10 Best Australia Honeymoon Destinations

If none of the typical honeymoon destinations appeal to you, why not consider a honeymoon in Australia? Is Australia good for honeymoons? Absolutely! With one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth, a fascinating ancient history and, of course, stunning beaches, Australia is an exciting and romantic destination that’s perfect for an extended honeymoon.

We’ve pulled together a list of our 10 best Australia honeymoon destinations. They each have the perfect amount of romance, wonder, and natural beauty for the ultimate romantic getaway to Australia. Read on to learn more. 

Queensland  

Anywhere in the state of Queensland would make a fantastic Australian honeymoon destination. The diverse topography in Australia’s northeastern state includes beautiful beaches, wetlands, tropical rainforest, and lush farmland. 

The entire coastline from Coffs Harbour to Cairns is dotted with quaint beach towns full of luxury Australia honeymoon resorts and cozy bed and breakfasts. For powder-soft white sand beaches and incredibly vivid water, head to the Whitsunday Islands and stay in the ultra-luxurious Qualia Resort on Hamilton Island. Your entire Whitsundays honeymoon will be Instagram-worthy.

Cairns is an excellent base for exploring the Great Barrier Reef and the nearby Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation. On the way, spend a night or two at any of the beach resorts in the picturesque town of Port Douglas. 

The Gold Coast is akin to a small-scale Las Vegas and is home to the legendary Surfers Paradise beach, amusement parks, and nightclubs, while a little further north you’ll find quiet stretches of beaches in the Sunshine Coast, uniquely colored sand dunes at Rainbow Beach, and upscale seaside resorts and a charming town center at Noosa. Noosa is also home to the Noosa National Forest, which features gorgeous hiking trails along the coast and in the forest.

If you stay in this area, be sure to spend at least one day on K’gari (formerly known as Fraser Island). The world’s largest sand island, it features an astonishing number of natural wonders including giant sandblows; freshwater creeks that flow out to the sea and form natural lazy rivers you can float down; the incredibly vivid and clear Lake McKenzie, which is a huge freshwater lake of rainwater with a lovely soft white sandy beach; peaceful forests full of native plants and amazing wildlife; and pristine beaches like 75-Mile Beach. If you’re not an experienced 4WD driver, book a guided tour–the tracks are quite steep and difficult to navigate in places. We highly recommend Fraser Experience Tours for small group experiences. And if you have the time, a stay at one of the two resorts on the island or in one of the campgrounds, would be well worth it.

Mornington Peninsula

An hour south of Melbourne is the Mornington Peninsula, a spectacular Australia honeymoon destination all on its own or a perfect addition to a tour along Victoria’s coast. This region is home to some seriously fertile soil and is a foodie’s paradise. Everything from artichokes to yams grows here, plus you can get delicious fresh seafood caught daily right off the pier. 

The area is also home to several family-owned wineries and distilleries. Spend the day driving or bicycling down the winding roads, stopping at local farmers’ markets and eateries along the way. When you need to unwind, head to the award-winning Peninsula Hot Springs for a relaxing soak in natural mineral waters and a couples massage. Or, spend a leisurely day hitting some balls at one of Australia’s finest golf resorts. 

The Barossa Valley

If touring the countryside and sampling high-quality wines is your idea of a good time, then South Australia’s Barossa Valley is the best Australia honeymoon destination for you. Located about an hour from the city of Adelaide, Barossa is one of the best wine-producing regions in the world. 

Not only that, the area’s history of German and English settlers has left its mark on the food scene. Bakeries, cafes, and gourmet meat shops can be found in almost every small town in the Barossa Valley, along with fine-dining establishments and charming accommodations.

If you plan your visit in the spring, which would be autumn in Australia, you’ll be just in time for the Barossa Vintage Festival, a 5-day celebration of the region’s food, art, culture, and, of course, wine. 

Sydney

The largest city in Australia, beautiful Sydney is home to the iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge, as well as a plethora of fascinating historic, cultural, and scenic sites. This is an excellent choice for foodies, especially couples who love Asian food, but it truly has something to offer everyone. It’s a combination of urban sophistication and natural beauty, with glittering skyscrapers in the CBD and plenty of hip restaurants and bars as well as the invigorating waterfront and restorative green spaces like the incredible Royal Botanic Gardens.

One of the best areas to stay in is The Rocks, which is right by the water and features easy access to the whole city via Circular Quay’s ferries and light rail system. This is the oldest part of Sydney, and you’ll find all sorts of historic alleys and buildings to explore. In order to learn about the ancient history of Sydney and its indigenous culture, we highly recommend going on an Aboriginal walking tour of The Rocks.

