hero media

Australia’s newest luxury lodge borders two UNESCO-listed sites

Where rainforest meets reef along Queensland’s coast, a remarkable new stay is about to bloom.

One of Australia’s most extraordinary natural wonders is set to welcome an exclusive new address. Ever Bloomfield, the first property from newly launched accommodation brand Ever Lodges, will open on Queensland’s Daintree Coast later this year, setting a new benchmark for experiential luxury.

Inside Ever Bloomfield

With properties like El Questro in the Kimberley and South Australia’s Southern Ocean Lodge, Australia is no stranger to luxurious accommodation. But even among the country’s most coveted stays, the opening of Ever Bloomfield in Queensland this November is poised to turn heads.

Ever Bloomfield by Ever Lodges on the Daintree Coast, Queensland
Ever Bloomfield sits between Queensland’s Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef.

The first property under newly launched brand Ever Lodges, the retreat straddles two UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites: the Daintree Rainforest on one side and Great Barrier Reef on the other. Once open to guests, it will offer direct access to both the world’s oldest living rainforest and largest coral reef system on Earth.

It’s this extraordinary setting that has inspired Ever Bloomfield’s design, led by acclaimed Aussie architecture firm Wolveridge Architects, with interiors by Adelaide-based Jacqui Dunn Interiors. The brief was simple: imbue a deep sense of place that can be felt from the moment of arrival.

Ever Bloomfield by Ever Lodges on the Daintree Coast, Queensland
Spaces are characterised by local timber, woven textures and statement lighting.

Built using local timber and stone, the property features a natural colour palette that allows woven textures, burnished fixtures and statement lighting to shine. Original artwork and decor pieces by local Indigenous artists also feature throughout, anchored by an abundance of natural light.

There are 14 private guestrooms at Ever Bloomfield. Each space acts as a private sanctuary for its occupants, where an off-grid ethos meets modern comforts like air conditioning, flatscreen TVs, soft linens and a balcony with a freestanding bathtub. Beyond the bedroom, stylish communal spaces range from the Long Room Restaurant and its chef-driven menu to Speak Easy Lounge and its craft cocktail program.

Ever Bloomfield by Ever Lodges on the Daintree Coast, Queensland
Ever Bloomfield boasts 14 private guestrooms, all with freestanding outdoor tubs.

Outside on the deck, a resort-style pool boasts sun loungers and uninterrupted ocean vistas. While setting up here for the day may seem enticing, the retreat’s guest-only experiences are just as compelling.

From sea safaris and ATV adventures to helicopter rides and coastal hikes, guests can explore the region from every angle with local guides. Whether you opt for a day of croc spotting on a river cruise or an e-bike ride that ends with a picnic by Trevathan Falls, you’ll return to the lodge each day with a new story to share.

Ever Bloomfield by Ever Lodges on the Daintree Coast, Queensland
Soak up panoramic ocean views from your sun lounger by the pool.

Throughout your stay, every need is catered for by an experienced team of staff, headed by general manager Patrick Barrie. With a resumé that includes luxury lodges like Longitude 131° and Saffire Freycinet, there’s no better man for the job.

“Bloomfield has something rare: a setting that asks you… to slow down, to pay attention, to be present. Our role as a team is simply to make that easy, to take care of the details so that guests can give themselves over to the place entirely," Barrie says.

“What I’m most proud of is the team we’re bringing together here. These are people who love this part of the world, who find the reef and the rainforest genuinely extraordinary, every time. That enthusiasm is contagious, and it shapes every interaction."

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Introducing Ever Lodges

Ever Bloomfield by Ever Lodges on the Daintree Coast, Queensland
Ever Bloomfield is the first property in Ever Lodges’ newly launched portfolio.

Built on nearly 30 years of experience, Ever Lodges seamlessly entered Australia’s luxury accommodation scene at the tail end of 2025. The exclusive portfolio, co-founded by long-time friends Drew Kluska and Justin Liberman, has been shaped by a mutual passion for experiential travel.

Ever Lodges is guided by the philosophy that accommodation should feel deeply personal, rather than materially led. Centred around shared moments, genuine hospitality and a true sense of belonging, every experience has been carefully curated to linger long after check-out.

Ever Bloomfield by Ever Lodges on the Daintree Coast, Queensland
Each experience, including the chef-driven menu at Long Room Restaurant, has been carefully curated.

“Ever was shaped not through strategy sessions or market trends, but through almost 30 years of deep listening: to guests, to guides, to hosts and to Country," says Kluska.

“What stays with people isn’t what they touch, but what they feel. A quiet moment with wildlife. A story shared at dusk. A guide who reveals a landscape in a new way. Ever exists to honour those moments."

While each stay is expected to leave a lasting impact on guests, the same can’t be said for the surrounding environment. Architecture will sit lightly on Country, with physical structures (and guest experiences) crafted in close collaboration with local Custodians and communities.

Ever Bloomfield by Ever Lodges on the Daintree Coast, Queensland
The luxury property has been designed to protect the surrounding environment.

Ever Bloomfield may be the brand’s first property, but it won’t be its last. Plans to expand the portfolio across the rest of Australia are firmly on the agenda, with future openings anticipated in the years ahead.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

The details

Bookings for Ever Bloomfield are now open ahead of its debut in November, and can be made online or over the phone. While the lodge’s first month has already sold out, dates are available from December onwards. Guests of all ages are welcome.

Ever Bloomfield by Ever Lodges on the Daintree Coast, Queensland
Guests can choose from four room types, including a spacious Suite.

There are four room types available, with rates based on an all-inclusive stay for two guests.

