9 of the top luxury stays in Australia to book ASAP

From all-new openings to historic stays and exclusive island hideaways, luxury in Australia means immersive experiences in extraordinary locations – with a few creature comforts to boot.

1. Bells at Killcare, NSW

Bells at Killcare has been a special-occasion place since it opened on NSW’s Bouddi Peninsula in 2007. Guests have traditionally checked into its coastal-chic cottages and villas, which exude a Hamptons aesthetic with their distinctive blue-and-white-striped interior palette. They’ve also dined at its restaurant, The Wild Flower Bar & Dining. Indulged in a treatment at Bells Day Spa. Or picked up some fresh-baked goods from the onsite bakery. But the addition of The Lodges at Bells at Killcare has upped the ante further. The design of the four luxurious tri-level lodges departs from the rest of the property’s aesthetic and tunes into the local environment instead, with sleek bathrooms, fully equipped kitchens and the pièce de resistance, a Sunset Deck on the top level.

a bathroom with a private tub at The Lodges at Bells at Killcare — Inside one of the stylish bathrooms. (Image: Anson Smart)

2. Pretty Beach House, NSW

On the surface, a beachside escape seems best reserved for the summer months, but Pretty Beach House manages to be an all-year-round retreat. The guesthouse, part of the exclusive Luxury Lodges of Australia portfolio, is tucked into the treetops of the Bouddi Peninsula on the NSW Central Coast. From the warm welcome on the deck to the casual chats we have with the chef as he prepares dinner, this highly personalised service sees owners Karina and Brian Barry succeed where others fail. Book a stay at The Retreat, a two-storey haven with a wraparound deck, an upstairs living area, two bathrooms, adjustable king-size bed with inbuilt massage, and plunge pool for the ultimate luxurious escape.

the main guest loungeof Pretty Beach House — The main guest lounge of Pretty Beach House. (Image: Anson Smart)

3. Island House, Lord Howe Island NSW

Fringed by evergreen Kentia palms and set under the guardianship of Mt Gower and Mt Lidgbird, Lord Howe Island is a forested arcadia rising from coral reefs. Just a two-hour flight from Sydney, it’s impossible not to fall into absolute relaxation here. Do so at the eco-luxe Island House with its beautifully considered North and South abodes built consciously from hardwood and copper. Sleeping eight guests in the art-festooned, oak-lined dwellings, guests will relish chef-prepared meals and unimpeded privacy.

evergreen Kentia palms at Lord Howe Island — Set yourself to Lord Howe Island time. (Image: Anson Smart)

the interior of Island House, Lord Howe Island — The eco-luxe Island House is built from hardwood and copper. (Image: Anson Smart)

4. Arkaba Homestead, SA

You’ll find historic Arkaba Homestead folded into the dusty-green bush on the verge of South Australia’s Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. The 1850s-era, five-guestroom homestead blends into the serenity of its rocky surrounds and offers a pause in luxury on the final night of the three-day Arkaba Walk into Wilpena Pound. But you needn’t do the full walk to stay at this all-inclusive former frontier estate that offers twice-daily safari experiences for all guests.

the Arkaba Homestead, SA — Experience wild luxury at Arkaba.

5. Saffire Freycinet, Tas

a suite with a sea view, On Board Expeditions cruises on Tasmania — Sleep in luxury with scenic sea views onboard.

Aspirations of explorative adventure come cocooned in luxury with a new collaboration between Tasmania’s Saffire Freycinet and On Board Expeditions cruises . The six-night Coast-to-Coast discovery for 12 guests sees would-be wanderers deposited by seaplane into the remote south-west corner of Tassie’s extraordinary wilderness. There, they board a luxury cruise for three nights, before being whisked back to the east coast to take in the heart-lifting beauty of The Hazards from Saffire Freycinet’s beautifully crafted comforts.

a look inside Saffire Freycinet, Tasmania — Saffire Freycinet is a serene space filled with luxurious creature comforts.

