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

Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
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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)

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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)

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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.

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Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
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This surprising regional town is making its mark on the culinary world

(Image: Visit Griffith)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

    It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.

    Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.

    Where the vines tell a story

    A hand pouring wine into a glass, with a table filled with food.
    Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)

    The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.

    Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.

    Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.

    Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.

    At the table

    A flat lay of a steak.
    Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.

    Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.

    Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotel is a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.

    And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.

    Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.

    From the source

    A plated Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod dish.
    Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.

    Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.

    Mark your calendar

    A woman walking past a food mural, something you can spot during A Taste of Italy Griffith.
    Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.

    Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.

    Start planning your foodie getaway at visitgriffith.com.au.