If you’ve ever wondered what paradise looks like for a country music couple, Tyler and Hayley Hubbard have the answer — it’s a cliffside pavilion at Qualia Resort on Hamilton Island, Australia. The Florida Georgia Line frontman and his wife traded cowboy boots for flip-flops and spent a few dreamy days soaking in those Coral Sea views that look straight out of a postcard (the kind you wish was your life).
Now, before we go any further — yes, this is the same Qualia Resort that Taylor Swift once rented out for her crew. So, safe to say, it’s not exactly a Motel 6 situation. Hayley called their stay “absolutely heavenly,” which feels accurate, considering there were private beaches, helicopter rides, and what she described as “the most breathtaking view imaginable.” Meanwhile, Curtis and I once drove an hour just to find a restaurant that still served sweet tea, so we’re clearly living very different travel realities.
The Hubbards made the trip with their friends and photographers, Aimee and Troy Grover — who, fun fact, shot their wedding and engagement. Between beach picnics and yacht views, they spent their mornings doing yoga and their afternoons “hanging out with koalas.” And by hanging out, I mean those sleepy little furballs who nap 20 hours a day. Hayley said it best: “Can I be a koala?” Honestly, same.
One of my favorite parts of her post, though, was the “Kanga-pouch” moment. Tyler and the crew convinced her there was an excursion where you literally hop around the island inside a kangaroo pouch. And she believed them. Like, fully believed. Girl, I’d have fallen for it too. Something about being jet-lagged and surrounded by accents makes you 10 percent more gullible. Turns out, the only pouch she ended up riding around in was a golf cart — but I’d still call that a win.
Their days at Qualia were all sunshine and luxury — sunset dinners, spa time, and helicopter rides to Whitehaven Beach (because apparently, that’s a normal honeymoon “add-on” now). Hayley gave a shout-out to travel planner Katie Frederick, who apparently plans getaways so perfect they might ruin regular vacations for the rest of us. If she ever starts booking tractor-ride packages in Florida, I’m first in line.
Between the inside jokes, the Aussie accents, and the friends-turned-family vibe, the whole trip just felt like one of those country love songs that traded Nashville neon for ocean blues. Tyler and Hayley even joked they’d found their “new favorite place on Earth.” Hard to argue — it’s got sunshine, good food, and a view that could make you forget about email forever.
So, if you see the Hubbards glowing a little extra in their next music video, you’ll know why. It’s not just love — it’s probably leftover tan lines from Qualia. And maybe, just maybe, a tiny bit of heartbreak that “Kanga-pouch rides” aren’t actually a thing.