25 places to book now for the Ekka long weekend
Queenslanders have been given a new public holiday on October 29 – here’s the best Queensland holidays to book now before they book out.
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The doomed Ekka Holiday will be transformed into the ultimate Spring Break in a move to deliver a long-overdue tourism bonanza to the Sunshine State.
The show holiday will be moved to Friday, October 29, falling just days before the Melbourne Cup in a tempting prospect for racing fans to take a five-day break.
It will apply to 1.8 million residents in the Brisbane, Moreton Bay and Scenic Rim areas with locals urged to ‘pack the travel bag’ and get out and explore Queensland on a short-break holiday.
The change came after careful deliberation over factors including the new date’s proximity to existing holiday periods, as well as research which suggests people are more willing to travel in warmer weather.
Here are the best 25 Queensland holidays to book now:
Cape Tribulation & Daintree
Safari Lodge
A: Turtle Rock Cafe, Cape Tribulation Rd, Cape Tribulation QLD 4873
P: +61 4098 0006
Sleep to the sound of the rainforest and then wake up to Myall Beach just a walk away. Safari Lodge offers four corrugated iron Safari Huts ($90/2) plus powered and unpowered camp sites ($15), as well as a swimming pool and clean amenities in the tropical rainforest.
Heritage Lodge “In the Daintree”
A: Lot 236 Turpentine Road, Diwan
P: +61 7 4098 9321
Just two hours North of Cairns, the Lodge’s 20 cabins each have their own private balconies and are perfect for bird, butterfly or musky rat kangaroo spotting. The swimming hole next to the lodge rose to Instagram fame in recent years and guests can swim among the turtles in the clear waters of Cooper Creek which winds through the lodge en route from the mountains to the sea.
Port Douglas
Coconut Grove Apartments #upscale #BOQE
A: 56 Macrossan Street, Port Douglas QLD 4877
P: +61 7 4099 0600
W: coconutgroveportdouglas.com.au
Immerse yourself in one of 33 one-, two- and three-bedroom spacious apartments and take in breathtaking rainforest views at Coconut Grove Apartments. Situated at the end of Macrossan Street and just 140 metres from Four Mile Beach, these luxury apartments are in the hub of chic boutiques, cool eateries, and night time action.
Thala Beach Nature Reserve
A: Thala Beach Lodge, Private Road, Oak Beach Port Douglas
P: +61 7 4098 5700
Thala Beach Nature Reserve is located a ten minute drive south of Port Douglas and offers eco-designed timber bungalows built high on stilts within the forest canopy. All bungalows enjoy ocean, mountain or forest views.
Cairns
Benson Hotel (Opened July 2)
A: 50 Grafton Street, Cairns
P: +61 740460300
Located on the corner of Grafton and Spence Streets, the former Rydges Hotel has been revamped and reflagged as the Benson Hotel. It’s now a stylish hotel with an art-deco inspired lobby, 56 guest rooms and a bigger and better LILO rooftop bar.
Flynn (Opened April 2020)
A: 85 The Esplanade (Abbot Street entrance, across from the lagoon) Cairns QLD 4870
P: +61 7 4253 5000
W: crystalbrookcollection.com/flynn
Described as the wild child of the hotel trio, the 311-room Flynn rises from The Esplanade directly opposite the popular Cairns Lagoon. Two glass swimming pools literally “hang” over the restaurant-come-night market that features up to six food stalls and live music.
Mission Beach
Licuala Lodge
A: 11 Mission Circle, Wongaling Beach QLD 4873
P: +61 7 4068 8194
If you ever wanted to trial life in a typical tropical Queenslander home, this is it. Licuala Lodge, run by friendly owners Dawn and Blair sits anchored in perfectly manicured gardens and surrounded by 2.28 acres of lush rainforest just 1.5km from Mission Beach village.
Sanctuary Retreat, Mission Beach
A: 72 Holt Road, Garners Beach QLD 4852
P: +61 7 40886064
An affordable rainforest eco retreat set in 50 acres of lush tropical rainforest with ocean views and private access to Brooks Beach. This adult’s only resort offers yoga retreats, bird watching and incredible views to the ocean.