6. The Lake House, Daylesford, Vic

A little over 40 years ago, the late Allan Wolf-Tasker was tasked to quite literally build his wife’s dream in Victoria’s Daylesford. The owner of the dream was celebrated chef Alla Wolf-Tasker and since the realisation of the pioneering Lake House , the luxury lodge has earned 76-plus chefs’ hats thanks to Wolf-Tasker’s beautifully seasonal and artistic fare. The rambling grounds meander to a gentle lake, the studios are an expression of modern country elegance and the spa is full of luxurious rituals and treatments.

the dining at legendary Lake House, Daylesford, Victoria — Stay and spa at legendary Lake House.

7. Two of Hamilton Island’s luxe stays, Qld

Encircled by the Great Barrier Reef on Hamilton Island, qualia is compelling enough, but the luxe Whitsundays resort that perfected the laid-back style of Australian hospitality also drops jaws with its elegant suites, curated dining and soft-mauve sunsets. And now there’s a persuasive reason to unpeel yourself from the sun lounger, with the resort’s Cultural Island Discovery experience to Ngaro Country . Join Robbie Congoo as he reveals Indigenous heritage through explorations of cave paintings, flora and fauna and storytelling. Elsewhere on the island, Hamilton’s newest luxury hotel The Sundays has opened, a fresh boutique offering designed with families in mind.

Check into Hamilton’s newest luxury hotel, The Sundays. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

8. The Mondrian Gold Coast, Qld

The gilding of the Gold Coast continues as the city’s luxe inventory grows with the opening of the shiny-new Mondrian this June. Positioned for ample saturation of the Pacific’s blue hues, this 208-key luxury hotel is achingly of-the-minute, with sweeping modern design that celebrates the Gold Coast’s manicured aesthetic. Contributing to the buzz of hip Burleigh Heads, the Mondrian welcomes with a pool bar, all-day Italian diner, seafood restaurant and bio-wellness spa.

the sunrise lounge at Mondrian Gold Coast — The all-new Mondrian Gold Coast. (Image: Justin Nicholas)

9. Luxe stays come in threes in The Kimberley, WA

the El QuestroHomestead atop Chamberlain Gorge — El Questro Homestead is beautifully set atop Chamberlain Gorge.

A landscape of high contrast, Western Australia’s Kimberley region pins high on the inspiration board. From rough-hewn cliffs and quartzite waters to remote stations of parched beauty, the otherworldly topography is thoroughly bewitching on a luxury bush stay at Berkeley River Lodge, floating pontoon Jetwave Pearl and El Questro Homestead . The latter of which ensures surfaces are thoroughly scratched on a two-hour tour with a Traditional Owner, who guides you through the deep reverence local Ngarinyin people have for Country.

Time your visit to Margaret River just right, and you can spend the ultimate weekend wining, dining and exploring the region with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

Wine, world-class produce, surf, sun and beaches: it’s an alluring combination. And the reason so many pin the Margaret River region high on their travel hit-lists. There’s drawcard after drawcard to the southwestern corner of Western Australia, and the Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover food and wine festival showcases the best of it over the course of one weekend in November. It’s never been easier to sip, see and savour the Margaret River region.

In partnership with Pair’d Margaret River Region, Range Rover invites you on a seven-day itinerary of refined adventure, where luxury and exploration go hand in hand. It’s the perfect WA road trip, and there’s no better way to do it than in a Range Rover.

Day 1

the pool at Pullman Bunker Bay — Check into Pullman Bunker Bay.

There’s no more popular West Australian road trip route than that between Perth and the Margaret River Region. It’s an easily digestible, three-hour drive, with worthy pit stops along the way.

Make the first of them one hour and 15 minutes in, at Lake Clifton. Here, find a 2000-year-old living thrombolite reef. Drive for a further 40 minutes and chance meeting some of Bunbury’s dolphin population at Koombana Bay.

Pullman Bunker Bay is the final stop, just over three hours south of Perth. This beachfront, five-star resort is the ultimate base for exploring the Margaret River Wine region.

Day 2

After a leisurely morning breakfast with an ocean view, start your Range Rover and head towards the Dunsborough town centre. Browsing the decidedly coastal-themed goods of the town’s many independent boutiques is a great way to while away the hours, breaking up the sartorial with an artisan gelato snack stop, or some good old-fashioned Australian bakery fare.

