscape.
For guests seeking hinterland accommodation with a strong sense of place, the key features at Secrets on the Lake include:
- Location: Nestled in rainforest on the shores of Lake Baroon in Montville, within the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and only a short drive from Montville village and local attractions like Kondalilla Falls and the Sunshine Coast Great Walk.
- Accommodation variety: A mix of luxury and penthouse treehouses crafted especially for couples, along with heritage and larger cabins that can host small groups or families, all positioned to maximise privacy and views.
- In-room comforts: Fireplaces, balconies or decks with lake and forest outlooks, kitchenettes or kitchens, outdoor furniture and barbecues, with many retreats offering spa baths for a classic hinterland soak.
- Onsite café and dining: The award-winning café and restaurant (often referred to as Secrets Café & Deck or Dining on the Deck) sits in rainforest right beside Lake Baroon, serving homemade food and drinks with panoramic views across the water and mountains – a core part of the hinterland experience.
- Added touches: Breakfast provisions included with accommodation, boardwalks through gardens and rainforest, access to kayaking, walking trails and peaceful grounds, plus optional extras and packages for celebrations and extended escapes.
Because Secrets on the Lake is both a romantic retreat and a wedding venue, it caters well to couples and small groups who want hinterland accommodation with atmosphere. Couples often book treehouses for romantic getaways, honeymoons or anniversaries, while small wedding parties and families may take multiple cabins or larger treehouses to stay close together on the lake.
For travellers comparing hinterland accommodation options, Secrets on the Lake effectively combines several elements into one stay: a direct Lake Baroon setting, immersive rainforest surroundings, crafted interiors, onsite dining and proximity to Montville and the wider Sunshine Coast Hinterland. If your goal is to feel fully “in” the hinterland rather than just visiting during the day, this type of accommodation lets the region’s landscape, light and wildlife shape every part of your stay.
Practical Details – Location, FAQs & How to Enquire
Secrets on the Lake is located at 207 Narrows Road, on the shores of Lake Baroon near Montville in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Set a few minutes’ drive from Montville village, the retreat occupies a pocket of rainforest that slopes down towards the lake, giving many treehouses and cabins elevated views across the water and surrounding hills.
In practical terms, this hinterland accommodation is conveniently close to both the coast and the city. Secrets on the Lake is around 30 minutes from the broader Sunshine Coast area, approximately 40 minutes from Maroochydore Airport, and just over an hour from Brisbane, depending on traffic and route. This makes it realistic for a weekend escape, a midweek break or as part of a longer Sunshine Coast holiday that combines coastal and hinterland stays.
Phone: +61 (0)7 5478 5888
Email: info@secretsonthelake.com.au
Google Business Profile : Secrets On The Lake
Booking : Secrets On The Lake Booking.com
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Accommodation FAQ
What makes hinterland accommodation at Secrets on the Lake different from staying on the coast?
Hinterland accommodation at Secrets on the Lake places you in rainforest on the edge of Lake Baroon rather than on a busy beachfront. You stay in handcrafted treehouses or cabins with fireplaces, spa baths and decks overlooking the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, a short drive from Montville village. This creates a quieter, more nature-focused stay than coastal apartments or hotels while still keeping you within reach of Sunshine Coast beaches if you want a day trip.
Is Secrets on the Lake suitable only for couples, or can families and small groups stay as well?
While many retreats at Secrets on the Lake are designed as romantic hideaways for couples, there are also larger treehouses and heritage cabins that can accommodate small groups or families. This flexibility means you can choose hinterland accommodation that suits a romantic escape, a family break or a small celebration, all within the same Lake Baroon property near Montville.
How close is Secrets on the Lake to Montville village and other hinterland attractions?
Secrets on the Lake is roughly a 7-minute drive from Montville’s main street, giving you easy access to its cafés, galleries and shops. It is also within a short drive of hinterland highlights such as Kondalilla Falls, Maleny, local wineries, cheese producers and sections of the Sunshine Coast Great Walk, making it a convenient base for exploring the broader Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
What facilities are included with hinterland accommodation at Secrets on the Lake?
Guests typically enjoy a fireplace, balcony or deck with lake or forest views, a kitchenette or kitchen, outdoor furniture and barbecue facilities, with many treehouses offering spa baths. An onsite café and restaurant overlooking Lake Baroon provides meals and drinks, and stays usually include breakfast provisions so you can start your day in the comfort of your own retreat.
Is hinterland accommodation at Secrets on the Lake a good choice for honeymoons and romantic stays?
Yes. Secrets on the Lake is widely recognised as a romantic hinterland retreat, with hand-carved treehouses, penthouses and cabins designed with couples in mind. Spa baths, fireplaces, private decks, bespoke interiors and the Lake Baroon setting make it a strong choice for honeymoons, anniversaries and proposals in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Do I need a car to stay at Secrets on the Lake in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland?
A car is highly recommended for hinterland accommodation at Secrets on the Lake. Having your own vehicle makes it easy to reach Montville, Maleny, Kondalilla Falls, local viewpoints and Sunshine Coast beaches. It also gives you the freedom to plan drives, dining and day trips around your own schedule rather than relying on transfers or taxis in a rural setting.
How far in advance should I book hinterland accommodation at Secrets on the Lake?
Because Secrets on the Lake is a popular Sunshine Coast Hinterland retreat and wedding venue, peak periods such as weekends, public holidays and holiday seasons can book out well in advance. If you are planning a special occasion or have set dates, it is wise to check availability early so you can secure your preferred treehouse or cabin on Lake Baroon. Midweek or off-peak stays may offer more flexibility, but advance enquiry is still recommended.