Magnetic Island
Peppers Blue on Blue
A: 123 Sooning Street, Nelly Bay
P: 07 4758 2400
W: peppers.com.au/blue-on-blue
Surrounded by the marina and mountain views, the resort is positioned on the water’s edge and enjoys a relaxed nautical atmosphere. Choose from hotel rooms, spacious one, two or three-bedroom apartments or the luxurious three-bedroom penthouse which features two bathrooms, two living areas, a gourmet kitchen and a wraparound balcony.
Bungalow Bay Koala Village
A: 40 Horseshoe Bay Road, Magnetic Island
P: 07 4778 5577
Bungalow Bay Koala Village is Australia’s only resort with resident koalas and other Australian wildlife in its boutique wildlife park. The resort, voted Australia’s best backpacker resort in 2007, offers a variety of accommodation, with camping sites, five islander bungalows and 25 private double bungalows.
Airlie Beach
Freedom Shores Resort #BOQE
A: Lot 103 Pringle Road, Woodwark, Airlie Beach QLD 4802
P: 1800 68 22 77
E: stay@freedomshores.com.au
With rooms designed to replicate the boats docked at the marina (and made from the hulls of old ships), a cocktail bar crafted from General Douglas MacArthur’s WWII vessel and palm trees sourced from the set of the Pirates of the Caribbean movie filmed in Queensland, this quirky resort promises to be a crowd pleaser.
Coral Sea Marina Resort
A: 25 Ocean View Ave, Airlie Beach QLD 4802
P: +61 7 4964 1300
Enjoy absolute ocean frontage at Coral Sea Resort, just a short stroll via seaside boardwalk to the centre of Airlie Beach. Coral Sea Resort features a variety of nautical-themed hotel rooms including deluxe suites and one, two and three-bedroom apartments, penthouses and beach houses.
Whitsunday Island experiences
Camp Island Lodge
A: Bowen, The Whitsundays
Camp Island is the most northerly island in the Whitsundays, sitting just 3km off the coast of Abbott Bay, which is 50kms north of Bowen (about 1.5 hours drive’ north of Proserpine Airport). The exclusive 2.4-hectare resort-style property offers up to 8 guests the chance to lap up private beaches and 15 hectares of national park with diverse fauna and flora.
Cruise Whitsundays – Reefsuites (Opened November 30)
P: +61 7 4846 7000
W: cruisewhitsundays.com/experiences/reefsuites
Imagine floor to ceiling views of the spectacular underwater world of the Great Barrier Reefall from the comfort of your bed! Opened December 2019, the $10 million Reef Suites is Australia’s first underwater accommodation, located on the 40 metre Reefworld pontoon just upstream from the existing Heart Reef Pontoon.
Reef View Hotel, Hamilton
A: Resort Drive, Hamilton Island
P: 13 73 33
W: hamiltonisland.com.au/reef-view-hotel
Reef View Hotel’s strongest feature are Coral Sea views from all its suites and ideal access to Catseye Beach. If the beach doesn’t get your tick of approval enjoy the 35-meter swimming pool on site. Guests can enjoy meals at the Reef Lounge Bar and in-house Pool Terrace Restaurant.
Brisbane
Hazelwood Estate (Opens September 2021)
A: 442 Binna Burra Rd, Beechmont QLD 4211
P: 0429 800 852
Tucked away in the hills of World Heritage Listed Lamington National Park, Hazelwood Estate will offer luxury glamping accommodation, onsite day spa, infinity swimming pool and wagyu cellar door when it opens in September 2021.
Hotel X (Launched April 2021)
A: 458 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
P: 07 3519 1000
Just minutes from the bars of Howard Smith Wharves the boutiques of James Street and the best restaurants and clubs in Brisbane, Hotel X literally marks the spot. Each room has been designed for the ultimate luxury and comfort with the furnishings and amenities finished to the highest level.
Crystalbrook Vincent (Rebranded July 1)
A: 5 Boundary St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
P: 1300 092 875
W: crystalbrookcollection.com/vincent
Located at Brisbane’s hottest cultural hub, Howard Smith Wharves, Crystalbrook Vincent is one stroke of genius away from getting a gold medal for helping guests hibernate through the current crazy times. Carved into a sandstone cliff under the iconic Story Bridge, one side of the hotel offers rooms that cocoon into a rock, while the other serves up sunshine and happiness, with views to the Brisbane River and city skyline.
