Ten of Australia’s Most Romantic Travel Destinations

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You can’t buy love, but you can certainly purchase a plane ticket to Romance-ville.

Hot air balloon flights at dawn, sundowners in the outback, sunset walks by the beach, dinner for two against a glittering backdrop of city lights — all of them are possible across this amazing country of ours — and there’s an array of vacation rentals in Australia that were just built for two.

Here are ten of Australia’s most romantic travel destinations. Tick off all of them with the love of your life at least once.

1. Sydney

There are few places on earth more romantic than the New South Wales capital. It’s an intoxicating mix of the shimmering waters of Sydney Harbour, the golden sands of beaches like Bondi and Manly, the whimsy of the Opera House, and the quaint old world charm of The Rocks precinct. With all of that as a backdrop, Sydney offers many a memorable opportunity to gaze into each other’s eyes. Say ‘I love you’ at the top of the ‘Coat Hanger’ on the Bridge Climb, sip bubbles and sup on oysters at the iconic Opera Bar, gaze into each other’s baby blues on a harbour dinner cruise, or hold each other oh-so-tight on the new Big Dipper at Luna Park.

2. Melbourne

Paris is colloquially known as the ‘city of love’, and you can easily recreate the magic of the French capital in Melbourne. Take a stroll down the Paris end of Collins Street, get flaky over croissants from Lune, watch the world go by from a sidewalk cafe in Hardware Lane, and feast on escargot and French onion soup dripping with melted gruyere at The French Brasserie in Malthouse Lane. Top off your evening with a nightcap in the atmospheric basement Bar Margaux.

3. Great Ocean Road

Looking for a location for the perfect couple selfie? You can’t beat the 12 Apostles at sunset on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road. Logistically that can’t be done on a day trip from Melbourne (unless you’re up for a three hour drive home in the dark) but who needs an excuse to spend a couple of days in this sublime part of the country? Take long strolls on the beach, bliss out with a Couples Retreat Package at Saltair Spa, and dine on the finest organic fare at celebrated eatery Brae.

4. Adelaide

The ‘city of churches’ does sound promising as a destination for lovers, but there’s more to Adelaide than bells and flying bouquets. For a start it’s the gateway to some of the finest wine regions in the country. Enlist the services of Barossa Unique Tours and explore the Barossa in a classic Mustang convertible. Cruise along country roads, stop in at quaint stone cellar doors to taste-test their wares, and graze at fine-produce-providores like Maggie Beer’s Farmshop and the Barossa Valley Chocolate Company.

5. Canberra

You might loath the politics, but you’ll love the nation’s capital as a couples’ retreat. Drift above the gentle stillness of Lake Burley Griffin at dawn on a hot air balloon flight, pack a picnic basket and head for Commonwealth Park, soak up the gravitas of Australia’s finest museums, galleries and monuments, and take in the epic views of the region from Mount Ainslie at sunset. Canberra’s dining scene won’t fail to impress, and Monster Kitchen and Bar, Aubergine, and Rebel Rebel are all perfect for celebrating something special.

6. Sunshine Coast

While it’s one of the most popular travel destinations in the country, you can often feel like you have the Sunshine Coast in South East Queensland all to yourself — particularly if you avoid peak seasons. But even then, there are always opportunities to grab some alone time. Try the secluded beaches along the Noosa North Shore, soak up the natural splendour on the variety of hikes that crisscross Noosa National Park, explore less-visited Hinterland towns like Cooroy and Pomona, and enjoy winding country drives through the Mary Valley.

7. Wangaratta & King Valley

Those looking to feed their passion should head for Wangaratta in north-east Victoria. This is one of the finest food and wine destinations in the country. The neighbouring Milawa Gourmet Region is delicious enough, but the delights of the King Valley are also within easy reach. Sample Italian-style wines at Sam Miranda and Pizzini, and match your finds with delectable morsels from the likes of the Milawa Cheese Company, Gamze Smokehouse, and EV Olives. What’s more, there’s always an open fire within easy reach to cosy up in front of when temperatures drop.

8. Esperance

Two’s company; anyone else is a crowd, and that’s rarely a problem in Esperance — one of the country’s most remote romantic destinations. What’s more, this part of Western Australia is home to some of the best beaches in the country. Highlights include Cape Le Grand National Park’s Lucky Bay (with its much-photographed beach-loving ‘roos), neighbouring Hellfire Bay, and the sweeping expanse of Wharton Beach (roughly an hour’s drive east of Esperance). Close to town, try West Beach with its made-for-a-selfie staircase down to the sand.

9. Cairns

Whisking your partner away to a tropical paradise is all in a day’s work in Cairns in Tropical North Queensland. There are several quintessential patches of paradise that can be done as day trips from the city, including stunning Palm Cove (30 minutes’ drive north of Cairns), the holiday enclave of Port Douglas (which sits at the end of one of the most divine coastal drives on the planet) and fabulous Fitzroy Island — a 45-minute cruise from Cairns on board the Fitzroy Flyer. Spend your day on the island relaxing on secluded palm-fringed coral beaches or hiking through the island’s rainforested interior.

10. Blue Mountains

They say love conquers all, but you’ll both need to dig deep to take on some of the epic bushwalks in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney (the seven kilometre, Grade 4 trek to the Ruined Castle springs to mind). That said, there are plenty of less strenuous options and few places as romantic as you gaze across soaring sandstone escarpments, deep ravines, and plunging waterfalls from the region’s many lookouts.

This post was published thanks to Rent By Owner.

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Do you have any suggestions to add to our list of Australia’s most romantic travel destinations? We would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.

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