The Australia Bucket List Honeymoon: Coastal Luxury, Rainforest Escapes & Hidden Beach Paradises

Begin your honeymoon in Sydney, one of the world’s most romantic waterfront destinations.

• Stay at Capella Sydney, where heritage-listed architecture meets refined, contemporary design.

• Spend your days sailing Sydney Harbour on a private yacht, wandering through The Rocks, or taking in the Pacific views on the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk.

• For a honeymoon-worthy dinner, book Bennelong, where modern Australian cuisine is served inside the iconic Sydney Opera House.

Add a day trip to the Blue Mountains, where sandstone cliffs, eucalyptus forests, and boutique wineries create the perfect nature escape paired with tasting flights and valley views.

Fly to Hamilton Island, where turquoise water, fringing reefs, and powder-soft sand define each day.

• Stay at qualia, an adults-only sanctuary offering complete privacy and understated luxury, or choose InterContinental Hayman Island Resort for glamorous pools, lush landscaping, and effortless access to the reef.

• Explore the Great Barrier Reef by seaplane or helicopter, snorkel vibrant coral gardens, or enjoy a champagne picnic on Whitehaven Beach.

• For dining, make time for Bommie Restaurant at Hamilton Island Yacht Club for refined Australian cuisine overlooking the marina.

Alternative option: Byron Bay

Swap the Whitsundays for Australia’s most stylish beach town. Stay at Raes on Wategos, an intimate oceanfront hideaway, or Crystalbrook Byron, tucked in a rainforest sanctuary.

Spend your days taking sunrise beach walks, visiting the iconic Byron Bay Lighthouse, and enjoying long lunches at The Farm Byron Bay, known for hyper-local, sustainable dining.

Where reef meets rainforest

Head north to Far North Queensland, where the Great Barrier Reef meets the Daintree Rainforest—two UNESCO World Heritage wonders side by side.

• Stay at Silky Oaks Lodge, a riverside retreat redesigned with treehouse-inspired suites and open-air lounging spaces overlooking the Mossman River. Or opt for Peppers Beach Club in Port Douglas for a laid-back beachfront base.

• Spend your days snorkeling the reef, joining Indigenous-guided rainforest walks in Mossman Gorge, or relaxing in Silky Oaks’ Healing Waters Spa.

• For dinner, reserve a table at Harrisons by Spencer Patrick, one of the region’s top restaurants.

Australia’s sacred Red Desert heart

For an unforgettable detour, spend two days in Uluru.

Stay at Longitude 131°, a luxury wilderness lodge where tented pavilions feature floor-to-ceiling views of Uluru—sunrise and sunset from bed included. Enjoy all-inclusive dining, premium drinks, Indigenous cultural experiences, and guided excursions through Uluru-Kata Tjuṯa National Park.

Dinner at Table 131°, served under a canopy of stars, is a honeymoon highlight.

City cool & coastal wine country

Fly south to Melbourne, where laneway cafés, galleries, and world-class dining define the city’s irresistible charm.

• Stay at The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne, famous for its sky-high suites and panoramic views, or at the new 1 Hotel Melbourne, a sustainable luxury property with striking, nature-forward interiors.

• Explore the National Gallery of Victoria, wander through hidden laneways, and dine at Embla, a cozy wine bar beloved by locals.

Mornington Peninsula

For your final days, escape to the Mornington Peninsula, known for thermal hot springs, boutique wineries, and rugged coastal beauty.

• Visit Pt. Leo Estate, home to an acclaimed restaurant and an expansive sculpture park overlooking rolling vineyards.

• Wine lovers should stop at Jackalope’s Rare Hare or enjoy a tasting at Polperro Wines.

• Consider staying at the Jackalope Hotel for a couple of nights—perfect for design lovers and ideal for a shorter drive to the iconic Phillip Island Penguin Parade.