DayAway’s Curated Luxury Escapes Now Available In Australia

The new luxury membership offers exclusive access to curated experiences that elevate everyday escapes.

In the fast-paced world we live in, the concept of travel is no longer just about visiting new places. It has evolved into something far deeper – an immersion into unique experiences that touch on relaxation, indulgence and adventure. As modern travellers, we crave curated escapes that offer us more than just a moment away from the daily grind. DayAway, a trailblazing luxury travel platform, is taking this concept to the next level with the launch of its exclusive community-based membership in Australia.

A new standard of luxury

Founded in Singapore by visionary Martha Waslen in 2021, DayAway started as a public platform offering curated luxury experiences. In early 2023, DayAway transitioned into an exclusive members-only marketplace, further refining its offerings to appeal to those who prioritise experiential travel and wish to access world-class experiences.

Now, with its recent expansion into Australia, DayAway is ready to unlock some of the country’s most iconic locations, offering its members the chance to unwind and indulge in unforgettable moments of luxury.

Spicers Sangoma Retreat pool in the Blue Mountains — DayAway has unlocked some of the country’s most iconic locations.

What DayAway brings to Australia

Australia is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, exceptional hospitality and diverse cultural offerings. But until now, there hasn’t been a single platform that combines access to the country’s most exclusive experiences under one membership. This is where DayAway comes in. With its community-based membership, it provides a seamless way for members to book luxury day experiences across Sydney and beyond.

One of the key features of DayAway is its ability to unlock spaces typically reserved for overnight guests or members of elite clubs. This democratisation of luxury means that anyone with a DayAway membership can enjoy a slice of the good life, without the need to commit to long stays.

Capella Sydney Dining Brasserie — This democratisation of luxury means that anyone with a DayAway membership can enjoy a slice of the good life.

What do members get?

So, what exactly can members expect from DayAway’s exclusive Australian launch? The platform has rolled out a series of bespoke experiences designed to captivate the senses and deliver the ultimate in luxury. Here are some highlights:

Luxury day at Spicers Sangoma Retreat

Spicers Sangoma Retreat is a hidden haven in the Blue Mountains, offering spectacular views, world-class service and incredible cuisine. DayAway members can spend a day here indulging in a 60-minute spa treatment, followed by a degustation lunch at the award-winning Restaurant Amara. The experience includes complimentary Champagne on arrival and access to the retreat’s pool and sauna, making it a perfect day of indulgence and relaxation.

Spicers Sangoma Retreat at sunset in the Blue Mountains — Spicers Sangoma Retreat is a hidden haven in the Blue Mountains.

Private poolside cabana at Bannisters Mollymook

Fancy a day spent lounging in a private cabana by the pool? At Bannisters Mollymook , DayAway members can reserve a poolside cabana for the day, complete with a spa treatment and a two-course dinner at Rick Stein’s famous restaurant. It’s the perfect way to escape the hustle of the city and dive into a day of relaxation by the sea.

Wellness experience at Capella Sydney’s Auriga Spa

If wellness is your priority, Capella Sydney offers an unparalleled experience at its renowned Auriga Spa . A sanctuary for rejuvenation, this wellness escape includes spa treatments designed to refresh both body and mind, leaving you restored and ready for whatever life throws your way.

Auriga Wellness at Capella Sydney — Relax at Capella Sydney’s Auriga Spa.

Fine dining at Icebergs Dining Room and Bar

Overlooking the world-famous Bondi Beach, Icebergs Dining Room and Bar offers DayAway members a premium table with a spectacular view, as well as a chef-designed tasting menu that showcases the best of Sydney’s vibrant food scene. It’s a dining experience that fuses luxury with local flavour, creating a culinary journey you won’t forget.

Exclusive art viewings at Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert

For those with a passion for contemporary art, DayAway has partnered with Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert to offer private or guided viewings of the gallery’s latest exhibitions. As one of Sydney’s leading contemporary galleries, this experience offers members a chance to engage with the city’s dynamic art scene in a way that few others can.

How much is the membership?

There are three membership types offering different levels of access. The DayAway Sydney membership includes access to all the Sydney experiences listed above for US$100 ($146) per year; the DayAway Sydney with Hungry in Bali membership includes all that, plus privileges at over 90 restaurants, bars, cafes, beach clubs and spas in Bali for US$125 ($182) per year; and the DayAway Jetsetter membership includes all that again, plus a DayAway Singapore membership and a DayAway Global (Little Emperors) membership for US$300 ($438) per year.

Capella Sydney Pool — There are three membership types offering different levels of access.

From rainforest walks and scenic drives to historic gold-rush towns and standout regional dining experiences, you can find it all in West Gippsland.

Hover over West Gippsland on Google Earth and you’ll see vast tracts of land spread out like green velveteen around the Toorongo Falls Reserve. It’s a landscape that feels almost impossibly lush for a region sitting little more than an hour from Melbourne.

Track southeast in late autumn and early winter and you’ll see pockets of the Mt Baw Baw Plateau dusted in snow. In addition to the forests of mountain ash veined with creeks and rivers, there are pastures and farmland cross-stitched together to form pretty patchworks.

But West Gippsland isn’t defined by scenery alone: in addition to its awe-inspiring nature, a Venn diagram of the region includes gold-rush history and great culinary experiences. Spend a long weekend here and it quickly becomes clear how often these three overlap.

Getting there

Messmates Dining west gippsland — Spend the weekend eating and exploring in West Gippsland. (Credit: Messmates Dining)

Getting to West Gippsland involves as easy drive – it’s just over an hour out of Melbourne along the Monash Freeway.

