DayAway’s curated luxury escapes now available in Australia

Emily Murphy Emily Murphy
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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.

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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.

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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.

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Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her 4+ years 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? South Australia and The Kimberley.
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How a $1 deal saved Bendigo’s historic tramways

    Megan Arkinstall Megan Arkinstall
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    The passionate community that saved Bendigo Tramways has kept the story of this city alive for generations.

    It was an absolute steal: a fleet of 23 trams for just $1. But such a fortunate purchase didn’t happen easily. It was 1972 when the Bendigo Trust handed over a single buck for the city’s historic collection of battery, steam and electric trams, which had transported locals since 1890.

    inside the historic Bendigo Tram
    Bendigo Tramways is a historic transport line turned tourist service. (Image: Bendigo Heritage)

    The city’s tram network had been declared defunct since 1970 due to post-war shortages in materials to upkeep the trams and declining passenger numbers as motor vehicles were increasing. However, determined locals would not hear of their beloved trams being sold off around the world.

    The Bendigo Trust was enlisted to preserve this heritage, by converting the trams into a tourist service. The Victorian government approved a trial, however news spread that the Australian Electric Tramways Museum in Adelaide had acquired one of the streetcars for its collection.

    a tram heading to Quarry Hill in 1957
    A tram on its way to Quarry Hill in 1957. (Image: Bendigo Heritage)

    An impassioned group rallied together to make this physically impossible. Breaking into the tram sheds, they welded iron pipes to the rails, removed carbon brushes from the motors, and formed a blockade at the depot. The community response was extraordinary, and a $1 deal was sealed.

    A new chapter for the city’s fleet

    the old Tramways Depot and Workshop
    The old Tramways Depot and Workshop is one of the stops on the hop-on, hop-off service. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Today, Bendigo Tramways welcomes some 40,000 passengers annually, operating as a hop-on, hop-off touring service aboard the restored trams. Fifteen of the now 45-strong fleet are dubbed ‘Talking Trams’ because of the taped commentary that is played along the route. The trams loop between Central Deborah Gold Mine and the Bendigo Joss House Temple, which has been a place of Chinese worship since 1871, via other sites including the old Tramways Depot and Workshop.

    a Gold Mine Bendigo Tram
    The fleet comprises 45 trams that have been restored. (Image: Visit Victoria/Robert Blackburn)

    Keeping things interesting, throughout the year visitors can step aboard different themed trams. Tram No. 302 becomes the Yarn Bomb Tram, decorated both inside and out with colourful crochet by an anonymous group of locals.

    During the festive season, Tram No. 15 operates as a tinsel-festooned Santa Tram, and the big man himself hides out somewhere along the route for excited children to find. And on selected dates, the adults-only Groove Tram runs nighttime tours of the city, accompanied by local musicians playing live tunes and a pop-up bar.

    the historic post office turned visitor centre in Bendigo
    Visitors can hop on and off to see the city’s sites such as the historic post office turned visitor centre. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    As well as preserving the city’s history, however, the continuation of the tram service has kept the skills of tram building and craftsmanship alive in a practical sense. Bendigo’s Heritage Rail Workshop is world-renowned for restoring heritage trams and repurposing vehicles in creative ways.

    Locally, for example, Tram No. 918 was transformed into the Dja Dja Wurrung Tram with original Aboriginal artworks by emerging artist Natasha Carter, with special commentary and music that shares the stories and traditions of Bendigo’s first people. You can’t put a price on preserving history. Nonetheless, it was a dollar very well spent.