Are you often stuck at work, fantasising about all the lovey-dovey stuff you’re going to do when Friday hits? If the answer is a big “Yes!” then we ask you this: why wait for love? (Cue: sentimental orchestral music from your favourite rom-com) Life is way too short to save all your cutest plans for the weekend. And we reckon a trip to Australia’s beachiest holiday destination is a pretty snazzy way to make the usual Monday-to-Thursday stretch a little less blah and a lot more romantic. The Gold Coast is a city on the ocean, so it’s got an enchanting blend of urban and natural worlds, and it’s a mighty beautiful place to get in the mood. Think sunny skies, sparkling coastline, romantic meals, soothing sauna sessions and even a shower under the stars (swoon!).

So, the folks at Destination Gold Coast have helped us come up with a few ideas for what they’re calling a “Sneeky Mid-Weeky” ​​– an utterly magical midweek getaway, which means you get to enjoy their dreamy city at a slower, chiller pace. Whether you’re booking an extra-special Valentine’s trip for you and your partner, a cute get-together with your mates, or you’re flying solo (heck yeah!), here are our picks for a lush midweek holiday to the Gold Coast.L: Woodlands glamping tents at Cedar Creek Lodge. R: Brunch at Paddock Bakery

TUESDAY
Fill up at Paddock Bakery (Miami) Start unwinding straightaway in Paddock Bakery’s leafy, atmospheric garden, where you can enjoy coffees, brunch and scrumptious baked goodies doled out from a rustic, converted 1950s cottage. Sweet, sweet treats in a quaint garden? What’s not to love?

Beach picnic on Burleigh Hill (Burleigh Heads) Take your favourite bevvies, a few nibbles and a beach towel to Burleigh Hill for a vibe-y al fresco dining experience overlooking the city skyline and the coast. Though it’s the city’s most popular picnicking spot, going mid-week means you’re likely to get more of it to yourself (better for sunset smooching sessions).

Cruise the canals on a private gondola (Main Beach and Surfers Paradise) Cruising the gorgeous canals on a private gondola — now that’s amore! And you don’t have to go to Venice to do it. Gold Coast Gondolas offers romantic gondola cruises through the canals of Main Beach and Surfers Paradise. Their swooniest packages include red velvet curtains, cheese platters, bubbles, red roses and — if the time is right, you lovebirds! — a grand proposal package.

Glamping at Cedar Creek Lodge (Tamborine Mountain) Whether or not you’ve got a ripped bodice and a rugged beefcake by your side, it’s hard not to feel like a character in an epic romance novel when you’re nestled in a cosy luxury tent, surrounded by picturesque rainforest, and showering under-the-stars in a glamorous open-air ensuite. A little under an hour from the city, you’ll find the Woodlands glamping tents at Cedar Creek Lodge – a fairy-tale spot to cuddle up.L: Glow worm caves at Tamborine Mountain R: The Bathhouse at Native State. Photography by David Chatfield.

WEDNESDAY
Glow worm caves at Tamborine Mountain While you’re staying in the hinterland, it’s worth visiting the mountain’s purpose-built glow worm caves (a more sustainable and ethical way to see these twinkly grubs). Like nature’s own tea lights, thousands of glow worms light up the cave walls in a magical and heart-warming display.

The bathhouse at Native State (Coolangatta) Even if the balmy weather, spectacular scenery and festive beach hangs have already put you into a state of zenned-out bliss, you can still say “yes, please!” to an indulgent spa day; you’re on a romantic holiday, after all! The European-style bathhouse and spa at Native State has everything you need to feel like a pampered, loved-up ancient Roman aristocrat (minus the toga), including a sauna, pool and meditation lounge.

Cocktails at Husk Distillery (North Tumbulgum) Spend a sunny arvo sampling some seriously good drops on the beautiful grounds of Husk Distillery, a family-run cattle and cane farm that makes Ink Gin and rum from freshly crushed cane juice. If you’re not a straight spirits kinda person, though, they’ve got a long cocktail list and lunch menu.Breakfast at Buoy cafe. 

THURSDAY
Breakfast at Buoy cafe (Nobby Beach) The best part about travelling mid-week is you get a state of day-to-day life for locals on the Gold Coast, and laid-back Nobby Beach is the perfect place to do that. Here’s where you’ll find surfers, families and all-day brekkie at Buoy, an airy cafe just a few blocks from the water. With acai bowls, prawn salads and panko-crumbed snapper, it’s wholesome comfort food by way of the beach.

Chill out at Balter Brewing Company (Currumbin) Set up by a group of surfing bigwigs, including Mick Fanning, Balter is now one of Australia’s biggest craft brewers. And their Currumbin cellar door, with its warehouse-y tap room and beer garden, is a tip-top place to enjoy a relaxing pint before you jet home.

Wrap up with the view from Rainbow Bay (Coolangatta) Stave off those it’s-almost-the-end-of-my-getaway blues with a leisurely walk from Greenmount Beach up to Rainbow Bay Lookout, then soak up the stellar views looking back toward Surfers Paradise.

This guide was brought to you in partnership with our pals at Destination Gold Coast. Inspired to make your weekdays a lot lovelier by jet-setting off to the blissfully sunny shores of the Gold Coast? We think you just might fall in love with this beautiful part of the world. Swing by Destination Gold Coast to plan your own “sneeky mid-weeky”.