Romantic Queensland – plan the perfect proposal or wedding

Whether it’s under water on the Great Barrier Reef, in the depths of a tropical rainforest, on top of a bridge, or floating high above rolling hills in a hot air balloon, Queensland offers a myriad of ways and places for romantics to pop the question or tie the knot. Here’s a few suggestions to get you started on ways to propose or get married to your loved one in romantic Queensland.

PROPOSALS

Propose on the Great Barrier Reef
Secluded sandy cays dotted throughout the Great Barrier Reef provide the perfect destination for a romantic Queensland proposal. Take a scenic helicopter ride or seaplane flight from Cairns or Port Douglas and land at your very own pristine tropical cay surrounded by spectacular coral gardens. Enjoy the romance of the sandy cay for a few hours with your loved one, miles from anyone or anything, where you can dive straight into the inviting waters and snorkel among the colourful tropical fish and corals. Seaplane and helicopter tours include a short scenic flight to the coral cay destination, a bottle of Australian sparkling wine and nibbles or brunch, snorkelling equipment, and a beach umbrella and blanket. Visit www.cairnsseaplanes.com or www.gbrhelicopters.com.au

‘Will You Marry Me?’ on Whitehaven
Take your partner on a helicopter ride they’ll never forget over a huge ‘Will You Marry Me?’ banner laid out on the Whitsundays’ famous Whitehaven Beach, which has repeatedly been voted one of the world’s best beaches. Enjoy a spectacular birds’ eye perspective of some of the region’s 74 stunning islands, before the pilot points out a special message for your loved one on the beach. Land minutes later beside the white 10 metre banner for a romantic champagne picnic. Visit www.avta.com.au/Whitsundays-Weddings.html

A proposal in the skies
Experience the romance, wonder and silence of a hot air balloon ride with your loved one over the spectacular Cairns Highlands or the Gold Coast Hinterland. Watch the sun rise as you float gently past a ‘will you marry me’ sign on the ground, or simply propose face to face during the 30 minute or one hour flight. Come back to earth and be whisked off by a limousine to a beachfront restaurant in Cairns, or an historic Queenslander in a beautiful Gold Coast vineyard to enjoy a gourmet breakfast. Toast your engagement with a bottle of Australian sparkling wine and enjoy your choice of a freshly cooked hot and cold breakfast. Visit www.hotair.com.au

Leap of love
Looking for a thrilling way to pop the question to your adrenalin-junkie partner? Look no further than bungy jumping in the beautiful surrounds of Tropical North Queensland. Built deep in World Heritage rainforest in 1990, the AJ Hackett bungy jumping site just outside of Cairns has thrilled more than 500,000 people from around the world. Get your hearts pumping as you and your partner leap from a 70 metre structure and then stay on a high as you pop the big question! Visit www.ajhackett.com.au

Gondola romance on the Sunshine Coast
Add a touch of Venetian romance to your Queensland proposal on a gondola cruise on the Noosa River. Located on the Sunshine Coast, Gondolas of Noosa offer a unique way to experience the romance of this beautiful beachside region. Why not take your loved one on a cruise along the river, sipping champagne and watching the sunset before being dropped off at one of Hasting Street’s famous restaurants for a romantic beachside dinner? Catering for up to four guests, Gondolas of Noosa cruises are BYO, however music, ice buckets, ice and glasses are supplied. Visit www.gondolasnoosa.com

The Story Bridge proposes a most romantic location
Take your love to new heights and propose on top of Brisbane’s highest bridge with Story Bridge Adventure Climb (SBAC). Enjoy the romance of a morning climb and take in the breath-taking views or make a night of it and marvel at the sparkle of the city lights with your special someone from the top of one of Brisbane’s famous landmarks. SBAC has created an Engagement Ring Device (or ‘ERD’ so not to give anything away), for climbers planning to pop the question at the summit of the bridge. No loose objects like mobile phones, cameras or jewellery are allowed on the bridge for safety reasons, but the ERD ensures the ring is never a loose object. Visit www.sbac.net.au

WEDDINGS

An underwater wedding on the Great Barrier Reef
Are you and your partner true lovers of the ocean and looking for a unique way to tie the knot? Perhaps you share a common love for scuba diving? If so, then why not get married under water amongst the tropical fish and beautiful corals of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef? With under water speaking/listening devices, the entire ceremony can be held under water. Visit www.fantaseaweddings.com.au

