South Australia

7 Romantic Getaways in South Australia Perfect for Lovebirds

Just a few hours by car beyond city limits, lovebirds have their pick of vast and varied South Australian getaways to get the sparks flying.

The rugged scenery of the Adelaide Hills draws rural explorers to quaint German villages and views of picturesque cedars once the inspiration of landscape painter Sir Hans Heysen. For couples after a wilderness escape, the national parks of Kangaroo Island – aptly known as ‘Nature’s Playground’ – offer sweeping plains and wild coastlines populated by penguins (also known as nature’s cutest monogamous couples).

As for accommodation, you’ll find in-house chef services and romantic hot tubs for two hidden in the greenery of the Hills. Breezy lodges and a private beach await on the Island. In wine country, romantic villas let you step into clawfoot baths or request in-room couples massages by candlelight. You can greet the dawn from a hot air balloon over the Barossa Valley, then return to your cozy space to slip into your hotel robe in front of a crackling fire. From spa suites to catered cottages, we’ve rounded up some of the most tempting resorts for you to rekindle romantic flames and put the ‘elation’ back in relationship.

Islander romantic getaways in South Australia

1/2

Sea Dragon Lodge | Kangaroo Island | 3 hours from Adelaide

A few nights at the five-star Sea Dragon Lodge could be the answer to much-craved alone time with your special someone. Perched on the edge of Kangaroo Island, the views that stretch over vast aquamarine waters have to be seen to be believed – and privacy comes easy with the Lodge’s own pristine, secluded beach right on your doorstep. Make the most of your villa’s digital entertainment system as you stretch out on the reclining leather seats before cosying up together to listen to the gentle ocean breeze from your Queen size bed.

Walking trails around the estate make exploring the adventure-inspiring landscape simple – echidnas, goannas and countless species of birds are just some of the local residents you might bump into. Share an intimate moment as you admire panoramic views of the sparkling seascapes.

For a bit of extra luxury, book yourselves into the Deluxe Spa Villa and enjoy a glass of wine in the hot tub while watching the waves roll onto the shore below. Deliveries of delicious home-cooked meals like fragrant Indian chicken curry or silken King George whiting fillets take the effort out of dinner, leaving you with extra time for memory making.

Sea Dragon Lodge

Top rated
Penneshaw
9.9 Excellent (90 reviews)

Tranquil riverside retreat for a romantic getaway in South Australia

1/2

Riverview Rise Retreats for Romantic Getaways | Adelaide Hills | 1.5 hours from Adelaide

Imagine a place built solely for the purpose of providing tranquil seclusion for couples: this is exactly what is on offer at Riverview Rise Retreats. Its location – in a tiny historic town on the banks of the Murray River – means you can reach this little gem from Adelaide in less than 90 minutes.

There are three five-star villas at this ultra private hideaway, each kitted out with the key ingredients for a weekend of movie-style romance. Think hot tub for two, dimmer mood lighting and silk dressing gowns. Tailor-made beds and sumptuous furnishings mean lazy mornings in the luxury of your private accommodation are welcomed.

Should leaving the peace of the retreat seem like a little too much effort, an in-house chef is on hand to provide a relaxed dining experience in the comfort of your villa. The romance need not stop there, either: rhythmic massages set to ambient music by candlelight are available on request and can be taken in tandem with your other half. For the ultimate couple’s spa experience, book an exclusive ‘Massage Banquet’ for a decadent five hours of personalised pampering from head to toe.

Riverview Rise Retreats for Romantic Getaways

Mannum

South Australian romantic getaway nestled in a valley

1/3

Abbotsford Country House | Barossa Valley | 1 hour from Adelaide

If delicious food and fine wines stoke the flames between you and your partner, a weekend in the Barossa Valley is a must. Nestled in the valley is Abbotsford Country House, with unparalleled views over dreamy vistas of sweeping green vineyards. What’s more, the house is perfectly situated for ducking into the countless foodie hot spots in the region.

After a satiating breakfast from kind hosts Jane and Julian, take a gentle stroll through the countryside to local cellar doors where you can sample expertly crafted Sauvignon Blancs. Or, perhaps you’d simply like to stay put and share a bottle of Riesling from Abbotsford’s own renowned cellar.

The house itself is a delightfully grand retreat with elegant, restored antique furnishings and spacious interiors. With just eight Deluxe and Super Deluxe suites, stays are lavish yet peaceful and private. For true indulgence, the Super Deluxe suites provide premium Queen size beds, a fridge stocked with wine and either a two-person spa or clawfoot bath – perfect for a candlelit evening in with your other half.

