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Soak in Australia’s best views from these 9 hotels

A new generation of Hilton hotels is reshaping Aussie getaways, pairing the brand’s signature comfort with some of the most spectacular outlooks in the country.

When life calls for a reset, there’s nothing quite like checking into a hotel where the view does all the heavy lifting. From spectacular outback landscapes and mountain peaks to shimmering seas, these are the best Hilton hotels for sinking into comfort while soaking up unforgettable vistas from your window.

1. DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs

DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs
Enjoy panoramas of the MacDonnell Ranges.

With panoramas of the MacDonnell Ranges from its Mountain View rooms, DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs makes the most of its dramatic Red Centre setting. Set on the banks of the Todd River next door to Alice Springs Golf Club, the hotel offers a relaxed base for exploring the region’s natural attractions, including Alice Springs Desert Park and Anzac Hill, both within a 10-minute drive. An outdoor pool overlooks leafy gardens inhabited by a resident peacock, while tennis courts, a fitness centre and an on-site restaurant round out the resort-style appeal.

2. Hilton Garden Inn Busselton

Hilton Garden Inn busselton
Wake to views of the ocean in Busselton.

Sitting on the foreshore a seashell’s throw from Busselton Jetty, Hilton Garden Inn Busselton puts one of Western Australia’s most celebrated coastal outlooks front and centre. Guests staying in Ocean View Rooms wake to views of Geographe Bay and the Indian Ocean, while Balcony rooms further enhance the experience, inviting guests to step outside and soak up the sea breeze. For a different perspective, Town View Rooms overlook Busselton’s distinctive peppermint trees. The hotel is perfectly positioned for seaside strolls and easy access to the town centre, with a heated outdoor pool, fitness centre and contemporary dining.

3. Hilton Cairns

view from a room at Hilton Cairns
Check into Hilton Cairns and soak in the beauty.

In a prime position on the Esplanade, Hilton Cairns gives you front-row views over Trinity Inlet, framed by palm trees and passing cruise ships, or across the lush, mountainous backdrop of the hinterland. In addition to its waterfront setting, guests can unwind beside the lagoon-style pool, stay active in the fitness centre and enjoy a selection of on-site dining and bar spaces, while the Executive Lounge offers another relaxed vantage point over the tidal estuary. Opt for a private balcony room to maximise the unobstructed views.

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4. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns

DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns
Choose from rooms looking towards the water or the ranges.

Just down the Esplanade, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns offers similar panoramas, with rooms looking towards the water or the jungle-clad ranges beyond the city – many featuring private balconies. The hotel leans into its tropical setting with landscaped gardens and an enticing outdoor pool, perfect for cooling off after a day exploring the reef or rainforest. Guests can dine at on-site restaurants or linger over drinks at the bar, while a 24-hour fitness centre keeps routines intact. With modern rooms and that signature Hilton comfort, the hotel balances resort-style ease in a central location a short stroll from the lagoon and city sights.

5. Hilton Darwin

Hilton Darwin
Opt for Harbour View Rooms or Suites at Hilton Darwin.

Take in the Top End horizon from Harbour View Rooms or Suites on the upper levels of Hilton Darwin. On Level 20, the city’s only Executive Lounge is the place to be at dusk, where canapés and cocktails are served against a cinematic sky. Set high above the city, the hotel’s outdoor pool invites a leisurely swim, complemented by a fitness centre for those keen to keep moving indoors. Dining spans PepperBerry, showcasing modern Australian cuisine with native bush spices, to the immersive Le Petit Chef experience, plus light bites and drinks in the stylish bar and lounge.

6. DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin

DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin
Watch sunsets over Darwin’s Esplanade.

Positioned right on the foreshore, DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin offers a more laid-back alternative near the waterfront parklands. Book an upper-floor ocean-facing room to make the most of the harbour view, especially golden at sunset. King Executive Suites elevate the experience further, with private rooftop verandahs. Guests can relax by the large outdoor pool made for tropical lounging, plus there’s a fitness centre and the Aqua Restaurant and bar, which spills onto an alfresco terrace.

