Your ultimate guide to Australia’s best airport lounges

Tom Goward Tom Goward
hero media
Most people dread waiting for their flight to board, but with airport lounge access, waiting at the airport can be one of the most enjoyable parts of air travel.

In Australia, lounges from some of the world’s best airlines and lounge operators endeavour to outdo each other with more and more luxurious features. From day spa treatments to private shower suites, some of these lounges have it all. Here are our top picks.

Qantas International First Lounge, Sydney

Qantas’s International First Lounge at Sydney Airport is deservedly ranked among the world’s best airport lounges. An awesome view, Neil Perry inspired à la carte dining, bar service, barista coffee, complimentary spa treatments and marble-lined shower suites are a few of the perks that this lounge has to offer.

a woman pulling her luggage while heading towards Qantas International First Lounge, Sydney
Head to the Qantas International First Lounge to rest before your flight.

The design incorporates a curved walkway spanning the length of the lounge, with large wooden dividers creating several different seating zones, both for lounging and dining. There is ample natural light thanks to angled floor-to-ceiling windows that provide excellent apron and partial runway views.

Towards the far end of the lounge, you’ll find a restaurant-style setup where you can order à la carte dishes with table service. The service here is brilliant, and the food is good but won’t win any awards.

the seating area at Qantas International First Lounge, Sydney
Pull up a chair in the cosy Qantas International First Lounge.

Comfort: various seating options; warm yet outdated design – 4/5

Dining: barista service; great wine list; small buffet; quality restaurant dining – 5/5

Facilities: shower suites; spa treatments; reading material; private meeting rooms – 5/5

Overall: an open and inviting space with great views and fantastic facilities – 4.5/5

the bar at Qantas International First Lounge, Sydney
Grab a drink at the bar before your flight.

Qantas International First Lounge, Melbourne

Essentially a scaled-down version of its Sydney counterpart, the Qantas International First Lounge at Melbourne Airport offers truly à la carte dining, restaurant table service, a day spa and stunning apron views from floor-to-ceiling windows. There is plenty of seating including some for small groups and single armchairs for solo travellers.

At the far end of the lounge is the dining and bar area, which can seat up to 50 guests. While there is a small counter offering drinks and snacks, the main dining in this lounge is à la carte. The seasonal menu is prepared by chef Neil Perry and is great for an airport.

Comfort: various seating options; superb views – 4/5

Dining: barista service; great wine list; small buffet; quality restaurant dining – 5/5

Facilities: shower suites; spa treatments; reading material; private meeting rooms – 5/5

Overall: a stylish smaller sibling with great views – 4/5

Qantas First Lounge Melbourne comes with all the luxury trimmings.

Plaza Premium and Skyteam Lounges, Sydney

The Plaza Premium Lounge and Skyteam Lounge in Sydney are both run by Plaza Premium, are located adjacent to each other and are similar in many ways. As well as a casual dining area to enjoy buffet items, there’s a comfortable lounge area with views directly above aircraft parking bays.

the Skyteam Lounge in Sydney
Curl up on the couches at Skyteam Lounge in Sydney.

There is a staffed bar serving up almost anything you can imagine, including a respectable wine list and barista beverages.

Comfort: various seating options; busy at peak times – 4/5

Dining: good buffet and bar offerings – 3/5

Facilities: reading material; shower suites – 3/5

Overall: comfortable and clean design with good seating and gorgeous views – 4/5

the bar at the Plaza Premium Lounge, Sydney
Sink into a cold one at the Plaza Premium Lounge.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Virgin Australia Domestic Business Lounge, Adelaide

Adelaide calls home to Virgin Australia’s first new-look lounge, which has now rolled out to all lounges in the network. With 283 seats there is normally plenty of space to spread out, whether that be at bar stools with power outlets for work or comfy armchairs for relaxing. Ambient lighting, bright greenery and quality fittings make the space oh-so Instagrammable, and that’s before you get to the bathroom mirror!

the bathroom at Virgin Australia Domestic Business Lounge, Adelaide
Freshen up at Virgin Australia’s first new-look lounge.

While the space is comfortable and gorgeous, like the rest of Virgin’s lounges, the food is average at best. Guests often have a choice of soup, one hot dish or snacks. The drinks list is good, but not on the premium end one might expect from a business-class lounge.

