Rachael Aracic and her partner Tyson Griffiths were due to fly home on Tuesday when the stage four cyclone forced airlines to suspended all outgoing flights.
Unable to pay $400 for an extra night's stay, the couple were reportedly told by staff to 'seek alternative accommodation' despite the life-threatening storm brewing outside.
The pair were provided with a cyclone kit, complete with a torch and batteries, in preparation for the storm, but instead sought refuge at a nearby evacuation centre.
'We decided it wasn't safe... we had to get out.' Aracic told Seven News.