Best Destinations For a Honeymoon in Australia
Enjoy a weekend at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.
On the map, Australia looks like a teeny little island. Don’t be fooled - this country is huge! If you’re planning a honeymoon in Australia, you’ll find options for everything from exciting nightlife to lazy beach days. Plus incredible national parks, cultural treasures and Unesco World Heritage sites.
Australia Honeymoon Destinations
Before you choose your honeymoon destinations, talk about all the things you’d like to see and do together.
In Australia, you can find cities with top notch museums and gourmet restaurants. Hip, beachside towns with laid back surf culture. Mind blowing coral reefs and natural rock formations.
Plus every style of accommodation, from rustic camps, to luxurious resorts that are perfect for a dream honeymoon.
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Best Things to do During a Honeymoon in Australia
The best things to do on your honeymoon depends on your interests. You can find everything from active, outdoor adventures to luxury beach and spa resorts:
Exciting cities with world class museums, shows and nightlife.
Diving and snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef.
Hiking and biking in the National Parks.
Swimming in waterfalls.
Walking through rainforests.
Catamaran tours to tropical islands.
Romantic beach walks.
Relaxing spa days.
The Main Gallery at the Australian Museum in Sydney, Australia.
Start Your Australia Honeymoon in Sydney
If you spend a few days exploring Sydney, you can see the iconic opera house, stroll around the harbor and visit a few of the best museums. Sydney is the perfect spot to enjoy fine dining and exciting nightlife. Once you’ve visited the major sights, you’ll find lots of day trips from Sydney, too:
Visit the Blue Mountains and Three Sisters
You can visit the Blue Mountains, to see the World Heritage listed sight from unique lookout points. This tour includes three sightseeing rides at the Blue Mountains Scenic World, lunch and a river cruise. The group is limited to 20 people, so you’ll be able to get to unique lookouts to view the Blue Mountains and the famous rock formation, the 3 Sisters. See the details: Blue Mountains Day Trip from Sydney with Scenic World.
Wine Tasting Tour in Hunter Valley
If you’re a foodie couple, you can visit Australian wineries in the region around Sydney. This tour includes winery visits in Hunter Valley, with wine tastings. Plus a gourmet lunch with local cheese and chocolates to sample. See all the details: Hunter Valley Wine Tour with Lunch, Cheese, Chocolate and Distillery.
Getting Around Sydney
Public transportation is quick and reliable in Sydney. An easy way to get around is by buying an Opal card. The card can be loaded with cash, and used to pay the fares while you’re traveling around the city.
Another easy way to get around is by buying a one or two day ticket for the Hop On, Hop Off bus. The Hop On, Hop Off bus will go past all the best destinations. Like the name suggests, you can hop off at the ones you want to visit. When you’re done, hop back on and head to the next sight.
Best Things to do on a Sydney Honeymoon
Sydney Opera House
Sydney Tower Eye
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
Australian National Maritime Museum
Hyde Park Barracks Museum
Australian Museum
Museum of Sydney
Powerhouse Museum
Sydney Observatory
Royal Botanic Gardens
Bondi Beach and the Iceberg Pools
Luna Park
Byron Bay for a Honeymoon in Australia
Byron Bay is known for its great food scene, laid back style and of course, the spectacular beaches. You can rent a car and spend the days exploring beaches and hiking trails. When you get hungry, choose from 5 star gourmet restaurants to beach side cafes and food trucks. Byron Bay is also known for its fun nightlife. You’ll find loads of clubs, pubs and rooftop bars where you can dance to DJs and live music all night long.
For a fantastic day trip, join a sea kayaking tour. You’ll paddle in the protected area of Cape Byron Marine Park. While you’re out, you’re likely to spot the local pod of dolphins, sea turtles or migrating whales. See the details for this tour from Viator: Kayaking with Dolphins in Byron Bay Guided Tour.
Another fun outing in Byron Bay is visiting local breweries or distilleries, to see how your favorite drinks are made. This tour includes an afternoon tour of two breweries and a distillery, where you can taste all the different varieties. See the details: Afternoon Brewery and Distillery Session.
