You'd be hard-pressed to find two things that go together better than Australia and adventure; besides you and your partner, of course! Eloping in Australia is perfect for couples wanting to start their married life surrounded by some of the most unique backdrops on earth. Australia has so much uninhabited natural beauty. It's a place where couples can enjoy a sense of freedom, intimacy and adventure with their lover in a way that would be difficult to find anywhere else.

It's a land of contrasts and you'll find that some of the most beautiful, romantic places are also some of the most remote. Drive for hours through red dirt and spinifex until you stumble upon an ancient eruption of iron ore that’s forged a bone dry landscape into an oasis of cool rock, refreshing creeks and aromatic greenery. From clear blue skies in the day to the busiest starscape you could ever dream of at night. From vast deserts and lush rainforests to snow capped mountain peaks and the most colorful coral reefs on the planet. Australia has it all.

So, is Australia a good place to elope? No. It's a GREAT place to elope! You're not only spoilt for choice when it comes to the scenery - the country also offers an array of unique experiences. One day you could be exploring the world's oldest living culture in the outback, the next day you could spot the rarest and most endangered species in the Great Barrier Reef. And the best thing? You can travel from one side of Australia to the other in a short plane ride. 

With so much on offer, you may be wondering "How do I plan an adventure elopement in Australia?" Well, this is one thing you don't have to stress about – Australia is a popular elopement destination and there are plenty of resources available to help you plan your dream Australian elopement. Once you arrive, the famously friendly and affable locals are always willing to lend a hand or offer some advice. Not to mention – you’ve also got me to help with any planning, research, idea-bouncing and outreach as well!

 

When is the best time to elope in Australia?

Australia's geographic diversity means that no matter the season, there'll always be a great place to get married. I'm passionate about exploring all the beautiful corners of our earth and helping you discover the best photo spots in Australia would genuinely be my pleasure.

Below the tropics line: Spring (September-November) is a popular season as the weather is still very comfortable. You won't have to worry about sweating off make-up or drenching through shirts. You'll enjoy beautiful blooms and flourishing foliage, adding to the romance of your wedding. However, it’s worth noting that this tends to be quite a busy time of the year.

If you're looking for a time of the year that is less crowded, consider the autumn months of March to May. The weather is still warm and it’s one of the best times for Australia elopement photography. The changing colors and perfect lighting is a photographer's dream. The shorter days mean you won't have to wait long to catch the unbelievable warm, red glow of the golden hour. For a seasoned elopement photographer, Australia in the autumn is simply idyllic. It's the perfect time of year to create a photo album you'll fall in love with over and over again.

In the Tropics: Once you’re north of the Tropic of Capricorn, you’ll need to account for wet and dry seasons. Contrary to how they sound, winter (June-August) is actually the dry season and when you’ll find the most comfortable weather, while summer is stiflingly hot, wet and humid.

Tasmania: One unto its own, Tasmania enjoys its very own climate. Stunning at every time of year but wet for most of it, summer (December-February) is the best time to visit if you plan on a lot of exploring outdoors. These months will be uncomfortably warm in nearly every other region of Australia but you can expect an easy 68°-75°F most days on this rugged little island.

 

Where should we get married in Australia?

Since you're able to get married anywhere in Australia, the country really is your oyster. Covering all the most picturesque places in Australia would take an encyclopedic-length blog - but since this is meant to be an intro guide to eloping in Australia, I’ll try my best to narrow it down. 

The Eastern Coast is where you’ll find Australia's most popular destinations for travelers. Tropical Cairns in the North is home to The Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. Further south you’ll find the bustling cities of Sydney and Melbourne along with a bevy of attractions, including Australia's most famous road trip, The Great Ocean Road.

The Northern Territory of Australia is where you’ll experience the most iconic outback scenery. From Crocodile Dundee’s Kakadu National Park to Australia's most well-known natural landmark, Uluru. If you’re after ancient rock art, natural springs, waterfalls, crocodiles and a rich Aboriginal culture, here is where you’ll find it. Arnhem Land in the top North-Eastern corner is one of the largest Aboriginal-owned reserves in Australia. Best known for its isolation and beauty as well as the art and music of its people, you’ll need to acquire a permit before entering.  

Western Australia is one of the most diverse parts of the country. There are vast deserts, jaw-dropping coastlines, sheer mountains, ancient dry rainforests, and an enormous diversity of animals and plants. Couples can celebrate saying "I do" by swimming with whale sharks on the Ningaloo reef, hovering over a horizontal waterfall on a scenic helicopter elopement in the Kimberleys, or sipping wine from some of Australia's best wineries in the Southwest. Warning: Once you've tried the seafood of WA, you may not want to go home!

Picture looking up at the illuminating Milky Way across a pitch-black sky… If that sounds like the perfect start to married life, then Southern Australia is where you need to go. And this star-spangled canopy is only one of the many attractions. Here you could have an intimate ceremony in a stunning national park, enchanting forests and even a sinkhole (yes, I did say a sinkhole - believe me, it's more incredible than it sounds).

No Australian elopement guide would be complete without mentioning the absolute gem that is Tasmania. Home to one of the world’s most eclectic art galleries (MONA), as well as a few of the world’s top-rated hikes and national parks, Tasmania is wild of heart and jam-packed full of natural beauty.

As you can see, the options are endless. If you're feeling overwhelmed, get in touch and I can help you decide on the perfect location based on the type of Australian wedding that you both want to enjoy.

 

Most Instagrammable places in Australia

We all know that if the pictures aren't worthy of Instagram, they probably weren't worth taking. Here, in no particular order, is a list of some of the most unique photo locations in Australia.

Whitsunday Islands: Picture the dewy blue-pink sky as it meets the clear turquoise waters as you and your partner walk across the white sand.

Hutt Lake: Also called the Pink Lake, gives you that "I can't believe it's real" feeling whenever you see it.

The Pinnacles: The Rock Stars of the Outback, as they're more affectionately known, make the perfect dramatic backdrop

12 Apostles on Great Ocean Road: Although there are now only nine, these giant limestone stacks will take your breath away.

Manning Gorge Waterfall: Take a literal plunge with your forever person by jumping into the refreshing and croc-free waters of Manning Falls off the Gibb River Road.

The Bungle Bungles at Purnululu National Park: If Mars was a place on Earth. These gigantic, stripy boulders look like nothing else on the planet!

 

Australian wedding vendors

Working with local wedding planners in Australia will help make your dream elopement stress-free. As Australia has such a varied landscape and climate, choosing local planners and vendors for your elopement means that you’ll be able to benefit from their specialist advice. Remember that I’ll be with you every step of the way and can jump in whenever you wish to help you vet and choose your A-Team.

Eloping in Australia will be the most magical start to the story of the rest of your lives. I live for taking pictures that capture the emotions of every moment, so if you have any questions about Australian wedding photography - I'm here to help! Get in touch to get today and let's get you one step closer to your dream wedding in Australia.

Featured image by Antoine Fabre on Unsplash