26 Gold Coast markets to visit (nearly) every day of the week

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We went, we shopped, we conquered — presenting your go-to guide to the best Gold Coast markets.

Reflecting the eclectic spirit of the region, there’s a Gold Coast market to suit every taste, budget and whim. Treasure troves of seasonally rich produce, trend-driven and vintage fashion, coastal-inspired homewares and so much more, the best Gold Coast markets are filled with enthralling sights and are among the best things to do in the city. From street food strongholds to beachfront meccas, here are our most recommended picks.

Farmers’ markets on the Gold Coast

1. ORGANIC GOLD COAST FARMERS MARKET

fresh vegetables displayed at Organic Gold Coast Farmers Market
Stock up on fresh fruit and veggies every Sunday. (Image: Getty/Beton studio)

Open: Every Sunday from 6am to 11.30am

Said to be the only true all-organic (and certified organic) farmers market in the region, the weekly Organic Gold Coast Farmers Market puts on a seasonal, locally grown and sourced extravaganza every Sunday. Those looking for self-catering during their holiday can pick up fresh-baked sourdough, fresh herbs, fruits and veggies, fresh tofu, micro-greens, nut butter, grain milk, oils, honey and herbal teas. As for those in town for a good time, not a long time, you can devour all the breakfast goods alongside freshly made juices, coffee or chai, before picking up organic skincare products on the way out.

Address: Merrimac State High School, Dunlop Ct, Mermaid Waters

2. BURLEIGH MARKET

fresh oranges and lettuce on display at Burleigh Market
Expect local produce fresh from the farm at Burleigh Market. (Image: Getty/Ayla Harbich)

Open: Every Saturday from 6:30am to 12pm

The Burleigh Markets are your go-to community spot for all things fresh, farm-produced, organic, gourmet and global — think fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, and deli products. Of course, there’s plenty of hot coffee and bakery treats too, along with fresh flowers, arts and crafts, antiques, collectables and a great selection of local live music.

Address: Burleigh Heads State School, Cnr West Burleigh Rd & Lower Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads

3. THE HELENSVALE FARMERS MARKET

people strolling around the stalls at Helensvale Farmers Market, Gold Coast
Shop your way around the Helensvale Farmers Market.

Open: Every Saturday from 6am to 11am

Focusing on local creations and true sustainability, The Helensvale Farmers Market offers quality farm-fresh produce from local growers, as well as a huge range of global foods, artisanal wares, and beautiful products. It’s a great weekend drop-in before hitting the Gold Coast’s famed theme parks, including Wet’n’Wild and Warner Bros. Movie World, plus Topgolf Gold Coast, where you drive and dine, simultaneously — everything’s within a short drive of one another.

Address: Helensvale State High School, 243 Discovery Dr, Helensvale

4. MARINA MIRAGE FARMERS MARKETS

bread on display at Marina Mirage Farmers Markets, Gold Coast
Find artisan continental bread and pastries at Marina Mirage Farmers Markets.

Open: Every Saturday from 6.30am to 12pm

A foodie haven, the undercover Marina Mirage Farmers Markets is home to freshly picked farm delights, sans nasty pesticides, so you know everything is as healthy as can be.

You’ll also find artisanal bread and pastries, Chinese greens, specialty jams, gluten-free cakes and terrines, organic juices, free-range eggs, Manuka honey, and delicious cupcakes. Take the opportunity to chat to farmers themselves who are always willing to share insight into their beautiful bounties.

Address: 74 Seaworld Dr, Main Beach

5. PALM BEACH FARMERS’ MARKET

a couple browsing through a handicraft stall at Palm Beach Farmers Market
Peruse local artisan shops at Palm Beach Farmers Market. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Open: Every Saturday from 6am to 11.30am

Firmly focused on dishing out fresh local produce, high-quality food, and sustainable products, the Palm Beach Farmers’ Market supports the slow food movement and is run by a passionate bunch of farmers, producers and artisans.

