Tasmania is a beautiful place to get married or have your honeymoon via Bree Morgan Photography
You don’t need to travel half way around the world to find a romantic honeymoon destination. Australia is blessed with some of the most beautiful coastlines and forests in the world and Tasmania is no exception.
And when it comes to honeymoon destinations, it checks all the boxes: Secluded? Check. Scenic? Check. Good food and drink? Check and check! Tassie’s coastline might only measure 4500km but almost half of the state is world heritage listed, national park territory or marine and forest reserves.
In short, it’s some kind of national treasure and an unfairly underrated one at that. When you combine its mesmerising beauty with delicious, fresh local produce and award-winning local whisky and wine, it’s hard to look past as a pretty nifty (not to mention cost-effective) nearby honeymoon destination.
You’ve got a few options in terms of how you approach a Tasmanian honeymoon. From hiring a car and driving around the whole island, to pulling up stumps and relishing a totally secluded part of the world. Either way, you’re guaranteed to find time to reminisce about your wedding day, while making plans for your new life together.
Here are just a few Tassie honeymoon tips to get you started.
Where to stay
Freycinet National Park is just over two hours’ drive from Hobart and is home to incredible, pink granite peaks, secluded bays, white sandy beaches and a tonne of local wildlife.
For the ultimate in seclusion and luxury accommodation, Freycinet Lodge is tucked within the national park overlooking the blue waters of Great Oyster Bay and the picturesque Hazards mountain range.
Modern timber cabins overlook some seriously stunning views. The accommodation is secluded, stylish, peaceful and perfect for spending some quality time with your new spouse. There’s nothing quite like waking up to the views of the bay surrounded by old gum trees. Hot tip: There’s a very nice restaurant onsite too – more below.
Freycinet Lodge is an amazing honeymoon spot. Via Freycinet Lodge
What to drink
If you’ve been living under a rock then you might not know that Tasmanian whisky is kind of a big deal. It used to be described as the next big thing in whisky, now we’re pretty sure it may just be the big thing.
Sullivan’s Cove is Australia’s most highly awarded whisky and the distillery is only located a 20-minute drive from Hobart.
In 2014 they were named ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards – a feat no other Aussie whisky has ever achieved. More recently they were also awarded World’s Best Single Cask Single Malt for their French Oak Single Cask and American Oak Single Cask. I think you get the picture – this place has a good drop and you can do distiller-lead tours and cellar door tastings if you’re dropping in for a visit. A tour and tasting will set you back $50 per person.
What to eat
Oysters. Eat all the oysters.
The good news is, if you opt for Freycinet Lodge, you don’t have to stray too far from where you’re staying to taste the best oysters on the Apple Isle. Freycinet Marine Farm is right around the corner from Freycinet Lodge and they sell fresh oysters you can eat on the farm’s deck or you can take them away to shuck them yourself at your own secluded picnic spot. They also sell mussels, rock lobster and pan-fried abalone too!
I don’t know what it is, but Tasmanian oysters just don’t taste as good on the ‘mainland’ as they do from the source. Tucking into them fresh is an absolute must!
I can also vouch for dining in at Freycinet Lodge. There are several dining options but you can’t look past The Bay Restaurant for a special (and tasty) dining experience. Mrs Houndstooth has several food allergies and they were so accommodating, we went back again for round two on the second night of our stay!
How to be romantic
There’s no shortage of romantic things to do in Tasmania. From bushwalking to picnics by the water, but I couldn’t go past Freycinet again – that place really got a hold of me. We’re talking beach walks, picnics, hikes, bay cruises, scenic flights and more. To get the true beauty of the stunning local scenery and wildlife I recommend kayaking around Coles Bay with your significant other.
Take a three-hour guided paddle around the bay with Freycinet Adventures. It’s a definite bucket list item and breathtakingly beautiful. You’ll glide beneath pink granite mountains, past pristine sandy beaches and on top of crystal-clear waters. The tours are in small groups but you paddle with your partner and kind of forget anyone else is around. The tour involves a morning snack and coffee on a remote private island – it’s such a unique experience. If physical activity isn’t really your thing for your honeymoon, firstly I hear you, but you can rest assured this is a beginner level paddle at a leisurely pace. It’s worth the effort. Come on, you’ve got the rest of your honeymoon to sit back at the hotel with a drink in hand!
Don’t forget to also check out New York, Kyoto, Myajima Island, The Whitsundays and Lake Louise, Canada, San Francisco as great honeymoon destinations!
Ms Zebra Says: Ahh Tasmania! Secluded and romantic. It really does provide a wonderful backdrop for any honeymoon! Thanks Mr Houndstooth for helping us explore!
About Mr Houndstooth: I am a happily married man. I enjoy a fine whisky, a new suit and swashbuckling around town with my beautiful bride. Looking back on my wedding day always makes me smile, even though it began to rain just as we said ‘I do’.
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