A romantic weekend getaway is the perfect way for couples to unwind in Australia.
From luxurious accommodation to stunning beach landscapes, the ideal romantic weekend getaway offers all the essentials to make a couple’s time together unforgettable.
Here are five of the best beach locations less than 4-hours from Sydney, for candle-lit dinners, and lazy afternoons exploring beautiful surroundings for the next romantic weekend getaway.
Honeymoon Bay Beach, Jervis Bay
Jervis Bay, a local hotspot on the South Coast, hosts a few well-known NSW beaches, including Hyams Beach, Murrays Beach and the gorgeous Cape St George Lighthouse. Honeymoon Bay Beach, a beach behind a small rocky inlet is great for snorkelling and rock walking as well as a tan and a swim. It also has its own campground and parking, so perfect for a daytrip if you’re staying in Jervis Bay or if you want to settle down in a tent for a night or two.
However, if you’re looking for that rustic ‘camping’ experience without having to pitch a tent? The Woods Farm Jervis Bay, set on about 40 acres of land not far from the beaches, offers ‘glamping’ in the form of canvas pitched tents hosting king beds, a living space and woodland chandeliers. They have homely cottages too, for those who aren’t into the camping vibe.
Leaning into the forest feel? Enjoy dinner at Paperbark Camp’s treetop restaurant The Gunyah, the local Indigenous word for ‘meeting place’. Amongst the trees, te restaurant fuses bushtucker and luxury through a minimal menu, which prioritises homegrown produce and Indigenous influences.
Road Trip length: 2.5 hours
Where to eat: The Gunyah
Where to stay: The Woods Farm, Jervis Bay
Best for: A cross-over between beach holiday and woodland retreat
Fingal Bay Beach, Port Stephens
Port Stephens is well known by Sydney locals for the variety of beaches and towns just two hours’ drive from home. A favourite is Fingal Bay Beach, a crescent shaped beach with beautiful white sand and spans almost two kilometres. It’s known for great surf, but in the crevices on the ends of the beach it’s flatter, so there’s swimming for everyone, especially as the beach is patrolled by lifeguards from September to April.
Enjoy a seafood lunch or dinner at The Poyer’s at Albatros Marina, awarded 2024 Best Seafood Restaurant by Sydney Fish market. The relaxed but deliberate menu offers locally sourced kingfish tartare and Shark Bay crab linguini, accompanied by water views of Lemon Tree Passage.
To stay the night, consider The Anchorage. Positioned on the water next to a marina, indulge in a luxury day spa and thoughtfully Hamptons-style interiors at the hotel. If you want to spend a day inside, do it at the Anchorage – they offer in-hotel experiences, like a cocktail making masterclass or whiskey tasting.
Roadtrip length: Two and a half hours
Where to eat: The Poyer’s
Where to stay: The Anchorage
Best for: A resort-style accommodation experience outside Sydney
Terrigal Beach, Central Coast
Terrigal, a Central Coast gem, is settled halfway between Avoca and Bateau Bay, just north of Sydney’s Northern Beaches. A gorgeous beach town with charm and bay views from every position, Terrigal is just a hop skip and a jump away from the CBD – just over and hour’s drive.
The beach itself is settled on the inner side of the peninsula, and is patrolled from late October to early May, the optimal time for warmer water, sun, and surf. The town boasts not only great beaches to the north and south, but fabulous restaurants and hotels.
Terrigal’s Crowne Plaza offers tourists luxurious beachfront accomodation. Leaning into the coastal-escape feel, the modern rooms, an array of dining options, and a tranquil spa, encourage guests to unwind while enjoying breathtaking ocean views. Its proximity to local attractions makes it the obvious choice for those looking to stay in Terrigal amongst it all.
The Cowrie restaurant, set above the rest of the town, has scenic views of the water and inland, as well as a rotating seasonal menu – offering itself up as a strong recommendation for best restaurant in the area. With a strong focus on sustainable, local produce, the kitchen collaborates with nearby farmers to provide a considered and various meal. In 2024, they’ve won Regional Restaurant of the Year by Australia’s Good Food Guide as well as the AFGF’s 2024 Reader’s Choice.
Roadtrip length: An hour and fifteen minutes
Where to eat: The Corwie Restaurant
Where to stay: The Crowne Plaza
Best for: Close proximity to Sydney
McBrides Beach, Forster
For dreamy rock pools and rugged cliff-faces, consider McBrides Beach on Cape Hawk in Booti Booti National Park. The area is well-known to locals and tourists alike – not just for the beach, but for the ‘fairy pools’. Nestled between rocks and mostly safe from large swell, the fairy pools are perfect for lazing around in and looking at wildlife.
It’s accessible by a walking track from a carpark, which has just been resurfaced for summer. Adjoined to the McBrides Beach walking track are others, like the Burgess track. If you’re into hiking or bushwalks, this beach is great for a stop in the middle of a hike through Booti Booti.
To reset after walking, retreat to Laurina Estate Bed and Breakfast. An intensely private stay, the estate offers a self-contained two-bedroom wing set apart from the homestead, exclusive to adults. As well as the floating bathtub overlooking the property, the booking includes a continental breakfast and the option to order home-cooked meals direct to the room.
For mooching around the surf shops in Forster, grab a bite and a coffee at fan-favourite Tartt. The modern café is fun and fresh, brewing coffee with Australian favourite Little Street Coffee Roasters.
Roadtrip length: Three and a half hours
Where to eat: Tartt, Forster
Where to stay: Laurina Estate Bed and Breakfast
Best for: A private and rugged getaway weekend
Burning Palms Beach, Lilyvale
Within the Royal National Park just south of Sydney, Burning Palms Beach is a beautiful ocean beach that is perfect for bushwalkers. Great for surfers, the southerly-facing beach is patrolled September through April and has excellent walking tracks to the north and south.
Whilst it is more difficult to access, the beach is worth it. When the tide is low and the swell is calm, take a walk across to the ‘figure 8’ pools. The pools are uncannily shaped like the number eight and are great for a photo.
When finished at the beach, relax at Headlands Hotel Austinmer Beach, a sunny location overlooking the cape’s beach. With fabulous in-house restaurants and live music, it’s great for a casual and bright afternoon drink.
Take dinner to Restaurant Santino, in Wollongong. Muted but glamourous décor paired with a well-designed Italian menu creates an unmissable ambiance within the restaurant, ensuring date night is a success on a getaway.
Roadtrip length: An hour and fifteen minutes
Where to eat: Restaurant Santino
Where to stay: Headlands Hotel
Best for: City comforts in a charming beach town
With a comprehensive guide, choosing the next romantic weekend road trip destination close to the beach won’t be hard. Complete with a recommendation for accomodation and restaurants, couples can rest assured their getaway can only provide relaxation and comforts just outside of the Sydney hub.
