Despite being one of the last single males in my extended group of friends, I’m always asked for recommendations for romantic getaways. Be it my role at Boss Hunting, my interest in escaping the city as often as possible or my longing for such an experience; I do actually have a lot of suggestions to offer the getaway lovers, and many are within driving distance from Sydney. Whether you’re looking for secluded beach picnics, quaint country porches, remote luxury lodges or houseboats for two, New South Wales has an abundance of options for couples looking to spend quality time together. Below is just a sample of some of the luxury romantic getaways for lovers available in NSW.
Byron Bay/Cabarita
Book a Lagoon Edge Villa at Elements of Byron and relax by the pool before indulging in a treatment at their Osprey day spa. If you have a car, plan a day trip to The Farm Byron Bay for breakfast and onto Newrybar for lunch at the brilliant Harvest Newrybar, before perusing the local antique stores. Spend the afternoon relaxing on Wategos Beach then walk to the Byron Bay Lighthouse and take in the view from Australia’s most eastern point. Head north for an early dinner at Fleet Restaurant Brunswick Heads then up to Cabarita Beach to spend a night at the stunning Halcyon House.
Bellingen
Ten minutes north of Bellingen (45 mins north west of Nambucca Heads) sitting within the beautiful Gleniffer Valley is luxury self-catering bed and breakfast Cottonwood Cottage.
The picturesque secluded retreat is set on 61 private acres below the Dorrigo World Heritage National Park with 400 metres of Never Never River frontage that allows guests to experience a new level of silence, peace and nature. For those who want to relive their special weekend, just a short stroll away is The Gleniffer Hall, complete with small chapel and garden arbour, an extremely popular wedding venue.
Lord Howe Island
With its calm turquoise lagoon, striking volcanic peaks, laidback Lord Howe Island is the most beautiful undiscovered island in the South Pacific. Just a two-hour flight from Sydney or Port Macquarie, visitors are limited to just 400 at any time on this UNESCO World Heritage-listed island.
The luxurious Capella Lodge has a friendly and relaxed restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the plunge pool, lagoon and mountains. Enjoy sundowners and canapés on the deck before dining on the Pacific-themed seasonal menu, which showcases exemplary produce from throughout NSW. Order a picnic or barbeque hamper from the lodge and head to Old Settlement Beach, where you can snorkel at the world’s southernmost coral reef, swim alongside turtles, and kayak across the lagoon to North Bay.
Wolgan Valley
Soak up the beauty of nature with a weekend romantic getaway at Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley. Around three hours’ drive north-west of Sydney, the luxury retreat is set on a 7000-acre private conservation reserve in the Greater Blue Mountains Heritage area. Surrounded by eucalypts and towering sandstone cliffs, it has 40 suites, each with their own indoor/outdoor pool. Couples can indulge in a spa treatment, have a hit on the tennis court or tour the property in a 4WD or on horseback. Enjoy a private dinner featuring seasonal produce sourced from local farms in your villa or dine at the restaurant in the main homestead. Finish a perfect evening with a bottle of wine and a stargazing tour.
Murray River
Hire a luxury houseboat and meander down the Murray River, spending your time relaxing, swimming, reading, fishing and bushwalking. Pick up your air-conditioned ‘Houseboat for Two’ from Paradise Gardens, around ten minutes west of Moama. Moor the boat in town one day and enjoy lunch at one of the local eateries including Morrisons Riverview Winery Restaurant, Junction and Three Black Sheep.
Orange
For a country escape, book a stay at luxury bed and breakfast Lakeview Luxury Cabins. Around three hours’ drive from Sydney, the couples-only rural retreat is a ten-minute drive from town, featuring standout restaurants such as Lolli Redini, Eighteen70 and Union Bank Wine Bar. On arrival, guests receive a hamper filled with products from local suppliers including Trunkey Creek Bacon, coffee from Fish River Roasters and a bottle of wine from one of the great local producers lie Philip Shaw or Rowlee Wines. Enjoy a massage at Anula Healing, a winery tour or off-road adventure with Simmo’s Off-Road Tours, or splash out on a scenic helicopter flight with Helicruz.
Jervis Bay
The Jervis Bay area has a plethora of fantastic accommodation options with Huskisson’s Sandholme Guesthouse, or Worrowing Estate & Retreat all offering lovers a different unique escape and therefore a variety of alternate options for romantic getaways. Grab breakfast at local favourite 5 Little Pigs then spend the day relaxing on the whitest sand in the world at Chinamans beach or walking Jervis Bay National Park to find remote beaches, view historic sites and watch the whales migrate along the East Coast.
Tanja
Lie back in your luxury safari tent listening to the calls of owls, gliders and nightjars at Tanja Lagoon Camp, half an hour south of Bermagui, deep on the NSW South Coast. The property has four tents with spacious decks overlooking a lagoon. Explore the rock pools at Middle Beach, where the lagoon meets the ocean, go canoeing, kayaking or bushwalking in Mimosa Rocks National Park, check out the oyster farms at nearby Wapengo Lake, and discover the open artist studios in the region.
