Beach Vacation Spots in Australia

Get away to Thala Beach Nature Reserve on the coast of Australia near Cairns. You will have access to stunning sandy beaches and you'll be able to take day trips to the Great Barrier Reef.

Guest bungalows are set in a Eucalyptus forest filled with tropical birds, butterflies and exotic plants, providing couples and honeymooners with plenty of privacy. The hotel has two pools: the main pool has waterfalls, spas and grottos, while the smaller Rock Pool provides a more intimate setting.

As a special treat, book the luxurious Sandpiper Suite which overlooks two secluded beaches. Ospreys Restaurant offers stunning views of the beach, the mountains and the islands. Couples can request a picnic basket and enjoy a romantic meal on their private bungalow terrace, surrounded by nature. Take a 10-minute shuttle to Port Douglas, a relaxed seaside village with boutique shops, galleries, historic buildings and a selection of restaurants. Ask the hotel to arrange a transfer from Cairns International Airport.

Things to do while you are there:
• Visit the Great Barrier Reef
• Take a tour of the Daintree Rainforest
• Explore the Mossman Gorge

Bedarra Island in Australia is the ultimate tropical getaway catering to couples seeking romance, where you can rest and rediscover your senses in a tropical setting.

Since there are only a few guest villas, hidden in the rainforest, with magnificent ocean views, guests at Bedarra Island Resort enjoy privacy and seclusion. Resort bar offers a fine selection of complimentary drinks, while a team of chefs ensures that the food is superb and diverse throughout your stay. For a more active vacation, the hotel offers a number of complimentary activities, including snorkeling, scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, fishing, tennis, catamarans, sailboards and paddle skis. There is plenty to do on the island on your couples getaway.

Guest villas blend beautifully into the natural surrounding and feature contemporary decor with polished timber floors and neutral colors. The villas come in double-story and split-level configurations. Double Story Villas, close to the beach and the resort facilities, have a sleeping area and bathroom at ground level and a living area with entertainment facilities on the second level. Split Level Villas are higher up on the hills with stunning views over Bedarra Bay. The hotel also offers three unique suites ideal for a honeymoon vacation. The climate is tropical with average year-round temperature of about 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Flights are available from any major Australian capital city via Cairns (Quantas). Macair operates the connecting flight from Cairns to Dunk Island and Skytrans operates charter flights.

The flight between Cairns and Dunk Island takes 45 minutes. Nightly luxury villa rates usually include breakfast, lunch and dinner with a change of menu daily, 24 hour open bar including Bollinger champagne, many island activities and initial arrival and departure launch transfers (800-225-9849).

Luxury villas with plunge pools, unobtrusive five star service and location on the world's largest coral reef make Hamilton Island, Australia a dream vacation spot for honeymooners and couples. Whether you are looking for amazing scuba diving and snorkeling, sandy beaches or a unique spa, Qualia offers a wide selection of services and amenities for an unforgettable trip.

Spacious luxury villas have island and sea views, stone bathrooms with bath and separate shower, private furnished sundeck and a 2-seater Golf Buggy. Each villas was handcrafted from timber and stone. The interiors feature Dennis Nona's artworks and patterns inspired by nature.

The spa is a serene sanctuary where you will find unique treatments like the signature "Bularri Yarrul," a hot stone massage using 300 million year old stones. The spa offers spectacular views of the Whitsundays and is relaxing for the mind and the body. Choose from couples' treatments, signature ceremonies, services just for men and indigenous offerings. Honeymooners have several romantic dining options with stunning views of the surrounding Great Barrier Reef islands. Enjoy romantic sunsets and a candlelight table setting while you sample gourmet dishes and mouthwatering desserts.

Hamilton Island offers a variety of vacation activities, including scuba divin, snorkeling, sailing and boating. Guests even get access to the only championship island golf course in Australia, located on the nearby Dent Island. Rent a kayak and explore the island's hidden beaches, go sailing aboard the resort's two 16-foot Hobie catamarans and take a guided garden walk highlighting the unique tropical flora, fauna and architecture (866 202 2590).

Recognized around the globe for having one of the most stunning coral reefs and marine life sanctuaries, the Heron Island Resort is one of the most popular choices for travelers who want to experience the best of the Great Barrier Reef.

The resort, which is nestled along a gorgeous natural coral cay, is a fantastic eco-experience that allows guests to witness first-hand just how magical the world’s largest coral reef is. Rest amid nature in the evening and spend your days exploring one of Australia’s most celebrate protected sanctuaries with incredible recreational activities at your fingertips like snorkeling, diving, and, when the season is right, the hatching of sea turtles.

Heron Island, Queensland 4805, Australia, Phone: 800-875-343

An exquisite boutique lifestyle hotel in the heart of Byron Bay, The Atlantic is a beautiful retreat for surfers and lovers of the sea.

Three original beach cottages have been converted into Caribbean-styled plantation houses, surrounded by lush tropical gardens and connected by winding sun-bleached pathways. Decorated in a palette of pastels and palms, rooms have tea/coffee making facilities, mini fridges and wireless Internet.

A lovely lap pool and sun deck are ideal for relaxing, while the lush gardens surrounding the cottages teem with birdlife. Enjoy a dip in the pool or head to the beach for excellent surfing, sea kayaking and swimming. A short stroll will take you to nearby markets, boutique stores and cafés.