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7. Hilton Garden Inn Darwin

Hilton Garden Inn Darwin
Garden, pool and Esplanade views await.

Also located on the Esplanade, Hilton Garden Inn Darwin places you right on the edge of the harbour. From the outset, it feels tailored for easy Darwin living, with an outdoor pool, all-day dining at Together & Co, a fitness centre and a 24-hour snack shop for grab-and-go essentials. Upper-level Harbour View Rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows and Juliet balconies with unobstructed views of the water. Inside, rooms are modern and practical, with smart TVs, workspaces, Wi-Fi access and contemporary bathrooms. Guests also have access to free parking and a self-service laundry, making for an easy and hassle-free stay.

8. Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences

hilton hotels surers paradise deluxe ocean view residence gold coast
Look over the iconic Surfers Paradise.

Set in the heart of Australia’s holiday playground, Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences captures the essence of the Gold Coast. Floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies offer uninterrupted Pacific Ocean views, with Surfers Paradise Beach stretching below. Turn inland and the city skyline sparkles at night, a neon grid rising above Cavill Avenue. Beyond it all, the Gold Coast hinterland drifts into soft, green-blue mountain silhouettes. The hotel makes an excellent base for exploring theme parks and other attractions. There’s also four pools, an award-winning spa, two fitness centres and on-site restaurants.

9. Hilton Garden Inn Albany

Hilton Garden Inn Albany
Look out the room window to Albany Waterfront Marina.

Poised above Princess Royal Harbour, Hilton Garden Inn Albany distils the salt-licked calm of Western Australia’s south coast into a modern waterfront stay. From upper-level Panoramic Harbour Rooms, guests arise to magnificent sunrises spilling across Albany Waterfront Marina, where they can watch boats slip quietly in and out like clockwork. The same views carry through to the on-site restaurant and breezy viewing decks. Inside, it’s all clean-lined comfort, with a fitness centre and a casual eatery showcasing local produce.

Escape with Hilton. Start planning at hilton.com.

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Angela Saurine
Angela Saurine is a freelance writer based on Bundjalung Country in the village of Bangalow, in the Byron Bay hinterland. She began her career as a copykid at The Daily Telegraph in Sydney before setting off to explore the world – spending a few months as a ski bum in Whistler and living the expat life in London. On returning home, Angela climbed the ranks to land her dream role as national travel reporter at News Corp Australia. She’s since journeyed everywhere from Arnhem Land to Antarctica, and from Christmas Island to Easter Island, with a particular passion for Indigenous tourism, islands, snow, food and expedition cruising. Swimming with whale sharks at Ningaloo is at the top of her Aussie bucket list.
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Discovering East Arnhem: Australia’s most unique and rewarding corner

    Joanne Millares Joanne Millares

    Hard to reach and harder to forget, East Arnhem offers something rare in modern travel: the chance to slow down and experience Country on its own terms.

    The sky feels bigger in East Arnhem. It stretches wide and uninterrupted above rouged earth, stringybark woodland and beaches so empty they seem to belong to another era. The coastline curves for kilometres without a footprint and the horizon runs on forever.

    For comedian Lou Wall, the scale of the place was the first thing that hit them.

    “The sheer openness,” they say. “The sky feels infinite and the land stretches out endlessly. It’s pretty breathtaking visually.”

    But the physical landscape is only part of the story. The real reward isn’t only the scenery but the shift in perspective the journey brings. Visitors stop trying to tick off the destination and a real engagement takes over.

    “It made me never want to travel again,” Wall jokes. “In that I never wanted to leave East Arnhem.”

    Getting there

    Aerial shot of East Arnhem’s coastline as cars trace the curve of the shore.
    Sail along the remote coastline on an expedition cruise.

