Sydney is officially one of the world's most romantic proposal spots

One Australian city rules them all. At least, when it comes to loved-up couples.

Oh Paris, city of love. City of romance. City of cheesy proposals. Well, it can move over, because there’s an Australian city in town and it’s the third most popular place in the world when it comes to dream proposal destinations.

The Bucket List Company analysed social media data to curate a list of the top destinations to pop the question. While Bali remains in top spot for yet another year, and London came in at number two, seaside Sydney took out third place (with an honourable mention to Byron Bay scraping in at number 10).

Imagine dropping to one knee with the world-famous Opera House or Harbour Bridge in the background (because many other couples did). Or planning a sunrise moment on Bondi Beach. Perhaps a special candlelit dinner with harbour views?

Keen for some romantic inspiration (whether there’s a proposal involved or not)? Here are some of our top picks around the city.

1. Sydney Opera House

I don’t think one can live in Sydney and not have seen a proposal on the steps of the Sydney Opera House . Often, I have seen this done by passers-by, seemingly stopping for a look during their early morning or sunset walks. And who can blame them? A world icon, surrounded by beautiful harbour views, plus the changing colour of the sky? It’s the stuff that rom-coms are made of.

Imagine kicking it up a notch, however, and including not only a show but also a meal at the famous Bennelong restaurant housed inside the Opera House. The decor here is truly beautiful, while views of Circular Quay form the backdrop. Of course, for a different view of the Opera House, jump on a ferry and propose to your loved one on the water.

ferries passing the Sydney Opera House — Catch a ferry and wait for it to pass the iconic Opera House. (Image: DNSW)

2. Quay Restaurant

Australian Traveller Co-founder, Quentin Long, recommends Quay Restaurant (just make sure there won’t be any cruise ships in port ruining the view), where he popped the question to his wife years ago.

“It was her birthday the next day. I waited until dessert and asked if she wanted her birthday present," he explained. “I gave her a photo album – it had pictures of her and us and notes from me about how much I loved her. Then the last photo was asking her to marry me."

“The thing is, while she was reading, I started crying. She didn’t look up, or say anything, and just went back to the start to read it again. Then she started crying and finally looked up to see me crying. She asked, ‘Are you sure?’ and I said something like, ‘Well your dad said it was alright.'"

“Meanwhile, the restaurant staff were all confused by this silly crying couple, and eventually, the matre de came over to ask if everything was okay with our desserts. When we explained we’d just gotten engaged, he seemed relieved and said usually proposals happen at the start of the meal, then sent us over champagne."

Quay Restaurant — Book dinner for a time when no cruise ships are docked, and try not to cry. (Image: Nikki To)

3. Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb

Another classic Sydney icon that remains one of the most popular proposal sites in the city. You can walk across the bridge at pedestrian level, but for a truly memorable moment with on the the best views of the harbour, join a Bridge Climb experience, they’ve hosted over 5000 proposals (and counting).

Book one of their romance packages and let all the details be taken care of for you (including keeping the ring safe, and not dropped into the ocean below).

aerial view of sydney harbour bridge — Climb your way to love. (Image: DNSW)

4. Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden

My best friend was proposed to after a very romantic picnic in this secret Sydney garden, which is possibly one of the most romantic places in the entire city – especially if your future spouse is a fan of the arts.

This small, romantic oasis is actually privately owned, but open to the public. Wendy (and her renowned artist husband, Brett Whiteley) lived in this spot in Lavender Bay for two decades. After Brett passed away, Wendy started tidying up the garden in front of their home as a way to cope with the grief. The result is a unique garden setting, driven by “aesthetics, colour, form, beauty and whimsy", and stunning views out to the Harbour Bridge.

It also remains a quiet pocket of the city, as not many people know about it, even now.

Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden is one of the most romantic places in sydney — Propose surrounded by love and greenery. (Image: DNSW)

5. The Royal Botanic Garden

Flowers are a universal symbol of romance, so it makes sense that the Royal Botanic Garden has also been the site of more than one proposal (and many couples taking wedding or engagement photos), including that of two good friends of mine.

A popular picnic spot just around the corner from the Opera House, and so large it’s easy to find a place to yourself even on a busy day, let the scent of the jacarandas fill the air as you share Champagne and start the rest of your lives together. Settle in amongst the wildflowers, or set up for a Harbour Bridge view.

Heck, you could even hold an intimate wedding here after you secure a ‘yes’, with several venues available for hire within the grounds.

woman walks under blooming jacaranda The Royal Botanic Garden sydney — Before going to the chapel, picnic in The Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: DNSW)

6. Callan Park Conservation Area & Buildings

A hidden gem of Sydney, heritage-listed Callan Park is a 60-hectare site in Lilyfield (Sydney’s Inner West) with not only beautiful heritage buildings, lush rolling lawns, remnant bushland and even evidence of Indigenous shell middens and engravings of the Wangal people. But it also houses some picturesque secret beaches.

It’s these beaches that create the perfect backdrop for a proposal, though take a word of warning from Australian Traveller Co-founder Nigel Herbert and avoid burying the ring.

“I buried the ring as treasure at a hidden beach in Callan Park. I meant to have a romantic picnic with my (now) wife and our son, then they’d build a sandcastle and find the ring. All went well until they started digging in the wrong place and promptly gave up digging before they found the ring."

