When I first realized I wanted to see every continent on Earth when I was a teenager, Australia felt like a far off goal—just this endlessly cool place on the other side of the world that I wasn’t sure I’d ever get to. Now, on the other side of all 7 continents, I can tell you it is as cool as I always thought it would be, and I’ve absolutely loved every trip I’ve taken Down Under.
One of my all-time favorite elopement spots in Australia has to be the Whitsunday Islands. Start your day in a seaplane and fly over Heart Reef for a heavy dose of romantic nature and then go snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef. Cap off your elopement with soft white sand and a sunset. You’ll be blown away.
Honestly, Australia has dozens of excellent locations for eloping for every style of couple! Read on for my top 25 across the continent, including options for mountains, ocean views, and national parks.
If you need precise answers, you can always click here to be taken to my location map! This searchable database has over 600 locations and lets you filter by activities, seasons, and scenery.
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Okay, the Gold Coast is famous for glitzy high-rises and world-class surf, but take a step away from the action and you’ll find some seriously underrated elopement spots. The hinterland is packed with waterfalls, glow worm caves, and lush rainforests, while the coastline delivers long stretches of golden sand and secluded rocky coves. The options feel almost endless! So, what will it be? A barefoot beach ceremony, a mountaintop moment, or a hidden rainforest retreat? The Goldie has it all – plus a buzzing nightlife scene to keep the celebrations going.
Best for: Beach, Coast, Forest, Waterfalls and Cities
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Sunbathing, Hiking, Kayaking and Swimming
Whitsunday Islands, Australia
Consider these islands your access point to the famous Great Barrier Reef. Can you imagine dedicating your elopement day (or part of your elopement trip) to seeing one of the Natural Wonders of the World? Or, while you’re in the area, hopping in a romantic helicopter tour to fly over a naturally heart shaped reef? Those are the kinds of things that are possible for your day when you elope in the Whitsunday Islands! Stay on Hamilton Island for great resorts and the best access to activities and ways to see all of the natural beauty around you.
Best for: Islands, Lagoon, Forest, Coast and Beaches
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Diving, Snorkeling, Kayaking and Helicopter
Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia
Some road trips are scenic, and then there’s the Great Ocean Road, where every turn hits you with another knockout view. The 12 Apostles steal the show, rising out of the ocean like something out of a dream, but the magic is everywhere – secret coves, towering cliffs, and wild beaches where the waves crash so hard they feel alive. Eloping here means pulling off at a quiet lookout, saying your vows with the wind in your hair, then kicking off your shoes and running down to the sand. And if you’re up for it, take the inland detour – rainforest trails and waterfalls are just a short drive away.
Best for: Forest, Sea stacks, Beach and Coast
Best months to get married here: Year Round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia
Byron Bay is all about that easy, sun-drenched, beachfront kind of romance. Spend sunrise at Wategos Beach with the waves rolling in, take in a quiet moment at Cape Byron Lighthouse, and then hike along the jungle-fringed creeks of the hinterland. Everywhere you turn in Byron feels like the perfect elopement backdrop. After your vows, grab a long lunch at a farm-to-table spot (they’re a big deal here), take a sunset swim, or just stretch out on the sand and soak up the sun. Byron’s the kind of place where time slows down, and your wedding day gets to be about nothing but you two.
Best for: Forest, Beach and Coast
Best months to get married here: Year Round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Paddleboarding, Kayaking, Swimming
Lord Howe Island, New South Wales, Australia
Lord Howe Island is one of the most exclusive and untouched places in Australia – and that’s because only 400 visitors are allowed here at a time! Floating 600km off the coast of New South Wales, it’s a UNESCO-listed paradise with jungle-covered peaks, glassy lagoons, and a coral reef that’s teeming with marine life (seriously, the snorkeling here is next level). Hike up Mount Gower for insane panoramic views, kayak over the world’s southernmost coral reef, or say your vows on a secluded beach with nothing but the waves and seabirds for company. Bikes are the main way to get around here, which only adds to the laid-back, untouched magic of this place.
