How to Choose Sunshine Coast Romantic Accommodation That Actually Feels Romantic
The Sunshine Coast gives you two broad settings for romantic accommodation: the coastline and the hinterland. Both can be romantic, but they offer very different experiences.
On the coast, romantic stays often mean:
• Hotels and apartments along the beachfront in places like Mooloolaba, Maroochydore or Noosa.
• Sunrise walks on the sand, ocean swims and evenings along busy esplanades lined with restaurants and bars.
• A more energetic atmosphere, with people around you almost all the time.
In the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, the feel is quieter and more intimate. Around Montville, Maleny and Mapleton, you find:
• Smaller-scale accommodation such as cottages, villas, treehouses and cabins.
• Cooler nights, starry skies and misty mornings over hills, rainforest and lakes.
• Short scenic drives between villages, lookouts, waterfalls and Lake Baroon.
For many couples, the most romantic Sunshine Coast experiences come from stays where:
• Your accommodation is self-contained and private, so you do not feel like you are sharing your special time with a corridor full of neighbours.
• There are in-room luxuries – spa baths, fireplaces, generous decks – that encourage you to stay in, open a bottle of wine and talk late into the night.
• The setting is inherently beautiful, whether that is an ocean horizon or, increasingly, a tranquil hinterland lake framed by trees and views.
That is why the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, and Lake Baroon in particular, is such a strong fit for couples. When your romantic accommodation sits on the shores of Lake Baroon near Montville, you can:
• Wake to glassy lake views and birdsong instead of traffic and street noise.
• Spend days exploring Montville, Maleny and the surrounding hinterland, then retreat somewhere quiet where you can close the door and feel like the rest of the world has receded.
• Still reach the Sunshine Coast beaches within a comfortable drive if you want to add a day of surf and sand to your romantic trip.
If you are planning a romantic stay, a simple framework for choosing where to book is:
• Decide whether you want your main base to be coastal, hinterland or a mix of both.
• Prioritise accommodation that has clearly been designed for couples, not just general holidaymakers.
• Look for properties that consciously connect you with a sense of place – on the Sunshine Coast that might mean a treehouse on Lake Baroon, a cottage overlooking the Glass House Mountains, or a villa facing the ocean.
Secrets on the Lake sits at the intersection of those choices: it is definitively Sunshine Coast Hinterland accommodation, designed specifically for romance, perched directly on Lake Baroon near Montville.
Secrets on the Lake – The Heart of Sunshine Coast Romantic Accommodation in the Hinterland
Secrets on the Lake is purpose-built as a romantic retreat. Rather than being a standard motel or resort rebranded for couples, it is a handcrafted treehouse and cabin escape where every element has been shaped to enhance privacy, atmosphere and connection.
The property is set in rainforest on the edge of Lake Baroon in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, just below Montville. Elevated boardwalks wind through the trees, leading to individual treehouses and cabins that appear to float in the canopy above the lake. Each retreat has its own design and personality, but there are consistent themes that make them ideal for Sunshine Coast romantic accommodation:
• Spa baths or spa-style tubs in many retreats, often positioned to take in Lake Baroon or rainforest views, so you can unwind together without leaving your treehouse.
• Fireplaces or hearths for cooler hinterland evenings, creating that classic “glass of red by the fire” feeling that many couples imagine when they think of a romantic mountain or hinterland escape.
• Private decks with outdoor seating – sometimes swing seats or built-in benches – looking over Lake Baroon and the surrounding Sunshine Coast Hinterland, perfect for slow breakfasts, sunset drinks or stargazing.
• Kitchens or kitchenettes and barbecues that make it easy to cook together if you prefer not to go out every night.
The interiors at Secrets on the Lake lean heavily into craftsmanship: carved timber features, stained glass, pottery and wrought iron elements make each space feel handmade rather than mass-produced. That artistry, combined with the Montville and Lake Baroon setting, gives the retreat a sense of story. You are not just booking “a room”; you are choosing a particular treehouse or cabin that becomes part of your romantic getaway.
Because the retreat sits so close to Montville in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, you can easily:
• Drive into Montville village for lunch, dinner, galleries and boutique shopping.
• Head across to Maleny for cheese, countryside views and local produce.
• Explore nearby walks, lookouts and attractions, then return to your romantic accommodation at Lake Baroon without a long commute.