“Not to mention a few dog walkers came by and their dogs were digging dangerously close to where the ring was. All in all quite stressful."

Callan Park Conservation Area & Buildings beach in sydney — Enjoy a secret beach, but beware of burying the ring. (Image: Phillip Marsh)

Find more romantic inspiration in our list of favourite Sydney restaurants and best beaches.

Luxury meets hyper-local hospitality with an exclusive Christmas stay package and menu you’ll want to be present for.

An Aussie Christmas is like no other. December signals the start of summer, celebrations and festive cheer. While Mariah Carey might not have defrosted just yet, we’ve got less than 100 days left of the year. So it’s time to start planning. Christmas at Park Hyatt Sydney is reimagined with a luxurious festive stay package. Celebrate with a curated summer tote, a special seasonal menu that captures the flavours of a Sydney summer and cocktails crafted to capture the spirit of a harbourside Christmas.

This is your sign to skip the end-of-year chaos and let Christmas be taken care of for you.

A stay at Park Hyatt

couple with champagne on the balcony of their park hyatt sydney room — Gaze out from your balcony to see Sydney’s icons.

If you love a room with a view, imagine waking up on Christmas Day to the sound of waves and a sunrise over the iconic Sydney Opera House. Step out to your private balcony to soak in the sun, and you’ll find you’re on the doorstep to the coastal cobblestone charm of Sydney’s very own Christmas boulevard, The Rocks.

Enter Park Hyatt Sydney, a 155-room harbour-side hotel, centered in the beating heart of a historic neighbourhood, seamlessly blending life’s little luxuries with living like a local. Spend long, summer days lounging by the rooftop pool with 360-degree views of this harbour city or indulge in tailored treatments at The Spa.

aerial of park hyatt sydney rooftop pool — Spend summer days by the rooftop pool.

Be seated in The Dining Room, overlooking sparkling waters, to taste the vibrancy of an Australian summer. Led by Executive Chef Tyson Gee, discover a lunch and dinner menu that heroes coastal ingredients.

The festive stay package

Park Hyatt Sydney has introduced a festive stay package to up the Christmas spirit. Guests will enjoy an overnight stay in a guest room or suite with uninterrupted views, valet parking and a full breakfast for two in The Dining Room.

The Summer Kit

branded tote bag of park hyatt sydney with the sydney opera house in background — Take home a branded tote bag.

Because it’s an Aussie Christmas, guests booking the package will also receive a curated, limited-edition Summer Christmas kit stocked with seasonal luxuries, including the hotel’s first-ever branded merch.

Think a signature Park Hyatt Sydney sun cap and Aesop sunscreen valued at $300, all in a branded luxury tote bag. This kit will also be available for purchase throughout December, if you’re in need of any gift ideas.

The details

The festive stay package applies to stays from 1 – 27 December, with a limited number of suites available. Guests can book using the exclusive offer code XMAS25 on parkhyattsydney.com . They can also call +61 2 9256 1234 or email sydney.park.accommodation@hyatt.com.

Christmas dining

christmas menu at the dining room restaurant in park hyatt sydney — Taste a special Christmas menu at The Dining Room.

For the gourmands who want to participate in the festivities but are unable to stay as an overnight guest, Park Hyatt Sydney can still be your Christmas go-to. Taste Chef Tyson Gee’s themed culinary creations throughout December .

From 1 – 24 December, diners can book a Christmas Afternoon Tea from $95 pp. Prepare for Christmas flavours like braised turkey pie with cranberry gel, plus gingerbread and salted vanilla bûche de Noël and a chocolate hazelnut bauble for dessert.

On Christmas Day, The Dining Room and The Living Room will both offer a five-course menu from $425 per person. Start with a glass of NV Taittinger Champagne on arrival – accompanied by Sydney’s finest seafood – and end with a reimagined mango pavlova, with rice pudding and pink peppercorn.

“Our vision was to capture the flavours of a harbourside Australian Christmas,” says Gee. “Guests will enjoy seafood at its best, from fresh oysters to cured ocean trout, paired with tropical fruit accents and festive touches like glazed Berkshire ham and roast duck. Every dish has been imagined for a harbourside Christmas celebration.”

Guests can also enjoy a range of seasonal cocktails crafted by Head Mixologist Kevin Botte, including the Christmas Negroni, Christmas Mulled Wine and a Christmas Cocktail/Mocktail.

Exploring Sydney

woman drinking festive cocktail in the dining room restaurant of park hyatt sydney — The best of Sydney is right on your doorstep.

For those planning a visit, Christmas at Park Hyatt Sydney means you’re perfectly situated to explore the best of Sydney.

The hotel is mere steps away from the icons, from Sydney Opera House to the Harbour Bridge, along with the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Add open-air galleries full of murals and explore the nearby cobblestone streets.

Head to the charming Rocks Markets, where the streets transform with seasonal Christmas creations, of the artisan and foodie variety. Then head over to Dawes Point Park for a picnic under the bridge.

Find more 360-degree rooftop views at the Glenmore, or listen to live music at Brewhouse at Squire’s Landing from Wednesday to Sunday (times vary). There’s something for everyone.

For more details on Christmas at Park Hyatt Sydney, visit parkhyattsydney.com or call +61 2 9256 1234.

Guess which city is the Paris of Australia when it comes to romance?