Best for: Mountains, Forest, Lagoons, Coast and Beach
Best months to get married here: October to April
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Swimming, Paddleboarding and Snorkeling
Dandenong Ranges, Victoria, Australia
This is where Melbourne escapes when it wants to breathe. The Dandenong Ranges are lush, green, and packed with winding forest trails, misty lookouts, and fairytale gardens – so basically, they’re gorgeous! The 1000 Steps Trail makes for an epic rainforest backdrop, while SkyHigh Mount Dandenong is the spot for sunset vows with a city view. To keep things secluded and as romantic as can be, grab a cabin tucked into the trees, sip local wine, and wake up to lyrebirds singing outside your window.
Best for: Mountains and Forest
Best months to get married here: Year Round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Camping
Twelve Apostles, Australia
Massive limestone stacks rising out of the Southern Ocean, sea spray in the air, and cliffs that make you feel like you’re standing at the edge of the world – this is a wedding backdrop that doesn’t mess around. The Great Ocean Road road trip leading here from Melbourne is half the fun, with endless coastal views and stops along the way (I highly recommend grabbing a vanilla slice in a tiny beach town before you get here for your wedding dessert). Sunrise and sunset are absolutely unreal here, but make sure you time your elopement for September-April to have the best shot of avoiding the rain.
Best for: Coast and Sea stacks
Best months to get married here: September to April
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
The Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia
Located less than two hours from Sydney, it feels like another planet out at the Blue Mountains. This not-to-be-missed mountain range is where you’ll find towering cliffs, misty valleys, eucalyptus forests, and the kind of viewpoints that make you stop and just breathe it all in. There’s something so romantic about standing at the edge of one of the area’s many stunning lookouts as the light shifts across the mountains (and sunrise really is the best time to catch this phenomenon). For hikers, this place delivers, with waterfalls, canyons, and dramatic cliff walks all making for some of the best “just married” photos of all time.
Best for: Mountains, Forest, River, Waterfalls and Canyons
Best months to get married here: Year Round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Stargazing
North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, Australia
One of the largest sand islands in the world, “Straddie”, as the locals call it, is all about the laid-back coastal life. It’s just a quick ferry ride away from Brisbane, but may as well be on another planet. Those stressful city vibes feel a million miles away! The North Gorge Walk here is famous for its unreal wildlife spotting – you might see whales, turtles, manta rays, or even a pod of dolphins surfing the waves. If you’re looking for secluded beach ceremony spots, there are plenty, from hidden coves to long, empty stretches of sand. And if you love a sunset with a drink in hand, Point Lookout delivers some of the best golden-hour views on the east coast.
Best for: Island, Wildlife, Coast and Reefs
Best months to get married here: October to March
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Swimming, Kayaking
Tamborine Mountain, Queensland, Australia
Tamborine Mountain feels like the kind of place where you could disappear for a while – in the best way. You could say your vows on a clifftop with views rolling out to the coast, in the middle of an ancient fig tree grove, or even beside Curtis Falls, where the water tumbles down into a deep green pool. And afterwards, you’re spoilt for choice: a lazy afternoon at a winery, a sunset picnic with the valley spread out below, or even a sneaky stop at one of the mountain’s famous fudge shops are all on the menu. An elopement here is next-level dreamy!
Best for: Mountains, Forest, River and Waterfall
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Hamilton Island, Whitsundays, Queensland, Australia
Hamilton Island is the concept of “barefoot luxury” brought to life, with swaying palm trees, soft sand, and the kind of sunsets that streak the whole sky with electric pink. I know it’s wrong to have favorites, but I think this is the best part of the Whitsundays, with the added bonus of actual amenities. No roughing it here! Oh, and there are no cars here – just golf buggies. Which, let’s be real, is definitely the coolest way to arrive to your wedding day.
Best for: Forest, Island, Beach and Coast
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Kayaking, Snorkeling and Boating
Barrington Tops National Park, New South Wales, Australia
There’s wild, and then there’s Barrington Tops, where the rainforest feels ancient and the mountains seem to go on forever. So, what makes an elopement here so unique? How about saying your vows on a ridge so high you’re literally above the clouds, then hiking down to a secluded river bend that feels like it belongs only to you. The air is crisp here, the silence is deep, and the stars at night are extra-special.
