From former banks and prisons to convents, silos and shearing sheds, Australia’s historic buildings are being reborn as boutique escapes. 

Australia’s landscape is dotted with stories, and nowhere are they more inviting than in the country’s converted hotels. These unique lodgings turn a night away into a journey through Australia’s past and present. Here are some of the country’s most captivating.  

The Convent in the NSW Hunter Valley 

Once a Brigidine nuns’ home built in Coonamble in 1909, The Convent narrowly escaped demolition before being relocated to Pokolbin in 1990. Today, this 19-room retreat is an inviting Hunter Valley getaway, with wraparound verandahs, chandeliers and stained-glass windows. A favourite filming location for The Bachelor and other reality TV shows, it oozes old-world elegance, from the tinkling fountain in the driveway to the vine-draped pergola at the rear. Spend your days visiting wineries and drifting between the pool and tennis court. Don’t miss dining at the acclaimed Circa 1876, located on the same estate. 

The Ernest Hotel in Bendigo, Victoria 

Less than two hours’ drive from Melbourne, the Ernest Hotel in Bendigo transforms an 1864 bank into a boutique escape brimming with character. Original features, from the underground cellar to the historic bank vault, along with a bullet hole dating back to the gold rush days, set a striking scene for 10 stylish rooms. The two-level on-site Restaurant Terrae serves seasonal, locally-inspired fare in a sunlit space with vaulted ceilings, while the cocktail bar, tucked into the former banking chamber, mixes inventive drinks amid exposed brick and timber. Guests can wander the city’s art-deco streets and check out local wine bars and galleries. 

Beermullah at Gingin, Western Australia 

Originally built in the 1940s, this former shearing shed set on a working Red Angus cattle property beside Beermullah Lake, an hour’s drive north of Perth, has been artfully reborn into luxe self‑contained accommodation. With touches such as a pot‑belly wood heater and Sheridan linen, it sleeps up to seven people, making it ideal for families or groups of friends seeking rural escape, complete with deck, barbecue, fenced yard and birdwatching amid paddocks and wetlands. 

The Barn at Mount Gambier, South Australia 

Just four-and-a-half hours’ drive from Adelaide, The Barn at Mount Gambier marries rustic heritage with contemporary comfort. Weathered timber beams and soaring ceilings create airy, open-plan interiors, while floor-to-ceiling windows frame views of rolling paddocks. Evenings are made for the wood-fired hearth, or for savouring the flavours of the on-site steakhouse, where locally-reared Hereford beef takes centre stage.  

Stoney Creek Farmstay, Eton, Queensland 

This farmstay near Mackay in Queensland’s lush Pioneer Valley invites guests to bunk down in a rustic old converted stable that leans into its working-farm past. Think weathered timber, lofty beams and the gentle neighs of horses at dawn, paired with comfy beds, thoughtful linens and a verandah made for morning coffee. Days unfold with creek dips, paddock wanders and star-filled nights, while the city and beaches sit an easy drive away. A back-to-basics stay with character and plenty of country charm included. 

The Silos Accommodation, Junee, NSW 

The owners of this property around half an hour’s drive from Wagga Wagga in NSW’s Riverina district have transformed a 60-year-old grain silo into a bespoke eco-luxury stay for two. Inside the silo you’ll find one stylish room with modern comforts, while the cement base of a second silo has been repurposed as paving for the outdoor entertaining area, complete with a fire pit, hot tub and views over the Eurongilly Valley.  

The Interlude, Melbourne, Victoria 

Set within the bluestone walls of the former Pentridge Prison, The Interlude reimagines cells that once held notorious inmates, including bushranger Ned Kelly, as calm, contemporary retreats. Design leans into history with tactile stone, arched windows and moody lighting, softened by plush beds. Located in Coburg, just north of Melbourne’s CBD, the hotel places guests close to local cafés and galleries, while e a cosy wine bar and an underground pool offer space to unwind after a day exploring the city.  

Garde Hotel in Fremantle, Western Australia 

The Garde Hotel breathes fresh life into one of Fremantle’s most recognisable historic sites – the former Fremantle Police Headquarters. Just steps from landmarks like Fremantle Markets and Fremantle Prison, its name honours its legacy of guardianship. Inside, beautifully appointed rooms, a tranquil wellness centre and the signature restaurant Anglesea, with Japanese and Korean-inspired flavours, provide sophisticated conveniences.  

25Hours The Olympia at Paddington, NSW 

Oxford Street’s heritage-listed West Olympia Theatre (later Grand Pacific Blue Room) has been transformed into a vibrant, 109-room lifestyle hotel that celebrates its past with bold design and cinematic-themed rooms. Guests can enjoy four distinct eateries and bars – including the Mediterranean-inspired The Palomar, The Mulwray cocktail and wine bar, Jacob the Angel café and rooftop Monica – plus shops, a central courtyard and creative communal spaces. 

1Hotel Melbourne, Victoria 

Perched along the revitalised Seafarers Wharf on the Yarra River, 1 Hotel Melbourne is a bold new chapter in eco-chic hospitality that fuses Melbourne’s rich maritime history with a biophilic design ethos. Anchored by the adaptive reuse of the heritage‑listed Goods Shed No. 5 – an 1895 cargo shed carefully restored with more than 2,000 salvaged elements – the hotel blurs indoor and outdoor with abundant greenery. Expect understated elegance in 277 rooms, immersive natural textures and riverside dining. 

St Joseph’s Guesthouse, St Albans, NSW 

Experience a stay like no other at St Joseph’s Guesthouse, a restored 19th‑century sandstone church in the Hawkesbury’s Macdonald Valley, about 90 minutes’ drive from Sydney. Set on peaceful grounds with grassy lawns, a plunge pool, barbecue facilities and spacious living spaces, the retreat sleeps up to 10 with five private rooms, a large kitchen and a cosy fireplace. 

The Premier Mill Hotel at Katanning, Western Australia 

Once a 19th-century flour mill, The Premier Mill Hotel’s industrial bones have been artfully retained, with exposed brick walls and timber beams framing bespoke interiors. Each suite is meticulously designed, blending modern comforts with subtle nods to its milling past, from reclaimed timber furnishings to steel accents. Dine at the casual street-level restaurant Dome Café or head downstairs to the former machine room, which is now an atmospheric wine bar. 

Hotel Woolstore 1888 in Pyrmont, NSW 

Housed in one of Sydney’s oldest surviving wool stores, this four-level sandstone and brick building features industrial-chic interiors adorned with modern and pop art. Its eight room types have been named in honour of historical sheep breeds and pastoral culture. Dining is equally vibrant at Percy, the spirited in-house Spanish tapas and wine bar. 

The Church at Lyonville, Victoria 

Step off the beaten track and into this beautifully restored timber church. A loft overlooks the soaring nave, while timber panelling, stained glass windows and the original confessional whisper stories of the past. Gather around the large fire, step onto the north-facing deck to sip morning coffee as sunlight filters through towering eucalypts, or relax on a park bench in the garden. Best of all it’s just short drive from Victoria’s famed spa country.  

Cape Byron’s Assistant Lighthouse Keepers’ Cottages  

Watch the sun rise over the ocean from Australia’s most easterly point with a stay at Byron Bay’s iconic Assistant Lighthouse Keepers’ Cottages in Walgun Cape Byron State Conservation Area. The two refurbished semi-detached cottages sleep six each, featuring new furniture, décor, carpets and local artworks. Spectacular coastal walks beckon from the doorstep, while bustling Byron is a short drive or 30-minute stroll away.