It’s the once-in-a-lifetime holiday – the first trip you take with your BAE after the Wedding Day – and usually Brides opt for somewhere distant and exotic, like Europe or Tahiti. But with the time it takes to travel, not to mention the jetlag, I chose to honeymoon somewhere a little closer to home and it turns out that sometimes the most luxurious and relaxing destinations are right at your doorstep…

After hearing whispers from the ‘it crowd’ about the One&Only Hayman Island (it’s where Chris and Elsa Hemsworth choose to stay), I started some online stalking and immediately booked a Beachside Villa for my own honeymoon.

It was a two-hour flight from Sydney (followed by a one hour luxury yacht ride to the island, complete with champagne and canapes) and had all of the luxury, scenery and activities you’d expect from a world-class destination.

With a number of onsite dining options, including Italian, Japanese and seafood, as well as multiple bars, you and your boo can opt to be as social, or as private as you like. If you do decide to venture out of your spacious room, which comes complete with an oversized tub, outdoor shower, private plunge pool and sweeping views of the Great Barrier Reef, I highly recommend trying some fresh sashimi – it’s some of the creamiest I’ve ever tasted!

For the couples who are keen to explore, the island boasts a number of trail walks that range in difficulty. The Blue Pearl Bay track is a tough hike (just over 6km return), but arriving at your own semi-private snorkeling beach makes it all worth it.

The waters are a pleasant tropical temperature and you can spot sea turtles, whales and fish in every colour of the rainbow.

For the shopaholics, there’s an island boutique stocked with the latest in resortwear and swim from our favourite brands including Camilla and Heidi Klum and if you’re in need of some R&R, look no further than the island’s day spa (a couple’s massage is the perfect way to up the romance-factor).

Top your magical honeymoon off with a One&Only Hayman Island Dinner Under the Stars experience, where you’ll be set up in your own private outdoor cabana and served course-after-course of an indulgent feast. As the sun sets and the stars come out to play, you’ll be serenaded by the sound of the waves crashing on the sand and quenched with bottles of Perrier-Jouët – the perfect way to celebrate your new wifey-dom!