Whether it’s a honeymoon, that long-awaited two-week break, or just a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with all the luxury trimmings, Australia never fails to seduce those who encounter its dramatic, sun-soaked landscapes, thrilling wildlife and farm-to-fork culture. From the glassy, dreamlike Ningaloo Reef on Australia’s Western coast, bursting with marine life and home to majestic whale sharks, to the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, north of Adelaide, with its ancient, mountainous landscape and the wildlife haven of Kangaroo Island, South Australia and Western Australia in particular set an epic stage for high end safari. After heart-warming encounters with quokkas and sea lions on Rottnest Island, tracing the tails of Humpback whales along the coast, or following an epic hike through the private Arkaba Nature Conservancy, spotting rare birds and kangaroos, couples can retreat to some of the world’s most romantic boutique hotels and lodges. More than often, these are woven into the stunning scenery with architectural flair and choreographed around the luxury traveller’s desire to feel fully anchored in their location, with all the indulgent touches. Australia’s world-famous wine region such as McLaren Vale (just south of Adelaide), and Margaret River, (3 hours south of Perth) are dotted with rambling vineyard estates, where couples can hunker down in luxe lodges lost to the vines, and dive into the oil-lamp hazed heritage stories and clipped country club-style facilities. Then there are the coastal retreats, many of which blow the classic Maldives five star out the water, with a more considered aesthetic, more native wildlife to discover, and a sense that all that sharp design and superlative food teeters on the edge of a vast, twinkling wilderness.
So, if the stay is as much a priority as the safari or the trip itself, and if you’re after something a little different to the classic African safari-plus-Indian Ocean resort model, here are ten of the most romantic retreats in Australia.
Sequoia, Adelaide Hills, South Australia
What makes it so special: Perched on Adelaide’s Mount Lofty (‘Koala Mountain’), the views across the verdant, mist-strewn Piccadilly Valley from this adult-only luxury lodge are sensational. It’s the ultimate Adelaide Hills launchpad for vineyard hopping, wellness days and spring-fed thermal pools awaiting couples on their return. We love the lounge’s telescope for stargazing over a nightcap.
The interiors: With just 14 suites, there’s a real sense of exclusivity at this luxurious Highland perch. Quite the antithesis to your humble lodge, contemporary suites are decked in low-slung walnut furniture, velvet bed throws and deep, deluxe bath tubs. The subtly rustic theme belies a series of techy touches that really elevates this stay to something special (there’s a light setting for different moods and times of day and blind controls that peel back the knockout views from your bed). All is meticulously arranged to absorb the sweeping, birds-eye views of the valley, with sofas to lounge on after days experiencing the delights of boutique wineries, and balconies to sample the region’s finest labels from, reclining on the enormous daybeds and spotting the odd kangaroo or wallaby bounding through the rush of green below.
The food and wine: Menus fall on a creative contemporary theme, showcasing the region’s seasonal bounty with sophisticated twists on comforting classics. Couples will relish the level of privacy dining that Sequoia offers, whether cosying up in a quiet corner of the lounge at lunch or dissecting the day’s adventures over a 3 course candelit dinner on the balcony of their own suite, with the stars beaming down. A trip here is far from complete without dining at the nearby Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant, a 3 chef hat affair named after Arthur Hardy (this was his summer residence) and channelling his penchant for the finer things in life. This is one to spruce up for, with a seasonally-shifting tasting menu driven by a radically local ‘Valley-to-Verandah’ philosophy. Look forward to sumptuous plates such as Roam Wagyu tenderloin with smoked aubergine and bone marrow, and Hiromasa Kingfish with pickled radish. The wine selection, naturally, is a regional ode, alongside the sake options and creative cocktails.
The experiences: This is where a stay in the Adelaide Hills rises confidently above anything to be found in the French wine regions. Sequoia Lodge has worked closely with local artisan producers, the indigenous people from this region and neighbouring estates to curate a series of impressive experiences. With only a handful of suites, guests can tuck into group wine and cheese sittings as a member of the team recounts the history of the land, and as everyone shares tales of the day’s adventures. Guest producers and local winemakers host various sessions at the lodge, allowing couples to sample the very best of the region, (if they’re not setting off into Sequoia’s 30-acres of rolling gardens or hiring a sports car to rumble in style from one cellar door to the next. There’s nothing quite like seeing the hills from the sky from a helicopter en route to a farther-flung vineyard (easily organised by the lodge).
