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Just the Two of Us: Australia’s Best Babymoon Destinations
Written by Rebecca Ellwood
Relaxation, serenity and indulgence are the order of the day at Australia’s best babymoon destinations – perfect for one last sojourn as a party of two.
The final stage of pregnancy is the perfect opportunity for an indulgent escape and a chance to relax and reconnect before the excitement of your new arrival.
Whether you’re looking for an escape amid nature, spa indulgence, a gourmet getaway or just pure decadence, Australia offers countless destinations for babymoon bliss – and you don’t even have to travel far to find them.
Here’s our pick of Australia’s best babymoon destinations for parents-to-be.
Palm Cove, QLD: Spa treatments and gourmet dining
Take your chance to indulge in Palm Cove, a glamorous, palm-fringed pocket of Tropical North Queensland that welcomes babymooners for grown-up relaxation. Well known for its host of luxury properties (including the iconic The Reef House & Spa) and upmarket restaurants, this seaside town is infinitely more peaceful than its bustling neighbours Port Douglas and Cairns. It’s also regarded as the ‘spa capital of Australia’, with day spas aplenty, all waiting to pamper weary mummas-to-be. Bliss out with pregnancy-friendly treatments using native Australian ingredients as you listen to the sound of the rainforest or the waves lapping gently on the beach.
Hobart, TAS: Culture and fine cuisine
If you need a change of scene but relaxing beachside isn’t – and never has been – your thing, choose a babymoon destination with a fabulous cultural scene to dip your toes into. Tasmania’s waterside capital, Hobart, has it all when it comes to a weekend escape with a little extra. Feast your eyes on subversive art at MONA, the Museum of Old and New Art, where world-class installations excite and inspire. And if your swollen feet do get the better of you, there are several onsite restaurants and bars where you can take the weight off. If you’re keen to take the opportunity to enjoy some upmarket dining before your little addition comes along, you’ll be spoilt for choice in the city, where fabulous restaurants such as Fico, the intimate Templo and sophisticated grillhouse Landscape Restaurant all offer a memorable experience.
Port Stephens, NSW: Beach walks and boutique luxury
If fresh sea breezes, sun lounging and beach walks are just what the obstetrician ordered, look no further than Port Stephens. An easy two-hour drive up the coast for Sydneysiders, this laidback seaside town is framed by stunning beaches and ancient rainforest, so you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to beautiful walks. Soak up the views from Gan Gan Lookout, which is reachable via a short walk on a preggo-friendly flat path. Bannisters Port Stephens offers boutique luxury befitting of a babymoon, with everything you might possibly desire at your fingertips, from Rick Stein dining to a dreamy day spa – so you won’t even have to move a muscle if you don’t want to.
Daylesford, VIC: Country charm and spa indulgence
A 1.5-hour drive from Melbourne’s CBD, leafy Daylesford offers country charm in droves. Take in plenty of fresh air on scenic countryside walks, potter around vintage boutiques and indulge in wholesome cuisine crafted from locally grown produce. Country pub The Farmers Arms never fails to impress for dinner, with indoor and outdoor seating options so you can dine comfortably year-round (as air con is a must in summer for mammas-to-be). Whilst hot springs and mineral spas in the surrounding area are tempting for achey pregnant bodies, it’s generally advised to avoid bathing due to potential effects of the high temperatures and water jet stimulation. However, there are still plenty of soothing experiences to be found in spa country: The Mineral Spa is one of the most awarded natural mineral spas in Australia, where you can indulge in couple’s spa treatments (your therapist can advise on suitability during pregnancy), while Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa also offers specially designed spa experiences for expectant mums.
Werribee, VIC: Spa indulgence close to the city
If you’re a Melburnian in the later stages of pregnancy and looking for a relaxing escape close to home, Werribee is a great option, as it’s less than an hour’s drive from the city. Set between the waters of Phillip Bay and the peaks of the You Yangs, this scenic region is rich in Aboriginal history and the site of the renowned Werribee Park Precinct, home to the Victoria State Rose Garden, Shadowfax Winery and Werribee Open Range Zoo.
It’s also where the sprawling Werribee Mansion can be found, a dream for babymooners, as everything you could possibly want is right on the doorstep. This 19th-century property is set within 10 acres of formal gardens, which are perfect for gentle walks with the scent of roses dancing on the breeze. The L.M Spa offers a host of pregnancy pamper packages, where blissful treatments such as massages and milk baths soothe away any aches and pains. You can also treat yourself and your precious cargo to a Sunday high tea at Joseph’s Dining, where fruit-infused scones with lashings of cream and jam, handcrafted pastries and dainty sandwiches are best followed by an afternoon nap.
Noosa, QLD: Coastal walks, markets and good food
This Queensland holiday favourite couldn’t be more perfect for a babymoon with its glorious sunshine, lush hinterland and laidback vibes. The buzzing Hastings Street is the beating heart of Noosa, and home to countless restaurants, cafés, boutiques and day spas. By day, enjoy gentle coastal walks or, if you’re feeling energetic, head out to Noosa National Park, where the reward for those who venture is spectacular coastal scenery with dolphins and turtles cresting in the waves. Head to Noosa Sunday Markets or the nearby Eumundi Markets, where a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon can be spent browsing handcrafted gifts, soaking up live music and sampling local produce, from freshly made lemonade to gourmet baked potatoes. Make the most of romantic evenings with a sunset stroll beneath the twinkling fairy lights of the boardwalk, before taking your pick of places for dinner on Hastings Street.
Port Macquarie, NSW: 17 beaches and farm-to-table fare
Another driveable option for Sydneysiders, Port Macquarie can be reached in a little over four hours from the city. Here, you can soak up that feeling of being barefoot with bump as you get back to nature amid leafy rainforest and 17 dreamy beaches, where dogs frolic in the surf, bottlenose dolphins crest in the waves and koalas laze in the tree canopies. Nourishing paddock-to-plate fare is the order of the day here: treat yourself to a memorable dinner for two at the chef-hatted The Stunned Mullet, or enjoy café classics created with produce sourced from the local farm at LV’s on Clarence. Keen for an unforgettable experience on your final pre-baby getaway? Hop onboard a 90-minute flight to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island, a paradise isle where crystalline waters rich with tropical fish and colourful reefs lap powdery white sands.
Margaret River, WA: Waterside beauty and vineyard dining
While wineries may be the first thing that come to mind when thinking of Margaret River, there is plenty more to enjoy for those off the vino, from breathtaking scenery to gourmet indulgence. This scenic pocket of WA can be easily reached in three hours from Perth, or a short 40-minute drive from Busselton Airport, offering direct regional flights. As soon as you arrive, you’ll be struck by beauty at every turn: soaring limestone cliffs, crystal-dotted caves, azure waters, velvety green hills and leafy vineyards all set the scene for an unforgettable stay. Where fine wine goes, gourmet dining follows, so you’re sure of a good feed here – stock up on fresh fare at the farmers’ market, sample locally made cheeses and chocolates and discover the restaurant scene, where establishments such as Miki’s Open Kitchen and Chow’s Table provide a feast for the senses.
Feature image: Destination NSW.
