Australia’s coolest converted hotels

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

A Dreamer Suite at 25hours Hotel The Olympia. (Image: Supplied)

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

Inside the River Penthouse Suite at 1 Hotel Melbourne — The River Penthouse Suite at 1 Hotel Melbourne. (Credit: Supplied)

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.

Winding down in the Yarra Valley, where ‘work from home’ becomes ‘work from wine country’.

Steam from my morning coffee curls gently into the cool valley air, mist-veiled vineyards stretch out in neat rows below me. Magpies warble from trees, and the morning’s quiet carries the soft bleating of lambs from a nearby paddock. Midweek in the Yarra Valley has its own rhythm. It’s slower, quieter, with more empty tables at cafes and cellar doors, and walking trails I can claim all to myself. It’s as if the entire region takes a deep breath once the weekend crowd leaves.

walking trails in the Yarra Valley — You’ll find walking trails are less crowded during the week. (Image: Visit Victoria)

I haven’t come here for a holiday, but to do a little work somewhere other than my home office, where I spend too much time hunched over my desk. Deadlines still loom, meetings still happen, but with flexible work evolving from ‘work from home’ to ‘work from anywhere’, I’m swapping the view of my front yard to the vineyards.

A quiet afternoon at Yarra Valley Dairy

holding a glass of wine at Yarra Valley Dairy — Wine time at Yarra Valley Dairy, where you can enjoy a toastie or bagel in the cafe. (Image: Visit Victoria)

With the Yarra Valley just over an hour from the CBD, many Melburnians could drive here in their lunch break. I arrive late in the afternoon and am delighted to discover the Yarra Valley Dairy still open. On weekends, I’ve seen queues spilling out the door, but today there’s only one other couple inside. There’s no need to rush to secure a table; instead I browse the little store, shelves stacked with chutneys, spices, artisan biscuits and gorgeous crockery that would look right at home in my kitchen. It’s hard not to buy the lot.

a cheese tasting plate atYarra Valley Dairy — A cheese tasting plate at Yarra Valley Dairy.

I order a coffee and a small cheese platter, though the dairy has a full menu, and choose a wooden table with bentwood chairs by a wide window. The space feels part farm shed, part cosy café: corrugated iron ceiling, walls painted in muted tones and rustic furniture.

Outside, cows meander toward milking sheds. If pressed for time, there’s the option of quick cheese tastings – four samples for five dollars in five minutes – but today, I’m in no rush. I sip slowly, watching a grey sky settle over the paddock. Less than an hour ago I was hunched over my home-office desk, and now my racing mind has slowed to match the valley’s pace.

Checking in for vineyard views at Balgownie Estate

Restaurant 1309 at Balgownie Estate has views across the vines.

As my car rolls to a stop at Balgownie Estate , I’m quietly excited, and curious to see if my plan to work and play comes off. I’ve chosen a suite with a spacious living area and a separate bedroom so I can keep work away from a good night’s sleep. I could have booked a cosy cottage, complete with open fireplace, a comfy couch and a kettle for endless cups of tea, but as I am still here to get some work done, I opt for a place that takes care of everything. Dinner is served in Restaurant 1309, as is breakfast.

oysters at Restaurant 1309, Balgownie Estate — Oysters pair perfectly with a crisp white at Restaurant 1309.

On my first evening, instead of the usual walk about my neighbourhood, I stroll through the estate at an unhurried pace. There’s no need to rush – someone else is preparing my dinner after all. The walking trails offer beautiful sunsets, and it seems mobs of kangaroos enjoy the view, too. Many appear, grazing lazily on the hillside.

I wake to the call of birds and, after breakfast, with the mist still lingering over the vineyards, I watch two hot-air balloons silently drift above clouds. Perched on a hill, Balgownie Estate sits above the mist, leaving the valley below veiled white.

kangaroos in Yarra Valley — Spotting the locals on an evening walk. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Exploring the Yarra Valley on two wheels

the Yarra Valley vineyards — Swap your home office for a view of the vineyards. (Image: Visit Victoria/Cormac Hanrahan)

Perhaps because the Yarra Valley is relatively close to where I live, I’ve never considered exploring the area any way other than by car or on foot. And with a fear of heights, a hot-air balloon is firmly off the table. But when I discover I can hop on two wheels from the estate and cycle into Yarra Glen, I quickly realise it’s the perfect way to step away from my laptop and experience a different side of the region.

COG Bike offers pedal-assist e-bikes, and while the bike trail and paths into town aren’t particularly hilly, having an extra bit of ‘oomph’ means I can soak up the surroundings. Those lambs I heard calling early in the morning? I now find them at the paddock fence, sniffing my hands, perhaps hoping for food. Cows idle nearby, and at a fork in the bike path I turn left toward town.

It’s still morning, and the perfect time for a coffee break at The Vallie Store. If it were the afternoon, I’d likely turn right, in the direction of four wineries with cellar doors. The ride is about 15 kilometres return, but don’t let that put you off. Staying off the highway, the route takes you along quiet backroads where you catch glimpses of local life – farmers on tractors, weathered sheds, rows of vines and the kind of peaceful countryside you don’t see from the main road.

A detour to the Dandenong Ranges

legs hanging over the sides of the train, Puffing Billy Railway — The iconic Puffing Billy runs every day except Christmas Day.

The beauty of basing myself in the Yarra Valley is how close everything feels. In barely half an hour I’m in the Dandenong Ranges, swapping vineyards for towering mountain ash and fern-filled gullies. The small villages of Olinda and Sassafras burst with cosy teahouses, antique stores and boutiques selling clothing and handmade body care items.

I’m drawn to RJ Hamer Arboretum – Latin for ‘a place for trees’. Having grown up among tall trees, I’ve always taken comfort in their presence, so this visit feels like a return of sorts. A stroll along the trails offers a choice: wide open views across patchwork paddocks below, or shaded paths that lead you deeper into the quiet hush of the peaceful forest.

The following day, I settle into a quiet corner on the balcony of Paradise Valley Hotel in Clematis and soon hear Puffing Billy’s whistle and steady chuff as the steam train climbs towards town. Puffing Billy is one of Australia’s most beloved steam trains, running through the Dandenong Ranges on a narrow-gauge track. It’s famous for its open carriages where passengers can sit with their legs hanging over the sides as the train chugs through the forest. This is the perfect spot to wave to those on the train.

After my midweek break, I find my inbox still full and my to-do list not in the least shrunken, just shifted from one task to another. But I return to my home office feeling lighter, clearer and with a smug satisfaction I’d stolen back a little time for myself. A midweek wind-down made all the difference.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

Balgownie Estate offers everything from cellar door tastings to spa treatments and fine dining – all without leaving the property.

Playing there

the TarraWarra Museum of Art, Yarra Valley — Visit the TarraWarra Museum of Art. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Wander through Alowyn Gardens, including a stunning wisteria tunnel, then explore the collection of contemporary artworks at TarraWarra Museum of Art . Cycle the Yarra Valley with COG Bike to visit local wineries and cellar doors.

Eating and drinking there

Olinda Tea House offers an Asian-inspired high tea. Paradise Valley Hotel, Clematis has classic pub fare, while the iconic Yering Station offers wine tastings and a restaurant with seasonal dishes.

seasonal dishes at the restaurant inside Yering Station — The restaurant at Yering Station showcases the best produce of the Yarra Valley. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Australia’s coolest converted hotels revealed