Best Things to do on a Byron Bay Honeymoon
Start your day with yoga on the beach.
Watch the sun rise from Cape Byron Lighthouse.
Hike the Cape Byron Lighthouse Track.
Learn how to surf at the Main Beach.
Go snorkeling in Cape Byron Marine Park.
Spend the morning at the Farmer’s Market.
Go shopping at independently owned boutiques.
Visit the Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens.
Amethyst geodes at Crystal Castle and the Shambhala Gardens, near Byron Bay, Australia.
The Whitsundays: Beaches for Honeymooners
The Whitsundays are a group of islands, just off the coast of Queensland. The Whitsundays are known for their spectacular beaches. With white sand and turquoise water, visiting the islands feels like stepping into a romantic postcard. To explore the Whitsundays, you can stay on Hamilton Island, or nearby Airlie Beach, on the mainland.
Honeymoon on Hamilton Island
Hamilton Island is the most tourist friendly island in the Whitsundays. There’s an airport, grocery stores and lots of accommodations. The crystal clear water and white sand beaches make it the perfect spot for beach days, snorkeling and sailing.
Best Things to do on Hamilton Island
Book a snorkel or dive tour of the Great Barrier Reef.
Spend the day at Whitehaven Beach.
Try paddle boarding at Cats Eye Beach.
Go hiking on the Ngaro Sea Trail.
Join a catamaran or sailing tour.
Plan incredible beach days at the Whitsundays, Australia.
Airlie Beach: Affordable Accommodations
If your budget is getting tight, Airlie Beach is on the mainland and offers access to the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef. But with more affordable prices. If you’ve rented a car, there’s lots to explore in the area. You can drive inland to visit waterfalls and swimming holes. Or explore the coast, where you’ll find beaches galore.
From Airlie Beach, you can join a tour perfect for a newlywed couple - take a fly over Heart Reef. You’ll see a coral reef that’s naturally shaped like a heart. As well as Heart Reef, your pilot will point out other landmarks, like Shute Harbor, Daydream Island and Whitehaven Beach. See the details: Reef and Island Scenic Flight from Airlie Beach.
Best Things to Do For an Airlie Beach Honeymoon
Drive to Bowen to see the giant mango and snorkel the fringe reefs.
Swim in a waterfall at Cedar Creek Falls.
Visit the swimming pool at the Airlie Beach Lagoon.
Go hiking or biking in Conway National Park.
Hike to Honeyeater Lookout.
Join a snorkeling or dive tour to the Great Barrier Reef.
Take a day trip to Whitehaven beach or Daydream Island.
Honeymoon in Cairns
Cairns is considered the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. The reef extends the length of the coast, beginning just north of Brisbane. As you head further north, the water gets clearer and the reefs more colorful. If the Great Barrier Reef is on your bucket list, Cairns is the best place to visit from.
Head out to the reef on a yacht tour. This tour includes stops at two different reef locations, scuba or snorkeling gear, plus lunch on board. See all the details for this tour: Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise.
Best Things to do for a Cairns Honeymoon
Explore the rainforest in the Daintree National Park.
Join a cultural tour at Mossman Gorge.
Visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park.
Spend the day at the Cairns Botanic Garden.
Go swimming at Crystal Cascades.
Take the cable car to Kuranda.
Go for a ride on the Kuranda Scenic Railway.
Plan a beach day at Palm Cove.
Hiking in Daintree Rain Forest, near Cairns, Australia.
Visiting Uluru and Kata Tjuta
Uluru, or Ayers Rock, is a sandstone formation found in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Uluru is held sacred by the aboriginal people in Australia. It’s believed to have been formed during the Dreaming, by the ancestral beings. If you’re visiting the Outback, Uluru is a must see. Especially at sunset or sunrise, when the rock lights up with every shade of rust, orange and red.
Once you’ve visited Uluru, head west to visit Tjuta Kata, a group of sandstone monoliths. For more incredible scenery, you can hike the King’s Canyon walking trails. If you arrive before sunrise, you’ll be treated to even more amazing views from the canyon rim.
