Love Island Australia 2022 Winners Have Been Crowned!

Spoilers ahead. After a drama-filled season in Spain, Claudia Bonifazio and Austen Bugeja have been crowned the winners of Love Island Australia 2022! The pair will leave with the prize money of $50,000.

"I still can’t believe I found someone as amazing as you, [Austen]," Bonifazio wrote on Instagram before the grand finale aired. "I can’t put into words how thankful I am for you. You have proved to the world (and me) that there ARE still decent men out there. You have shown loyalty, patience (sorry), forgiveness and an insane amount of maturity. Whatever happens, I have you and that’s all I can ask for. I love you so much, thank you for being on this journey with me."

"Who would’ve thought I was gonna walk out of here with this amazing women (sic). You have made my journey in here so worth while Claudia and for that I will forever love you," Bugeja wrote on Instagram.

Grand finale night saw three couples left on the reality TV show, with a mix of strong relationships and blossoming bonds in the Spanish villa.

This year's finale is different to other years as Season 4 has been pre-recorded in Spain. However, viewers were able to cast their votes on which couple should win, thanks to some strategic filming tactics from the production side.

According to Yahoo Lifestyle, Love Island Australia filmed three alternate endings, where each remaining couple is captured reacting to the news they've won.

"The contestants won’t find out if they’ve won or not until they actually sit down to watch the finale with the rest of Australia, and see if their winning scene is played."

Only one version ultimately was aired — and that was fan favourite couple Claudia Bonifazio and Austen Bugeja's cut, leaving Phoebe Spiller and Mitchell Eliot, and Callum Hole and Madeline Wilcox as runner-ups.

Recently eliminated contestants also shared their thoughts on who could take out the winning title, with many predicting correctly.

"In my book, it's pretty clear that Claudia and Austen are going to win," Tak Chipangura told New Idea magazine after leaving the villa.

Co-star Vakoo Kauapirura agreed, telling the publication, "I think they're such an amazing couple and they are who I'm rooting for personally."