  • Queenslander: from $5400 per night
  • Suite: from $4900 per night
  • Cabin: from $4900 per night
  • Lodge Suite: from $3900 per night

Adding to its appeal, Ever Bloomfield is only accessible by boat or helicopter. The nearest airport is in Cairns, around 180 kilometres south of the lodge, with twice-weekly transfers available. Private charters can also be arranged.

* Availability and rates are accurate at the time of publication.

Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set Australian Traveller as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to check out places like Scotland and North America, her favourite place to explore will always be her homeland.
View profile and articles
hero media

Can’t handle the cold? Hamilton Island serves a slice of summer in winter

(Image: Hamilton Island)

When the winter chill settles in, an escape to Hamilton Island’s year-round tropical shores is the only acceptable coping mechanism.

As a heliophile with the cold tolerance of a Mediterranean house cat, the arrival of winter tends to spark a particular panic. How will I survive? Must I really start layering? What do you mean, Aperol season is over? But there are far better ways to spend the cooler months than sulking in the depths of your doona.

Enter, Hamilton Island. With its year-round sunshine and permanent on-holiday atmosphere, this Whitsundays favourite promises a veritable slice of summer in winter.

Think salt-stiff hair and the smug pleasure of devouring seafood beside the water while friends back home are defogging their windscreens. Here’s why Hamilton Island should figure into your winter plans.

1. Year-round summer weather

A woman hiking along the Passage Peak trail on Hamilton Island.
Hike under sunny winter skies on Hamilton Island. (Image: Andrew Caitens)

In the crisper months, Hamilton Island offers perfectly mild, sunny weather (17-24°C) that lends itself to morning swims and afternoon spritzes. Better still, you can enjoy the island’s outdoor adventures – from hiking to mountain biking – without the humidity or rain you’ll often find in summertime. With direct flights from most major Australian cities offering ease of access, Hamilton Island is the ideal place to flee the cold.

2. Getting active without the humidity

A buggy parked overlooking Hamilton Island’s golf course, with sweeping views of the sea at Whitsundays in winter.
Zip around Hamilton Island by buggy. (Image: Hamilton Island)

Whether you’re hiking up to Passage Peak or exploring the island by buggy, tropical Queensland humidity is nobody’s friend. The one way to guarantee you will avoid the inevitable stickiness and fluffy hair? Visit during winter. There’s plenty to be enjoyed, from sunrise yoga at The Sundays (exclusive to guests of The Sundays) to playing golf on Dent Island.

3. Hamilton Island Race Week

Yachts racing across the sparkling Whitsundays during Hamilton Island Race Week.
Feel the thrill of Hamilton Island Race Week. (Image: Salty Dingo)

Taking place in August, Hamilton Island Race Week is a destination in its own right that attracts spectators and racers from around the globe. Boating enthusiasts and thrill-seeking holidaymakers flock to the island, which is palpably energetic as the first yachts set off for Dent Passage from Hamilton Island Yacht Club. The annual action-packed week, taking place from 15 to 22 August in 2026, offers an exciting calendar of on- and off-water events – spanning everything from celebrity chef dinners to golfing comps and wine tastings.

4. Best time for snorkelling

A woman snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
Explore Hamilton Island’s winter waters. (Image: Andrew Caitens)

While the crowds on Hamilton Island may disperse with the cooler weather, the marine life certainly doesn’t. Winter is widely considered one of the best times to snorkel and dive in the Whitsundays.

It’s down to a number of reasons: excellent water visibility, higher chances of seeing whales as they migrate north and – best of all – no nasty stingers. This means no need to wear those notoriously unflattering full-body wetsuits visitors have to wear in warmer months. On top of all this, you’ll find calm seas ideal for sailing and Great Barrier Reef tours.

5. Fewer crowds

People kayaking.
Experience a quieter Hamilton Island on a kayaking adventure. (Image: Hamilton Island)

Winter is often the quietest time to visit Hamilton Island, with the peak season crowds thinned to a relaxed trickle. You can snorkel or dive straight off the reef-laced waters of Catseye Beach, then swap fins for a buggy and zip between One Tree Hill, the marina and sunset cocktails without the usual summer queues. Active days stretch from kayaking, sailing and jet skiing to hopping over to famous Whitehaven Beach to witness those breathtaking white swirls of silica sand. You won’t have to elbow your way to the front of the crowd to get a good snap.

6. Delicious dining

The interiors of Bommie Restaurant, featuring modern coastal design with warm lighting and elegant detailing.
Treat yourself to Bommie Restaurant’s fine dining featuring fresh, seasonal Aussie produce. (Image: Nikki To)

The food on Hamilton Island tastes just as good any time of year, and winter is still perfect weather for sundowners. Start with an iced tea Negroni at harbourside Bommie Deck, before transitioning to Bommie Restaurant for a fine-dining feast centering on seasonal Aussie ingredients. Or perhaps enjoy a more casual poolside evening at Sails Restaurant, where plates of chermoula chicken skewers, baked cauliflower steak and crispy sumac squid come served with ocean views. From family-friendly pub meals to elevated wine tastings, there’s something for everyone.

5. Clear skies for idyllic views

The golden hour across the Whitsundays in winter.
End your day with golden Hamilton Island sunsets over the water. (Image: Hamilton Island)

Never let a cloud rain on the parade of Hamilton Island’s spectacular scenery. Winter brings clearer skies and more stable weather to the Whitsundays, meaning your picture-perfect sunset at One Tree Hill is likely to remain that way. And after putting in the legwork to hike to a scenic lookout, the last thing you want is a vista hidden behind low cloud and haze.

To learn more about travelling to the Whitsundays in winter, visit hamitlonisland.com.au.