Image by Ritz Carlton Perth

If you’ve decided to stay close to home for your honeymoon, you’re in luck. It’s easy to overlook your own backyard, but Australia is bursting with honeymoon hotspots that will take your breath away. Big, bold, bright and beautiful, here’s our guide to Australia’s most colourful honeymoons:

Image by Visit Victoria

Brighton, Victoria
Melbourne’s monochrome palette might have the stereotype but it’s certainly not the norm. There are plenty of places to visit in Victoria’s capital that absolutely pop with personality. Make a beeline for Brighton Beach, where you’ll find the iconic Bathing Boxes stretched out along the sand.

The 82 boxes were used back in the day as change rooms but now are probably full of floaties. Each has a bright, cheery colour scheme, some with beautiful sea-inspired designs. Stroll past the boxes, go for a dip, then sprawl out on the sand.

Images by Sails Lavender Bay Restaurant

Lavender Bay, Sydney
There’s certainly no shortage of things to do on a Sydney honeymoon, but if you’re in town in November, hop on a ferry across to Lavender Bay to see the Jacaranda trees in full bloom. You can see the purple leaves in all their glory all over the city if you time it right, but the savvy head straight to this leafy suburb on the north side of the Harbour Bridge.

Share a kiss under the swirling purple before heading up the road to Sails on Lavender Bay for fine dining right on the harbour.

Images by Ritz Carlton Perth

Kings Park, Perth 
Western Australia is well known for the red dust of the outback, but have you heard about the wildflowers? At the start of Spring, wildflowers in all shapes and sizes throw a riot of colour over the land. The parks of Perth are in full bloom, but none is more spectacular than Kings Park. Just a 15 minute walk south of the city, the rolling parklands and bush lands are dotted with blue, yellow, orange, purple and pink patches.

Spend a few hours strolling the park before heading over to Elizabeth Quay, where you’ll find The Ritz-Carlton Perth. This brand new five star hotel is the stuff of honeymoon dreams. Book in for a couples massage before drinks at Songbird, the hotel’s rooftop bar, and then move on to fine dining without the fuss at Hearth. The interiors are just divine.

Image by Tourism Australia

The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
Rainbow fish are just the beginning when it comes to the colours of the Great Barrier Reef. There’s so many ways to tick the reef off your bucket list – whether you want to have an island getaway at the newly renovated Daydream Island, spend a few days sailing through the Whitsundays, or base yourself on the mainland and head out for a day exploring on a reef tour. For a real loved up treat, hop aboard a helicopter to see the famous Heart Reef or head out for a private picnic on Whitehaven Beach.

Image by Lisa Perkovic

Floriade, Canberra
If flowers are truly the way to your heart, head down to Canberra for this world famous floral festival. Floriade takes place in the middle of September, through to mid October, when more than a million bulbs will bloom along the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. The entire city gets involved, with events around town, specialty cocktails and themed exhibitions.

At the historic Hotel Kurrajong, the gardens always look good, but the hedges seem even grander during this annual event. Whether you want a city break or a seaside escape, the way Australia comes alive with colour would put any local honeymoon high on our list.

Ms Zebra Says: These are all honeymoon highlight spots – and the best news? You don’t even have to leave our incredible backyard! Thanks Lisa for some amazing suggestions!

About Lisa Perkovic: Lisa has spent the past decade travelling the world writing for Australia’s leading newspapers, magazines and blogs about all things travel. Her own honeymoon was her pièce de résistance – an epic journey to the Maldives and South Africa. Now she loves nothing more than sharing destinations and tips to help other newlyweds work out how to have the honeymoon of their dreams.