So much more than a standard shopping experience, this is a place for the Gold Coast community to gather with friends and family while enjoying amazing food (you won’t miss the MiO crispy buckwheat wraps filled with Japanese-inspired ingredients — the line is always the longest), live local music and a great community atmosphere.

Address: Palm Beach Currumbin State High School, Thrower Dr, Palm Beach

6. HOTA FARMERS & ARTISAN MARKETS

a woman browsing through the fresh produce stalls at HOTA
Browse through the pop-up stalls after a day of creative exploration at HOTA.

Open: Every Sunday from 6am to 11.30am

Nestled against the backdrop of Evendale Lake and the stunning HOTA (Home of the Arts), the HOTA Farmers & Artisan Markets comes alive every Sunday with seasonal, farm-fresh produce, delicious artisan foods, boutique fashion, and handcrafted treats. Visitors tend to make a day of their visit, dropping into HOTA, one of the best things to experience on the Gold Coast, once bellies are sufficiently filled and reusable shopping bags are stored safely in the car.

Address: 135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise

7. EVERGREEN MARKETS

fresh bananas at Evergreen Markets, Gold Coast
Fill your basket with fresh bananas at Evergreen Markets. (Image: Getty/Kiara Bloom)

Open: Every Wednesday from 6.30am to 11am

This buzzy midweek market is a lovely way to break up the daily grind, embraced by picnic rug-carrying locals. Head along to Robina, about a 20-minute drive from Surfers Paradise, to gather your holiday supplies, spanning fresh produce and herbs, plus artisan products and flowers. Park your clan by the lake on a rug of your own to live life like a local and bask in the excellent coffee that’s available.

Address: 4 Greenwich Ct, Robina

8. COOLY COMMUNITY MARKETS

a bunch of sunflowers in a paper bag at Cooly Community Markets
Shop beautiful blooms at Cooly Community Markets. (Image: Getty/lynnebeclu)

Open: Every Thursday from 7am to 11am

Grab vibrant blooms and locally sourced deliciousness at the midweek Cooly Community Markets located on the southern beaches of the Gold Coast. The vibe is chilled, and stalls are strung up at length along a footpath so stickybeaking at your own pace (even in the rain) is a cinch. From homemade chia puddings to the locally adored range of sauces from Burleigh Heads’ Medicinal Chef, there’s non-stop goodness at this beloved Gold Coast market.

Address: Goodwin Park, Coolangatta

Gold Coast night markets

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9. HOTA HAWKER NIGHT MARKETS

Open: Random dates — the next is July 12, 2025, 4pm to 9pm

They pop up at random throughout the year so rest assured that once a HOTA Hawker Night Market date is slated, crowds will flock. The Gold Coast market’s June staging even attracted Marco Pierre White so you know it’s top-notch grub — think dumplings, Bahn mi, noodles, bao buns and more. More than 150 authentic South East Asian street food stalls (hence the Hawker title nod) fuel famished visitors as the sun sets over HOTA’s spacious lawn. Grab your favourite feed and get cosy as roaming performances play out and fire twirlers undeniably captivate.

Address: 135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise

10. MIAMI MARKETTA

a family entering Miami Marketta
Find your favourite indulgences in one bustling laneway. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Open: Every Wednesday to Saturday, from 5pm

Three times a week, Miami Marketta breathes after-dark life into the other side of Miami (across the Gold Coast Highway, away from the beach), delivering a buzzing collective of street food from around the world. The undercover space hosts up to 20 international street food stalls on any given night, all jostling for your attention in one bustling laneway. The mix of vendors changes nightly but expect a generous smattering of all your favourite indulgences, like wood-fired pizza, handmade pasta, fried chicken, gyros, tacos, cakes and slices, and more.

There’s also live music every night, plus onsite bars to choose from where boutique wine, locally brewed beer, and specialty cocktails keep crowds merry. In March 2025, Mona Lisa’s Lair, a champagne bar at the rear of the building behind the food vendors, opened its doors, expanding Marketta’s repertoire to pure fancy. If you’re in a group of eight or more, you can book a table, otherwise, it’s walk-in territory.