Planning an Australia Honeymoon Itinerary
Australia has so much to see and do, it’s impossible to fit it all, in just a few weeks. To make the most of your trip, choose your top 3 sights, then plan your itinerary around those. Decide which spots you’d most like to see and figure out how you’ll get to and from those. Then add in other activities and attractions that are in the same area.
Australia has 10 international airports, plus dozens more where you can catch domestic flights. If you’re traveling around a small area, renting a car is a great way to see the sights. When you’re traveling longer distances, it’s easier to book short flights between cities.
Camping For a Honeymoon in Australia
With great weather and fantastic nature areas, camping is a popular pastime in Australia. You’ll find campsites close to all the best attractions, like rainforests, beaches and waterfalls. Outdoorsy couples will love all the spots for hiking, biking and kayaking.
When you arrive in Australia, you can rent a camper van for a week or two. Most campers come completely outfitted, including dishes and bedding. You can pick it up and set off on a romantic road trip adventure.
Honeymoon Road Trip on the Pacific Coast: Sydney to Byron Bay
Spend a few days enjoying the city, then pick up your camper and set off for Byron Bay. The actual drive from Sydney to Byron Bay only takes 8 hours. But there’s so much to see and do along the way, it’s easy to turn it into road trip.
You can drive the entire way on the Pacific Highway, pulling off at lookout points, beaches and campsites. Or you can take detours inland to visit wineries, waterfalls and national parks.
Best Places to Stop on a Byron Bay Road Trip
Palm Beach
Terrigal Beach
Coff’s Harbor
Crowdy Bay National Park
Tour Waterfall Way
Visit Port Macquarie
New England National Park
The sea meets the sky at Clarke’s Beach in Byron Bay, Australia.
Honeymoon Road Trip: Drive the Great Ocean Road in Victoria
The Great Ocean Road is considered one of the world’s best drives. It takes about 9.5 hours of actual driving, from Torquay to Port Fairy. Most drivers begin in Melbourne, and take a three or four day, circular route that ends back in Melbourne.
To enjoy the beaches, hiking trails and wildlife, it’s best to plan your visit in the summertime. Remember that Australia summer is opposite to the US. The best time to drive the Great Ocean Road is between November and March.
Best Places to Stop on the Great Ocean Road
Anglesea Golf Club (If you want to see kangaroos anywhere in Australia, visit a nearby golf course at sundown. Kangaroos love to hang out on the greens.)
Watch the surfers at Bells Beach in Torquay.
Visit Otway National Park.
Hike to the Cape Otway Lightstation.
See the 12 Apostles rock formation.
Visit Port Campbell National Park.
Hiking at Loch Ard Gorge.
Tower Hill State Game Reserve.
Explore Port Fairy.
Best Honeymoon Resorts in Australia
If you’re not the camping sort of couple, don’t worry - Australia has lots of fantastic hotels and resorts. When you’re ready for some relaxation, book an a beach resort and get ready to enjoy romantic dinners, beach days and spas.
Lizard Island Resort
Lizard Island Resort is on an island near Cairns. This resort has a swimming pools, a private beach and a full service spa. It also includes free breakfast, an airport shuttle and non motorized water sports.
Mantra Club Croc Airlie Beach
Mantra Club Croc Airlie Beach is close to the beach and other attractions. It’s easy to get to the Whitsunday Islands for day trips from this resort. With a lagoon pool, lounges and a restaurant, the Mantra Club Croc is a great place to stay in Airlie Beach.
Daydream Island Resort
Daydream Island Resort is on one of the Whitsunday Islands, making it perfect for water sports, snorkeling and scuba diving. The resort has 3 on site restaurants, a pool and beach access. Enjoy the island life at this amazing resort.
By the time you finish the itinerary for your honeymoon in Australia, you’ll have a trip to remember. Visiting your favorite destinations in cities and beaches. Spending your days sightseeing, swimming and snorkeling at world famous sites, you’ll make memories to last a lifetime.
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Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.
