After countless months planning your big day, your honeymoon is a time to seriously recharge and spend some time enjoying newly married life. It’s therefore crucial to find the right destination; whether that’s somewhere within a five hour flight or twenty hour flight. Although a far flung trip may seem like an effort after a hectic wedding, there’s nothing quite like a long haul journey to make you feel a million miles from home. Given that Australia is such a vast country with a varied climate, it’s a great choice for anyone chasing the sun after a winter wedding. So, take a look at my top five locations for a honeymoon in Australia. These stunning honeymoon spots are not to be missed.
Tasmania
Often overlooked in favour of the mainland, Tasmania really needs to be seen to be believed. This is the place to get right up close to nature, and I don’t just mean the eponymous devil.
Saffire Freycinet, Tasmania
Head to the beautiful Freycinet Park, where eagles swoop around the dramatic granite cliff tops. Try Saffire Freycinet, a lovely premium boutique hotel and the ideal honeymoon bolthole, overlooking Great Oyster Bay. The oysters here are a must.
Best time to visit: November — March
Lord Howe Island
Lord Howe Island could have been made for newly-weds. Strung out in the Pacific Ocean, the crescent shaped island, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is just a two hour flight from Sydney.
Plunge Pool at Capella Lodge, Lord Howe Island
Make the beautiful Capella Lodge home for a few nights, with its unbelievable ocean and mountain views. This is a great spot to unwind together as Lowe Howe Island offers a much slower pace of life.
Best time to visit: November — April
Cape Range National Park, Western Australia
Adventurous couples might like to try a safari camp stay for their honeymoon in Australia. The virtually untouched Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia runs a staggering 260km up the coastline protecting the beached-out beaches and emerald water.
Sal Salis Safari Camp
Stay at the exclusive Sal Salis Safari Camp hidden in the white dunes of Cape Range National Park. Nine spacious wilderness tents are just metres from the water’s edge and the world’s greatest coastal coral reef. Swim with Manta Rays and Whale Sharks — the only place to do this in the world.
Best time to visit: April — July
Whitsundays and Hamilton Island
There’s no denying the eternal appeal of the Whitsundays, with arguably the most incredible turquoise waters and bleached white beaches in Australia. However, it’s really the bizarre and beautiful underwater world that draws the visitors.
Qualia Resort, Hamilton Island
The best way to experience this place is aboard a yacht. Try the exclusive Descarada yacht for a few nights and combine with the utter honeymoon bliss of Qualia Resort, Hamilton Island. With its mesmerising calmness and intimate atmosphere, time seems to stretch forever.
Best time to visit: April — November
Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory
In the Northern Territory you can stay at Bamurru Plains, located to the west of the Kakadu National Park on the Mary River floodplains. The region has been listed as a World Heritage area for its natural habitat and unique culture, which is inextricably linked to the land. The wildlife definitely isn’t shy here; it will be right on the doorstep of this unique bush camp.
Bamurru Plains, Northern Territory
Beautifully remote, the safari suites blend perfectly with the surrounding landscape. This honeymoon in Australia is definitely for couples who want an exhilarating stay in the heart of the natural world.
Best time to visit: May — September
Guest post by Tom Marchant of Black Tomato
Images from Black Tomato