Kingsford the Barossa, Barossa, South Australia
What makes it so special: One of Australia’s most exclusive retreats, Kingsford the Barossa is one of those swish, heritage spots that could have sprung from a romantic novel set in the 19th century. Despite its vintage, the interiors feel fresh and unbelievably sumptuous, and while the food, impressive cellars and dramatic Barossa setting takes centre stage here, the al fresco clawfoot tub, fondly referred to as the ‘bush bath,’ is a real highlight for couples.
The interiors: Not one room feels fusty or staid in this exquisite heritage property – everything seems to glow with clever uplighting, daily-lit lanterns and the historic Fotheringham Library’s atmospheric open fire. Refined, contemporary rooms of minimalist four posters, angular ceramics and earthy, lavish curtains and soft furnishings either peer over the green and brown patchwork of the Barossa vineyards and farmland through Georgian windows, or spill onto terraces. The 8 luxury suites in the main house are designed sympathetically (in modernist fashion) around the property’s heritage bones, whereas the Kingsford extension feels sleeker with an earth palette and smooth, minimalist furniture. Couples prioritising the utmost privacy can hunker down in the Stonemason’s cottage with its own courtyard and refined-rustic character.
The food and wine: This is where Kingsford the Barossa really shows off, whether it’s in the elegant, moodily-lit Orleana restaurant or the easy-going and achingly chic Peppertree Pool and Bar, a loyalty to the area’s produce and its wine making heritage is keenly felt. With two cellars (the historic 1856 cellar and a modern stone-clad wine tunnel featuring six vaults), the wine pairing here is pitch perfect, and couples can book in for private tastings, tapping into the brow-raising curation of labels. This includes a museum collection of Penfolds Grange and a complete collection of Henschke Hill of Grace, as well as one of the finest assortments of champagne in the country.
The experiences: This plush hotel’s privileged position on the edges of the Barossa Valley opens up an exciting string of activities. From e-biking and horse riding through the great expanse of vine-combed countryside to embarking on oh-so-private tours that take couples behind-the-scenes of this world famous wine region and the art of winemaking, the experiences here are as meaningful and stimulating as they are romantic.
COMO The Treasury, Perth, Western Australia
What makes it so special: Standing proud in the heart of Perth, this heritage property evinces Old World glamour, with all the luxurious comforts and a sophisticated rooftop restaurant packing romantic views over the city. It’s a calm and refined urban base from which to explore Perth’s vibrant labyrinth of restaurants, bars, galleries and boutiques before spilling into the wild that lies beyond the city’s fringes.
The interiors: COMO The Treasury’s grand Victorian bones have been fleshed out with contemporary furniture, moody lighting and blonde wood. Rooms and suites are lavishly pared down with subdued, creamy hues, elegant lighting and soft leathers. Balcony rooms offer views of Cathedral Square, while the suites are airy and incredibly spacious.
The food and wine: Wildflower – encased in a rooftop glass structure, with views over the Swan River and the city surrounds – is a memorable spot where couples can tuck into menus led by the indigenous six seasons. Located in the old postal hall of the main state buildings, Post serves up contemporary riffs on Italian classics, while the Cape Arid Rooms is where to head for high tea, surrounded by illustrations of the West’s wild blooms. Executive Chef Kim Brennan keeps COMO The Treasury’s foodie muscle well flexed and leading the city’s culinary charge.
The experiences: When not floating in the hotel’s dazzling 20m lap pool or having any jet lag smoothed out in the spa, couples can lean into a whole host of insider experiences. Couples can be guided through Fremantle’s warren of coffee shops, tapping into its cool, coastal culture with those who know it best, or book in for a seaplane tour of Margaret River and its patchwork of vineyards, restaurants, microbreweries and forests. The day trips from COMO The Treasury involve luxury car transfers, to places such as Kings Park and Cottesloe Beach.
Discovery Rottnest, Perth, Western Australia
What makes it so special: Who doesn’t dream of honeymooning along the fringes of a flawless white beach, overlooking gin-clear water and spotting dolphins breaking the horizon? Discover Rottnest is a eco-luxe glamping resort, pitched inconspicuously along Pinky Beach with nature (including cute Quokkas) a mere canvas wall away. The resort itself rests on Rottnest Island, Perth’s island playground, an easy 30 minute ferry ride from Fremantle or an hour and a half from Perth’s city centre.