Address: 23 Hillcrest Pde, Miami

11. MARKETTA ARTS CREATIVE

Open: Every Thursday from 5pm

Running alongside Miami Marketta’s culinary offerings on Thursday nights is the Marketta Arts Creative, a weekly gathering of crafty locals keen to showcase their genius. It’s the spot to go for one-of-a-kind fashion and accessories, plus unique artistic creations and vintage gems.

Address: 23 Hillcrest Pde, Miami

12. SURFERS PARADISE BEACHFRONT MARKETS

people buying seashell crafts at a beachside stall, Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets
Pop by the seaside market for all sorts of crafts. (Image: Supplied)

Open: Every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 4pm to 9pm

Set alongside the famous Surfers Paradise esplanade, the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets are historically popular with the international tourist crowd and are perhaps most well-known for peddling slightly kitsch souvenirs and quirky arts and crafts. But its offerings have expanded in recent years, bringing essential oils, candles, hand-blown glass, hot doughnuts and local products such as macadamias and honey into the mix.

The esplanade itself is a lovely spot for a pre- or post-dinner stroll as the sun sinks and salt-laced air drifts about, while live music creates a reliably lively scene.

Address: The Foreshore, Surfers Paradise

13. SANCTUARY MARKETS

a family entering Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Go on a shopping escapade and wildlife immersion with the family at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Open: Every Friday from 4pm to 9pm

Crammed within the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s Village Green, with tables dotted about its street-fronting deck, the Sanctuary Markets is a family-friendly vibe where locals love unwinding into the weekend. Home to a wide variety of international foods with mainstays including Thai, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Mexican, Italian and good old-fashioned Aussie fish and chips (look for the adorable mini caravan luring famished kids), the market cooks up something for everyone. Don’t miss Jackie’s Cakes, set up right at the entrance of the markets, an iconic Gold Coast baker crafting delicious fondant cookies based on what everyone’s talking about (Taylor Swift, Mother’s Day, you name it, Jackie’s all over it). The Fire ‘n’ Dough mobile pizza vendor is another popular pit-stop but expect to wait for about 20 minutes if it’s crowded because their pudgy pizza bases are wildly popular.

Address: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s Village Green, cnr Tomewin and Teemangum Streets

14. EMERALD LAKES TWILIGHT MARKET

Open: Every Thursday from 3pm to 7pm

Renowned for its quality international bites, the Emerald Lakes Twilight Market offers an al fresco shopping experience with dialled up ambience. It’s a popular spot for friends to meet and soak up great live entertainment, arts and crafts, and exotic cuisines, while fresh produce is also too good to ignore.

Address: The Boulevard, Emerald Lakes, Carrara

15. DREAMWORLD NIGHT MARKET

a woman getting her waffle order from one of the food stalls at Dreamworld Night Market
Make sure to leave room for dessert.

Open: Every Friday and Saturday from 5pm to 9pm

There’s something extra special about roaming a theme park at night and the Dreamworld Night Market delivers the goods extensively. Attracting an ever-changing food truck line-up within its young kids’ zone, the Gold Coast market is also beloved for opening up its Deep Sea Dodgem cars, Dreamworld Flyer (those swings that fly through the air way too fast), Belinda’s Tree House (watch out for shooting foam balls), Fun Maze and Gamesite (just like Timezone with added showbag sales) to lovestruck kidlets. Entry is $2 for adults and free for kids under 13, but you’ll need to pay for the dodgems, Flyer and dinner, which typically entails Japanese rice bowls, dumplings, German bratwurst, chargrill meats, loaded waffles and an obligatory stop at the Ice Cream Parlour.