Best for: Mountains, Rainforest and River
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Stargazing, Jeep/4×4
Wilsons Promontory National Park, Victoria, Australia
Locals just call it “The Prom”, and once you see it, you’ll understand why everyone who visits falls in love with it. It’s home to some of the best beaches in the country, like Squeaky Beach (yes, the sand actually squeaks). If you want a big, cinematic elopement moment, hike up Mount Oberon for a sunset so good you won’t believe it’s real. Prefer secluded and private? Little Waterloo Bay is only accessible by foot or boat, meaning it’s just you, the waves, and untouched wilderness. This place hits different in all the right ways.
Best for: Mountains, Forest, Beach and Reefs
Best months to get married here: September to April
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Swimming, Kayaking
Bay of Fires, Tasmania, Australia
White sand and neon-orange boulders sound like a wild mix, but just wait until you see Bay of Fires with your own eyes – it’s even wilder in real life. This stretch of coastline in northeast Tassie is straight-up surreal, with turquoise waves crashing against fire-red rocks. The best part is that it’s remote, untouched, and usually empty – making it the perfect ceremony spot for just you, the waves, and the occasional wallaby. Spend your special day beach-hopping, exploring hidden rock pools, and soaking up the unreal colors, because nothing about this place looks real, and that’s exactly what makes it special.
Best for: River, Lagoon, Coast and Beach
Best months to get married here: October to March
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
The Bungle Bungles, Purnululu National Park, Western Australia, Australia
Striped like a tiger and stacked like beehives, the Bungle Bungles don’t look like anything else you’ve seen before. These domes have been around for 350 million years, and they make for one of the wildest backdrops you could ask for. Tucked into Purnululu National Park, this spot in the Kimberley is remote, epic, and full of hidden gorges where you can sneak away for a private ceremony. The best way to take it all in is with a scenic helicopter flight over the range, because it’s almost impossible to grasp just how insane this landscape is from the ground.
Best for: Desert and Rock Formations
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
The Pinnacles, Nambung National Park, Western Australia, Australia
“Otherworldly” doesn’t go far enough – the Pinnacles are straight-up lunar. These limestone spires shoot out of the golden sand like a landscape from another planet, stretching as far as the eye can see. Located inside Nambung National Park, just a couple of hours drive north of Perth, this spot gives you total drama and total seclusion. Walk among the formations, find a hidden nook for your vows, and stick around for sunset when the whole desert glows. At night, the lack of light pollution makes this an unreal stargazing spot. Nothing says romance like saying “I do” and then watching the Milky Way light up the sky!
Best for: Desert, Sand Dunes and Rock Formations
Best months to get married here: Year Round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Stargazing
Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Islands National Park, Queensland, Australia
There’s no such thing as a bad angle at Whitehaven Beach. This place doesn’t just have white sand – it has whiter-than-white, powder-soft, almost-too-perfect-to-be-real sand made almost entirely of silica, and water that’s ridiculously clear, ridiculously blue, and shifting in color with the tides. You can hike up to Hill Inlet for that famous swirling sand-and-sea view, or find a quiet stretch of beach where it’s just you, the ocean, and the occasional sea turtle drifting past. Whether you arrive by boat, helicopter, or seaplane, this is beach boho luxury at its best.
Best for: Forest, Coast and Beaches
Best months to get married here: October to March
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating
The Grampians, Victoria, Australia
Big rock faces, hidden waterfalls, and some of the best hikes in Victoria are what the Grampians are all about. The Pinnacle lookout is a must for iconic panoramic shots, while MacKenzie Falls is the kind of place that makes you forget the rest of the world exists. For something a little more low-key, the valleys below are full of secluded picnic spots, native wildflowers, and kangaroos who couldn’t care less about your elopement, but will still show up for the photos.
Best for: Mountains, Forest, Lakes and Wildflowers
Best months to get married here: Year Round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Rock Climbing
Elephant Rocks, Denmark, Western Australia, Australia
You’ll know exactly why this place got its name as soon as you see it – massive granite boulders, shaped like a herd of elephants, standing knee-deep in the ocean. But the real magic happens when you walk between them and step onto the sheltered beach hidden inside. Turquoise water, smooth stone, and absolute peace. It feels like it was custom-built for a private, barefoot ceremony, with nothing but the sound of waves echoing between the rocks. Greens Pool is just next door, so you can celebrate with a swim in some of the calmest, clearest water in WA. Sounds like the perfect day to me!
Best for: Coast, Beach and Elephant Rocks!