W Brisbane (Opened 2018)
A: 81 N Quay, Brisbane City QLD 4000
P: 07 3556 8888
W: marriott.com.au/hotels/travel/bnewh-w-brisbane
Long the playground for the rich and famous, W Hotel made its return to Australia in June 2018 with the opening of the W Hotel Brisbane. The $800 million, 305-room six-star hotel located on the former Law Courts site – is home to a fancy indoor swimming pool, an Extreme Wow Suite (the W brand’s interpretation of the traditional Presidential Suite) three bars and restaurants (including the renowned Three Blue Ducks) and views from South Bank to Mount Coot-Tha.
Gold Coast – Scenic Rim
Witches Falls Cottages
A: Hartley Rd &, Main Western Rd, Tamborine Mountain QLD 4272
P: 07 5545 4411
W: witchesfallscottages.com.au
Prepare to be pampered at the Witches Falls Cottages on Tamborine Mountain. Six, private self-contained cottages are tucked away in dense rainforest offering guests privacy and seclusion in this remote hinterland location. Immerse yourself in nature by taking an outdoor shower or indulge in a bubble bath from your private spa room which has a glass ceiling and walls, to bring the outside in.
Binna Burra Sky Lodges
A: Binna Burra Road, Beechmont 4211
P: 07 5533 3622
Sky Lodges are Binna Burra’s award-winning new accommodation – spacious one, two & three bedroom apartments offering a stylish contemporary alternative to Binna Burra’s traditional lodges. Each offers generous balconies with breathtaking views, fully equipped self-contained cooking facilities (galley kitchenette in studio apartments), spa baths, fire places, flat screen TVs & wireless internet.
Gold Coast
Meriton Suites Surfers Paradise (Opened June 2021)
A: 84 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise, QLD 4217
P: +61 7 5620 0888
W: meritonsuites.com.au/upcoming-hotels/surfers-paradise
Meriton Suites Surfers Paradise offers 5-star beachfront accommodation on the Gold Coast. The Hotel occupies the first 31 levels of the stunningly designed 252-metre-high building aptly named “Ocean” and features spacious 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom suites with sizeable balconies.
The Mysa Motel (Opened March 2021)
A: 1100 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach QLD 4221
P: +61 407 467 976
Located in burgeoning Palm Beach, the old Palm Trees Motel has been artfully refurbished by husband-and-wife-duo Eliza and Jason Raine into a sustainable, seven-room oasis with serious aesthetic appeal, passive design and self-service check in. The motel has a quintessential motel vibe featuring retro design cues such as breeze blocks, neon, and fibreglass sun-lounger chairs.
Lotus Tents, Cedar Creek Lodges (Opened March 2021)
A: 639 Tamborine Mountain Road, (Cnr Cedar Creek Falls Rd & Tamborine Mt Rd)
Tamborine Mountain, QLD 4272
P: +61 7 5545 7900
The Lotus Tents at Cedar Creek Lodges take glamping to the next level with an ensuite bathroom located in a corrugated iron outhouse accessed through a barn door entry and featuring a rainwater shower that open to the stars. The tents come in the shape of a lotus and include a king sized bed, a couch, and a deck with a fire pit made for toasting marshmallows. All tents are surrounded by the neighbouring rainforest and have inspiring views of the creek.
Noosa
RACV Noosa Resort
A: 94 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads, Queensland, 4567
P: 1300 273 962
Situated between bustling Hastings Street and the pristine rainforests and quaint hinterland villages, RACV Noosa Resort is perfect for couples, families and friends wanting to explore the region as well as needing space to relax at the end of a busy day. The spacious one, two and three bedroom apartments provide open-plan kitchen and dining areas, beautiful living spaces and adjoining private terraces or balconies, ideal for soaking up the balmy Noosa weather. Book and stay by 24 June 2022. The Drive Market Deal means you can stay longer and save up to 20 per cent.
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