Australia is full of well-known places that could serve as the perfect backdrop for your elopement. But how about the spots that are a bit more under-the-radar? We’ve done the work for you.

First, just a quick warning: Couples, please check with local rules and restrictions to ensure you’re treating these and any other location with respect, so that we can all enjoy these magical spots for generations to come.

Here they are, in no particular order: the best, most unique and underrated places you could elope to.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Square Rock in Namadgi National Park. This is for the couples who have selected comfortable shoes! The return walk will take several hours from the car park, but if you and your photographer are game for a hike, the spectacular views will surely be worth it!

Queensland

Little Crystal Creek, Paluma Range National Park. Featuring a historic stone arch bridge that was built in the 1930s and a small waterfall nearby, this could be the perfect place for an understated micro-wedding or elopement ceremony.

Tasmania

Bay of Fires. A conservation reserve featuring orange lichen covered boulders that give it its name, the Bay of Fires could be an epic elopement spot and would create some absolutely iconic photos that none of your friends will have.

South Australia

Mount Schank — obviously! It’s impossible for us to be unbiased when it comes to our home state. Predictably, we’d recommend you check out the beautiful Limestone Coast area of the state, with its other-worldly sinkholes and volcano craters. One such crater is Mount Schank, the location of Mountain Path Meadows, a unique and eco-friendly elopement venue at the base of a dormant volcano. Talk about special! With accommodations onsite, you can have your elopement, then stay and play — with your lover or add in a few friends, too. Why not keep the fun going for a bit longer?!

New South Wales

Snowy Mountains, NSW. Mention a snowy elopement and Australia won’t likely be the first destination on many people’s minds. The rugged beauty of the deep gorges, waterfalls and mountain peaks of this world heritage listed area makes for an unforgettable elopement. If you’re an adventurous, outdoorsy couple, definitely take a look at Translucent Photography — their Snowy Mountains elopement from 2020 looks incredible.

Victoria

Cactus Country in Strathmerton, Victoria. Boasting Australia’s largest cactus garden, Cactus Country might fool your friends into thinking you jetted off to Arizona or Mexico for your vows. Just a 3-hour-drive from Melbourne, you’ll find this gorgeous venue ready to host your elopement.

Northern Territory

Ormiston Gorge in the West Macdonnell Ranges. There’s no shortage of beautiful gorges in the NT, so you really can’t go wrong, but we’ve chosen Ormiston Gorge as an elopement location. The near permanent waterhole could be the perfect spot for a refreshing post-ceremony dip!

Western Australia

Bungle Bungle Range in the Purnululu National Park, a World Heritage Site in Western Australia’s East Kimberley region. Featuring some spectacular rock formations and a name that’s really fun to say, the Bungle Bungle Range and its orange and black sandstone would be an unforgettable backdrop for an elopement.