So you’re ready to propose, and you know it’s going to happen in Sydney, but where should you go, and how should you pop the question? The perfect proposal idea will always depend on you and your partner’s relationship but if you’re looking for picturesque settings and romantic gestures, check out our guide to proposal ideas in Sydney. If planning the perfect proposal makes your palms sweaty, consider booking a proposal package at one of the city’s luxury restaurants or hotels. Their concierges will take care of everything else, so all you need to worry about is asking the question.
The Royal Botanic Garden
Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden spans 30 hectares at the eastern edge of Sydney’s CBD, and you can get access to its wide stretches of lush lawns, native plants and beautiful flower gardens for free. The Palace Rose Garden is one of the best proposal places, bringing romance to the forefront with gorgeous roses mixed with other flowering plants. Plus, if you’re getting married in Sydney, you can return to the site of your proposal, as the Garden also hosts wedding ceremonies. Check out their website to see which plants will be at their best during the month you visit so you can find the best spot to propose.
Wendy’s Secret Garden
This beautiful garden in North Sydney sits on the waterfront and is a free public space, open seven days a week, with no official opening hours. It’s full of private, sheltered spaces where you and your partner can have the perfect romantic moment. The garden is truly something of an open secret, so there’s no direct signage, which helps keep the garden quiet and peaceful. Check out the garden’s website to get directions from the nearest train stations.
Lane Cove National Park
This gorgeous National Park runs alongside the Lane Cove River and provides several lovely, unique spots, perfect for putting a ring on your partner’s finger. You can spend your day exploring the park on foot, by bike, or with a kayak down the river. Find a quiet clearing or the perfect view and pull out the ring to the sounds of leaves, the laughter of kookaburras, and the chirping of lorikeets. You could also consider staying the night at Tandara, a gorgeous glamping site with safari tents and excellent views of the Lane Cove Valley.
The Chinese Garden of Friendship
This tranquil retreat in the heart of Sydney opened in 1988 as a collaboration between New South Wales and its Chinese Sister State, Guangdong. Modelled on 5th-century private gardens in China and designed according to Taoist philosophy, you’ll find serene pathways winding past beautiful flowers, unique plants and clear blue lakes that play home to Koi. The Gardens by Lotus is the garden’s onsite restaurant that operates out of a heritage-listed tea house and serves Chinese tea and delicious Sichuan cuisine. You’ll find it easy to create the perfect romantic moment here with picturesque waterfalls, lush greenery and fairytale-esque landscaping at this remarkable urban oasis.
Jacaranda Trees in Spring
Sydney’s Jacaranda trees burst into beautiful purple blooms every spring to add a brilliant touch of colour at different points throughout the city. They’ll make the perfect backdrop for any proposal. Head down to McDougall Street in Kirribilli, where trees line both sides of the road or try the intersection of Oxford Street and Glenmore Road. You can also find Jacarandas in the Royal Botanical Gardens and Lavender Bay. You’ll want to time your trip sometime between late October and the end of November to have the best chance of seeing these gorgeous trees at their best.
Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach is one of Sydney’s most iconic locations, and although it’s generally very crowded, you can find a few more secluded spots or quiet times to visit. If you’re planning on proposing in autumn or winter, the beach still provides a mysterious, romantic atmosphere with fewer people around. In spring and summer, you can head up towards Ben Buckler, where there are usually fewer people.
Sydney Harbour Water Taxi
Sydney Harbour Water Taxis provide water taxis, private cruises and charter services, including cruise and dine and New Years’ specials. Head out onto the harbour and pop the question against the backdrop of the Sydney Harbour Bridge (and maybe even some New Years’ fireworks!). Their Water Limousines are the perfect option for a little bit of extra luxury, especially if you want extra space for friends or family at the event. Of course, for a more intimate, old-school proposal, you can hire a rowboat instead of a water taxi and head out onto the harbour yourselves.
The Manly Scenic Walkway
Manly Scenic Walkway is a fantastic coastal walking trail that takes you through the bush from Spit Bridge to Manly Beach. You’ll have a lovely, peaceful path if you get up early. The path is roughly 10 kilometres one way and takes approximately 4 hours to complete. You could find a particularly beautiful spot to pop the question along the way or wait until you reach the gorgeous Manly Beach. If you love the idea of proposing at Manly but don’t want to make the hike, you can also get there via ferry, and both options will give you beautiful views and an escape into nature.
Observatory Hill
Observatory Hill, built in the mid-19th century, provides incredible panoramic views of the harbour, and on a clear, sunny day, you couldn’t ask for a better place to pop the question. Observatory Hill also has a lovely rotunda, frequently used for events (including weddings) that can be one of the best places to propose, particularly if you head up the hill early in the morning when you might have the rotunda all to yourselves. Observatory Hill is also large enough to spread out a picnic blanket. For an extra romantic picnic, you could book a Graze and Gaze luxury picnic experience, which includes a small table, rug, pillows and a grazing board of antipasto or sweet food and drinks.
Barrenjoey Lighthouse
At the northernmost point of Sydney sits a heritage-listed 19th-century lighthouse that you can reach in around 30 minutes from the nearby parking area. You’ll get incredible scenic views of the ocean and the perfect, picturesque backdrop for your proposal photos. It looks beautiful at any time of day, but sunrise offers both quiet privacy and stunning hues of pinks and oranges to illuminate your perfect moment.
Sydney Tower
When it comes to proposals, you can’t go wrong with an excellent view, and Sydney Tower boasts some remarkable views of the city and the harbour. Book a table at their 360 Bar and Dining restaurant, 81 levels up with a delicious, constantly evolving menu that uses local produce and international flavours. So whether you go with a classic ring in the champagne glass or wait to head up to the Observation Deck, this is a proposal you and your partner will remember forever.
O Bar & Dining
If a romantic dinner feels like the perfect proposal plan, why not get a little extra help from the restaurant? O Bar and Dining is a fantastic, health-conscious restaurant in Australia Square on George Street with gorgeous views of the city from level 47. They have four different tiers of proposal packages available. The Silver Package includes a window table, a three-course a la carte menu, champagne and homemade chocolates. The Ultimate Proposal Package includes a private dining room, personal butler, canapes, a five-course menu, cheese, chocolates and a flower wall with a neon ‘Marry Me’ sign. Leave the details to the pros and focus on making your partner feel extra special before you pop the question.
Pier One Hotel
Pier One is an amazing hotel right next to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and they have some excellent proposal opportunities which you can plan yourself, or you can let them take care of the behind-the-scenes stuff. They’ve partnered with My Proposal Co. to bring you romantic, luxurious proposal packages like the ‘Marry Me’ Light Up Proposal Package, which lets you propose on a balcony right next to the iconic Harbour Bridge with a light-up ‘Marry Me’ sign, mood lighting and personal touches. Another option is the ‘Table for Two’ package, a romantic private dining experience on a balcony that sits on the harbour. Both options also include a photographer to capture the special moment.
The Shangri-La Sydney
The Shangri-La is one of Sydney’s best luxury hotels, close to art galleries, the Opera House, and Circular Quay. You can book rooms with stunning views of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour, and if you go for an upgraded suite, you’ll get a comfortable living room to complement the luxurious bedroom and marble bathroom. The perfect moment to propose might come after a romantic dinner at their upscale restaurant or at their cocktail lounge, the Blu Bar, which sits on the 36th floor and offers panoramic views of the city. The Shangri-La also has a Proposal Service that they can tailor to fit your relationship with the help of their concierge.