Comfort: multiple seating options for work or relaxing – 4/5

Dining: barely passable buffet; barista coffee; average drinks selection – 2/5

Facilities: showers; reading material – 4/5

Design: a well-designed lounge however dining could be improved – 3.5/5

the servery at Virgin Australia Domestic Business Lounge, Adelaide
Slow down for a while at Virgin Australia Domestic Business Lounge.

Singapore Airlines SilverKris First Lounge, Sydney

Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge at Sydney International Airport is a rather small and private lounge that features comfy armchairs, a buffet and dining room, and eight individual seating pods that are similar to business class suites you might see in the air.

the entrance to Singapore Airlines SilverKris First Lounge in Sydney
Step into the opulent Singapore Airlines SilverKris First Lounge in Sydney.

As far as dining, there’s a good selection at the self-service bar and buffet plus an à la carte menu. The menu has a few options to choose from and changes throughout the day, with full table service offered throughout the lounge.

the dining room at Singapore Airlines SilverKris First Lounge, Sydney
Grab something to eat before your flight.

Comfort: little capacity; luxury seating options – 4/5

Dining: good selection at the bar and buffet; à la carte dining – 5/5

Facilities: eight working pods; reading material; showers – 3/5

Overall: an intimate design featuring dark tones and open spaces – 4/5

Singapore Airlines SilverKris First Lounge Sydney is a small and intimate option

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

Qantas Domestic Business Lounge, Melbourne

Qantas’s stylish Melbourne Domestic Business Lounge is a fantastic, renovated space, featuring dark tones and sophisticated finishes. Apron-facing windows span the length of the lounge, giving the space a light and open feeling. A diverse range of seating for up to 350 guests lines the lounge, with space for solo travellers and some for groups.

Towards the middle of the lounge is the bar, which stocks a generous selection of beers, wines and spirits, as well as all-day barista coffee and signature cocktails. As well as the standard buffet that offers several Asian-focused dishes, Qantas has introduced an Asian Spice Bar to its signature dining concept. Inspired by Neil Perry’s Spice Temple restaurant, the Spice Bar offers a range of fresh dishes prepared to order, with two options available at any one time.

Comfort: various seating options; extremely busy at peak times – 3/5

Dining: hit or miss dining; Asian Spice Bar; barista coffee – 3/5

Facilities: separate work area; reading material; shower rooms – 4/5

Overall: a welcoming design that makes great use of the space – 3.5/5

people sitting while working on their laptops inside the Qantas Domestic Business Class, Melbourne
Relax and do some work at Qantas Domestic Business Lounge.

International Aspire Lounge, Perth

The Aspire Lounge in Perth’s International Terminal 1 is perhaps Australia’s best-designed airport lounge. The bar is set incredibly high with properly separate zones for getting work done or relaxing before a flight. If you’re ready to jump into holiday mode, private booths and window seats are offered up in spades at Perth’s old airport viewing deck.

the reception at International Aspire Lounge
Head to the International Aspire Lounge before your flight.

Aspire Perth offers a hosted buffet and full-service bar, which works great when you can actually find someone to serve you. The drinks list focuses on West Australian drops and is fantastic, but the food offerings aren’t nearly as good.

Comfort: multiple seating options; great apron views – 5/5

Dining: minimal staff at hosted buffet; average dining; great local drinks – 2.5/5

Facilities: separate work area; reading material; shower rooms – 4.5/5

Overall: a welcoming design that makes great use of the space – 4/5

the interior with chairs at the International Aspire Lounge
Relax inside the International Aspire Lounge.

Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set Australian Traveller as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Tom Goward
Some say it's an obsession, others say it's love. Tom likes planes and flying them. He’s also a professional travel addict, with a knack for maximising loyalty points to travel at the pointy end of the plane. Did we mention Tom likes planes?
View profile and articles
Pumphouse Point in Tasmania
Australia

Forget vitamin D, psychotherapists say rainy holidays are better for your brain

What if rain was the secret to a better holiday?

Read more
Sunrise hike with views of the city below after checking in at Quest Apartment Hotels.
Australia

Insider tips to 6 of Australia’s best road trips

There’s nothing like the freedom and flexibility of a road trip – made all the better with local knowledge.

