DayAway’s curated luxury escapes now available in Australia

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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.

Pool at Bannisters Mollymook
DayAway members can reserve a poolside cabana for the day.

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.

Icebergs Dining Room and Bar
Dine at Icebergs Dining Room and Bar.

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.

Gallery Sally Dan Cuthbert
DayAway offers private or guided viewings of Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert’s latest exhibitions. (Image: Simon Hewson)

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.
Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
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Mornington Peninsula’s storied past: war, shipwrecks and a runaway convict 

The Mornington Peninsula is a coastline of contrasts, where convict and military history meets shipwrecks, wild seas and adventures above and below the surface.

The Mornington Peninsula can be the kind of place where salt-tangled hair feels like a badge of honour – proof you’ve been somewhere wild, raw and real. Peel back the layers and you’ll discover stories that anchor this region to something other than its famed food and wine.

This land is the traditional Sea Country of the Bunurong/Boon Wurrung people. Long before grapevines were planted and artisanal goods were crafted, the Bunurong Traditional Owners lived in deep connection with the land and sea. Today, places such as Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary echo that tradition, with families exploring its rockpools in search of colourful sea stars and crabs at low tide and learning how these fragile ecosystems have been cared for across countless generations.

a group of people visiting the Port Nepean National Park
Take in the rugged coastal landscape at Port Nepean National Park. (Image: Tourism Australia)

A visit to Point Nepean National Park feels like stepping back through time. The fort, built in 1882, protected the narrow entrance to Port Phillip Bay until the end of the Second World War. It was here that the first Allied shot of the First World War was fired – at a German cargo ship trying to escape just hours after war was declared. Nearby, the old Quarantine Station, one of Australia’s first permanent quarantine facilities, established in 1852, still stands. Walking through the hospital and disinfecting complex evokes stories of those who arrived from faraway shores.

Not far from here is a story of survival that inspired the Aussie phrase ‘you’ve got Buckley’s chance’. In 1803, escaped convict William Buckley vanished into the bush near what’s now Sorrento. Everyone thought he had no hope of surviving, but he reappeared 32 years later, having lived with local Aboriginal people.

Even the waters here hold history. The infamous stretch known as The Rip, just three kilometres wide at the entrance of Port Phillip Bay, is among the most treacherous waterways. Countless ships were lost here in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and in 1967, Australia’s own Prime Minister Harold Holt disappeared while swimming off the coast, never to be found.

a seal swimming in Port Phillip Bay
A seal swimming in Port Phillip Bay. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

But for all its danger, the sea here also holds extraordinary beauty. Dolphins are often seen near Sorrento’s cliffs, while below the surface, seagrass meadows and rocky reefs teem with life. Marine tours offer a viewing to this underwater wonderland, while back on terra firma, walking trails lead along beaches, through coastal scrub, and over rock pools.

And if you think you’ll forget about the Mornington Peninsula once you’ve left? You’ve got Buckley’s chance.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

the suite interior at InterContinental Sorrento
Luxury interiors at the historic InterContinental Sorrento. (Image: Greg Elms)

Point Nepean Discovery Tents is immersive glamping beside the historic Quarantine Station. Or upgrade to luxury at the 1875-built InterContinental Sorrento .

Playing there

an aerial view of Cape Schanck Lighthouse
Make your way to the Cape Schanck Lighthouse. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

Bayplay Adventure Tours offer eco-adventures from snorkelling with sea dragons to kayaking with dolphins and cycling Point Nepean. Cape Schanck Lighthouse is fascinating to explore on a guided tour, which takes you into the lighthouse and keeper’s cottage.

Eating there

Portsea Hotel is a beautifully restored 1876 Tudor-style pub right on the beach, serving seasonal local fare.