It’s also fun to just wander around, stopping for a “flat white” at one of the hundreds of coffee shops whenever you need a break. Be sure to walk around Barangaroo Reserve and charming Argyll Place, then stop at Lord Nelson’s Brewery Hotel, the oldest pub in the city, for a pint of their brewed onsite beer.

Throughout The Rocks you’ll have amazing views of the Harbour Bridge (which you can actually climb up and walk across if you crave adventure) as well as the Opera House, which is in easy walking distance along the waterfront. It’s a really special experience to go to a performance here if you can, in addition to taking the tour. And be sure to have a drink at the Opera Bar, a see-and-be-seen spot along the water with fantastic views. The Opera House is also perfect for an uber-romantic dinner at Bennelong, a sophisticated gourmet restaurant with the most spectacular setting in the city.

Quay and Aria are other top choices for romantic dinners serving modern Australian cuisine, as is Luna Lu, which has lovely outdoor seating overlooking both the bridge and the Opera House and a delicious Asian fusion menu. For couples who love traditional Asian food, be sure to head to Mr. Wong and/or explore the Chinatown area.

For more amazing views, head to Blu Bar on the 36th floor at the Shangri-La Hotel. This is also one of the best places to stay in the city (and one of the most expensive). Another top choice for a honeymoon hotel is the Park Hyatt, which is right on the water. If you want a CBD location, the Hilton Sydney is a dependable option (check out the elaborate Victorian Marble Bar in the basement).

Must-do activities in Sydney include taking the ferry to Manly Beach (you can just relax here, or go on some wonderful walks up the coast), exploring the beautiful (and huge) Royal Botanic Garden and Domain, sitting in Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, and taking a day trip for some bushwalks in the Blue Mountains. Be sure to visit the world-famous Bondi Beach and have a drink or bite to eat at the Icebergs Club Cafe overlooking the huge swimming pool that is set in the rocks and filled with seawater. You can also do the “Bondi to Coogee” walk, which takes you along cliffs to a series of smaller beaches with some really breathtaking views.

In the CBD, don’t miss the historic Queen Victoria Building, a gigantic indoor shopping arcade built in 1898 with glorious architectural details (you can also book a tour here). Hyde Park is a peaceful green space with shaded paths and the impressive ANZAC memorial, and the NSW State Library is worth a peek inside.

Jervis Bay

After a few days in Sydney, escape the crowds and head south to Jervis Bay, an Australia honeymoon destination that has it all: dozens of beaches, delicious fresh seafood, watersports, and unbelievable views. Walk amongst giant eucalyptus trees in the Boorderee Botanical Garden, which is owned by a local Aboriginal community, then spend the afternoon snorkeling off the coast of Murrays Beach. 

Spot dolphins, seals, and little penguins at Jervis Bay Marine Park, or climb to the top of Cape St. George Lighthouse to see whales making their annual migration. However, the most fascinating feature of this under-rated New South Wales gem has to be the bioluminescent plankton that lights up the shoreline of Plantation Point. After witnessing a romantic sunset, watch as the shallow water slowly turns a dazzling shade of sparkly blue, a sight that must be seen to be believed. 

Check out Hyams Beach Seaside Cottages for couples-only accommodations to make your honeymoon in Australia extra special. 

Freycinet

Located on the east coast of Tasmania, Freycinet is a gorgeous part of the island bordered by a mountain range called the Hazards and the ice-cold waters of Wineglass Bay. Outdoor enthusiasts will find themselves at the trailhead of several of Tasmania’s best hikes, and wine connoisseurs will be treated to bottles of crisp chardonnays and fruity pinot noirs, two grape varieties that thrive in Tasmania’s cooler climate. 

Plus, the local seafood is out of this world; oysters, mussels, abalone, and rock lobster are especially succulent. Inside the stunning Freycinet National Park, couples can head to a quiet, secluded bay suitably named Honeymoon Bay. 

The water is cold, but the area offers superb snorkeling if you’re brave enough to head in for a dip. Country house B&Bs are scattered across Tasmania, so couples will have an easy time finding romantic accommodations at this honeymoon destination in Australia. 

Perth

There’s plenty to do in Perth, Western Australia’s biggest city. Posh and upscale, Perth is home to some of the best beaches in the country and boasts warm and sunny weather for most of the year. Plus, thanks to an explosion of Italian immigrants following the gold rush of the 1890s, you can get a delicious cup of espresso just about anywhere. 

