Forget the cliche plush toys, heart-shaped chocolates and fancy flowers, give a gift to last this Valentine's Day with a romantic trip to some of our favourite 'loved up locations' in Townsville North Queensland.

To get you on your way, we've handpicked our favourite blissful locales for the ultimate romantic getaway. Be inspired by our region's natural beauty and explore with your best friend by your side.

under the light of the moon

Nothing says romantic than hearing the thrumming roar of the wild Wallaman Falls under the light of the moon and a star-studded sky. This natural beauty is impressive by day, but under the cover of darkness, Australia's tallest waterfall morphs into a moment from a fairytale. Just a short drive from Ingham, this waterfall wonder is nestled in the Girrigun National Park - which is also available for camping! This takes date night to a whole new level, in our opinion.

SET WILD HEARTS AFLUTTER

If you're special someone is a lover of all things wild and free - especially if they are cute and furry (and no, we don't mean you!), then best to head west and explore the Outback in search of the quintessentially Aussie rock wallaby. Charters Towers is the real gateway to the Outback, and home to creatures great and small. From the small allied rock wallaby - best spotted atop Towers Hill on dusk, to the bovine beasts of the Texas Longhorn herds - from one of the largest herds outside of Texas! Our tip is to take a picnic to the Towers Hill lookout, and spend some time taking in the views, exploring the military fortifications, and spotting a furry friend in the rocky outcrops, all while the sun slowly dips over the Outback horizon - you can thank us later! #yourewelcome

pucker up for a 'honey kiss'

We get, we get - yes, your significant other is sweet...but we think these exotic fruits are even sweeter! Mix up the typical 'date' out with a Burdekin farm tour - home to the world's first & largest commercial planation of the tropical fruit, the achacha. What's that I hear you ask? Well, until they invent smell-a-vision and a taste-transporter, here's our best attempt to describe this punchy little morsel. Achacha's are a refreshing, exotic, tangy, effervescent fruit; striking a fine balance between sweet and acid. The humble achacha - which translates as 'honey kiss' - has been compared to mangosteen, longan, rambutan or lychee; and holds the title as the “queen of tropical fruit” throughout Asia. Now if that isn't enough to get the lips smacking, then the Burdekin is also a thriving rural community and bountiful in many other tropical fruits. Take a tasty trip - we promise you won't be disappointed.

a love deeper than the ocean

For the real romantics looking for some alone time...let's sea what we have here? Oh right, only the most naturally stunning National Park island in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Magnetic Island takes you away from the hustle and bustle and resets you to island time. This tropical paradise has 23 bays for those long walks on the beach, and there's every chance you could have one of these sandy slices all to yourselves. Make it special with a gourmet picnic with Beach Club Magnetic Island - or step up the luxe factor with a sunset sail along the island's coastline with Big Mama Sailing or Pilgrim Sailing. This is truly a pace to take life at slower pace, to immerse in nature, and to spend some quality time just to 'be'.

all you need is love and sunsets (or sunrises)

We're blessed in Townsville North Queensland with some pretty spectacular locations to stop and take in the beauty of 'Golden Hour'. From the mountain peaks to our sandy shores, stop and enjoy the watercolour hues of vast horizons with your fellow opacarophile.
Fun fact: A lover of sunsets is called an 'opacarophile'. To understand its roots, the word opacarophile can be broken down into two parts: 'opacare' which is Latin for dusk or sunset, and 'phile' which is Greek for love.