Best Australian Honeymoon Destinations For Going Off The Beaten Path
Wedding planning can actually be one of the most stressful tasks you take on in your lifetime. And whilst there are so many little ways to reduce wedding stress, so many couples use their honeymoon as something to look forward to – a light at the end of the tunnel.
Sadly, it’s also all too easy for your honeymoon planning to take a backseat to all the craziness of your engagement and wedding preparations. So if you’re wanting your honeymoon to be low-effort but high-reward, why not travel to somewhere low-key and relaxing in Australia?
We have no shortage of picturesque honeymoon destinations here in Australia, and part of the appeal of picking a domestic travel destination for your honeymoon is that you can really switch off and get off the beaten track. And what better way is there to recover from all the chaos and energy of your wedding day?
Let’s dive in. Here are our top honeymoon destination recommendations by state to help you get off the beaten track and enjoy your newlywed bliss in total privacy.
Mornington Peninsula (VIC)
Just a quick drive from the city of Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula is a popular destination for romantic getaways for a few key reasons. Firstly, there’s plenty of Mornington accommodation with beachfront views or luxury amenities – or both! This is because the region is in proximity to some of Melbourne’s most idyllic beaches and coastal towns, including Sorrento, Rosebud, Cape Schank and Rye.
Mornington is also home to the Peninsula Hot Springs and some other great hot springs and spa facilities, so you can book yourself some couple’s treatments to really rest and rejuvenate after your wedding.
And finally, Mornington’s proximity to Melbourne also makes it an ideal location for couples who want to escape out into nature but are still keen to explore some urban haunts or even do some boutique shopping. With retail hotspots like Brighton, St Kilda, and the Melbourne CBD just a quick drive away, you can enjoy a balanced honeymoon experience from this beloved Victorian holiday destination.
Lord Howe Island (NSW)
It’s pretty easy to forget about Lord Howe Island, given how tiny it is and how far away it is from the mainland – but that’s what makes it such a singular honeymoon destination. There are estimated to be a maximum of ~400 people on Lord Howe Island at any given point of the year, and this figure includes the island’s local residents.
Most of the island is also greenery and mountain peaks, with plenty of lookout points, photo spots, and hiking trails to be explored. There are also some fascinating sea caves around Blinky Beach and the North Head if you’re looking to really get off the beaten track.
And being such an isolated destination, the waters are largely undisturbed, and thus teeming with marine life. If you do select Lord Howe Island for your honeymoon destination, be prepared to spend plenty of time snorkelling!
Sunshine Coast Hinterland (QLD)
If you’ve already picked a Sunshine Coast wedding venue for your wedding, then why not just book your honeymoon right here too so the honeymoon can begin right away? This part of the country is just gorgeous and so suited to romance already, so it’s a no-brainer addition to today’s list.
Of course, if you wanted to get off the beaten track, you could wave goodbye to the Sunshine Coast itself and disappear into the Hinterland region. With plenty of lush rainforests and treetop retreats to explore, the tranquility and isolation of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland makes it arguably the perfect honeymoon destination.
If you wanted to just lounge around all day, you can do just that amongst the trees, with maybe a walking expedition or two to break up your day. Or if you’re looking for a little more adventure, you could always go rainforest river tubing or white water rafting. You may even add a whale watching tour in Mooloolaba too!
Adelaide Hills (SA)
Another popular spot for weddings, Adelaide Hills is one of Australia’s most picturesque wine regions, providing plenty of gastronomical delights for couples with refined taste. But alongside all the opportunities to go wine tasting and cheese plating, Adelaide Hills is also filled to the brim with hiking trails and even some cycling and walking trails that will take you through gorgeous farm country.
If you want to go on a little cycling or even a horseback riding adventure and hop from winery to winery and garden to garden, a honeymoon in Adelaide Hills will deliver just that. The country views and temperate climate will have you feeling like time has stood still just for the two of you. What more could you want from your honeymoon?
Bruny Island (TAS)
This one is getting way off the beaten track, but you’ll also be thoroughly mesmerised by just how gorgeous this destination really is in its isolation. Located off the south-eastern coast of Tasmania and just a quick ferry trip from the Hobart city centre, Bruny Island is arguably the most unique honeymoon destination on today’s list.
For starters, Bruny Island is home to the elusive white wallaby, a population of wallabies that are actually albino and have grown in population in Bruny due to the island’s lack of predators and hazards like roadways. Bruny is also home to shearwaters or mutton birds, who visit the island every summer for their annual breeding season.
Bruny Island also has its own share of stunning photo spots and lookout points, including the Capy Bruny Lighthouse and its surrounding windswept hillsides, and the Bruny Island Neck, a thin isthmus with an elevated lookout tower so you can see both the island’s eastern and western coasts at the same time. There’s nothing like watching the tides change with the sun, and Bruny Island provides this and so much more.
Kimberley (WA)
Ah, the red country – and red is the colour of romance after all! For passionate Aussie travellers, it’s fair to assume that the Kimberley region of WA has been on your bucket list for a while now. The only issue with visiting this region is that it is so isolated and arid that you absolutely will need a local tour guide to make the most of your time here. Considering that your honeymoon is a unique reason to go off jetsetting, it makes sense to really splurge and go somewhere extra special to suit the occasion.
On top of boasting vibrant red soil, the Kimberley region is also home to some fascinating geographic features, including striking crimson cliffs, plateaus, and gorges, all interspersed with lush forests, cascading waterfalls, deep river valleys, and hidden cave networks. The Kimberley region feels ancient and alien all at the same time, cementing it as one of the most iconic holiday destinations in Australia, and a honeymoon backdrop that you surely won’t forget anytime soon.
Katherine (NT)
Closing off this list is Katherine, the jewel of the Northern Territory. Situated on the Katherine River, this beautiful town boasts plenty of art and culture, with Indigenous art galleries and local historical attractions like the Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park, the Katherine Railway Heritage Station Precinct, and Katherine Museum.
Like Mornington, Katherine is also home to some natural hot springs, making it a great tropical retreat for honeymooners. There’s also plenty of luxury accommodation including some waterfront hotels, eco lodges, and even some glamping tents so you don’t have to miss a minute of the action. And with heartpumping activities like croc river tours, aerial tours, and even skydiving, there is plenty of action to be had on a honeymoon in Katherine, NT.
Start planning your perfect off-grid honeymoon
Have you found the right destination for your honeymoon on this list? Or are you still tossing between a few different options? At the very least, we hope we’ve been able to condense your shortlist down for you with some of these locations, and you’re anticipating moving onto the next phase of your honeymoon planning: packing.
If you are looking to travel off the beaten path for your honeymoon, just remember to pack responsibly so you don’t find yourself stuck without toiletries, cosmetics, or a suitable wardrobe for your explorations, wherever you may be. With a little planning and due diligence, however, we’re sure the serenity of these honeymoon destinations outlined above can be enjoyed by you and your beloved in full force.