Not driving? Catch the train from Melbourne on the Gippsland line, terminating at either Traralgon or Bairnsdale, and hop off at Warragul or Drouin.

Visit historic villages

Walhalla historic township — Wander into Australia’s Gold Rush history at Walhalla. (Credit: Rob Blackburn)

The West Gippsland region is on the Traditional Lands of the Kulin and Kurnai nations, specifically linked to the Bunurong, Gunaikurnai and Wurundjeri Peoples, whose connection to Country stretches back thousands of years.

European settlement occurred in the 19th century as timber cutters, farmers and gold seekers pushed into the region’s dense forests. Small towns grew around sawmills and railway lines, and many of those gold rush settlements, timber towns and railway villages still shape the character of the region today.

The most evocative of these is Walhalla Historic Township , a remarkably preserved gold-rush township tucked deep in the mountains. In the late 1800s, it was one of Victoria’s richest goldfields. Today visitors can step inside that history at the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine, where underground tours reveal the scale of the mining operation that once powered the town’s prosperity. Nearby, the Walhalla Goldfields Railway retraces part of the original narrow-gauge line through the valley, offering a slow journey past forest and river scenery.

Further west, Noojee is a classic mountain village. It’s surrounded by dense forest and waterfalls and has become a natural base for exploring the Baw Baw region. Just outside town, Noojee Trestle Bridge stands as one of West Gippsland’s most striking relics of the rail era. The towering wooden structure is the tallest surviving trestle bridge in Victoria and today forms the centrepiece of an easy scenic walk with wide views across the valley.

Alpine Trout Farm west gippsland — Catch your own lunch at Alpine Trout Farm. (Credit: Nicky Cawood)

At Alpine Trout Farm near Noojee, visitors can fish for trout in mountain-fed ponds before enjoying the catch prepared fresh onsite. It’s a simple experience that reflects the area’s long connection to the surrounding waterways.

Back in Warragul , the region’s main service town, the story shifts from heritage to modern regional life. With galleries, restaurants and sweeping views across the rolling farmland of Gippsland, the town has become a lively hub linking the district’s past with its evolving food and cultural scene. Drive through the town and you’ll find heritage buildings, old pubs and weatherboard cottages that hint at the area’s early days as a frontier landscape.

In other towns the past survives in quieter ways – a historic hall here, a century-old bakery there.

Walks, waterfalls and wild places

Toorongo Falls in west gippsland — Stroll Toorongo Falls Reserve. (Credit: Nicky Cawood)

Even simple roadside stops can feel cinematic in West Gippsland. The region also delivers plenty of opportunities to lace up your walking shoes.

One of the region’s most rewarding nature escapes lies just outside Noojee at Toorongo Falls Reserve . A network of walking tracks winds through the cool-temperate rainforest where towering mountain ash trees filter the light and the air smells of rich, damp earth. The 2.2-kilometre trail to the viewing platform overlooking Toorongo Falls is short, but spectacular, as the water cascades down over moss-covered rock faces into a cool, green gully in Little Toorongo River.

Further north, the Mount Baw Baw Alpine Resort offers year-round adventures. In winter, the mountain attracts skiers and snowboarders. The warmer months are just as compelling, with scenic drives to see alpine wildflowers, mountain bike trails and panoramic hiking routes that open across the plateau.

Cyclists and walkers looking for a more relaxed pace can follow the Rokeby Neerim Rail Trail , which traces a former railway line through farmland and small Gippsland villages. The mostly flat trail passes rolling paddocks, creeks and historic bridges, making it an easy way to drop it down a gear when exploring the countryside.

Taste the best eats of West Gippsland

Hogget Kitchen west gippsland — Taste the best of the region at Hogget Kitchen.

For many travellers, the real drawcards of West Gippsland are the food and wine. The region sits in the heart of Victoria’s fertile dairy country, and that agricultural backdrop has helped shape a dining scene where seasonal produce and local provenance take centre stage.

Hogget Kitchen has helped put Warragul firmly on the radar for serious regional dining in West Gippsland. Here, head chef and owner Trevor Perkins runs the kitchen alongside well-known winemakers William (Bill) Downie and Pat Sullivan. Hogget Kitchen lives up to its promise of exceptional destination dining; what lands on the table depends largely on what nearby farms have harvested that week as well as a wine list from Wild Dog Winery and other Gippsland producers.

Warragul is also where you’ll find Messmates Dining where the kitchen team is led by Michelin-trained chefs. The Euro-leaning bistro and wine bar brings a polished edge to the local dining scene using produce sourced from across West Gippsland.

For something more casual, the century-old Noojee Hotel is the kind of hub that every traveller dreams of finding after a long drive. Expect generous pub classics served on the sunny deck in summer or beside the crackle of a log fire in winter. Nearby, rustic Toolshed Bar, Bistro & Cabins is the place to go for a wood-fired pizza topped with smoked local trout paired with Gippsland wine, making it a rewarding stop for lunch or an overnight stay.

Time your visit with the Truffle Festival

Food lovers visiting in winter should consider timing their trip to coincide with Noojee Truffle Festival , running from 10 July to 2 August 2026. The inaugural event celebrates the region’s emerging truffle industry with tastings, special menus and events built around one of winter’s most prized ingredients.

Start planning your long weekend in West Gippsland at visitgippsland.com.au .

DayAway’s curated luxury escapes now available in Australia