Abbotsford Country House

Top rated
Lyndoch
8.7 Excellent (24 reviews)

Romantic getaways in Adelaide Hills with views and vines

1/3

Longview Vineyard | Hahndorf | 45 minutes from Adelaide

Nothing says romance quite like the lush landscape of a boutique vineyard like at the Longview in Hahndorf. Offering an impressive range of stylish suites at one of Adelaide Hills’ most awarded wineries, the Longview certainly doesn’t hold back on thoughtful little touches like in-room additions of Genovese coffee and full breakfast provisions.

A weekend in the Spa Suite feels extra special, with a spa bath surrounded by windows looking over the estate’s thriving, grape-laden vines. Reconnect with a late-night soak under a dreamy sugar dusting of stars, topped off with a bottle of Pinot Noir for tastes of black cherry and warm spices. There’s plenty to keep you busy here, too: spend an afternoon trying the estate’s wares or take a wander to historic Strathalbyn, a nearby heritage town that claims to be one of the prettiest in South Australia.

Before you head back to the city, sit down for a Della Casa Sunday Lunch at the vineyard. A local favourite, you’ll want to make a reservation ahead of time. Your hosts will make sure you’re filled up on mouthwatering, homemade Italian dishes for the drive home.

Longview Vineyard

Top rated
Hahndorf
9.6 Excellent (213 reviews)

Romantic getaways South Australian-style in the Barossa

1/3

Barossa Shiraz Estate | Lyndoch | 1 hour from Adelaide

If you and your partner are after a full-on nature immersion, a stay at Barossa Shiraz Estate might just fit the bill. Choose from six luxury cottages amongst the vines, each with spa baths, lounging robes and expansive gardens for savouring a glass of something special from one of the many nearby cellar doors. Should you visit in winter, crackling log fires will have you and your loved one snuggling up together in the stylish yet homely surroundings that reflect the personal touch of the owners.

Armed with a bottle of artisan wine, you’ll want to take time to explore the estate’s evocative landscapes. For something a little different, balloon tours can be booked through local company Barossa Balloon Adventures. You’ll sail serenely through the skies, overlooking your weekend home and the rolling, vineyard-dotted valley – what could be more romantic?

Barossa Shiraz Estate

Top rated
Lyndoch
9.6 Excellent (175 reviews)

Luxury South Australian romantic getaway dreamers can wake up to

1/4

The Louise | Barossa Valley | 1 hour from Adelaide

Tucked into the heart of the Barossa Valley is The Louise. The spacious rooms here are about as exquisite as the surrounding lusciously green, sun-drenched vineyards. Offering an intimate hideaway from the buzz of city life, each suite here has a rain shower for two, heated towels and wrap-up-worthy robes. Private outdoor spaces form the ideal setting for dining under the twinkling of stars with views through a gated courtyard. Being geared towards the indulgent, The Louise can help make your trip special with pre-ordered champagne, in-suite massages and personalised deliveries of fragrant bouquets.

The exclusive on-site restaurant, Appellation, delivers deliciously fresh, seasonal menus with hand-crafted selections. The in-house sommelier can guide you through a list of more than 400 wines so you can perfectly match a still or sparkling with desserts made of quince, almond and toasted caramel.

For something extra special from September to May, rise early for the hotel’s magical Breakfast with Kangaroos experience. Your personal driver and walking host will take you and your partner to a natural clearing in the nearby conservation area. Dining on croissants and orange juice from your carefully laid picnic, you’ll get to watch as families of kangaroos come to feed on grasses and shrubs in the pale morning light – without a doubt the cutest breakfast companions you could ask for.

The Louise

Top rated
Barossa Valley
9.7 Excellent (181 reviews)

Romantic getaways in Adelaide Hills with a chic Parisian twist

1/2

5 Rooms at the Stirling | Adelaide Hills | 20 minutes from Adelaide

5 Rooms at the Stirling brings a choice of five exquisitely laid out rooms for you and a special someone to disappear to for a weekend of blissful relaxation. Each room features plush bathrobes, a cuddle-inducing king-size bed and a second television in the bathroom for taking long soaks with your favourite film. From rooms Three, Four and Five, step through breezy french doors onto your personal balcony for a bit of Parisian-inspired indulgence, or stay cosy and comfortable next to original marble fireplaces.

The warm, buttery aroma of freshly baked croissants will lure you down to the on-site pâtisserie for a delectable spread of breakfast treats and house-blend coffee. Later in the day, the Dining Room and next-door Bistro serve lunch and dinner delights as rotisserie duck salad and pan-fried New Zealand king salmon to spoil you for dinner options. Vintage-lovers will delight in the hotel wine cellar’s commitment to stocking not only local but rare foreign wines. If you still feel like venturing beyond the grounds of the hotel, the dreamy Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens are just a 12-minute drive away.

5 Rooms at the Stirling

Adelaide
8.0 Very good (15 reviews)