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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."

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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.

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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.

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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.
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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.