Escape the busyness and noise of everyday life at Great Keppel Island Hideaway, a beautiful slice of the Southern Great Barrier Reef that is a short journey away from the mainland.

Perfect for barefoot strolls, romantic getaways, and digital detoxes, Great Keppel Island Hideaway features a range of accommodations for guests to choose from. At the heart of this beach vacation spot is the desire to help people disconnect.

This is why the resort has no TVs in their rooms and no internet and why there are so many activities to enjoy at Keppel Island. Go boating on crystal clear waters, kayaking with your buddies, scuba diving around the gorgeous reefs, snorkeling, or paddle boarding. At the end of a long day enjoying fresh air and the outdoors, cozy up at the bar and bistro for a great meal and an ice-cold beverage.

Yeppoon, Capricorn Coast, Queensland 4703, Phone: 617-4939-2050

Peppers Beach Club and Spa Palm Cove is a classic tropical getaway in North Queensland with a lovely coastal village vibe and tons of shade care of lazily swaying palms that line the shore.

Guests heading to Peppers Beach Club can enjoy various environments in one resort as it is home to a rainforest rock pool, a lagoon pool, gorgeously kept green gardens and long stretches of sandy beaches. Apart from the beautiful beach, Peppers is also known for the Spa Palm Cove, a relaxing retreat for people who want to rest and be pampered. Other great amenities of the hotel include gym facilities, a tennis clubhouse, a tour desk, and the La Mesa Restaurant.

123 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove, Queensland 4879, Australia, Phone: 617-6556-4426

Nestled along the picturesque East Coast of Tasmania is the quiet and serene Freycinet Lodge. Thanks to its location within a national park, the Freycinet Lodge boasts stunning views of not just Great Oyster Bay but the Hazards Mountain Range as well.

It is perfect for the beach lover who wants to escape to seclusion with its sanctuary-like accommodations. Adventurous souls can head out to explore the Freycinet National Park by foot or kayak, while guests who simply want to relax can spend the day by the shore and indulge in fresh seafood care of the lodge’s three restaurants.

Freycinet National Park, Coles Bay, Tasmania 7215, Australia; Phone: 1300-061-835

Covered with sandy beaches and set on Australia's Great Barrier Reef, Lizard Island is a luxury hideaway for couples offering top service and many exciting activities.

Guests can relax on one of the 24 secluded beaches or lounge by the freshwater swimming pool after getting pampered at the spa.

The hotel can prepare picnic hampers for beachside lunches, provide snorkeling equipment, catamarans, paddle skis and sail boards, and organize glass bottom boat trips, giving couples a divers choice of activities on their tropical hideaway. If you are looking for a dream scuba diving destination, head to the Great Barrier Reef. You will see marine life like no other in the whole world. At this beautiful resort you can snorkel and dive just off the island beach or join one of the numerous dive excursions by boat.

Diving Excursions are lead by experienced dive guides. Choose from half day and full day excursions aboard the resort's boat, M.V. Serranidae. The full day trip includes meals. A professional videographer will make an underwater video which you can order on a DVD to take home with you, a perfect idea if you want to make your friends and family jealous. Private scuba diving charters are available aboard Fascination III, a modern 51 foot (13m) vessel with a platform that makes it easy to get in and out of the water. Observe rare nocturnal marine animals on one of the night dives. If you've always wanted to get certified, the resort offers PADI scuba diving certification, refresher dives and other other instruction.

The property offers snorkeling and scuba diving on its own coral reefs and on outer reef dive sites, including the famous Cod Hole. The dive boat provides full day diving excursions. Travelers enjoy tropical climate with average year-round temperature of approximately 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Regular flights are available from all Australian capital cities daily via Cairns with Qantas and Virgin Blue. The flight from Cairns takes 60 minutes. Pricing is all inclusive.

If you are looking for awesome romantic vacation ideas, The Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island is a luxury getaway located on Lord Howe Island off the East coast of Australia.

The resort hosts no more than 20 guests at any time, has a spa facility, and scenic views of the island. The hotel provides couples with a number of choices that vary from relaxing spa treatments to eight-hour guided hikes to the top of Mt. Gower. Scuba diving, sport fishing and environmental cruises are available aboard the Phasmid, Capella's 40 foot multipurpose vessel. All necessary fishing gear, bait and snorkeling gear is provided on board, but call ahead if you need scuba gear.

The spa will make sure your romantic vacation is a relaxing one with yoga, reiki massage, and several luxurious face and body treatments. The Dreaming is a 3 hour complete face and body treatment which includes Mala Mayi exfoliation & body wrap, Kodo massage, Paudi head massage, Capella Kamarl facial, foot treatment & water therapy. All suites have a bath and shower, king beds, cotton linen and towels, beach towels, bathrobes, pillow selection, CD player, TV, DVD, telephone, room bar, ceiling fan, backpacks or beach bags, and snorkeling gear. The hotel's accommodations are great as honeymoon suites. The spectacular views from the restaurant provide an excellent backdrop for all of your meals.

There are many activities to choose from on the island, including swimming, canoeing, cycling, golf, tennis, glass bottom boat rides, mountain climbing, hand feeding fish and scenic flights. Qantas operates scheduled flights in a 32 seat Boing Dash 8 aircraft. Flight time is around two hours from either Sydney or Brisbane. Rates are per person per night and include breakfast, sunset drinks, a three course dinner and island airport transfers. The rates vary according to the time of year.