Address: Dreamworld, Dreamworld Pkwy, Coomera

Monthly markets on the Gold Coast

16. DUSTY RUMMAGE

art on display inside Dust Temple cafe, Gold Coast
Score a bargain inside this warehouse-gallery cafe. (Image: Dusty Rummage)

Open: Last Sunday of the month and timings vary

Find your pre-loved threads fix at Dusty Rummage, a second-hand Gold Coast clothes market staged inside Dust Temple, a huge warehouse-gallery cafe on the southern beaches. You’ll comb the racks with sartorially sound shoppers as drinks are served at the bar and the kitchen cranks out a light meal menu.

Address: 54 Currumbin Creek Rd, Currumbin

17. GOLD COAST ART & CRAFT SUNDAY MARKETS

Open: First and third Sunday in Broadbeach, and the second and fourth Sunday in Coolangatta

Shopping for gifts, souvenirs, art, craft, the ingenious, the weird, and the wonderful has never been easier. The Gold Coast Art & Craft Sunday Markets run across two locations, one in the south and one in Central Gold Coast, delivering a colourful mix of more than 150 stalls. While homemade jewellery, art, homewares and other treasures are worthy of your browsing, there’s also fresh produce, delicious food, and live entertainment to enjoy. The Gold Coast market also operates in Burleigh Heads however its outpost was suspended in June 2025 due to ongoing road works. Fingers crossed it’s back up and running before long.

Address: Kurrawa Park, Broadbeach, and Queen Elizabeth Park, Coolangatta.

18. DESERT DIGS

pre-loved fashion items at Desert Digs Vintage Market, Gold Coast
Check out pre-loved fashion items at Desert Digs Vintage Market.

Open: First Saturday of the month from 12pm to 4pm

How does achingly cool vintage fashion, cocktails, food trucks, and live tunes sound? Get on down to the Desert Digs Gold Coast market at Mo’s Desert Clubhouse in Burleigh Heads, where you can swap vinyl and pick up pre-loved fashion items to instantly jazz up your look.

Address: 6/36 Central Dr, Burleigh Heads

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19. BOOT BARGAINS AT YATALA DRIVE-IN

Open: Third Sunday of the month from 6am to 11am

For a good old-fashioned car boot sale, make tracks to Yatala Drive-In theatre’s Boot Bargains market. On hand to make somebody else trash your treasure, the monthly event is open to everyone who registers beforehand while pure bargain hunters will need to pay $2 at the gate. Tasty food and beverages are also available from the venue’s retro 1950s diner all morning.

Address: 100 Jacobs Well Road, Stapylton

20. BEECHMONT MARKETS

an aerial view of Beechmont Markets with a foggy mountain in the background
The Beechmont Markets in the Gold Coast Hinterland boasts breathtaking views.

Open: Third Sunday of the month from 8am to 1pm

Offering a taste of the gorgeous Gold Coast Hinterland, the Beechmont Markets is a community event beloved by locals. Immersed in breathtaking bushland, the Gold Coast market rounds up peak local produce, homemade goods, plants, live music, arts and crafts and more.

Address: 1835 Beechmont Rd, Beechmont

21. HOPE ISLAND MARINA MARKETS

Open: Third Sunday of the month from 9am to 1pm

Featuring a selective group of Gold Coast artisans, the Hope Island Marina Markets stretch along the waterfront at Hope Island Shopping Centre and feature homewares and handmade crafts, jewellery, live music, children’s clothing, and more. Browse the stalls and grab breakfast or lunch at one of the on-site cafes.

Address: 10 Santa Barbara Rd, Hope Island

Family-friendly markets on the Gold Coast

22. CARRARA MARKETS

clothes for sale at Carrara Markets, Gold Coast
Find more than 300 stalls selling clothes, homewares and more. (Image: Carrara Markets)

Open: Every Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 3pm

Touted as the biggest permanent weekend marketplace in Australia, Carrara Markets plays host to more than 300 stalls and attractions on a 24-acre site. Trawl eclectic stalls for fresh produce, clothing, jewellery, homewares, plants, second-hand bric-a-brac, souvenirs, arts and crafts, a handful of cafes, and more.

It’s a particularly great spot for those travelling with kids as you’ll find a mini-golf course, butterfly house, buskers, pony rides, a baby animal farm, trampolines, and face painters in the ‘Family Lane’ section.

