Keen to sweep that special someone off their feet? Make for a getaway that is heavy on the romance factor. We’ve gathered our picks of Australia’s best places to decamp with your significant other.
Within arm’s reach of Uluru, Longitude is celebrated for good reason. The luxury camp consists of 16 tented pavilions scattered in the surrounding desert. Plus there’s an adjoining bar, a fine diner, and unrivalled options when it comes to immersing yourself in local Indigenous culture. longitude131.com.au
If snorkelling the crystalline waters of the Great Barrier Reef sounds up your alley, look to qualia. The gathering of 60 minimalist but no less luxurious pavilions sits among the Whitsundays cluster of 74 idyllic islands amidst the Coral Sea. qualia.com.au
Spend days wining and dining at the moodily styled Jackalope, tucked among the vineyards of the Mornington Peninsula. Statement-making design ( in varying shades of black) forms the perfect background for the venue’s resident fine diner Doot Doot Doot and casual eatery Rare Hare. jackalopehotels.com
Nothing amps up the romance factor quite like hiring your own private island. While it may house eight this secluded space on the D’Entrecasteaux Channel between Bruny Island and the Tasmanian mainland can happily accommodate a single couple in its luxe boathouse on the water. Picture rugged beauty, and plenty of it. satelliteisland.com.au
The rolling green hills of the Southern Highlands are not short on the romance factor, setting the perfect scene for Osborn House in Bundanoon. The revamped historic abode (built in 1892) decorated with a modern twist consists of 22 rooms, a day spa, pool, sauna, steam room and a duo of restaurants. osbornhouse.com.au
An idyllic luxury retreat, The Louise is surrounded by vineyards set upon rolling hills. Evoking the relaxed luxury of Southern Europe, Louise has 15 villa-style suites, each with private courtyards overlooking the vines. The property is also home to an award-winning restaurant, Appellation. . thelouise.com.au
Lean in to the chance to get lost among the wilderness at Pumphouse Point, an adults-only retreat perched on Lake St Clair in the middle of the state. There are two equally design-savvy buildings to choose from – The Shorehouse among the trees, and The Pumphouse on top of the glacial lake. pumphousepoint.com.au
Exclusive is an understatement when it comes to this quartet of linen-swathed one-bedroom cabins on secluded Kangaroo Island. The view is unrivalled, with the accommodation perched on untouched bushland on the northern bluff overlooking Snelling Beach and the Great Australian Bight. wander.com.au
If you’re looking to escape the city this summer, look no further than Mossy Point, on the NSW South Coast. The Oaks Ranch has opened the doors to 14 newly renovated suites that soak up the westerly view of the picturesque Deua Mountain Ranges or the hotel’s rolling green grounds, offering guests complete privacy. Some suites also have outdoor showers, perfect for washing away the salt and sand after languid afternoons at the beach. If your aim is to unwind, days can be spent soaking in the sun by the dreamy magnesium pool – where you can also knock back refreshing sunset cocktails. oaksranch.com.au
This luxurious lodge sits on the side of Mount Lofty, high above the Piccadilly Valley in the Adelaide Hills. Between a panoramic infinity pool, spring-fed hot pools, world class dining and beautiful suites with sweeping views over the valley, Sequoia is a six-star stay surrounded by nature. sequoialodge.com.au
Escape to the bush at Paperbark Camp eco-retreat, a mere two hour drive from Sydney but a romantic destination that feels a world away. Picture tree-fringed tents gathered near Jervis Bay which mingle outdoor opportunities and creature comforts galore, thanks to its indulgently styled interiors. paperbarkcamp.com.au
This waterfront safari lodge is a luxurious gateway to world heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef. The 16 off-grid canvas safari tents are hidden in the dunes, steps away from a private white-sand beach and the fringing reef just offshore. Sal Salis guests swap stories of daytime encounters with whale sharks and humpback whales over communal three-course dinners, served in the main lodge as part of the all-inclusive package. salsalis.com.au
Spilling down a leafy hillside towards Lake Daylesford, the Lake House has country conviviality down to an artform. Dining at Alla Wolf-Tasker’s acclaimed in-house paddock-to-plate restaurant is a must (the paddock in question being the Lake House’s own Dairy Flat Farm down the road), as is a couple’s treatment at the popular on-site spa, which includes a bookable private sauna and spa. And, if your romantic getaway happens to end in a proposal, the luxe Dairy Flat Lodge is a dream setting for a destination wedding. lakehouse.com.au
Sure, you could reach this isolated luxury lodge with a three-hour 4WD drive out of Cairns. But why not arrive by helicopter? The 35-minute swoop across the Queensland Outback is a stunning introduction to this all-inclusive retreat, which holds just 28 guests at a time. Spend your days playing drover on the 28,000-hectare working cattle ranch, and afternoons beside the infinity pool gazing out over the waterlily-strewn weir to the hulking sacred mountain Ngarrabullgan. mountmulligan.com
The InterContinental Hayman Island has long held the title as the pinnacle of luxury in the Whitsundays. When it comes to privacy and luxury there’s so much on offer you just have to choose your adventure. The Beachfront Pavilions sit right on the water for those who can’t resist a sunrise stroll. If you want to be in the thick of the resort, but still be left alone, the Beach Wing with it’s eight Beachfront Pool Villas is for you. Those looking to travel with other couples can opt for the Hayman Residence which site perched on the hillside overlooking the island. haymanisland.intercontinental.com
