Getting away from it all and treating the two of you to a quick holiday – even a cheeky staycation – can really recharge the romance. Here are our top picks for romantic city breaks around Australia.

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You don’t have to look very hard to find places to stay in the cities around Australia. But when it comes to finding that perfect spot for a romantic getaway, options seem to recede out of sight.

Jim and I love a staycation and getting to know our own city from a visitor’s perspective. Playing tourist all over the country is a lot of fun as well, especially if you can put a bit of a romantic twist on the trip.

Mind you, it does seem to take more effort to find those special places to stay that add that special level of romance to a stay. So we’ve put together a quick list of hotels and manors around the country for the perfect romantic city break around Australia.

7 romantic city breaks around Australia

1. Stay in Sydney’s historic heartland

The Rocks in Sydney is packed with colonial history and personality. There’s so much to see and do here – from some of the city’s oldest pubs to shopping and museums.

The Harbour Rocks Hotel Sydney, set in one of the beautiful old buildings of the Rocks precinct, is perfectly located. Sydney Harbour is on your doorstep here, with Circular Quay a couple of minutes’ walk away.

The hotel has a sophisticated, low-key look and each of its large 59 rooms reflects the historic and somewhat industrial heritage of the building. The Harbour Rocks Hotel Sydney has an excellent restaurant and bar, though you’re spoilt for choice where you are.

2. Riverside luxury in Brisbane City

Close to Elizabeth Street Mall and the greenery of the Botanic Gardens, The Sebel Brisbane is in an incredible spot to enjoy Queensland’s capital. Not only that, but the hotel’s apartment-style rooms mean that you get more of a home-from-home feeling here than most hotels.

From The Sebel Brisbane, you’re a stone’s throw from the Brissie River as it winds its way through the city, not to mention the ever-growing array of amazing restaurants.

Eagle Street Pier, Fortitude Valley and the South Bank are all home to top places for dinner. And, of course, The Sebel Brisbane’s very own Croft House will set the scene and the table for the romantic meals during your city break.

3. Lakeside romance south of the city

Melbourne makes itself an easy city to enjoy, with its fun nightlife, great eating options, picturesque streets and let’s not forget the coffee. But a little out of town near the beach and St Kilda, the rush of city life slows down a bit.

Just up the road from West Beach and on the shores of Albert Park Lake, the Pullman Melbourne Albert Park Hotel offers that same laid-back luxury of the surrounding suburbs.

From your bright spacious room at the Pullman, it’s an easy walk to West Beach Bathers Pavilion for a bite to eat or a sundowner on the sand. Alternatively, it’s a 15-minute tram ride to Flinders St Station and the heart of Melbourne.

4. Old world grandeur among the vineyards of Adelaide Hills

They say that everything’s about 15 minutes away in Adelaide, and they’re usually right. But from the quiet verdure of Adelaide Hills to fun city suburbs like Unley, it feels like you’re a lot further than just a 15-minute drive. Another five minutes and you’re in the heart of central Adelaide.

And when you add in the old-world charm of places like Mount Lofty House – MGallery by Sofitel, it not only feels like you’re very far from madding crowds, but in a different time entirely.

Mt Lofty’s country manor style rooms reflect the grandeur of this beautiful house, built by Arthur Hardy in 1852, overlooking the Piccadilly Valley and Adelaide Hills, one of the closest South Australian wine regions to the city.

5. Chill at the beach in Noosa Village

Thanks to its lakes, canals, river and of course the beach, Noosa is lucky to have one of the most extensive coastlines of any town in Australia, so you’re never far from the water. From swimming and SUP-ing to wake-boarding and speedboats, every way you can think of to enjoy the water is available here.

Our hotel pick for romance is The Sebel Noosa. Overlooking the Noosa River with its open, airy, beach apartment-style rooms, The Sebel Noosa gives you all you need to stretch out and relax.

It’s a short walk from the hotel to popular Hastings Street, where there’s something to eat and drink on every corner. Go for snacks and easy bites at the Noosa Heads Surf Club on Main Beach, while places like Noosa Beach House offer something more refined and different.

6. Escape to your sanctuary and WA wineries

Western Australia has romantic escape written all over it. From its vast wild expanses and long beaches all to yourself to bustling cities and a developed destination for foodies.

Heading south from Perth to the beautiful valleys and vineyards of the Margaret River will find you the best of all of these things. Like wine country in most of Australia, Margaret River is teeming with amazing places to eat and drink.

The elegant wings of the Grand Mercure Basildene Manor have found the perfect balance of old-world comfort and modern convenience that makes this hotel supremely romantic.

Surrounded by well-tended gardens and bushland, it doesn’t feel like you’re only a quick drive into town or eight minutes to the mouth of the Margaret River and the beach.

7. Escape to foodie paradise and the heart of wine in Tasmania

Launceston as a town has so much going for it with its fun bars like Geronimo and a range of interesting dining options. But its location makes this town in the north of the state even more attractive.

Situated at the point where the North Esk and South Esk Rivers converge to make the mighty Tamar River, Launnie is and always has been set to be a breadbasket of Tasmania. Sure enough, the likes of Josef Chromy Wines and James Boags Brewery all set up here and make this historic little town a great place to come.

Right near the water’s edge, The Sebel Launceston offers luxury, comfort and romance in its big, apartment-style rooms and open-terrace restaurant.

For a more extended trip to Tasmania, which we highly recommend, check out our tour of the state via the Spirit of Tasmania here.

Still looking for that perfect romantic place to stay?

Travel should be about making your life more interesting, not more difficult. I love it when I can go to one place that has all the answers for me and removes some of the stress of planning.

AccorHotels has made it easy for everyone to find the perfect romantic spot around the country with a selection of hotels designed to bring on the romance.

Where do you go for a romantic trip away? Do you have a favourite spot for a weekend escape? Tell us in the comments below!