Read more
Aerial view of Pt. Leo Estate overlooking rolling vineyards and the coastline on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula.
Australia

These winery experiences around Australia take you beyond the standard pour

Oenophiles and novices alike will relish these top-tier wine experiences that go beyond the standard pour.

Read more
The view from Acapulco El Vista overlooking Sydney Harbour, one of the many experiences you can enjoy on ALL accor luxury city escapes.
Australia

Luxury escapes to Sydney and Melbourne that money can’t buy

From VIP stadium suites to harbour view upgrades, these are the experiences your travel points were made for.

Read more
hero media

Heathcote has evolved into the ultimate eco-escape for foodies

    Margaret Barca Margaret Barca
    Continue
    From cabins to canvas, craft distillers to destination dining, Heathcote locals reveal their eco-savvy passions in ways that resonate with those seeking to travel lightly. 

    Heathcote, on traditional Taungurung Country in Central Victoria, is synonymous with its garnet-hued shiraz, but wine isn’t the only string to its bow. The town itself is sprinkled with heritage buildings from the gold rush era, and beyond that a growing collection of sustainable gastronomy and eco-friendly escapes. Nearby Bendigo, one of only 65 cities in the world recognised as a UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy, plates up an astonishing calibre of produce, wine and food for its size. Increasingly the entire region is taking up the challenge, though Heathcote in particular shines with its focus on sustainability. 

    Pink Cliffs GeologicalReserve
    The dramatic landscape of Heathcote’s Pink Cliffs Geological Reserve. (Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Goodfrey)

    The eco-stays bringing sustainability to Heathcote 

    Yellow BoxWood’s safari-style tents
    Yellow Box Wood’s safari-style tents are nestled on 40 hectares of bushland. (Image: Emily Goodfrey)

    Andee and Lisa Davidson spent years working in southern Africa before settling in Heathcote. “We had a vision of how this could be,” explains Andee. “We wanted a retreat, but one that was off-grid and environmentally sustainable.” Now, at Yellow Box Wood, two luxury safari-style tents are at the heart of 40 hectares of rolling hills and native bush, with kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, goanna and birdlife aplenty. It’s all solar-powered, wood for the fire is mainly fallen timber, and water is collected on the carport roof.  No lack of creature comforts though – en suite with rain shower, espresso coffee maker, comfy seating, wood-burning fire all set to go. There’s also a solar-heated, mineral salt pool in a bush setting, walking tracks, and even a mini bush golf course.  On my visit, I put the vision to the test. Cocooned in the plush four-poster bed I can glimpse the stars, while the heater casts a golden glow on the canvas. In the morning, I wake to a blush-pink sunrise, kangaroos feeding and a soundtrack of magpies.

    Mt Ida Eco Cabin
    Mt Ida Eco Cabin is rustic and simple but oozes comfort. (Image: Graham Hosking)

    If a tent is not your style, Stephen and Cally Trompp’s carbon-neutral Mt Ida Eco Cabin might entice with its generous deck and farmland views.   Inside the cabin, corrugated iron walls as rusty as a shearing shed, gleaming (recycled) floorboards, timber truss ceiling (crafted by Stephen), wood-fired heater and an old-school turntable with a pile of vinyls to spin. It’s fun, and a little boho. “Everything is recycled. The cabin takes maximum advantage of the sun in winter. It’s all solar-powered. Don’t panic, though,” says Stephen, “you can still charge your phone and get 4G reception!” Settle into an Adirondack chair on the deck or pedal off on a mountain bike to suss out the wineries.  

    A taste of Spain in Central Victoria 

    Three Dams Estate
    Three Dams Estate make Spanish-style wine.

    Another person with a vision is Evan Pritchard at his Three Dams Estate where the wines reflect his deep love of Spain and of Spanish-style grapes, such as tempranillo. Afternoons in the ‘wine shed’ or cantina are matched with music (flamenco is a favourite), Spanish bites from tapas to paella (with Evan on the pans!) and views to Mount Alexander. Sustainability is also a passion. “You don’t need to buy anything. We decided to be off-grid from the start, but it is a lifestyle change,” he says. “You need to think about it and be careful.” Everything here is recycled, reassembled, refurbished. Evan has an electric car (with solar-powered charger), solar-power for the winery, and even a jaunty little electric tractor/forklift. “I love the idea of all the things you can do using the sun.” Sipping a crisp rosado (a Spanish rosé) with Evan in the sunshine, I couldn’t agree more. 