Address: Cnr Gooding Dr & Manchester Rd, Carrara

23. TWEED HARBOURSIDE MARKET

a crowd of people strolling along the stalls at Tweed Harbourside Market
The Tweed Harbourside Market boasts waterside stalls featuring handmade goods and artisan produce. (Image: Duke M and F Evans)

Open: First Saturday of every month, 9am to 2pm

Although not strictly on the Gold Coast, we’re including this one given the Tweed is a few steps from Coolangatta. Set at the Jack Evans Boat Harbour, the Tweed Harbourside Market sits against the turquoise hues of the Tweed.

There’s everything to fill your basket and your stomach, from artisan produce to delicious street food and handmade goods. You’ll also find a playground, live music and barbecue areas within the waterside grounds.

Address: Wharf St, Tweed Heads

Mt Tamborine markets

24. TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN STATE SCHOOL MARKETS

a product display at Tamborine Mountain State School Markets
Browse through an array of interesting items at Tamborine Mountain State School Markets.

Open: Last Sunday of the month from 7am to 1pm

Situated on the beautiful Tamborine Mountain, the Tamborine Mountain State School Markets are a wonderfully diverse, character-filled, monthly market overflowing with things to explore. Here you’ll find up to 130 stalls from local artists, crafts, fresh produce, plants, books, clothing, vintage items, collectables, jewellery, bric-a-brac, candles, and plenty more.

Whether you’re browsing or buying, head along and treat yourself to delicious food while enjoying the live music and friendly mountain atmosphere

Address: Corner of Long Rd and Curtis Rd, Tamborine Mountain

Occasional markets on the Gold Coast

25. QUEENSLAND VEGAN MARKETS

the Queensland Vegan Markets at sunset
Learn more about veganism at Queensland Vegan Markets.

Open: Various dates, so check the website

Dedicated to bringing you a great range of vegan food and cruelty-free shopping, the Queensland Vegan Markets are open to everyone – whether you want to reduce your consumption of animals, learn more about veganism or enjoy a place where you are spoilt for vegan food options. Enjoy a day out with your favourite vegan eats, drinks, shopping, and charities.

Address: Across Broadwater Parklands, Mudgeeraba Showground and Southport locations

26. CHRISTMAS MARKETS GC

Open: Various dates in December

The annual Christmas Markets GC is one of the most festive events on the Gold Coast, inviting guests to fill their swag with gifts from more than 100 stalls selling all manner of goodies. Check the website for dates closer to silly season but expect live music, kids’ rides, delicious treats and all the twinkling lights.

Address: Broadwater Parklands, Marine Pde, Southport

Originally written by Jemma Fletcher with updates by Kristie Lau-Adams

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Jemma Fletcher
Based in sun-kissed Brisbane, Jemma Fletcher is an accomplished writer, editor and content manager. Armed with a Bachelor of Journalism from The University of Queensland, as well as over a decade of tourism marketing experience, Jemma now specialises in freelance travel writing and has a soft spot for the beauty of Queensland. Her expertise has been honed through her previous roles as Chief Editor of Queensland.com and WeekendNotes.com and she is the passionate creator of High Cup of Tea, an online directory celebrating Australia's finest high tea experiences. After growing up in the UK (hence her love for tea and scones) and a delightful chapter in Sydney, Jemma loves to explore quaint towns with a rich history. Also high on her weekend list is tasting the local cafe scene, enjoying charming farm stays with her young family and deciding where her next travel adventure will be (half of the fun is in the planning!)
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How to spend three romantic days on Hamilton Island

(Image: Sharyn Cairns)

From barefoot beach walks to moonlit dinners, this three-day Hamilton Island itinerary will have lovebirds swooning.

Few Aussie destinations do romance quite like Hamilton Island. Set in the dreamy Whitsunday Islands, this popular honeymoon destination combines luxury retreats, palm-fringed reefs and spectacular dining with the easy rhythm of tropical living. Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, anniversary or spontaneous couples’ weekend, here’s how to spend a loved-up three days on Hamilton Island.

