10 ultimate ideas on how to host a modern hen’s party in Queensland

Whether you’re calling it a hen’s party or a bachelorette bash, getting the gang together is always a welcome way to ditch planning stress and bond with your besties.

To help make the most of this memorable event, we’ve rounded up 10 ideas on how you can host a modern hen’s party in Queensland. And if you’re planning a mixed bride tribe (man of honour perhaps?) or even a his-and-hers (hucks) celebration, don’t worry; it all works!

But first: what exactly happens at a hen’s party? Well, that’s completely up to you and your crew. In years gone by it was a blurry bar crawl straight out of The Hangover. The modern hen’s do has expanded into something a little more creative: a personalised ‘last hurrah’ that can be low-key, meticulously themed and/or completely epic. 

And just who organises the hen’s party? While it usually falls to the head bridesmaid to pull the event together, often working to the bride’s brief, many brides are also designing their own celebrations. Perfect if you don’t like surprises — or you just love event planning!

1. Enjoy island time, close to home

Activate holiday mode with a few days on one of Queensland’s beautiful islands: perfect as a hens, bucks or hucks. Just a short ferry ride and you’ll be sipping cocktails and making memories at Kingfisher Bay Resort on K’gari (Fraser Island) or Moreton Bay’s Tanglooma Resort. In North Queensland, look to Townsville’s offshore gem, Magnetic Island, or the glorious Fitzroy Island Resort off Cairns. And, of course, you can’t talk Australian island escapes without the holiday playground that is The Whitsundays. Embrace island time with snorkelling, gentle hikes, and lazy beach snoozes that segue into sunset drinks by the pool.

Explore 5 of Queensland’s best honeymoon islands for a few ideas

2. Indulge with a long lunch

Treat your favourites to a fancy restaurant lunch (look for a private room or an exclusive private booth) or high tea where everyone can chill, catch up, and wine and dine to their heart’s content. Sweet touches like custom stationery and a themed cake will personalise the event and set the scene. Keen to kick on? Hit the town in your finery for an evening of cocktails and dancefloor sing-alongs.

3. Book a five-star sleepover

For those nostalgic sleepover vibes, gather the gang for a weekend of … whatever you like! Beach babes? Book an oceanfront resort (we love the swim-up bar at Sheraton Grand Mirage Gold Coast Resort) or an Airbnb with a pool for a few dreamy days of swimming, shopping, cocktail/cooking classes, sunset cruises and free-flowing Champagne. Craving that urban vibe? Book a swanky hotel with a plum location where you can host a his-and-hers bash by the pool or sip your way around the city’s best bars. 

“Our pre-wedding celebrations were a delightful whirlwind of surprises. The groomsmen orchestrated a golf day followed by an extravagant party aboard a luxurious yacht, while the bridesmaids and mothers treated me to a blissful weekend getaway in Noosa. The Noosa retreat was a dream come true, filled with pampering sessions, beach horse riding, and unforgettable evenings of delicious dining.” Gina & James

See more inside ISSUE 122

4. Host a fancy picnic

There’s something so sweet about a picnic in the park, especially if there’s a view of the river (hello, New Farm Park) or a mountaintop vista to help you chill in style. Make it special with long, low tables, comfy cushions, luxe tableware, fresh florals and gourmet nibbles. Not keen on playing stylist? Hand the reins over to a creative bridesmaid or a pop-up picnic specialist to have your event styled and catered. Pop Up Event Co does a GORGEOUS Bridal Party Picnic package. 

5. Head to the hinterland

A dose of fresh mountain air could be just the ticket after weeks glued to your screen or navigating seating charts. Escape to the rolling hills of the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast with your besties and let these glorious regions work their magic. Think galleries, cafes and rainforest trails by day. Wine, marshmallows and plenty of laughs by the fire after dark. Look for a house with valley vistas or a mountain hideaway tucked away in the wilderness — we love the adorable Mouses House Rainforest Retreat chalets for a low-key girls’ getaway. 

10 reasons to tie the knot in the Sunshine Coast hinterland

6. Indulge with a pamper party

Every bride needs a little R&R. And your hardworking bridal party does too! You can’t go wrong with a spa day of facials, mani/pedis, and massages. Book a luxe hotel for the night and cap off the experience with room service and buckets of Champagne. If you’re planning a Sunshine Coast hens and bucks, check out the packages at Noosa Springs Golf & Spa Resort. Starring their award-winning day spa and championship golf course, there’s something for everyone — and you’ll be just minutes from Hastings Street and Noosa Main Beach. 

7. Charter a boat

Elevate your ‘booze cruise’ experience with something a little more sophisticated: think sleek luxury yacht as your ride and a Yacht Girl Summer dress code. For a Gold Coast hens party, Sailing in Paradise promises a custom approach, whether you’re thinking “a relaxed afternoon on the water with swimming and sunbathing, an elegant morning tea with mimosas, or a wild hen’s night party”. In Brisbane, you can enjoy a Champagne and Oyster tour with River to Bay while Noosa Ferry is a Sunshine Coast favourite for their 1930s-style river boats. In The Whitsundays you can take it one step further with a bareboating (sail yourself) option or set sail on a wide selection of chartered cruises.

8. Go off-grid with your girls

Leave planning fatigue (and phone reception) far behind and bring the tribe together for a camping or glamping weekend. We love Nightfall Camp in the Lamington National Park for its magical rainforest location, premium safari tents, and deeply relaxing vibe.

9. Sample a tasting tour

Leave your keys at home and enjoy a day sampling some of the state’s best wines, beers, spirits and gourmet produce. Look to Queensland hotspots including Mount Tamborine, the Scenic Rim and the Granite Belt or the lush foodie regions around Cairns. Close to Brisbane, Tipsy Tours operates dedicated hen’s party jaunts where you’ll “enjoy good times and great wine, a delicious lunch, cocktails and some party beats in between.” And you don’t have to head to the country to enjoy a wine tour in Queensland with Brisbane home to an ever-growing stable of brewers. It’s the perfect addition to a weekend away with your faves. 

Discover some of the Scenic Rim’s best wedding venues 

10. Host a hen’s treasure hunt

If you and your girls love a good scavenger hunt, try Hens Treasure Hunt who specialises in “treasure hunts for hens looking for cheeky fun without the embarrassing bits.” Cute. Centred around Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley or Surfers Paradise, enjoy 2.5 hours of clues, creative challenges, and sleuthing with plenty of time for a drink or two along the way. Back it up with dinner, dancing, or a night hopping from one breezy rooftop bar to the next.