Eloping in Australia

Sydney, and more!

Due to the spontaneity of the affair, elopement usually takes place within driving distance or a short flight for a couple. But that doesn’t have to be the case. If you’ve dreamed of getting married in Australia, it’s not as difficult to elope there as you might think.

Australian law requires a wait of one month and one day after filing your paperwork before you can marry. The good news is that this and any other planning you need to do can be taken care of by phone or email. Your biggest decision will likely be where in Australia you wish to elope. Here are some options to consider.

• Gold Coast – Australia’s east coast is a popular destination among vacationers and a wonderful setting for an elopement. It has a little bit of everything, from sandy beaches to a bustling nightlife to a canal system. There are lots of secluded beach spots that are just perfect for an intimate ceremony, such as Budds Beach, Foggy’s Beach and Flat Rock Beach. If you prefer a chapel setting, Tamborine Gardens is a lovely venue. Wedding planners and officiants you may want to consider are Elizabeth Wilkie at elizabethwilkie.com.au and Robyn Mills at yourperfectday.net.au.

• Sydney – One of the world’s most popular travel destinations, Sydney is known for being a modern, clean and friendly city. Its wonderfully diverse architecture creates a unique cityscape, and the area’s natural features include coastline, mountains and plains. Places to elope in Sydney are plentiful, and include everything from beaches and gardens to yachts and opera houses.

Popular venues in the city include the Royal Botanical Gardens and Observatory Hill at Dawes Point. Royal Botanical Gardens boasts many garden venues suitable for smaller wedding ceremonies, including the Farm Cove View Lawn for weddings of less than 10 people, which provides an outstanding view across Sydney Harbour.  Observatory Hill also offers views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge from an elevated Gazebo. Choices in nearby suburbs include Parmatta Park and E.G. Waterhouse Camelia Gardens.

If you are in need of  a wedding celebrant to help you plan your elopement, you may wish to contact Heather Martin at sydneymarriagecelebrant.com.au. She has a couple inexpensive elopement packages listed on her site.

• Ayers Rock – Located in the heart of Australia’s outback, Ayers Rock, also known as Uluru, is a gigantic rock formation that is sacred to the Aborigines. This natural wonder makes a unique and beautiful setting for exchanging vows, and your wedding pictures are guaranteed to be the talk of the town! Voyages Ayers Rock Resort offers all-inclusive packages with several ceremony sites and accommodations to choose from. Their "Romantic Wedding" package includes the services of a wedding coordinator and a wedding cake for two.

• Broome – Situated on a peninsula in Australia’s Western Territory, Broome is a growing tourist town with roots in the pearling industry. Among Broome’s most popular places to elope is Cable Beach, with its white sand and pristine waters. Roebuck Bay is another beautiful area, especially during Staircase to the Moon, a natural phenomenon occurring March through October. If you need elopement wedding planners for your Broome wedding, you may want to check out broomeweddings.com.au.

Although it is halfway across the world, Australia is a wonderful place to elope. It requires a bit of extra planning, but with all the country has to offer, you won’t be disappointed. There are plenty of wedding planners in the country that have experience assisting eloping couples, and they can ensure that your ceremony is everything you want it to be.