    The vineyard redefining sustainable winemaking 

    Silver Spoon winery
    The Silverspoon Estate winery is completely off-grid. (Image: Graham Hosking)

    On the other side of Heathcote, Silver Spoon Estate demonstrates sustainability on a more extensive scale. Tracie and Peter Young’s winery, cellar door, award-winning restaurant and their own house are all solar-powered and off the grid. Sustainability is intrinsic to everything they do.  The property sprawls across 100 hectares, with 20 hectares under vine – shiraz, viognier, grenache, tempranillo. As the climate has changed, so too has the approach. These are dry-grown vineyards. “We prune for drought. That means lower yields but more intense flavours,” says Peter.  The fine-dining restaurant offers sweeping views, a wood-burning fire and a deck for languid lunches. Head chef Ben Hong sources regional, sustainable ingredients and weaves estate wines into the menu – think crispy wild mushroom arancini, viognier-infused chicken breast.   

    Silver Spoon’s award-winning restaurant
    Silver Spoon’s award-winning restaurant.

    Heathcote’s other hidden gems 

    Heathcote Wine Hub
    Heathcote Wine Hub is housed in a 1855-built timber church.

    Not all local wineries have a cellar door, but I find local treasures at the Heathcote Wine Hub, a petite 1855 timber church in the main street, lovingly returned to life by Karen Robertson and Carey Moncrieff.  “Carey is a scrounger,” says Karen. “He doesn’t throw a single thing away.” He does, however, craft things into something quite special. Heritage floors, light-filtering lancet windows and shelves of regional wines create the perfect ambience for wine tasting. Or order a glass and linger over a cheese platter.  

    Heathcote is not all wine, of course. Nathan Wheat and partner Vanessa Curtis run Envy Distilling with a committed sustainable ethic – and a serious love of gin. Their small-batch distillery produces grape-based gin, and soon brandy. Distilled water is reused in an ingenious cooling system. All waste is treated on site. They buy excess wine from winemakers to distil and buy recycled barrels. “Distilling with the sun,” as Nathan says. Each Envy gin has its own story. Spicy, award-winning The Dry, is designed to capture the region’s dry, rugged nature. Pull up a stool at the bar (reclaimed timbers and tiles, of course), order a Gin Flight, or kick back with a cocktail and let Nathan share his eco journey.   

    Envy gins
    Sample gins at small-batch distillery Envy.

    A traveller’s checklist 

    Getting there

    It’s less than two hours’ drive from Melbourne. The scenic route we take goes past Sunbury, then along a splendid country road through Romsey and the magic, boulder-strewn landscape of Lancefield. Watch for kangaroos on the road! 

    Staying there

    Go off-grid in style at Yellow Box Wood for glamping or try Mt Ida Eco Cabin for a couple’s weekend hideaway. 

    Eating there

    French dishes at Chauncy
    Award-winning French restaurant Chauncy.

    At award-winning Chauncy, French chef Louis Naepels and sommelier wife Tess Murray have created a tiny, elegant pocket of rural France. Meticulously restored 1850s sandstone building, sun-drenched dining room, impeccable service, a menu suffused with local flavours and thoughtful wine pairings.  

    Fodder is both cafe and social hub. Chef Mo Pun and sister Lalita serve classic Aussie breakfast-to-lunch fare, though their Nepalese heritage sneaks through. 

    Playing there

    Sanguine Estate
    Sip on wines among the vines at Sanguine Estate. (Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Godfrey)

    Sanguine Estate’s cellar door and terrace overlook bucolic vineyards. Its award-winning, dry-grown wines include the distinctive D’Orsa Blanc dessert wine, reflecting the family’s Swiss-Italian heritage. Order a charcuterie board and stay a while. Keep it carbon neutral by cycling some (or all) of the 50-kilometre O’Keefe Rail Trail to Bendigo.  

    At Bridgeward Grove, learn about the property’s Old Mission Grove heritage olive trees, do a sommelier olive oil tasting, and stock up on sustainably grown olives and oil. Explore the unique landscape, wildflowers and wildlife of pink cliffs geological reserve.