Our first morning as a married couple started at a small hire desk in Sydney, with two coffees, one very large suitcase, and a decision we had put off for weeks: which car should carry us up the coast. We had booked flights, dinners, and a beach cottage near Byron Bay, but somehow the vehicle, the thing that would actually shape every hour of the trip, was still an open question. By the time we drove out with the roof down and the ocean on our right, we understood something obvious in hindsight. The car is not a detail. On a honeymoon, it is half the memory.
Australia is built for road trips. The Great Ocean Road, the Pacific coast between Sydney and Brisbane, the wine country around Margaret River, the drive from Cairns up to Port Douglas: these routes reward you for slowing down, pulling over, and taking the long way. What you drive determines whether you actually do that, or whether you spend the week wishing you had picked something else.
The romantic choice
Why a convertible wins on the coast
If the weather forecast looks kind and your route hugs the shoreline, a convertible is hard to beat. There is something about dropping the roof on a coastal road, feeling the wind, smelling the eucalyptus and salt, that turns an ordinary drive into the kind of moment couples talk about years later. Along the Esplanade in Cairns, the cliff road out of Wollongong, or the stretch between Torquay and Apollo Bay, an open car changes the whole feel of the trip.
It is not only about looks. Convertibles force you to slow down and pay attention. You hear the surf. You wave at other drivers. You stop more often, because stopping is easy and pleasant. On a honeymoon, that pace is exactly the point.
Matching the car to your route
Not every honeymoon is a beach cruise. Australia is enormous, and the right vehicle depends on where you are actually going. A two-seat roadster that feels perfect from Noosa to Rainbow Beach becomes a poor choice if you plan to head inland toward the Blue Mountains with hiking boots and camera gear, or drive the long stretches of the Great Ocean Road in winter.
Coastal and city touring in warm months rewards a convertible or a sporty coupe. Longer interstate drives, wine country weekends, and trips with more than a weekend bag suit a comfortable luxury sedan hire in Perth or another well-appointed saloon that keeps you rested after six hours behind the wheel. If your itinerary includes national parks, unsealed roads, or the drive up to Cape Tribulation, a mid-size SUV or 4WD is the honest answer, no matter how the pictures would look with the roof down.
- Coastal drives in summer: convertible or cabriolet
- Wine regions and long touring routes: luxury sedan
- National parks and unsealed tracks: SUV or 4WD
- City hopping between Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane: premium compact
Comfort, storage and the small things that matter
Honeymooners travel with more than they expect. Wedding outfits you did not quite send home. A picnic basket for that headland you saw on Instagram. Two swimsuits each because one is always drying. Snorkels if you are heading up to the Great Barrier Reef. A convertible boot is smaller than it looks in the brochure, so measure your luggage before you commit.
Also think about the boring, honest details: air conditioning that actually works in a Queensland February, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto so you are not fighting with an unfamiliar nav system, cruise control for the flat runs, and a car that is easy to park in tight coastal towns. A gorgeous vehicle you cannot fit into the space outside your beachfront hotel is not the win it seemed at booking.
What to pack in the car for a honeymoon road trip
A proper picnic kit
A soft cooler, a light rug, two glasses, and something local from the last town you passed. Coastal Australia is full of headlands built for stopping.
Swimsuits within reach
Not in the boot, in the back seat. You will pull over for a beach you did not plan for, and you want to be swimming inside five minutes.
Sun protection
Australian UV is no joke, especially with the roof down. Broad-brim hats, SPF 50, and sunglasses live on the dashboard, not in the suitcase.
A shared playlist
Build it before you leave. Half his songs, half hers, and a few you both discovered on the honeymoon itself. It becomes the soundtrack of the marriage.
Booking smart
A few practical things save real money and stress. Book early, especially for convertibles in December and January, when supply runs out fast along the east coast. Check the age surcharge if either of you is under 25. Read the insurance excess carefully, and consider a third-party excess reduction policy rather than the counter upsell, which is usually cheaper. If you are flying in, picking the car up in the city the next morning is often cheaper than the airport counter, though the convenience of an airport pickup on the first day is worth something on a honeymoon.
One last thing. Take five minutes with the car before you drive off. Photograph every panel, learn where the fuel cap release is, and pair your phone before you leave the car park. The trip runs smoother when the first hour is not spent fiddling with a dashboard.
Frequently asked questions
Is a convertible really practical for an Australian honeymoon?
Yes, provided your route and timing suit it. Along the east coast in spring and autumn, or Western Australia in most months, a convertible is genuinely enjoyable and not just for photos. Avoid them if you are heading into the tropics during the wet season, planning long inland drives, or bringing more than two medium suitcases.
Which Australian route is best for a honeymoon drive?
The Great Ocean Road in Victoria and the Pacific Coast between Sydney and Byron Bay are the classic choices. For something quieter, the Margaret River region in Western Australia combines wineries, beaches, and short scenic drives without the traffic of the east coast.
Should we hire the car at the airport or in the city?
Airport pickups are convenient on arrival day but carry a location fee and can be more expensive overall. If you are staying in the city for a night or two before the road trip begins, picking up the car the morning you leave is often cheaper and gives you a chance to rest before driving.
What documents do we need to hire a car in Australia?
A valid driver’s licence from your home country in English, a passport, and a credit card in the main driver’s name. If your licence is not in English, bring an International Driving Permit alongside it. Most agencies require the driver to be at least 21, with surcharges for under-25s.
Is it worth adding a second driver on a honeymoon trip?
Almost always, yes. Long Australian distances tire one driver quickly, and being able to swap seats without worrying about the insurance is a small cost for real peace of mind. Some premium brands include an additional driver at no charge, so ask before you pay for it.
How much luggage fits in a typical convertible?
Plan for two cabin-size suitcases plus a couple of soft bags at most. Convertibles lose boot space to the folding roof mechanism, so hard shells that fit a sedan often will not fit here. If you are travelling with wedding attire or bulky gear, a sedan or SUV is the safer call.
Do we need a 4WD for a honeymoon in Australia?
Only if your itinerary includes unsealed roads, national parks with rough access tracks, or destinations like Fraser Island and parts of the Daintree. For city-to-city travel and coastal touring, a regular car handles everything comfortably.
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