Day 1

Morning

A serene ocean-view room overlooking endless blue horizons.
Let picturesque ocean views welcome you the moment you check in. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

Nothing kills the holiday buzz faster than waiting at the baggage carousel. Luckily, our arrival couldn’t have been smoother. Staying at the boutique, adults-only Beach Club Hotel means VIP transfers are included, so the moment we land, a staff member greets us and whisks our bags straight from the baggage claim to our room. We don’t have to lift a finger.

Occupying a prime piece of real estate on Catseye Beach, Beach Club is a peaceful retreat just steps from sugar-white sand and a turquoise lagoon. Within 10 minutes of stepping off the plane, we’ve arrived and are switched into holiday mode.

We check into our room, immediately delighted by the sight of several wallabies grazing in the garden just in front of our private terrace. Beyond, picturesque ocean vistas stretch across the horizon. The room’s mini bar is stocked with bespoke sweet treats; the bathroom with premium Aesop amenities that add to the luxury.

After we’ve checked out the resort’s beachside infinity pool – plotting the lounge chairs we’ll no doubt return to later – we head out to explore the island. Families glide by on hire bikes and chirping rainbow lorikeets dot the foliage. We decide to hike up to Passage Peak – one of the most scenic walks on Hamilton Island – which takes about 40 minutes one way and boasts panoramic Whitsundays views that will stick with you for long after you leave.

Afternoon

A romantic beachside lunch as champagne is served.
Recharge with a laid-back lunch at Beach Club Restaurant. (Image: Nikki To)

After working up an appetite, Beach Club Restaurant is the perfect place to snap up a light lunch. Think barramundi, nourish bowls, Wagyu beef burgers, brown butter toasties and Queensland chilli prawns. For those who don’t want to move from their prime perch on the beach or by the pool, there’s also the option to order bites via QR code from the resort’s lounge chairs.

After our fill, we plunge into the hotel’s incredible infinity pool, its surface blending near seamlessly into the blues of Catseye Beach. Quiet and tucked away from the island’s hum, it feels illegal to do anything but relax here.

Evening

A curated flatlay of dishes from Catseye Pool Club.
Celebrate your first evening over beautifully plated coral trout. (Image: Nikki To)

There’s truly nothing more satisfying than a little R&R (rest & robe) time in your hotel room after spending the day in the sun. Fresh from a shower, we watch the ripe tangerine sun slowly dip below the palm-framed horizon from our plush terrace daybed. Two wallabies are still grazing on the grass. It’s a magical setting; I find it hard to believe I am only a few hours away from home.

Come dinnertime, we zip over to nearby Catseye Pool Club, which is a short buggy ride from the hotel or a five-minute walk. A chic new haunt from Sydney-based pair Josh and Julie Niland, the restaurant is all about reconnecting over flavour-rich share plates using high-quality Aussie ingredients.

We sit in a corner overlooking Catseye Beach – arguably the best seat in the house – with mini table lamps casting a soft glow about the contemporary indoor-outdoor setting. What comes next is pure delight; grilled prawns served with tumeric and lemongrass marinade, macadamia satay sauce and a Thai-leaning sour green mango salad. Then, elegantly plated coral trout served with kasundi and zucchini. We savour it all slowly, the conversation flowing easily between bites and sips while the moonlight transforms the ocean into molten silver.

Day 2

Morning

An 18-hole golf course set against sweeping ocean views.
Tee off side by side against a backdrop of sweeping ocean views. (Image: Andrea Francolini)

A la carte breakfast is complimentary for guests of Beach Club, and we take full advantage of the fact. Barista-quality coffee and pressed juice – today it’s carrot, melon, orange and pineapple – arrive alongside pastries baked fresh this morning. For the larger meal, I treat myself to the buttermilk pancakes with praline butter.

