The most romantic places to propose in Australia

When you’re planning the perfect proposal a lot of factors come into play: choosing the right ring, saying the right thing and, of course, a backdrop that is guaranteed to dazzle as much as the diamond. For a proposal to remember, try one of these special locations around Australia…

WA: Crawley Edge Boatshed, Crawley

Picturesque proposal spots around Perth aren’t exactly difficult to come by but if you’re already thinking about that #shesaidyes post, there’s nowhere better to pop the question than in front of the iconic Crawley Edge Boatshed (aka the Blue Boat House). Built in the 1930s, the building’s vibrant blue colour and seemingly endless jetty make it a popular choice among wedding photographers (and influencers, too), so you’ll have to get in early to find the ideal “Will you marry me?” spot. But fear not, you can recover from any associated selfie stick injuries with bubbly and seafood on the beach afterwards.

NSW: Golden Age Cinema and Bar, Surry Hills

Nothing screams “I’m planning to propose” quite like articulating a sudden desire to scale the Sydney Harbour Bridge as a couple. But nothing will throw your partner off the scent more than two tickets to an “advance secret screening of Bloodsport 8” at Golden Age Cinema and Bar. Within the beautifully restored Art Deco cinema, which is available for private hire, you can play your favourite romantic movie or screen an inventive proposal you filmed earlier before getting down on one knee.

VIC: Rippon Lea House & Garden, Elsternwick

Probably the only thing sexier than romance is efficiency and those keen to kill two birds with one stone should look no further than the spectacular gardens of one of the most popular wedding venues in Melbourne: Rippon Lea House and Garden. Home to 14 acres of picturesque gardens set against the backdrop of a grand 19^th-century estate, you can pre-organise a rowboat and pop the question in the middle of the lake. Follow it up with a celebratory picnic and then (here’s the efficiency part) tour the venue to lock in a date to walk down the aisle.

SA: Mortlock Chamber, State Library of South Australia, Adelaide

Just as your proposal will one day become part of your history as a couple, the State Library of South Australia’s Mortlock Chamber – which houses over 23,000 antique books – has played a significant role in Adelaide’s history. In keeping with the bibliophile theme, you can stage the proposal around a book too – carve out a hole within the pages of an old tome to hide the ring box and surprise your partner. You can hire the chamber for a sit-down dinner if you want to celebrate à deux or even with friends and family afterwards (visit Epicure opens in new window to book).

QLD: Heart Reef, The Whitsundays

“Hovering above a heart-shaped coral reef in a helicopter, the question is asked, their love celebrated with a private picnic for two on a deserted beach before a dip in a pristine azure lagoon, teeming with a rainbow of tropical fish…” No, they’re not words from a Nicholas Sparks novel, rather, a quintessentially Australian experience that lovers can enjoy if they book a scenic helicopter or seaplane flight over the Great Barrier Reef’s famous Heart Reef (check out Hamilton Island Air opens in new window for details).

NT: Bare Sand Island

This remote island 60 kilometres south-west of Darwin is not only notorious for producing some of the most spectacular tropical sunsets you are ever likely to see – it’s also famous for its nesting turtles. Book a private charter to the island with Sea Darwin opens in new window and enjoy a late-afternoon spread before the sun dips below the horizon, the sky burns pink and the turtles begin their journey to sea as you ask that all-important question (depending on the season, you could find hatchlings scrambling to the water for the first time or adults returning to lay their eggs). Afterwards, you have the option of retiring to your private cabin aboard Sundancer NT, a luxury catamaran, or camping in a swag under a canopy of stars. It doesn’t get much more romantic than that.

TAS: Satellite Island

When you want to ensure that “Yes!”, a weekend away at Satellite Island opens in new window is a safe bet. Just five minutes from the coast of Bruny Island, it’s available for exclusive hire. In this secluded wilderness, where rugged cliffs fall into pristine waters, three romantic accommodation options are available: a stunning boathouse, luxury bell tent and summerhouse. Plus, there’s a host of activities to do – go kayaking before lighting a bonfire on the beach or take a long hike together in a place that truly feels like the end of the earth.