Waking up at 6am to the squawk of hungry children — your own or your neighbour’s — is hardly going to cue the romance.
Which is why carving out pockets of time for uninterrupted conversations, handholding and adventuring to places where no kids are allowed is kind of genius.
From the country to the coast and the rainforests in between, set the scene for your next romantic getaway with the best adults-only Slow Stays in Australia.
BLACKBIRD BYRON
Mullumbimby Creek, NSW
Wake to the sun rising over the ocean at Blackbird, a stunning Slow Stay on a cliff-face in verdant Mullumbimby. Between taking in the view of rolling hills and the Pacific Ocean, plunging into the magnesium pool and soaking up some Vitamin D on the handmade sun lounges, it’ll be impossible not to fall in love… with Blackbird, and your lover all over again. Whatever you do, don’t call it a night too early; there’s a fire to huddle around and the stars out here are something else.
DALES RUN
Jamberoo, NSW
If the serene landscape and the endless country and ocean views don’t captivate you (they will), the stylish ambience of this stunningly renovated retreat, will. Located south of Sydney, just outside the coastal village of Kiama, Dales Run is the kind of home you’ll visit and not want to leave during your entire stay. Filled with cosy sofas, sunlit dining areas, indoor and outdoor baths, hammock and daybeds for lounging, and an infrared sauna, if you’re chasing an adults-only escape that’s infused with a focus on wellness, this is it. Between sweating out toxins, wines for the soul by the firepit and taking the virtual yoga classes provided, you’ll walk away feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
FIVE ACRES
Phillip Island, VIC
Immaculate design, luxury interiors and an awe-inspiring location on a Phillip Island micro-farm, Five Acres is home to three of the best adults-only cabins in Australia. Once you arrive, let a soak in the outdoor concrete bath lull you into a state of calm, whilst the natural wood fireplace inside heats up and flicks the switch to ‘romance’. Beyond the passing Scottish Highland cows, you’ll spot the ocean — one of the island’s many drawcards, alongside the famous penguin parade, coastal walks and wineries.
LARNOOK
Kallista, VIC
Hidden away on a flower farm in Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges, this smart shipping container conversion delivers high-end comforts while treading lightly on the earth. Soak in the view while you relax and enjoy a complimentary bottle of local wine around the fire pit, shower under the stars and snuggle into sumptuous linen bedding. Then simply rinse and repeat!
FROGHOLLOW LAKEHOUSE
Lillian Rock, NSW
Perched overlooking a private lake and boathouse, surrounded by gardens with mountain glimpses, Froghollow Lakehouse is the ultimate destination to reconnect with nature and your travelling partner. Wake up to the birds in your king bed, take out the rowboat for a paddle, spot the platypus or drop a line in hopes of catching Silver Perch or Bass — perfect for a lunch whipped up in the outdoor kitchen. As the day stretches on, you’ll find hammocks for snoozing, organic fruit and veggies to forage across the property and a heated jacuzzi, filled with crystal clear rainwater. If the slow life is luring you in, add to the temptation and book a private yoga classes or in-house massage.
NIGHTFALL
Gold Coast Hinterland, QLD
A glamping retreat that needs no introduction for most, Nightfall offers a fully-inclusive, hands-off-the-steering-wheel-of-life, romantic experience you’ll never forget. Soak in the twin tubs in your open-sided safari tent, book a massage, and toast to each other as you unwind and reconnect in the magic of Lamington National Park. If glamping at one of the best adults-only Slow Stays is on your bucket list, bookmark this!
THE STABLE LOFTS
Carrick, TAS
Fairytale-like gardens, exposed beams, mud walls, lofted bedroom and a curated collection of vintage finds — it’s all within reach when you book a romantic weekend away to The Stable Lofts. Found just outside of Launceston, this chic escape is part of the historic Hawthorn Villa Estate and is every inch as charming as it sounds. Make time to wander through the pristine gardens and collect herbs and eggs (the host breeds special chooks who produce colourful eggs!) for a homemade brekkie in the self-contained kitchen.
CAPTAINS REST
Lettes Bay, TAS
This whimsical property in Strahan has been lovingly renovated to reflect a less modern era, a slower lifestyle and a yearning for respite from the busyness that engulfs us all. Just as the name Captains Rest implies, this is a place to seek solitude with huge antique windows that look out onto the lake and private jetty. Sit by the fire as rain teems down or sink deeply into the restored clawfoot bath at this romantic getaway in Tasmania.
MOUNTFORD COTTAGE
Metung, VIC
Grab your lover, leave the city lights behind and take a road trip to Metung, about 3.5 hours from Melbourne. It’s here, in the Gippsland Lakes region, that you’ll find Mountford Cottage; the perfect haven for busy couples. Renovated and furnished with a blend of new and pre-loved goods, this storied cottage is inviting and truly allows guests to relax without having to venture too far. There are handmade toiletries supplied, along with bread, and condiments available, plus plenty of herbs and fruits ready to be plucked from the garden. Hop on the resident bikes and find your way to Metung Hot Springs for a steamy afternoon or the Kings Cove Country Club for a swing.
FLAX AT DUCK REACH
West Launceston, TAS
Made for the lovers, bushwalkers and nature fiends, this adults-only Slow Stay is the perfect base to discover a hidden nook of Launceston, where Australian bushland, the Cataract Gorge and the South Esk River are some of your closest neighbours. Originally built for the workers of the Duck Reach Power Station in 1895, FLAX is now home to a mix of old-world pieces, flax linen bedding and original artworks, with enough room to sleep three. Everything has been thought of at this restored abode, so all you really need to do is sit back, relax and unwind.
Like what you see? Find more slow and sustainable accommodation in our Slow Stays directory.