Heart Reef 13 Feb 2026
It's a Match: Queensland plays cupid this Valentine's Day, setting Aussies up for the perfect date with destin-ation

Tags: TEQ, #thisisqueensland, Valentine's Day, Queensland, Tourism And events Queensland

Tourism and Events Queensland

Queensland is looking for love – and it’s not playing hard to get. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Queensland’s most iconic destinations are putting themselves out there, delivering some serious holiday chemistry and proving Queensland is not just a great holiday destination – it’s a perfect match.

Queensland is playing cupid, matching Aussies with their perfect date with destin-ation. From the Gold Coast’s ‘always say yes’ energy, to falling for the ‘heart’ of the Great Barrier Reef, or finding a larrikin kindred spirit in Outback Queensland, there’s a Queensland destination for everyone to swoon over this Valentine’s Day.

New YouGov research, conducted online on behalf of Tourism and Events Queensland, suggests the qualities Aussies value most in partners may not just live in a person… but in a place.

When it comes to attraction, the heart wins every time. Aussies say loyalty (46%), caring (45%) and dependability (32%) are the ultimate green flags while almost half (48%) are attracted to someone with a heart bigger than their ego.

Looks still matter, though – and nature is doing most of the heavy lifting. Nearly two-thirds of Aussies (64%) say their ideal date happens outdoors - whether it be beach, rainforests, waterfalls or wide-open spaces – they’re all guaranteed to turn heads.

Drama? Hard pass. Seven in ten Aussies (72%) are drawn to “low-key adventure” activities for their ideal date, choosing relaxed, spontaneous experiences over full-throttle thrills. Food, culture and shared moments are where sparks really fly. Dining and drinks (32%), regional road trips (33%), markets (23%) and cultural experiences (23%) top the list.

Each destination has been matched using insights from the research, which tackles the ‘big three’ compatibility questions: the personalities Aussies see as their ideal match, the traits that draws them in, and what an ideal day together looks like (because great matches don’t happen by accident).

 So, let’s meet Queensland’s holiday heartthrobs.

●    Whitsundays: The one who loves love
A hopeless romantic with a flair for grand gestures, the Whitsundays makes time slow down and worries drift away. With sailing dates, barefoot beaches and 74 reasons to fall hard, it’s big love, island-style.

●    Sunshine Coast: The one who brings low-key adventure
Effortlessly good-looking with a knack for keeping things fun, the Sunshine Coast kicks things off with a sunrise swim and happily stays out for a sunset schooner. With beach days, hinterland detours and craft breweries in the mix, the vibe is easy and the chemistry is undeniable.

●    Southern Great Barrier Reef: The one with a heart bigger than their ego
Into under-the-radar wow moments, island time done without looking at the watch and time spent exploring the Great Barrier Reef? Then this could be the start of something special. Warm, welcoming and emotionally generous – wins over kids, parents and families without even trying. 

●    Granite Belt: The one who speaks fluent food and wine
Confident with a wine list and serious about dessert, the Granite Belt is best enjoyed slowly. Think long lunches, country roads, open skies and a great drop shared with even better company.

●    Townsville: The one who loves to be guided by the sunrise and sunset 
Naturally magnetic and not afraid to admit it, Townsville pulls visitors in fast and keeps them coming back for more. Big on Reef adventures, sunset walks and a little depth below the surface, it’s relaxed, outdoorsy and loyal to its first love – the Cowboys – so expect great chemistry and shared attention on game day.

●    Cairns & Great Barrier Reef: The one who appreciates culture
Bold, tropical and built for making memories, Tropical North Queensland brings depth as well as good looks. With the Great Barrier Reef on one side and ancient rainforest on the other, it’s great for those curious minds offering a rare chance to connect with the world’s oldest living cultures through stories, traditions and Country.

●    Outback Queensland: The one best known as a lovable larrikin
Outback Queensland turns a quick hello into a long night of laughs. The Outback seduces visitors with big skies, bigger characters, sunsets that love showing off and starry nights that outshine five stars.