The interiors: carved from local, sustainable wood and materials, the camp and its canvas tents are sewn into the landscape – an aesthetic feat that is reinforced with a long string of eco-credentials. Beds are as comfortable as any smart hotel, and tent sides can be peeled back to reveal the mottled blue and green shallows beyond. Honeymooners would be wise to drop their bags at the spacious Beachside Deluxe tents, where they can roll out of bed, onto the powder-soft sand.
The food and wine: One of the greatest perks of Discovery Rottnest is Pinky’s Beach Club, an easy-going restaurant-cum-bar with knockout sunset views, broken only by the lighthouse ahead. Guests can reach it via elevated boardwalks, then settle into whole baby snapper marinated in green curry paste or pork belly bao buns – the perfect marriage of a sophisticated Aussie barbecue with Asian influences. Nurse one of the many Margaret River wines as the sun begins its theatrical descent.
The experiences: The entrance is rather spectacular, before you’ve grappled with the activities on offer. Couples will soar above the water in a seaplane, landing on the island in style, before hot footing it to the pool to cool off. Those wishing to explore the island under their own steam can hire a bike, with the opportunity to jump off, should a quiet cove or particularly lovely patch of sand reveal itself. There are expert-led walking and adventure boat tours that snake around through the island or cruise along its sun-kissed edges, revealing what makes this A class nature reserve so special.
Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island, South Australia
What makes it so special: Not only does this luxurious eco-retreat brag a surreal and secluded, clifftop spot gazing out across a sparkly blue ocean, it’s also in plum position for encountering native wildlife, in their natural setting through an array of signature experiences. The breezy 30-minute flight or gloriously scenic road trip down from Adelaide through the wineries of the Fleurieu Peninsula makes it a joy to reach.
The interiors: High octane minimalism frames the rolling bushland, colourful clifftops and Southern Ocean swells with gallery-like panache. The 25 suites comprising this trailblazing luxury lodge slant gently along a cliff, as if mimicking its outline against the sky, and dial up the setting with wrap-around glass walls. A pared down aesthetic is elevated from anything ‘rustic’ with sharp design touches – sunken sitting rooms, cream leather swivel chairs, smooth oval standalone baths. Communal areas are all milky-hued with pale woods and stone, and tastefully warmed with flames and a well-stocked bar.
The food and wine: Just as the interiors are dictated by the remote setting, so is the food, most of it being coastal plunder from the waters surrounding, with a substantial amount of vegetables and herbs grown or plucked from the island itself. Artisan cereals, local bacon and blueberry pancakes are just a few breakfast options to load up on before a day of exploring. Lunches championing seasonal, local produce are best enjoyed on the terrace, with the sunshine and crisp Antarctic breeze, while dinners are a cosy, firelit affair, taking couples on a gastro-hike across the locality, with four courses or a thrilling tasting menu. The best part? Couples can help themselves to top-drawer wines in the walk-in cellar – the price includes all meals and all beverages including fine wines and spirits.
The experiences: Southern Ocean Lodge is considered one of Australia’s first experiential luxury lodges. Complementary signature experiences run at scheduled times, whether it’s visiting the sea lion colonies at Seal Bay or hiking along the towering limestone cliffs on an epic island walk. A series of adventures can be booked additionally, such as the epicurean adventure (featuring a chance to taste the island’s famed Ligurian honey and craft beers), and a safari-style drive through eucalyptus forests, to pristine beaches and into dense farmland, with the chance to encounter koalas, kangaroos the elusive echidna and endangered birdlife species, with a barbecue lunch laid on in a private bushland setting.
Beresford Estate winery, McLaren Vale, South Australia
What makes it so special: Only 40-minute drive from Adelaide, Beresford Estate sits in 70-acres of velvety, vineyard-combined countryside in the McLaren Vale region, with beautifully-curated food and wine experiences. Wine aside, it’s a luxurious base from which to explore the Onkaparinga River National Park with its spectacular gorge, visit the local beaches and vineyard hop.
The interiors: Interiors feel modern yet sumptuously comfortable, with angular sofas engulfing couples after days spent winding through the vines and sampling the estate’s labels. The villas are spacious love nests, with masculine mid century touches; as are the Grand Reserve Suites, on a slightly smaller scale, with their smooth, milky-stoned kitchenette, private bath house and views sliced by angular glass of the estate’s lake and surrounding vineyards.
The food and wine: Chef John has curated an innovative menu that allows the wines to sing and shows off the region’s top-notch produce. It’s elevated without being overly pretentious and couples will enjoy observing how the team pair each plate with a particular wine, particularly following a day of intriguing talks and tastings.
