With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s never too early to start planning a romantic getaway with the one you love. Yes there is Paris, Venice, and Rome, all of which are perfect cities to incite romance. Unfortunately for us Australians, the European cities of love are a long ways away in addition to being rather expensive. Thankfully Australia provides more than enough opportunities to take a quick break from it all to fuel the passion at a much more affordable price tag.
So whether you are searching for love, care to express your love, or simply want to rekindle that flame, choose from this carefully selected bouquet of luxurious rose destinations that you can find at more carnation-like prices. Travelling to one of these passion promoting hot spots are sure to make for the perfect anniversary, honeymoon, or mini break for you and your loved one.
Whichever romantic destination you choose, be sure to protect you and your loved one with top rated travel insurance, because being hit with unexpected expensive travel emergency bills is definitely not sexy.
Airlie Beach: Queensland
The Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia’s most romantic destinations where you could spend weeks enjoying all it has to offer. You could also spend a small fortune in doing so. A cheaper option making for a quick getaway is to head to Airlie Beach on the Whitsunday Coast.
Airlie Beach is not only the gateway to the Whitsundays but it is also quite stunning in its own right. Enjoy walks on the beach, take in a romantic dinner of fresh seafood from an alfresco restaurant, or visit the nearby Cedar Creek Falls for a picnic and swim.
From Airlie Beach you can take a reasonably priced flight over Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef, taking in most of its iconic spots. You and your loved one will take in countless islands, the top rated Whitehaven Beach, and of course the famous Heart Reef. Bring a camera or simply enjoy the view in the company of your cherished companion.
Uluru: Northern Territory
What if I told you that you could enjoy stunning views of Uluru while camping under the stars with the 5 star comforts of luxury lodge? Sounds breathtakingly incredible right? It’s no wonder Prince William and Kate chose to stay in such a place during their visit to Australia.
Well unless you are royalty yourself, this option 05/not be written in the stars, as rates for a 2 person luxury tent in such a setting will set you back nearly $3,000 per night with a minimum 2 night stay required. Should you be thinking about a visit during holiday season, you can tack on about another grand as a surcharge.
Thankfully you can get that romantic camping experience just slightly further away from the reddish-orange sandstone monolith by staying at the Ayers Rock Campground for a mere $50 a night. Enjoy a swimming pool, barbeque facilities, and an outdoor kitchen. Take advantage of special offers such as stay for 3 nights, pay for 2. Enjoy the close contact as you snuggle up in your tent or opt for a cabin if you aren’t into sleeping on the ground. Cabins only run around $180 per night.
The Freycinet Peninsula: Tasmania
Head to our great island state where you can get hot and heavy as you hike to witness one of Tasmania’s most photographed views, Wineglass Bay. Everything about Freycinet and Tasmania in general is romantic. You find yourselves far removed from the hectic chaos of Australia’s larger cities and beauty abounds in every direction.
Enjoy secluded white sand beaches, inviting turquoise waters, and the simple sounds of nature and each other’s heartbeats. Enjoy budget friendly camping which is allocated by ballot during the summer months due to high demand. Alternatively, you can choose from several luxury eco-friendly resorts at fairly reasonable rates or stay in nearby towns like Swansea or Bicheno as a middle of the road cost option.
Broome: Western Australia
Broome offers the beauty and romance offered by many exotic destinations at much more affordable rates and without having to travel very far. Who needs Morocco when you can take a sunset camel ride right here. You don’t need to go to Tahiti to find beautiful pearls as you can pick up a wonderful token of your love just outside of Broome at the Willie Creek Pearl Farm, where you’ll also learn a great deal about the process of cultured Pearl Farming.
Enjoy a walk together on cable beach or enjoy a movie at Sun Picture Gardens, the world’s oldest outdoor cinema still in operation. And when it’s time to retire for the day, head to back to your Bali Resort, yes right here in Broome. The Bali Hai Resort & Spa offers a private oasis for a romantic getaway you’d expect to find in Indonesia.
Melbourne: Victoria
Yes Paris is for lovers, but you can have a taste of France right here in Australia with a trip to Melbourne. The vibrant city is home to numerous French restaurants and bakeries to get your escargot, crêpe, or croissant fix. They even have their version of the Eiffel Tower located at the Arts Centre Melbourne.
Melbourne is after all known as the Capital de Terre Napoleon due to the fact French explorers were the ones to map the coast of Victoria. You’ll find French architecture, a French Theatre, and can even celebrate the French National Day with Melbourne’s Bastille Day Festival.
Also like Paris, you have open air cafes, cobblestone streets, and a river running through the city. Shop for Chanel, Dior, and Louis Vuitton. At one time, Melbourne’s bridges over the Yarra resembled the bridges of Paris where thousands of love locks were placed. Both cities have since removed the locks but you will still find the odd love lock here and there around the city.
With endless accommodation options to be found in Melbourne, you are sure to find something that fits within your budget.