●    Brisbane: The one who thrives on competition and celebration
High-energy, quick with the banter and always ready to celebrate, Brisbane knows how to turn a night out into a headline act. From rooftop sunsets and riverside brews to stadium roars and stage lights – this city offers ample room for a plus one. 

●    Gold Coast: The one who’s up for anything
Always up for fun and never short on options, the Gold Coast says yes first and figures it out later. From surf lessons and sky-high thrills to family beach days, the Gold Coast is made for those who like their love life – and their holidays – shouted loud and proud.

●    Fraser Coast: A soul that’s beautiful, calm and endlessly comforting
Easy on the eyes, big on feelings and built for long-term commitment – the Fraser Coast woos with its epic coastline, whale-season grand gestures and just enough Mary Poppins magic to make visitors fall in love… then stay.  

Move over Romeo – there’s a new romantic in town. Meet the Whitsundays.

The Whitsundays doesn’t do subtle when it comes to romance. As the one who loves love, it leans into big gestures, meaningful moments and getting lost in the now. And with the iconic Heart Reef right on its doorstep, it quite literally wears its heart on its sleeve.

It’s a vibe Aussies are clearly falling for. Just over one in five (22%) say their perfect match is someone who loves love – a type that resonates most strongly with Gen Z (28%), women (23% compared to 20% of men) and New South Wales residents (23%).

That attraction runs deeper than good looks.  The traits Aussies are drawn to here are caring (45%) and romantic (24%) – the kind of connection that’s less about ticking boxes and more about being present.

Few stories capture that better than Asher and Julie Telford from Red Cat Adventures, who quite literally fell in love thanks to their connection to the destination, sailed into the sunset, and now call the Whitsundays home.

“I was backpacking from the UK when I met Asher here in the Whitsundays, and before I knew it, I’d become his ‘hostess with the mostest’ on a sailing boat,” Julie said. “We fell so in love on that boat. The kind of meet-cute you couldn’t script, set in a place so beautiful it almost doesn't feel real."

After committing to each other and the Whitsundays, they eventually bought the very boat that sparked their love story.

“There’s something about being out on the water here that changes everything,” Asher said. “People slow down, they connect, and they really take the time to be with each other.”

If you’d rather be won over quietly, the Sunshine Coast warms hearts without big declarations.

The Sunshine Coast doesn’t rush the romance. Known as the one who brings low-key adventure, it whispers sweet nothings through an easy pace with just enough excitement and energy to quickly light a spark.

It’s a match built on balance and winning hearts: coastal walks along Mooloolaba Esplanade, hinterland hiking trails through the Glass House Mountains followed by good coffee at Glasshouse Plantation, and days that unfold naturally rather than being tightly planned. Easy-going, outdoorsy and endlessly inviting.

Australians agree, with seven in ten (72%) saying they’re attracted to “low-key adventure” activities – experiences that blend exploration with comfort and feel relaxed, not relentless.

That appeal is grounded in the traits Aussies value most here, including being thoughtful (29%) and relaxed (18%). Easy to be around but hard to leave, it’s exactly how the Sunshine Coast seals the deal.

For Ali and Xochi, co-owners of Narrows Escape (once named TripAdvisor’s #1 Romantic Hotel in the World), it was that special feeling that turned a holiday into a life long love story.

“We came to the Sunshine Coast on holiday and completely fell for the hinterland’s calm and creative way of offering endless possibilities,” Xochi said.

Ali says the region has a way of turning short stays into long-term commitments.

“There’s a warmth to the Sunshine Coast – the people, the pace, the lifestyle – where you feel quietly confident in building something unrushed, but meaningful,” Ali said.

From beach walks to rainforest escapes, the Sunshine Coast doesn’t shout for attention – it simply shows up, again and again.

Swipe right on Queensland because the perfect match is ready and waiting – no awkward first date required. Visit queensland.com to make the first move.

/ENDS

 

Editor’s note:

To keep up with the latest tourism news from Queensland visit queensland.com.

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 1060 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 27th November - 1st December 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Australian adults (aged 18+).

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