If you prefer an active start to the morning rather than lying in, you’ll find plenty of options. Perhaps tee off at the 18-hole golf course, where the views are as much of a drawcard as the sport itself. Designed by five-time British Open winner Peter Thomson, the course is integrated into the ridged landscape of Dent Island.

Afternoon

Artfully paired wines and bites from the Talk & Taste experience.
Uncover new favourite wines together. (Image: Sharyn Cairns)

For wine-curious couples, Beach Club’s new Talk & Taste experience is a must. Held several times a week for up to eight guests, it’s an intimate tasting of Aussie drops paired with curated bites – all guided by Bommie Assistant Manager and wine enthusiast Courtenay Morgan-Fletcher.

We opt for the white wine and seafood option, enjoying pours from Eden Valley to Launceston while Courtenay shares her knowledge and passion for the intricacies of wine making.

Later, we drive our golf buggy up to One Tree Hill. This is one of the most popular spots on the island for sunset, but we chose to come a little earlier so we have more space to ourselves. We enjoy afternoon wine and cheese, admiring the 360-degree views of the island and its impossibly blue waters.

Evening

The moody, atmospheric interiors of Bommie Deck.
Dress up for a romantic evening at Bommie Restaurant. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

Since we are, after all, on holiday, we continue the tipples at Bommie Deck. Suspended above Hamilton Island’s marina, this architectural monument is a fabulous place for a sunset spritz.

Just a few steps inside is Bommie Restaurant, the contemporary Australian fine dining establishment headed by chef Ryan Locke. Of anywhere on the island, this is the place to frock up and celebrate a special occasion – especially if theatrical culinary experiences take your fancy. The tasting set menu is a whirlwind of native Australian flavours and creative plating – with highlights including the cured venison wrapped in wattle seed seasoning. For dessert, a clever take on white chocolate and lemonade ends the night on a high.

Day 3

Morning

A couple gliding across calm waters on SUP boards together.
Ease into the morning with a paddleboarding adventure. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

Another low-key morning means another blissful breakfast at Beach Club. This time, it’s smashed avo toast topped with Persian fetta, dukkah and poached eggs – a deliciously fueling start to the day.

The weather today is perfect for a paddle, so we walk straight from our room onto the sand of Catseye Beach to pick up some SUP boards. Guests of Beach Club receive complimentary non-motorised water sports equipment, spanning everything from mini catamarans to snorkel gear and kayaks. Finding our balance on the boards is a fun challenge at first, but before long, we’re gliding across the glassy water like naturals.

Afternoon

A helicopter soaring above the iconic Heart Reef.
Add the ultimate highlight with a Heart Reef flight together. (Image: Hamilton Island)

No couples’ retreat is complete without a touch of pampering. Located in the resort area, Spa Wumurdaylin offers everything from body wraps and facials to de-stress massages using natural Australian products. The Soul Temple treatment begins with a heavenly feeling sugar scrub, followed by a Vichy vertical shower and underwater massage. I leave in a daze.

If you prefer adventure to relaxation, there is an abundance of day trips from Hamilton Island, from snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef to Whitsundays helicopter tours – all of which make for unforgettable experiences that will bring you and your partner closer.

Evening

A couple standing at qualia, gazing out over the endless ocean horizon.
Close your journey over a beautiful dinner by the sea. (Image: Sharyn Cains)

Enjoy an elevated evening at qualia’s tranquil Pebble Beach restaurant, where a private beach setting complements the thoughtful, seasonal menu. Or perhaps continue relaxing at Beach Club, feasting on roast lamb and seafood at the poolside restaurant or soaking in ocean views from your room with in-house room delivery. And don’t forget the champagne – a weekend of love, fun and restoration is worth toasting.

Getting there

Hamilton Island has its own airport called the Great Barrier Reef Airport, which makes it fuss-free to get to. Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar offer short, direct flights from most major Australian cities, including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Cairns. This means you’ll spend less time travelling and more time enjoying each other’s company.

Visit hamitlonisland.com.au for more couples’ retreat ideas.