WA is a treasure trove of beautiful, unique places to pop the question to the love of your life.
Proposing marriage to that special someone is a major life decision and milestone. It can be nerve-wrecking, overwhelming and exciting, all at the same time.
Planning your engagement can be a simple, spur-of-the-moment affair or a well-thought-out recipe for romance that includes adventure, adrenaline, secrets, mystery and travel.
Many women dream of their wedding their entire lives and often, their partner has little to do with the planning of the big day. That’s why asking for your significant other’s hand in marriage is a chance to shine bright and make a statement.
Let’s take a stroll through some romantic, distinctive ways to make the grandest of gestures at Western Australia’s most magical places to propose.
Table of Contents
Salmon Bay, Rottnest Island
The first time you see the vibrant layers of sand, sea and sky at Rottnest Island’s Salmon Bay, you’ll think you’ve died and gone to beach heaven. Add a marriage proposal to the mix and you and your lover are certain to be breathless. To get there, take the Rottnest Express ferry from Perth (two hours) or Fremantle (30 minutes). On the island, rent a bicycle-built-for-two at Pedal and Flipper to up the ante on intimacy and cuteness. If you want to take popping the question to the next level, organise tandem skydives over the island and propose upon touching down on the beach (don’t worry, the skydive crew will keep the ring safe until you land). Talk about taking a leap.
Ngilgi Cave, Yallingup
A three hours’ drive south of Perth, in the Margaret River Region is a sleepy little surfing village called Yallingup. Besides hanging ten, sun-baking and drinking craft beer, there’s an underground world to explore. Ngilgi Cave (formerly known as Yallingup Cave) is one of the many grottos in the region but it’s the only one with Cupid’s Corner, the deepest board-walked (and most romantic) part of the underground chamber. In the early 1900s hotel proprietors promoted the area as a honeymoon destination. To add to the allure, they named parts of the cave to coincide with their tourism ploy. It worked! The upper class loved the romantic notion and travelled here in droves. To this day, the secluded cavern continues to attract proposals and honeymooners.
The Pinnacles, Cervantes
If stalactites aren’t your thing but you’d still like an other-worldly feel to your proposal, you’ll find it near Cervantes. An easy 192-kilometre drive north of Perth will take you to the Nambung National Park. The main attraction at the park is The Pinnacle desert – 190 hectares of barren Star Warsy landscape that’s home to thousands of limestone pillars. It’s an unusual place that attracts 250,000 visitors each year but don’t worry, you’re sure to find a secluded spot. A sunset proposal will surely have you both doing the moonwalk afterwards.
Under the sea, Ningaloo Reef
Between Exmouth and Red Bluff lies a reef some say is more beautiful than the Great Barrier: Ningaloo. A World Heritage site, Ningaloo is famous for swimming with whale sharks, migrating humpbacks, turtle feeding and sheltered, pristine snorkelling sites rich with colourful marine life. It’s the perfect setting for a Little Mermaid-themed marriage proposal. Under the sea, under the sea, darling it’s better, where it’s wetter…
Nature’s Window, Kalbarri
For the nature lovers and photographers, there’s no better place to capture that “we’re engaged” Instagram pic than Nature’s Window at Kalbarri National Park. The naturally-formed frame overlooks a stream just 400 metres from the car park. It’s a rugged and beautiful place to get down on one knee (mind the rocks) and ask that all important question. Keen-beans can continue along the eight-kilometre loop trail to explore spectacular, iconic WA gorges.
Karijini National Park, The Pilbara
Another place full of gorgeous gullies is Karijini National Park. Take a drive inland, about 300 kilometres from Karratha in Western Australia’s Pilbara Region. Active adventurers will delight in the rugged, centre of the earth landscape that will test your fitness levels and open your spirit. Plan a hike through the many gorges (Hancock, Weano or Hamersley) then cool off in picture-perfect, natural swimming pools before busting out your surprise.
El Questro Wilderness Park, The Kimberley
In the heart of The Kimberley lies 700,000 acres of unspoilt, wild parklands curiously named El Questro. To be honest, nobody knows where the name comes from. It doesn’t matter, the title sums up the definition of the word magic quite nicely. Imagine proposing under a roaring waterfall only accessible by helicopter or at an outback waterhole on a full-day horse trek.
Cable Beach, Broome
No list of the best places to propose would be complete without a stunning, beachside bar involved. And cocktails. And the best, most scenic bar in Western Australia is arguably Sunset Bar and Grill in Broome. The famous restaurant is part of the Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa, which overlooks Cable Beach and the Indian Ocean. Cable Beach is well-known and much loved for its memorising sunsets (and camel treks). What better place to plan the rest of your life with your soul mate than over a fancy drink on a pristine beach at sunset.
Western Australia is blessed with some of the country’s most magical places to propose. A marriage proposal is one of life’s major moments so make it special, make it epic and make it magical.
Author bio
Jennifer Morton is a writer and photographer for Skydive Geronimo. The Canadian expat has lived all over Canada, New Zealand and Australia. She even spent six months working on board a cruise ship in Europe. When Jennifer is not writing about travel, health & wellness or life in general, you may find her lounging on the beach, fishing with her son, sipping coffee, reading a book or zooming in on a beautiful scene. She’s also likely to be boarding an airplane… or jumping out of one.
West Australian Explorer is the outdoor guide to WA. For inspiration straight to your inbox subscribe to the newsletter.
2 Comments
I wish Mr. Spittoon had seen this a couple of years ago 🙂
Every budding Mr. Spitoon should see this.