    Reaching East Arnhem is part of the adventure. Travellers typically fly into Gove Airport near Nhulunbuy via Darwin or Cairns, or arrive by expedition cruise along the remote coastline. Others make the journey overland along rutted dirt roads that cut through East Arnhem’s small pockets of monsoon forest.

    However you arrive, there’s a distinct feeling of crossing into somewhere different. Permits are required to visit the region, reflecting the fact that this is Yolŋu land where communities and traditional owners maintain deep cultural connections to Country.

    The extra planning becomes part of the experience. By the time visitors arrive, they understand they’re entering a place not just of respect, but also patience and curiosity.

    At one with nature

    East Arnhem’s  landscapes leave a strong imprint. For Wall, one place in particular still lingers in their memory: Ngalarrkpuy, also known as Lonely Beach, near Bawaka Homeland.

    “I genuinely felt like I was living inside an Instagram filter,” they say. “One of the most stunning feats of nature I’ve ever seen. The water was so clear I swear I could see even the fish smiling.”

    Across the region, natural experiences unfold at a slower pace. Fishing, beachcombing and island hopping reveal the rhythm of the coastline. The tides shape daily life and the vastness of the landscape makes even simple moments feel downright cinematic.

    For visitors with limited time, Wall says the Bawaka Homeland experience is unmissable.

    “I just left and I’m already planning when I can get back there.”

    The sense of remoteness is part of the appeal. In a country where many beaches are crowded and well-trodden, East Arnhem’s coastline still feels wonderfully wild.

    Immersing in local culture

    A visitor spends a meaningful moment alongside Yolŋu guides, gaining insight into their deep cultural knowledge and connection to the land.
    Experience authentic moments with the locals.

    Culture is woven through every experience in East Arnhem. Visitors have the opportunity to spend time on Country with Yolŋu guides and knowledge holders who share stories and traditions that have been passed down for generations.

    For Wall, one of the most powerful moments came during a conversation with a Yolŋu elder.

    “I got to meet a traditional elder, Mayalil, in Nhulunbuy,” they say. “Listening to her talk about her home made the land feel alive in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”

    The region is also home to internationally recognised Aboriginal art centres where artists shape works deeply connected to land and family knowledge.

    Music carries the same cultural energy. East Arnhem has produced globally recognised artists such as King Stingray and Baker Boy, blending Yolŋu language, storytelling and contemporary sound.

    Wall experienced this musical spirit first-hand.

    “A jam session around the fire was it for me,” they say. “Letting the deep joy and history of their music wash over me…  and meeting a few of the King Stingray musicians was unreal.”

    These moments of human connection often become the most memorable part of a visit.

    Spotting local wildlife

    An aerial view of the beach shows tiny figures lined up across the white sand, moving as if in a rhythmic dance.
    Step into a world where nature reigns.

    The wildlife of East Arnhem adds another layer to the experience. The region is home to an extraordinary range of animals, from waterbirds and turtles to dugongs, dolphins and the formidable saltwater crocodile.

    Wall admits they didn’t actually spot a croc during their visit.

    “Devastatingly, I didn’t see one,” they laugh. “But with all the stories from the locals I definitely gained a healthy respect for caution.”

    Some of the most memorable wildlife encounters can be surprisingly small., At Banubanu Beach Retreat on Bremer Island, Wall remembers walking along the beach one morning and watching it come alive.

    “As you walk through the sand you see hundreds of crabs scurrying into their holes as you pass by,” they say. “Such a small thing, but it was completely magical.”

    Moments like this reveal the quieter rhythms of East Arnhem, where even the smallest creatures seem to play a part in the landscape.

    Visitors who make the journey soon learn the most important travel tip of all.

    “Go in open-minded with a sense of curiosity,” Wall says. “Be prepared to ditch your plans. The land and the locals will guide you on an adventure no spreadsheets could ever compete with.”

    And most importantly, they add, don’t rush.

    “The land and people deserve your time and attention. You’ll be all the better for slowing down.”

    For more information on visiting East Arnhem, head to eastarnhem.com.au.