Spa serenity, champagne dinners, heritage luxury or off-grid seclusion: whatever 'romance' means to you, these Australian escapes deliver in abundance.
For some, a romantic escape means five-star luxury, champagne breakfasts and poolside pampering. For others, it’s all about glorious solitude, unadulterated relaxation and windswept wonder. Then there are those who prefer gilded elegance and pastoral bliss over urban hideaways.
Whether you’re looking for a cosy sojourn to reconnect together or an extra-special escape to pop the big question, fulfil your every desire with our roundup of Australia’s Most Romantic Hotels.
Ready to book your next romantic escape? Check out our collection of Australian escapes here.
NEW SOUTH WALES
Elysia Wellness Retreat, Hunter Valley
Jaw-dropping valley views greet you on arrival at Elysia Wellness Retreat, a world-class haven of relaxation positioned amid the Hunter Valley's picturesque wine country. Just a two-hour drive from Sydney, this restorative refuge has reigned as a landmark retreat for those looking to say farewell to stress. Intimate and charming, Elysia doesn’t skimp on modern perks – there's a reason this is one of Australia’s favourite retreats. Spend days resetting mind, body and soul with comforting yoga classes and tai chi, followed by 'deep water running’ in the heated indoor pool, guided group walks through aromatic lavender and empowering workshops.
Laurina Estate, Darawank
For a true taste of Australian history, look no further than Laurina Estate, which reclines peacefully on six beautiful acres in the shadow of the North Coast mountainscape, on the edge of the Darawank. This adults-only private home is wildly romantic and sublimely comfortable, with all the opulent luxury of a glamorous boutique-hotel-meets-country-retreat. Inside, a blend of traditional and contemporary – ‘country modern’ – are worth the journey alone, with romantic aesthetics that manage to be both cosy and elegant, natural and sophisticated. With an outdoor bathhouse overlooking the gardens, a romantic fire pit and a swimming pool, plus alpacas to keep you company, you’ll want for little else.
QUEENSLAND
The Reef House, Palm Cove
Whether you’re a honeymooner or a couple looking for luxurious respite, the charming The Reef House Palm Cove feels worlds away from the minutiae of the everyday. Hidden beneath a lush grove of palm fronds and ancient paperbark trees, this colonial-style beach outpost exudes the tropical vibe that is the stuff of holiday dreams; from a beautiful pool area with heated spas (and adults-only pool) to the resort’s Brigadier’s Bar & Lounge, which is run in the old-fashioned way – on an honesty system. Spend your days exploring the nearby Daintree Rainforest, Great Barrier Reef or simply laying out on the golden sands of Palm Cove Beach, but don’t miss the resort's excellent range of complimentary activities, including wine-tastings, beachfront yoga and use of vintage-style cruiser bikes.
Trinity Beach Palace, Trinity Beach
Right on Trinity Beach, one of tropical Far North Queensland's best stretches of pearl-white sand, Trinity Beach Palace is one of the private estate escapes considered a well-kept secret gem. Make the trek and discover an exclusive property lavishly set on a palm-swaying estate on the edge of the magnificent Coral Sea. There's a pool to laze in, a driving range to swing at, a gym and multiple living areas – each top-notch and dripping with luxury. And then there's the sumptuous, individually decorated rooms and suites, each exquisitely furnished: from African-inspired décor to plush velvet and freestanding bathtubs, each room offers the perfect bolthole for romance.
VICTORIA
Lancemore Milawa
At the heart of Victoria's flourishing 'culinary crossroads' lies Lancemore Milawa, a romantic retreat sat between artisanal fromageries, mustard-makers, gin-peddlers and some of the country's best wineries. Surrounded by the rolling vines of the famed Brown Brothers winery, this recently refurbished 40-room boutique hotel is dripping in rural resplendence. Spend days exploring foothills dotted with acacia and redgum, crashing waterfalls and King Valley's abundance of quaint villages. Then, return to your exquisite sanctuary with its Moorish influences, a peerless spirit of serenity and Merlot Restaurant Bar, a top-notch High Country venue offering a sommelier-led wine list.
Jackalope, Mornington Peninsula
It's not often you get to float in a 30-metre infinity pool bordered by intoxicating rural acreage or dine beneath a glowing 10,000-globe chandelier, overlooking a stunning vista of terraced vineyards, surrounded by a series of daring and dramatic art installations. Beautiful, whimsical and otherworldly – Jackalope draws more than its name from its part-jackrabbit, part-antelope folkloric inspiration. Jackalope deals wholly in the special and extraordinary. Though its cellar door is sublime, its designer rooms flawless and its accolades countless, it's the dark-hued, Chef's Hat-winning Doot Doot Doot restaurant that's the real drawcard, a place where every bite elevates and celebrates Victoria's extraordinary produce.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Mount Lofty House, Adelaide Hills
Mount Lofty House is a delicious mix of old and new. Dating back to 1852, this historic manor fast became the state’s premier address for lavish and infamous parties for Adelaide’s elite of the day. Today it's magnificently art deco, while retaining its English country manor feel. Features such as the triple-Chef's-Hat-winning Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant, the 1920s-inspired Arthur Waterhouse Lounge & Bar and Gate Keeper’s Day Spa, along with warm staff, intimate spaces, and indulgent rooms stay true to the refinement, elegance and opulence of yesteryear. This is quite literally one of Australia’s most romantic heritage hotels: it was ranked #10 in the ‘Top 25 Hotels for Romance – South Pacific’ in Tripadvisor's Travellers’ Choice, Best of the Best Awards 2022.
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
Jamala Wildlife Lodge, Canberra
Set within the grounds of Canberra’s National Zoo & Aquarium, Jamala Wildlife Lodge offers a romantic experience with a difference, as each of its three individually designed accommodation precincts promises its own unique wildlife experience. The uShaka Lodge, the owner’s former residence, boasts its own shark tank, while a glass wall is all that separates you from a pride of lions, a cheetah, tigers or a pair of Malayan sun bears in the Jungle Bungalows. The Giraffe Treehouses overlook the Molonglo River and a friendly herd of animals including resident giraffe, Skye. For a truly unforgettable experience, book the lodge's four-course dinner with champagne, where you may be joined by some special guests – white lions and hyenas.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Injidup Spa Retreat, Yallingup
Want to get a world away without leaving your creature comforts behind? This beach spa property in the heart of Margaret River wine country, only 40 minutes from Busselton, boasts just 10 luxurious, adults-only villas, each an ideal escape for couples seeking solitude. Your very own light-filled slice of paradise, each villa comes complete with uninterrupted Indian Ocean views, a private plunge pool and an abundance of understated seaside style. Yallingup is the perfect launchpad for exploring the acclaimed Margaret River region, where an abundance of wineries, chocolate producers and cheese factories await – not to mention spectacular beaches, underground limestone caves and the gorgeous coastal Cape-to-Cape track.
Berkeley River Lodge, Kimberley Coast
There’s something undeniably romantic about finding yourself on the edge of the far margins of the world. Perched on the coast of the Kimberley wilderness, the 20-villa Berkeley River Lodge offers sublime seclusion unlike anywhere else on the continent. Only accessible by air or sea, reaching your retreat is half the adventure. Banked with rugged cliffs, red dirt and secluded beaches, the far-flung lodge exudes a barefoot luxury-meets-glamping vibe. Each villa is a masterclass in remote luxury, featuring an open-air ensuite with a freestanding bathtub and a furnished veranda made for lazy evenings beneath the stars.
Looking for more romance? Discover more inspiration with Romantic Things to Do on the Gold Coast: A Couple's Guide.
