Hooray! We said YES! Finally all Australians are able to tie the knot and embark on marital bliss, and because we know there’ll be a lot of planning going on, we thought we’d help by offering suggestions of our top five newlywed destinations. So get booking and start the first day of the rest of your lives in style, if you want to revamp that your marital life, consider this female enhancement pills.
1. Lizard Island Resort, Great Barrier Reef, QLD
White sands, swaying palms, and tranquil, impossibly clear waters, Lizard Island Resort is the perfect Far North Queensland spot to lay like our reptilian friends. It’s a total away-from-it-all escape in luxe lodgings, just the spot to cocoon your love and fill your tank for married life ahead. Get out on the water or mooch about the pool, and vow the honeymoon will never be over.
Read it: Honeymoon, or babymoon, it’s the place for couples.
2. Halcyon House, Cabarita, NSW
Leave Byron for the hoards who will descend en masse once their vows have been exchanged, and instead, travel slightly north to settle in at the gorgeous Halcyon House . The best thing about this retro-refitted beachside beauty is that there isn’t a great deal to do. Float from the hatted Paper Daisy restaurant, to the pool, to the beach and back to your exquisitely styled room. Then repeat. It’s a love lock-down, so settle in and let the Champagne flow freely.
If you’ve been celebrating hard and need a honeymoon with minimal distraction and total immersion in love and beauty, splurge on a-once-in-a-lifetime commitment to Berkeley River Lodge . There are few places on Earth that have you feeling giddy with appreciation for nature and life, but the Kimberley is one of them. It’s a truly amazing place to share an adventure with that special someone, and you’ll no doubt be planning your first, second and third anniversary here before you leave.
Matching robes, double spa treatments and degustation menus, Daylesford may be a quick trip from Melbourne, but for those on a tight honeymoon schedule, you could barely hope for a more perfect destination. Loads of wining, dining, and spa-ing (yes, we’re making spa a verb) abounds in picturesque Daylesford. It’s also a great option for those who like to share their honeymoon with friends: you can stay at Lake House (obviously), and your mates can hire one of the many local B&Bs.
Working for many of Australia’s top publications, Lara Picone has had the distinct pleasure of writing, editing and curating content about the finer things in life for more than 15 years. Graduating from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, her editorial foundation began at Qantas: The Australian Way magazine, before moving on to learn the fast-paced ropes of a weekly magazine at Sunday Magazine and picking up the art of brand curation at donna hay magazine. Pivoting a near-problematic travel lust into a career move by combining it with storytelling and a curious appetite, her next role was as Deputy Editor of SBS Feast magazine and later Online Editor of SBS Food online. She then stepped into her dream job as Editor of Australian Traveller before becoming Online Editor for both International Traveller and Australian Traveller. Now as a freelancer, Lara always has her passport at-the-ready to take flight on assignment for the Australian Traveller team, as well as for publications such as Qantas Magazine, Escape and The Weekend Australian. As ever, her appetite is the first thing she packs.
A world away from the hustle, bustle and chaos of the big smoke – yet with a distinct sense of familiarity – Victoria’s Wimmera Mallee region is an incomparable place.
Victoria’s Grampians are a visual feast, a seemingly endless vista of craggy cliffs, rolling valleys and untamed bushland. But they’re also much more than a scenic mountain landscape. Diverse and storied, each region within the range has its own rhythm. The Wimmera Mallee – a pocket in the state’s north-west, stretching from Horsham to near Mildura – is one of the most captivating.
Once known as Victoria’s agricultural heartland, the Wimmera Mallee has evolved in recent years into a dynamic, slightly offbeat hub. It buzzes with a creative hum and welcoming energy, and harbours an eclectic mix of long-time locals and tree-changers. Once you encounter its unmistakable charm, feel its warm country hospitality and taste its nationally celebrated vanilla slice, you may find yourself lingering longer than planned.
Eager to explore? These must-visit spots let you experience the inimitable spirit of this special part of the world.
Wimmera Mallee’s quirky attractions
Step into the whacky Dimboola Imaginarium. (Image: Denis Bin)
If you’re after something a little more unconventional, the Wimmera Mallee delivers in droves.
The Dimboola Imaginarium – located in a historic bank building in its namesake town – is a gift shop and boutique accommodation in one. Shop for unique and whimsical keepsakes, stay overnight in an elegant themed room, and lose yourself in one of the Imaginarium’s interactive experiences.
Also in Dimboola, just a short drive from the Imaginarium, is a menagerie of utter delight. Tiny Goats and Co. is home to a herd of miniature goats, with the farm offering group visits and special events like goat yoga and cuddle sessions.
Arcade aficionados should visit the Australian Pinball Museum in nearby Nhill. Here, you’ll find the biggest selection of playable pinball machines in the country, featuring modern models and classics dating all the way back to 1931.