The experiences: Experiences here are centred, naturally, on the wine, and cleverly-crafted around the beautiful, sun-kissed estate and surrounding countryside. From the classic wine tasting sessions in the pavilion (also a great on-site small wedding spot) to the more imaginative events, such as Paint N Sip, where an artist leads a group through various wines via the paintbrush, there’s enough on to simply ‘book in’ and spend the rest of your precious time here relaxing, as opposed to frantically Googling what to do during the day.
Arkaba Homestead, Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, South Australia
What makes it so special: Who said safari is exclusive to Africa? High end safari camp, Arkaba Homestead, is set in one of Australia’s most ravishing wildernesses, where the sun dictate the day’s rhythms and draws out the copper hues in the rock. Come here for breath-tugging views from a 4X4, where awe-inspiring, mountainous landscape is crisscrossed by emu, red kangaroos, wallaroos and echidna.
The interiors: Crisp, reverential to its 19th century roots and absurdly comfortable, the farmstead has been tastefully dressed in earthy hues that reflect the park’s patchwork of rust, ochre and mahogany. A pastoral heritage theme has received a gentle spruce in the rooms, with thick curtains, soft-as-a-cloud beds and traditional country house windows peering over the wilderness. It’s worth noting that a few rooms are more modern, with floor-to-ceiling glass and private decks seemingly hovering above the thousands of acres of bush.
The food and wine: While the food here is superb and as loyal to its locality and heritage as the design and the safari itineraries, it’s the setting that really lifts it to giddy heights. Safari-style tables and chairs are unfolded like origami alongside forests already glowing ethereal green in the afternoon sun, with great rustic hunks of majestic rock surging beyond them. Oil lamps flicker, fresh, seasonal fare is deftly paired with Clare Valley wines, and, if you’re lucky, a bird of prey may glide through the hot air as the sun begins to sink. Breakfasts pluck what they can from the land, innovatively incorporating foraged herbs and edible flowers with local eggs.
The experiences: The owners of Arkaba have years of South African safari experience under their belt, and it shows. Safari jaunts here are the stuff of outdoorsy, big sky reverie, with the camp’s conservation programme and impressive rewilding efforts a consistent thread. But it’s the Arkaba Walk that this right-on homestead is best known for – a three-day trek through the outback set against the majestic backdrop of the Elder Range and natural amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound, and, having dined and snoozed beneath a vast, star studded sky in sumptuous safari camps, winds up at the homestead. Couples can look forward to thrilling wildlife sightings, delving into the local Adnyamathanha culture and understanding more about this beguiling landscape’s biodiversity.
Sal Salis, Cape Range National Park, Western Australia
What makes it so special: Set in the sand dunes between the Ningaloo Reef and the rugged ranges that surge behind, Sal Salis’ eco-safari camp encapsulates off-grid luxury. Pippa Middleton chose to honeymoon here, with the trembling, Indian Ocean sunsets that paint the water and ochre-flecked Cape Range National Park in fiery strokes. There’s the wildlife sightings (from whales to wallabies); the easy 2 hour flight from Perth to Exmouth, and the sense that you’ve fallen off the edge of the earth, where the outback meets the ocean.
The interiors: The glamping style of Sal Salis is reminiscent of high end safari camps in Africa, though don’t be fooled by the sand-hued canvas structures that are dotted quietly in the dunes. Inside lies those modern day comforts:, a private eco-ensuite bathroom with organic shampoo and native herb soap, gloriously comfortable beds and an instagrammable hammock suspended across the decks. All that lies between couples and the World-Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef is canvas, allowing the room to inhale the salty Indian Ocean air. Couples should pine for the cavernous honeymoon tent, with its private perch overlooking the world’s longest fringing reef.
The food and wine: The lounge is the camp’s hub, where couples can tuck into (all-inclusive) dishes championing land and sea produce (the area is particularly famous for its giant prawns), washed down with local wine, spirits and beers. The juxtaposition of such skillful, simple-yet-sumptuous cooking in this dreamlike corner of the Australian wilderness is thrilling to say the least. There’s the social element too, where guests can share anecdotes of their adventures before retiring to their immensely private safari tents.
The experiences: The snorkelling over Ningaloo is otherworldly, with vibrant corals, turtles, exotic fish and hypnotic rays found just metres from the shore. The main act, however, between March to August is the chance to swim with whale sharks encountering these majestic creatures as they glide gracefully through the warm water. Sal Salis can help organise these bucket list tours (at an additional cost). From July to October couples can also swim with pods of humpback whales (at an additional cost), and year-round, follow guides through Cape Range National Park’s gorges – keeping eyes peeled for honeyeaters, eagles, black-footed rock wallabies and emus.