Invite the Spirit of the Outback to your wedding
Celebrate your marriage in true Federation style at the beautiful Undara Volcanic National Park in Tropical North Queensland. Situated a three-and-a-half hour drive inland from Cairns, The Undara Lava Lodge offers special wedding packages which combine the legendary romance of Outback Australia with the style and comfort of superb service, cuisine and accommodation. A choice of ceremony venues and reception areas are available, including an original Australian-style Drovers Hut set in the bushland of the Savannah, the Red Bluff lookout which features stunning 360 degree views, a beautiful campfire setting, and the Fettler’s Iron Pot Bistro. Wedding guests can also enjoy special accommodation packages, sleeping in beautifully restored railway carriages. The ‘Federation’ package for the bride and groom includes chilled champagne and chocolates, special bridal bed linen, in-room breakfast and late check out. Visit http://undara.com.au/groups/an-outback-wedding/

A wedding in the rainforest
The Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa offer individually-designed rainforest weddings set within the beauty of the world’s oldest living rainforest. Couples can exchange vows at the base of a centuries-old waterfall or on a garden deck by the glistening pond, enjoy exquisite dining, an award-winning spa treatment and sleep in an opulent tree-house styled suite. There are three rainforest wedding packages available – nature, nurture, or culture – but couples can mix and match elements from each to create their own individual experience. Culture weddings weave the traditions of the Kuku Yulanji people (the traditional owners of the Daintree Rainforest) with contemporary ceremonies through a ‘smoking ceremony’, an ‘indigenous celebrant’ or an ‘Aboriginal corroboree’. Visit www.rainforestwedding.com and www.daintree-ecolodge.com.au

Our Lady on the Sea
For a unique wedding setting, head to the beautiful waters of Queensland’s Gold Coast where couples can exchange their vows aboard Australia’s only floating chapel. One of two floating chapels in the world, Our Lady on the Sea is a quaint chapel that features locally-designed stained glass windows and an authentic timber interior. Guests board the chapel at Main Beach on the Gold Coast, however the floating chapel can be relocated to any navigable spot on the Broadwater for the ceremony. A Regal Cruiser is included with the hire of the Lady on the Sea and is used for the bride to arrive at the ceremony in style. Visit www.celebrationsafloat.com.au

Daydream your wedding into reality
Always dreamed of a tropical island wedding but can’t afford to fly your loved ones half way across the world? Then head to Daydream Island in the beautiful Whitsundays, where couples can instantly broadcast their special event to friends and family via the Internet and the web cameras located in the chapel. Daydream’s Endeavour Wedding Chapel comfortably seats 40 guests (can hold up to 70 guests) and is privately positioned on the water’s edge with spectacular views across the Whitsundays. Weddings or receptions at Daydream can also be held on a large deck at a private and sheltered beach. Guests to weddings on Daydream arrive by short helicopter flight or romantic sailing vessel. Visit www.daydreamisland.com/Weddings

Wedding chapels in paradise
Couples searching for the perfect location to exchange their vows are spoilt for choice in north Queensland, with a range of beautiful chapels to suit every couple.
– The Angsana Great Barrier Reef Chapel is a beautiful purpose built beach front wedding chapel situated at the Angsana Resort and Spa Palm Cove. It is one of only a few beachfront chapels in north Queensland, offering unsurpassed views of the sea and nearby islands. Visit www.angsana.com/gbr/weddings.html
– Situated in the heart of Cairns, the Hilton Blue Horizon Chapel is a state of the art, purpose built wedding chapel. The entire building is set in a large reflection pond and features a stunning backdrop of Trinity Inlet and Hinterland Mountains. Visit www1.hilton.com
– The aptly named Crystal Wedding Chapel at Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas is a glass walled building positioned on Four Mile Beach. With its high ceilings, glass walls and stained glass windows, the chapel blends seamlessly with the beach and ocean on one side and the lush tropical gardens on the other. Visit www.sheratonmirage.com.au/mirageweddings.html
– Whether you choose to get married in Hamilton Island’s beautiful chapel or have a barefoot ceremony on the beach, this beautiful spot in the Whitsundays is a spectacular venue for your wedding day. Visit www.hamiltonisland.com.au