Arts and culture in Wimmera Mallee
Step into history at the Stick Shed. (Image: Visit Vic)
As a thoroughly creative community, it’s no wonder the Wimmera Mallee has a host of venues focused on its rich arts and culture scene.
Wander Trickbots Metal Art & Sculpture Garden in Nullawil, a winding trail filled with unique and quirky creations fashioned from metal odds, ends and scrap. A walk through the garden is inspiring enough, but consider buying a piece to take home and treasure.
The town of Nhill also has a significant Karen-Burmese refugee community, who make up 10 per cent of the local population. Discover the artistry of this vibrant culture at Paw Po , where you can purchase traditional hand-woven and textile products. Choose from a selection of beautifully crafted homewares, fashion and dolls.
Step into the Wimmera Mallee’s storied history at the Stick Shed , the only WWII emergency grain store still standing today. This National Heritage-listed structure takes you on a journey through the region’s agricultural past and is a dramatic sight with its towering and eerily striking timber poles.
Nature escapes around Wimmera Mallee
Take in the pink hues of Lake Tyrrell. (Image: Visit Vic)
Much like the majestic beauty of the wider Grampians, the Wimmera Mallee is a mélange of serene and spellbinding nature escapes.
Victoria’s pink lakes are famed nationwide, and two of them are found right here. See the flamingo-pink hues of Loch Iel, particularly vivid after a heavy downpour, or the vast and ancient Lake Tyrrell , which turns pink during wet and warm conditions.
The Snowdrift dunes in Wyperfeld National Park are ideal for adventurers. Set amid the area’s semi-arid landscape, the dunes are expansive mounds of sand deposited around 40,000 years ago. Hike or sandboard them and make sure to visit at sunset, when the sand glows golden.
And while some travellers chase the highest peaks, you can see the most modest in the Wimmera Mallee. Standing a mere 43 metres above the surrounding terrain, Mount Wycheproof is considered the smallest registered mountain in the world. Courtesy of its relatively gentle inclines, it’s a lovely spot for a walk and a picnic.
Culinary adventures in Wimmera Mallee
Meet the locals at Border Inn.
As a region rich in agricultural bounty, it’s little surprise the Wimmera Mallee has such a robust and vibrant food scene. The community is fiercely proud of its local produce, showcasing the flavours and heritage of the area.
The Border Inn in the village of Apsley is a quaint country pub and meeting spot for the local community, featuring a classic country menu and warm hospitality.
The Horsham Golf Club is a popular spot for golf buffs with an adjoining bistro and bar. Try a modern twist on hearty favourites while taking in views of the green.For a taste of the area’s vintages, head to Norton Estate Wines – a boutique wine producer and cellar door open weekends.
A Wimmera Mallee jaunt wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the famed Sharp’s Bakery in Birchip. Here, you’ll find a velvety vanilla slice that’s been crowned as Australia’s best seven times.
Wimmera Mallee accommodation
Escape to Fulham Homestead.
If you’re enjoying an extended trip, you’ll need somewhere to rest.After a day tackling Wyperfeld’s epic dunes, visit Pine Plains Lodge , also in the national park. Built from reclaimed timber planks and logs, and anchored by rugged stone fireplaces, the lodge is a rustic and cosy hideaway.
For a refined yet relaxing escape, head to Fulham Homestead – a gorgeously restored guesthouse on an idyllic working farm, complete with farm animals and scenic vistas. Built in the 1840s, it has all the elegance and charm of its heritage, plus contemporary comforts like a modern kitchen, wi-fi and air-conditioning.
The Hermitage Hotel is Victoria’s oldest inland pub and an equally delightful blend of old and new. The restored rooms are perfectly appointed and adorned with period furnishings and high-quality linens. The pub itself is a favoured food and wine spot among locals and travellers alike.
If camping is more your style, the Lake Lascelles Cabins and Camping (formerly Mallee Bush Retreat) is a sprawling oasis with powered and unpowered sites and snug cabins. The setting is stunning too, the pristine Lake Lascelles sitting right in its centre.
Annual events
Time your visit to Nhill Aviation Museum for the annual air show.
You may not need an excuse to revisit the Wimmera Mallee, but these annual and bi-annual events will almost certainly have you returning again and again.
Each year, the Lake Chalegrark Country Music Marathon takes over the town for a spectacular line-up of musicians from around Australia. The event is easygoing, family-friendly, and set in scenic surrounds on the shores of Lake Charlegrark.
Every two years, the region holds colourful events like the Wimmera Steampunk Festival , a raucous celebration of 19th-century steampunk culture with a different theme each time; the Nhill Air Show , which features jaw-dropping aerial stunts, aircraft displays, music, activities and more; and the Nati Frinj , a festival of art, culture and performance showcasing the many talents of the Natimuk community.