Cape Lodge, Margaret River Region, Western Australia
What makes it so special: Couples after that yesteryear country house romance, just with all the luxury trappings and vineyard hopping itineraries, should book into Margaret River’s Cape Lodge. Easily reached from Perth with a relaxed 3 hour drive down the coast, the white, low-slung main house peers across a lake, velvety lawns and acre upon acre of vineyards. Just beyond the manicured parkland lies the flawless beaches and Indian Ocean, as well as the region’s finest wine estates.
The interiors: Rooms are a fresh, unfussy spin on the traditional country house aesthetic, with unfathomably large, comfortable beds and coffee-camel hues against a white palette. All open onto serene country views, whether it’s the gardens, across the vineyards or, (our personal favourite), the lake, where a luxurious and incredibly private retreat spills onto a lakeside courtyard.
The food and wine: The restaurant’s ingredients (plucked from the kitchen garden or selected from local farms and the fishermen’s haul), and are finely-tuned to bring out the character of the wines. Dining here is the highlight of any stay, with couples choosing from either a 3 or 5-course tasting menu featuring imaginative and radically seasonal plates such as pasta candied citrus with Torbay asparagus, Fremantle cuttlefish with roasted tomato and capsicum, and the estate’s own citrus with granita, leaf cream and a delectable brûlée.
The experiences: Along with its own vineyard tours, Cape Lodge also puts on an array of epic, expert-led experiences, from helicopter rides over Margaret River, landing at the top vineyards including Leeuwin Estate and Vasse Felix, to private twilight cave tours that delve into ancient Aboriginal culture.
El Questro, the Kimberley, Western Australia
What makes it so special: This reimagined old cattle station can be found in the untouched Kimberley region in Western Australia’s tropical north. The cliffside retreat is best known for its hot springs (which Nicole Kidman credited as helping her conceive) and untamed outback landscapes, sliced by dramatic gorges and calm rivers, and dotted with palm trees.
The interiors: In the Cliffside Retreats, everything twists towards the heart-thumping views – the pillowy chairs, the enormous beds, the bath. Honeymooners can go all-out on the Chamberlain Suite, dramatically cantilevered over the edge of its namesake gorge, with vertigo-inducing views from a wrap-around balcony and through its bathroom’s glass walls. While interiors in the bedrooms nod to its homestead past, with varnished terracotta floors and local art and tapestries lining the walls, the bathrooms are fresh and contemporary, with oval standalone tubs.
The food and wine: This is off-grid gourmet at its best, with an ever-changing seasonal menu, showing off regional fare with contemporary cuisine, and in whichever setting at the homestead that couples choose. Whether at a communal table under a shady awning as guests swap tales of their daily adventures or at one of the on a private locations including a clifftop spot in time for sunset or a heli picnic to the stunning Miri Miri Falls.
The experiences: Such a wild, exquisite setting (a mere 3-hour flight from Perth) naturally has epic experiences in droves. The most popular is undoubtedly an exclusive dip in the Zebedee Thermal Springs, though couples may wish to work their muscles first on guided walks through the Kimberley region’s staggeringly deep and luscious gorges or a with an Bush Culture expert, delving into the land’s historical soul and its enchanting flora and fauna. For a truly magical trip honeymooners can hop aboard scenic flights to nearby natural wonders, including the UNESCO-listed Bungle Bungle Range, striped sandstone structures which are at their awe-inspiring best from the air.
For an epic trip that incorporates several of the above luxury stays, embark on a South Australia and Western Australia Wildlife Safari itinerary. Not only does this crisscross some of Australia’s most ravishing, untamed landscapes, from the Flinders Ranges outback to Ningaloo, the world’s longest fringing reef, it guarantees encounters with the continent’s beguiling and often bonkers wildlife, such as the endangered Australian sea lion, koalas, kangaroos and (at certain times of the year), the majestic whale shark. Experiences are cleverly woven into the trip, from unique wildlife encounters on a Kangaroo Island safari to meandering through Margaret River vineyards, tasting the region’s finest wines.
Inspiring Travel has been creating tailor-made holidays for 50 years. Their South Australia & Western Australia Wildlife Safari makes for the perfect honeymoon adventure. Visit inspiringtravel.co.uk and speak to their knowledgeable Travel Specialists to start planning your bespoke romantic journey.
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