Just a short distance from Perth is the equally hip but slightly smaller town of Fremantle, a haven for local artists and foodies. The vibe is laid-back in Fremantle and it’s a very walkable city; stroll the picturesque streets and stop in cute eateries for local bites along the way. 

Hop on the SeaLink ferry to Rottnest Island to cuddle with a Quokka, or drive two hours north to the small seaside town of Jurien Bay for ocean activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, and fishing. Adrenaline junkies can even get their fix with an epic skydive over the Indian Ocean. 

Margaret River

Three hours south of Perth you’ll find the Margaret River region, a fertile area with a long history. The ancestral home of the Wadandi (saltwater) people, the unique geographical location has allowed flora and fauna to thrive and resulted in soil that’s perfect for growing grapes. 

The entire region lives and breathes wine. Seriously, it would take days to visit all the wineries in Margaret River. Luckily, a lot of them are clustered together, which makes for an enjoyable bicycle trip. Or sit back and relax as you head out on a tasting tour. 

At this honeymoon destination in Australia, you can choose from a huge selection of holiday homes and boutique hotels that offer views of the ocean, or enjoy some privacy in the comfort of a cabin deep within the forest. 

Esperance

The idyllic little town of Esperance is a truly special place and a picture-perfect Australia honeymoon destination. It has both dramatic rocky coastlines and powdersoft white sand beaches. In fact, the sand here is so white that it even affects the color of the water, resulting in a dazzling shade of blue. 

Along with unparalleled scenery, Esperance offers much of the same ocean-based activities that Australia’s other seaside towns do, but there is enough coastline that you’ll likely find a private beach to enjoy with your sweetie on the way to Cape Le Grand National Park. 

To truly soak in everything Esperance has to offer, book your stay at Esperance Chalet Village, a secluded and peaceful retreat nestled among the trees and just a short walk from a beautiful beach. 

Uluru

Of course, no Australia honeymoon is complete without a stop at the awe-inspiring Uluru (formerly known as Ayer’s Rock). Nestled in the heart of the Red Centre, the nickname given to the central Australian desert, Uluru is as captivating as it is mysterious. 

Watch as this huge sandstone formation changes color before your very eyes with the rising and setting of the sun, then take a walk through time as you travel along the same sacred trails Aboriginal Australians have been traversing since the beginning of time. 

In Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, an area that encompasses both Uluru and the nearby Olgas, couples can stay at Ayers Rock Resort, a massive resort with accommodation options to suit every couple. 

At the Desert Gardens Hotel you’ll be able to witness that indescribable outback sunrise from the warmth and comfort of your room. At Sails in the Desert you’ll have the chance to observe unique Indigenous art at the Mulgara Gallery or enjoy a relaxing treatment at the Red Ochre Spa. 

Some of the top experiences here include taking a free guided ranger walk around part of the base of Uluru; camel rides at sunset with Uluru Camel Tours; and the Sounds of Silence dinner, a magical experience that takes you out into the bush to dine on gourmet meals after watching the sunset from a viewing platform while sipping your choice of champagne, wine, or beer. After dinner, all lights are extinguished and you can marvel at the vast sky, Milky Way, and stars as a guide points out constellations like the Southern Cross.

Mary River 

Nestled in the grasslands of northern Australia flows Mary River, one of only 8 rivers to cut across the massive Northern Territory. Accommodations vary in this area from simple campgrounds to comfortable holiday parks. 

While the posh little city of Darwin is only 2 hours away and offers excellent restaurants, museums, and nice hotels, Mary River is centrally located between four of Australia’s most interesting national parks. For that reason, it’s a great option for couples who want to spend some time hiking, kayaking, or fishing for barramundi on their Australia honeymoon. 

Drive roughly four hours south to the town of Katherine, the entry point to Katherine Gorge and Nitmiluk National Parks, where you can check out ancient Aboriginal paintings and sculptures, take a river cruise, and admire the towering waterfalls. 

About two-and-a-half hours west you’ll find yourself in Lichfield National Park, where you can cool off in deep swimming holes after an easy walk along the trails. If traveling to or from Darwin, be sure to drive through Kakadu National Park, an indescribable 20,000-square-kilometer national park with the most varied ecosystem on the continent. 

Now that you’ve read our list of the 10 best honeymoon destinations in Australia, what do you think? Are you ready to plan your Australia honeymoon? Let us know if you need any help!