What Makes a Great Romantic Getaway on the Sunshine Coast
Romantic getaways on the Sunshine Coast can take a few different forms. For some couples, the dream is waking up to the sound of waves, strolling along the beach at sunrise and choosing from cafés and restaurants along the waterfront. For others, romance looks more like misty mornings in the hills, long breakfasts on a deck, quiet walks through rainforest and evenings by the fire with a glass of wine. The Sunshine Coast and Sunshine Coast Hinterland together give you all of these options.
On the coastal strip, destinations like Mooloolaba, Maroochydore and Noosa are known for beachside apartments and resorts. They work well if you want to walk straight from your accommodation to the ocean, enjoy busy esplanades and have plenty of nightlife and dining within a few minutes’ walk. These coastal romantic getaways tend to centre on the beach itself, with the horizon and the surf as your backdrop.
In the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, the vibe is different. Montville, Maleny and Mapleton sit high on the Blackall Range, looking down to the coast and across to Lake Baroon and the Glass House Mountains. The air is cooler, the evenings are quieter and the views sweep over forest, farmland and water. Romantic getaways here are usually built around boutique cottages, cabins, villas and treehouses, often with fireplaces, spa baths, verandahs and gardens, and with short scenic drives between villages.
Within this mix, there is a special category of romantic getaway that combines the best of the hinterland with the calming presence of water: lakeside stays on Lake Baroon near Montville. Here you are still in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, surrounded by rainforest and hills, but you also have the softness of a lake at your doorstep. You can watch the light move across Lake Baroon from your deck, hear birdlife in the surrounding forest and feel completely removed from day-to-day life, yet still be a short drive to Montville’s cafés and the wider Sunshine Coast.
When you are choosing between different romantic getaways on the Sunshine Coast, it helps to think through a few key decisions:
- Coast, hinterland or a combination of both for your stay.
- A more social environment (hotel or resort) versus a more private retreat (treehouse, cabin or cottage).
- Whether you want a self-contained space with a spa bath and fireplace, or you are happy with a simpler room if it is close to everything.
- How important it is to have a unique setting – such as a lakeside treehouse in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland near Montville – rather than a standard room that could be almost anywhere.
Secrets on the Lake sits firmly in the last category: it is designed specifically for couples seeking a romantic getaway that feels special, private and completely tied to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Lake Baroon, while still belonging to the broader Sunshine Coast experience.
Secrets on the Lake – A Signature Romantic Getaway in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland
Secrets on the Lake is a luxury lakeside treehouse and cabin retreat designed around couples and romantic stays. Set on the shores of Lake Baroon near Montville in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, it offers a collection of individually styled treehouses and cabins hidden among the trees, each reached by elevated boardwalks that wind through rainforest and gardens. From your private deck, you look out over Lake Baroon, the surrounding forest and the hinterland hills, with very little to remind you of busy coastal strips or city streets.
Inside, each treehouse or cabin is built for connection and comfort. Spa baths or deep spa-style tubs invite long, unhurried soaks; fireplaces or hearths create a cosy focus point for cooler hinterland evenings; and large windows and glass doors bring Lake Baroon and the Sunshine Coast Hinterland right into your living space. Many retreats are tailored specifically to couples, with generous beds, lounge areas, kitchenettes or full kitchens, and decks where you can share breakfast, sunset drinks or a quiet dinner without needing to leave your romantic hideaway.
What makes Secrets on the Lake stand out for romantic getaways on the Sunshine Coast is how integrated the experience is:
- The setting is inherently romantic: Lake Baroon lies directly below your treehouse or cabin, with the calm surface reflecting changing skies and forested slopes.
- The architecture leans into that setting: handcrafted timber, carved details, stained glass and artistic touches give each retreat a sense of story and warmth instead of feeling like a generic hotel room.
- The atmosphere is quiet and natural: birdsong, rustling leaves, the distant movement of water and soft lighting along the boardwalks all reinforce the feeling of having stepped into a private sanctuary in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Because Secrets on the Lake is so close to Montville, you can easily drive into the village for lunch, dinner or a wander along the main street, then retreat back down to Lake Baroon when you are ready to be alone again. Many couples use it as a base for special occasions – anniversaries, birthdays, proposals, elopements or honeymoons – and build their time around simple pleasures: a late breakfast on the deck, a drive through the hinterland, a walk or short drive to a lookout, then a long soak in the spa bath and a fireplace evening back at their treehouse.
In essence, Secrets on the Lake is a romantic getaway that belongs unmistakably to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland: a lakeside retreat at Lake Baroon, minutes from Montville, where every part of your stay – the accommodation, the views, the quiet and the small details – is designed around you as a couple.