Best months to get married here: September to April
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Glasshouse Mountains, Queensland, Australia
These ancient volcanic peaks have been standing tall for millions of years, and they’re still easily some of the most dramatic landscapes in Australia. Named by Captain Cook in 1770, they rise up out of the earth like a row of stone giants. Mount Ngungun is a quick and easy climb with unreal views, while Mount Beerwah is only for the brave (and those ready to scramble up near-vertical rock). If hiking isn’t your thing, the valleys below are just as special, with quiet rainforest trails, panoramic lookouts, and golden-hour light flooding through the peaks.
Best for: Forest and Mountains
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Wineglass Bay, Tasmania, Australia
The curved white sand and electric-blue water of Wineglass Bay are so picture-perfect they might as well have been designed by an elopement photographer like me. Getting here is an adventure, and involves (I can’t sugarcoat it) a steep but short hike leading to a lookout with the kind of view that’ll stop you in your tracks. If you’re feeling extra energetic, kayak along the coastline, or simply sit back, relax, and take a private boat out into the bay for a ceremony spot right on the water. Either way, this place is one of my favorite elopement destinations in Australia.
Best for: Forest, Mountains, Coast and Beach
Best months to get married here: September to March
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia
Kakadu is the largest national park in Australia, and honestly, it feels like its own planet, packed full of cascading waterfalls, ancient rock art, and wetlands teeming with crocs and birdlife. You can swap out a traditional aisle for a boat ride through Yellow Water Billabong, where lotus-covered lagoons and misty sunrises make for the dreamiest elopement setting. Another option is Ubirr Lookout at sunset, where you’ll find dramatic cliffs and sky-high views. Kakadu’s rock art sites date back over 20,000 years, giving your ceremony an ancient, sacred energy – just how an elopement should feel be.
Best for: Mountains, Forest, Waterfalls, River and Canyons
Best months to get married here: Year Round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating
Mungo National Park, New South Wales, Australia
This is the kind of place that makes you feel tiny in the best way possible. Mungo’s vast, sunbaked landscape stretches for miles, with wind-carved rock formations and rippled sand dunes creating a backdrop that looks straight out of a sci-fi film. But it’s more than just a wild setting – this land holds the oldest known human remains in Australia, adding an ancient and humbling layer to any elopement here. The Walls of China, with their dramatic ridges and golden glow at sunset, are easily one of the most unreal places to say “I do.”
Best for: Desert and Rock Formations
Best months to get married here: Year Round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
The Tarkine Rainforest, Tasmania, Australia
This is one of the biggest rainforests in the world, where everything feels bigger, greener, and wilder. Towering myrtle trees draped in moss, ferns as tall as people, and an undercurrent of birdsong make this one of the most untouched places in Australia. There’s no bad way to elope here since it’s completely disconnected from the modern world, so take your pick: deep in the forest, standing by a hidden waterfall, or on the wild coastline where the rainforest meets the roaring ocean.
Best for: Coast, River, Waterfalls and Rainforest
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Walls of Jerusalem National Park, Tasmania, Australia
This is Tasmania’s high-altitude wilderness at its absolute best. There are no roads in, just a trail that winds through glacial lakes, cushion plants, and rugged mountain peaks that look straight out of a fantasy novel. Getting here takes effort, but the payoff for all your hard work is a backdrop of alpine meadows, mirrored tarns, and 1,000-year-old pencil pines that have seen more sunrises than you can count. If you’re happy with your ceremony witnesses being only the mountains and the occasional wallaby, Walls of Jerusalem National Park is the spot.
Best for: Mountains, Forest, Lakes and Lupins
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Australia runs the gamut as far as types of scenery, with everything from rainforests to beaches to deserts to mountains. If you know what kind of scenery you want and want to make sure it’s available during your preferred season or want to see a list of just that kind of scenery around the world, click here to go to my searchable location database! This interactive map has over 600 locations and lets you filter away to get back only the most relevant results.
And if you’re in need of a great elopement photographer who can capture your day for you, I’m your gal. I provide my couples with everything they need for a stress-free elopement experience, from custom itineraries, bespoke location pitches, help with vendors and permits, a travel expert on call, guides that eliminate all guesswork, and more.
Click here to go to my contact form and let’s talk! I can’t wait to design a dream day for you that you’ll talk about for the rest of your life & that celebrates your unique love story.
