Image: Elise Hassey Photography

The sun sinks towards the horizon, the water droplets slide down the side of the champagne, the waves lap across your ankles. It’s just you, your partner, the ocean (and the celebrant). Whether it’s on the beach, among the eucalyptus trees, or in the vines, there is something downright magical about eloping. Here are three spots around Australia where eloping feels just right.

Mountain Magic in NSW:

Swap function centres for fresh mountain air with a sneaky trip up to the Blue Mountains. For Sydneysiders, it’s only a 90 minute drive , but you’re a world away from the rat race. No matter the season, the charm is laid on heavily in the Blue Mountains, but autumn’s changing colours always have a special place in my heart.

Say the words:

Lookouts are the name of the game for elopers in the Blue Mountains. I’m not talking about Echo Point. There are plenty of smaller, more intimate spots to say your vows with a serious background vista. Local favourites are Lincoln’s Rock, for its wide flat natural ‘stage’ and the dramatic multi-tiered Pulpit Rock.

Image by Damien Milan via Ashley & Kyle’s Romantic Blue Mountains Elopement

Stay:

Put the dollars you save skipping the big party towards a seriously decampment wedding night. Spicers Sangoma Retreat is tucked into a quiet corner of Bowen Mountain and is the stuff honeymoons are made of. Private villas with open air plunge pools, deep freestanding tubs, wood burning fireplaces, well stocked all-inclusive mini bar (hello champagne!), all set to the backdrop of perfect Aussie bushland.

Image via Spicers Sangoma

Island escape in QLD:

Just because you can’t head to the Maldives, Tahiti or Fiji, doesn’t mean you can’t have the island elopement you’ve always dreamed of. Lucky for us, Queensland has plenty of tropical island paradises to choose from.

Say the words:

In my opinion, it’s all about the sand. And of course, your special someone standing beside you. Squeaky white sand, aqua azure water. Now we’re talking! Whitehaven is world class, with huge potential for rockstar entrances via helicopter or seaplane.

Image: Love & Other Photography via Carla & Matt’s Boho Whitsundays Wedding

Stay:

North of Townsville, Orpheus Island Lodge is serious honeymoon territory. And since you’ve skipped the big wedding, you can go straight to the honeymoon! Just 28 guests at a time get to enjoy this secluded spot in the Great Barrier Reef. Beloved by divers, it’s also well suited to those who like all-inclusive barefoot luxury.

Images: Elise Hassey Photography

Wining and dining in WA:

Well, if you’re wine lovers, the south of France may be off the table right now, but Western Australia certainly has the wine lists to keep you happy. Make a beeline for Margaret River, just three hours drive south of Perth, where you can take your pick from hundreds of cellar doors and dozens of special spots to say I do.

Say the words:

Howard Park Wines has its very own ‘Wine Chapel’– a gorgeous private tasting room that will fit the bill for wine lovers. Weathered Cyprus pine on the walls, polished concrete floors and elegant chandeliers made from the property’s 40 year old vines create some very serious ambience. Then there’s the estate’s museum wine collection. Who needs guests when you can be surrounded by well-aged beauties?

Image via Howard Park

Stay:

Grab your bottles of wine and make a beeline for Injidup Spa Retreat. Tucked into the coastal trees and wildflowers along the famous Cape to Cape track, just outside of Yallingup, these spa villas are heaven. Private plunge pools look straight out to the ocean – you’ll spot whales while you soak.

Images via Injidup Spa Retreat

Whether you want to be whisked away to tropical paradise or hideaway in the forest, it’s all about finding the place that you and your special think feels just right.

Ms Floral Says: This is some serious local elopement inspo! How wonderful that we have so many diverse and beautiful locations to choose from too.

About Lisa Perkovic: Lisa has spent the past decade travelling the world writing for Australia’s leading newspapers, magazines and blogs about all things travel. Her own honeymoon was her pièce de résistance – an epic journey to the Maldives and South Africa. Now she loves nothing more than sharing destinations and tips to help other newlyweds work out how to have the honeymoon of their dreams.