Practical Details – Location, FAQs & How to Enquire
Secrets on the Lake sits on the northern shore of Lake Baroon at 207 Narrows Road, Montville QLD 4560, in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. The retreat is spread across rainforest-covered slopes that run down to the lake, so many treehouses and cabins have direct or filtered views of Lake Baroon and the surrounding hills. Montville village is only a short drive up the range, and Maleny and other hinterland destinations are also within easy reach.
From the Sunshine Coast beaches, you generally reach Secrets on the Lake in about 30–40 minutes by car, heading inland from areas like Maroochydore or Mooloolaba and then climbing into the hinterland. From Brisbane, most guests allow around 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on traffic. That makes treehouse accommodation at Lake Baroon realistic for weekend escapes as well as longer Sunshine Coast holidays.
Phone: +61 (0)7 5478 5888
Email: info@secretsonthelake.com.au
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Accomodation FAQ
Why is Secrets on the Lake a strong choice for romantic getaways on the Sunshine Coast?
Secrets on the Lake combines a unique lakeside setting with handcrafted, couples-focused accommodation in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. You stay in a private treehouse or cabin with spa bath, fireplace and a deck overlooking Lake Baroon, just minutes from Montville. This blend of nature, privacy and thoughtful design creates a romantic environment that feels different from standard beach hotels or apartments.
Is Secrets on the Lake better suited to couples than to families or groups?
The heart of Secrets on the Lake is romantic accommodation for couples, and many treehouses and cabins are designed specifically with two people in mind. There are some larger retreats that can host small groups or families, but the tone of the property is quiet, peaceful and intimate, making it especially well suited to romantic getaways, honeymoons and anniversaries in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Can we still enjoy the beach if we choose a hinterland romantic getaway at Lake Baroon?
Yes. Staying at Secrets on the Lake places you in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland rather than on the beachfront, but the main Sunshine Coast beaches are generally only a 30–40 minute drive away. Many couples spend a day or two on the coast and then retreat to Lake Baroon near Montville for the romantic part of their stay, or plan a day trip from the hinterland down to the ocean and back.
What romantic features can we expect in our treehouse or cabin at Secrets on the Lake?
Romantic getaways at Secrets on the Lake typically include spa or spa-style baths (often with views), fireplaces or hearths, private decks with outdoor seating, comfortable beds, cosy living spaces and artistic interiors. Many retreats also have kitchenettes or kitchens and barbecues on the deck, so you can prepare simple meals together and enjoy them while looking out over Lake Baroon and the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Is Secrets on the Lake suitable for proposals and anniversaries?
Secrets on the Lake is very popular for proposals, anniversaries and other milestone celebrations because of its private, romantic setting on Lake Baroon near Montville. Couples can choose a particularly secluded treehouse, arrange special touches such as flowers, bubbles or hampers, and make use of the lakefront and rainforest surroundings as part of their proposal or anniversary plans.
Do we need a car for a romantic Sunshine Coast getaway at Secrets on the Lake?
A car is highly recommended. Having your own vehicle makes it easy to reach Secrets on the Lake, visit Montville and Maleny, explore lookouts and walking tracks in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, and take day trips to the Sunshine Coast beaches. It also gives you flexibility to dine in different places or return to your treehouse whenever you like.
How long should we stay to really enjoy a romantic getaway at Lake Baroon?
A two-night stay is usually enough to disconnect and get a taste of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, but many couples find three or four nights lets them fully relax into the pace: one day focused on Montville, one day exploring the broader hinterland and possibly a day down on the coast, with plenty of time spent simply enjoying the treehouse, the spa bath, the fireplace and the views over Lake Baroon.
How far in advance should we book a romantic getaway at Secrets on the Lake?
Weekends, public holidays and popular seasons in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland can book out quickly, especially for the most sought-after treehouses and cabins. If you are planning a romantic getaway for a specific date – such as an anniversary, Valentine’s Day or a proposal – it is wise to enquire as early as you can so you have the best chance of securing your preferred retreat on Lake Baroon near Montville.
If you are starting to plan romantic getaways on the Sunshine Coast, consider how you would like your time to feel: energetic and coastal, quiet and hinterland-based, or a mix of both. Once you know that, you can look at dates, decide how many nights you want in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and reach out to Secrets on the Lake to explore treehouse and cabin options. Anchoring your escape in a lakeside retreat on Lake Baroon near Montville gives you a romantic Sunshine Coast experience that feels tailored, intimate and genuinely memorable.