Secrets on the Lake is equally suited to one-off special occasions – proposals, anniversaries, honeymoons – and to more general “we just need time together” escapes. In every case, the structure is the same: arrive, settle into your treehouse or cabin by Lake Baroon, let the pace of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland slow you down, and make the most of the fact that your accommodation is itself one of the highlights of the trip.
Practical Details – Location, FAQs & How to Enquire
Secrets on the Lake is located at 207 Narrows Road, Montville QLD 4560, on the shores of Lake Baroon in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. The retreat sits in the trees above the water, with treehouses and cabins stepping down the slope towards the lake. Many retreats take in views of Lake Baroon, surrounding rainforest and the distant ranges beyond.
From the Sunshine Coast beaches around Maroochydore and Mooloolaba, it typically takes around 30–40 minutes to drive up to Secrets on the Lake, following scenic roads into the hinterland. From Brisbane, most couples allow about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes by car, depending on traffic and route. That makes it realistic for a weekend romantic break, a midweek escape or as part of a longer Sunshine Coast holiday that combines coast and hinterland.
Phone: +61 (0)7 5478 5888
Email: info@secretsonthelake.com.au
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Accomodation FAQ
What makes Secrets on the Lake stand out for Sunshine Coast romantic accommodation?
Secrets on the Lake combines a rare lakeside position with intimate, handcrafted treehouses and cabins in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Instead of standard rooms, you stay in individually styled retreats with spa baths, fireplaces, private decks and views over Lake Baroon and the surrounding forest. The combination of design, privacy and location near Montville is what sets it apart for couples.
Is Secrets on the Lake close enough to enjoy both the Sunshine Coast beaches and the hinterland?
Yes. Secrets on the Lake is firmly in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, on Lake Baroon near Montville, but the main Sunshine Coast beaches are usually only 30–40 minutes away by car. Many couples spend a day or two at the beach and the remainder of their romantic stay at Lake Baroon, or make a simple day trip down to the coast and back during a longer hinterland escape.
Is this style of Sunshine Coast romantic accommodation more suited to short stays or longer holidays?
It works well for both. Two or three nights is ideal for a quick romantic escape or anniversary, while four to seven nights allows you to fully relax into the rhythm of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. With more time, you can mix quiet days in your treehouse with outing days in Montville, Maleny and down on the coast.
Are all retreats at Secrets on the Lake designed for couples, or are there options for small groups too?
The core identity of Secrets on the Lake is romantic, couples-focused accommodation, and many of the treehouses and cabins are set up specifically for two. However, there are also larger retreats with extra beds and living space that can suit small groups or families who still want a quiet, high-quality hinterland setting.
What kind of in-room features should we expect for a romantic stay?
Depending on the retreat you choose, you can expect a spa or spa-style bath, fireplace, private deck or balcony with outdoor seating, comfortable bedding, a lounge area and kitchen or kitchenette facilities. Many retreats also include barbecues and dining settings on the deck, so you can cook and eat while looking out over Lake Baroon and the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Do we need a car for a romantic stay at Secrets on the Lake?
A car is highly recommended. The Sunshine Coast Hinterland has limited public transport, and having your own vehicle makes it easy to reach Secrets on the Lake, move between Montville, Maleny and local attractions, and visit the Sunshine Coast beaches if you wish. It also gives you flexibility with dinners and day trips during your stay.
Is Secrets on the Lake suitable for proposals or special celebrations?
Yes. Many couples choose Secrets on the Lake for proposals, milestone birthdays and anniversaries because of its private, atmospheric setting on Lake Baroon near Montville. The combination of treetop decks, lake views, spa baths and fireplaces makes it easy to create a memorable moment, and you can often add special touches such as flowers, hampers or celebration packages.
How far in advance should we book Sunshine Coast romantic accommodation at Secrets on the Lake?
Demand is strongest on weekends, public holidays and during key wedding and holiday periods in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. If you are planning a stay for a specific date – such as an anniversary, Valentine’s Day or honeymoon – it is wise to enquire several months in advance so you have the best choice of treehouses and cabins on Lake Baroon.
If you are comparing Sunshine Coast romantic accommodation options, start by deciding whether your ideal base feels more like a beachfront hotel or a private retreat in the hills. Once you know how important privacy, spa baths, fireplaces and nature are to your time away, you can look at dates and reach out to Secrets on the Lake to discuss availability and retreat options. Anchoring your stay in a lakeside treehouse or cabin on Lake Baroon near Montville gives you a Sunshine Coast romantic escape that feels intimate, grounded in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and genuinely unforgettable.