Aren’t weddings beautiful things? There’s nothing quite like all your friends and family witnessing you and your beloved committing to each other and sharing your love. It’s also a lot of hard work, though – so as soon as you’ve said ‘I do’, it’s only right to move right into relaxation mode and onto a well-deserved honeymoon.
Although an overseas trip might be off the cards for a little while, luckily we’re the lucky country (see what we did there?) and have some truly awe-inspiring destinations right here at home to pop on your post-nuptials bucket list.
1. Margaret River, WA
A top destination for wine lovers, this beautiful coastal region boasts plenty of secluded spots, stunning scenery and wonderful beaches to help you fill your days. There’s plenty to do for more active honeymooners, too: a tour of the towering stalactites of Jewel Cave, a wander down the picture-perfect Busselton Jetty or an afternoon sampling some liqueurs at the Grove Distillery (our pick is the spiced rum!) are all must-do activities.
Stay: Empire Spa Resort
2. The Whitsundays, QLD
Want to up the romance? Book a jaunt to The Whitsundays, a string of islands where sun, white sand and stunning turquoise water is seriously abundant. Start your trip with a scenic flight over the aptly-shaped Heart Reef before dropping your bags at the InterContinental Hayman, where the Sunset Escapade experience includes a picnic and speedboat ride to desert-island-esque Blue Pearl Bay.
Stay: InterContinental Hayman Island Resort
3. Barossa Valley, SA
The beautiful Barossa Valley has atmosphere a-plenty, especially during mid-autumn when the leaves begin to change. Spend an afternoon sipping plonk or a morning sampling local cuisine, or simply spend your days lounging around the sprawling suites of The Louise. Did we mention each room has a deep-soaking tub?
Stay: The Louise
4. Freycinet National Park, TAS
Tassie’s east coast is a wonderful mix of natural beauty and sheer luxury, especially if you book a stay at the incredible Freycinet Lodge. Before you retreat to your room however, take a romantic (but energetic!) walk to Wineglass Bay and the Bay of Fires where the watercolour landscapes are impressive enough to tear your attention away from your new spouse. Then, snuggle up in your plush room slurping oysters or indulging in a cheeseboard, all with a glass of House of Arras Chardonnay in hand.
Stay: Freycinet Lodge
5. Port Douglas, QLD
There’s nothing like the tranquility of nature to help you unwind after the pressures of planning a wedding, which is why Port Douglas, a place where the coral reef meets the rainforest, is a pretty great place to honeymoon. There are heaps of long romantic walks waiting for you (start with the wonderful Four Mile Beach, which isn’t actually four miles long) and plenty of other indulgent activities to help you unwind. Our pick for a tired, post-nuptials pair is the onsite spa at Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort and Spa. Couples massage anyone? 🙋♀
Stay: Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort and Spa
6. Stuart Point, NT
Want to make your honeymoon a Top End trip? Check into Bamurru Plains, a luxury bush stay set on 300 sq km of barren yet beautiful floodplains and savanna woodland. Right on the edge of Kakadu National Park, this safari-style property offers river cruises, guided walks, open top drives and an airboat safari (our personal pick). After something a little more low-key? Chill in the infinity pool and wait for the wildlife to come to you.
Stay: Bamurru Plains
7. Perth, WA
Are you in the heart of Perth or an upmarket borough of London? You’ll find it hard to tell when you’re staying at COMO The Treasury, a boutique hotel set inside a stately 19th building in the CBD. It’s the little things that make this stay extra luxurious: comfy Egyptian cotton sheets, deep-soaking tubs and award-winning on-site eatery for romantic meals for two. You’ll never want to leave!
Stay: COMO The Treasury
8. Jervis Bay, NSW
This is no simple campground, oh no – this is glamping at its romance-inducing finest. Each standalone ‘tent’ – complete with rainfall showers, private balconies and fluffy bathrobes – offers a quiet, nature-enveloped retreat for loved-up couples seeking seclusion. In the wilderness of Jervis Bay’s Woollamia Nature Reserve, your own companions will be your beloved and the wonderful wildlife!
Stay: Paperbark Camp
9. Yarra Valley, VIC
Although it’s just an hour’s drive east of Melbourne, you’ll feel a million miles from the hustle and bustle of the CBD in the tranquil Yarra Valley. Here, you can tour some of the state’s best wineries, sample incredible local produce and finally, top off your truly romantic trip with a hot air balloon ride followed by a champagne breakfast.
Stay: Brentwood B&B Apartments
10. Lizard Island, QLD
Fancy a secluded getaway? There’s a good chance you’ll have the beach all to yourself on Lizard Island considering the resort has 24 private beaches! Continue the solitude by booking the resort’s private charter – a 51ft cruise vessel for a maximum of eight people – for a truly one-off diving experience in the reef.
Stay: Lizard Island Resort
Heads up! Due to COVID-19, government restrictions are in constant review and travel guidelines may change. We strongly recommend that all travellers seek further information about destinations and attractions before scheduling trips or making bookings, take extra care and follow all rules.