Leave room; you’ll need it for the Good Natured Gathering dinner at Wayfinder. Indulge in a four-course feast by chef Felipe Montiel, which uses produce from the winery’s market garden to enhance a selection of sustainably sourced seafood and meat. But food is just the support act. It’s organic wine that’s the star of the show, generously poured and expertly paired to each dish.

Day 3

Settle in for cabernet at Cape Mentelle Winery.

With a grand total of 20 wines from vintage 2022 to try, it’s a good thing Cape Mentelle’s International Cabernet Tasting kicks off early. Make your way to the estate for a 10:00 AM start, where a global selection of wines will be poured blind, before a long lunch by Tiller Dining is served.

Given that the Margaret River is responsible for more than 20 per cent of Australia’s fine wine production, it’s only right to delve into it while in the area.

Continue exploring the region via taste and terroir aboard Alison Maree, a whale-watching catamaran, as you cruise Geographe Bay . Admire the rolling green hills and crisp white beaches of Quindalup in sunset’s golden light, all the while sipping through the Clairault Streicker catalogue and dining on canapes.

For a more substantial dinner, venture into Busselton for a seven-course British x Australian mash-up , courtesy of Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion) and Oliver Kent (Updown Farmhouse, UK). They’ll be putting their rustic yet refined spin on the likes of local marron, wagyu and abalone – championing the simple beauty of the world-class ingredients.

Day 4

Wrap your fingers around a wine glass and wiggle your toes into the sand at Pair’d Beach Club x Range Rover on Meelup Beach. Sit down to an intimate wine session with sommelier Cyndal Petty – or a four-course feast by Aaron Carr of Yarri – and revel in the open-air beach club, bar and restaurant’s laidback coastal vibe. It’s a whole new way to experience one of the region’s most renowned beaches.

Follow up a day in the sun with a casual Italian party at Mr Barvel Wines . Purchase wines –including the elusive, sold-out Nebbia – by the glass and enjoy canapes with the towering Karri forest as a backdrop.

If you’d prefer to keep it local, head to Skigh Wines for the New Wave Gathering , where the region’s independent wine makers and their boundary-pushing wines will be on show. Street-style eats, a DJ and complimentary wine masterclasses complete the experience.

Day 5

pair'd Grand Tasting — Taste your way through Howard Park Wines. (Image: C J Maddock)

Spend the morning at your leisure, driving the winding roads through the Boranup Karri forest in your Range Rover. Soak in the views at Contos Beach, and call into the small cheese, chocolate and preserve producers along the way.

Make your next stop Howard Park Wines for The Grand Tasting presented by Singapore Airlines . Numerous wine labels will be pouring their catalogues over four hours, accompanied by food from chefs Matt Moran and Silvia Colloca, with live opera providing the soundtrack.

Cap off a big weekend with one last hurrah at Busselton Pavilion. Six ‘local legends’ – chefs Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion), Mal Chow (Chow’s Table), Aaron Carr (Yarri), Ben Jacob (Lagoon Yallingup), Corey Rozario (Dahl Daddies) and Laura Koentjoro (Banksia Tavern) – will be preparing a dish each. Dance the night away as vinyl spins and the sun sets on another day.

Day 6

Ngilgi Cave western australia — Head underground. (Image: Tourism WA)

After a busy few days of wining and dining, it’s wise to observe a rest day. There’s no easier task than unwinding in the Margaret River Region, also famous for its high concentration of world-class beaches.

Relax on the grassy knoll as you watch the region’s most experienced surfers braving the World Surf League break at Surfer’s Point, or don your own wetsuit and try out one of Gracetown’s more beginner-friendly waves. Swimmers will find their Eden at Meelup Beach, Eagle Bay, or Point Piquet, where the sand is brilliantly white and the water as still as a backyard swimming pool.

Not into sun, sand, and surf? Head underground at Mammoth Cave, just one of the region’s many stalactite-filled caves.

Day 7

Burnt Ends event at Pair'd — Farewell the Margaret River.

Pack up your Range Rover with new favourite wines and newfound memories, ready for the three-hour journey back to Perth.

Prebook your discovery journey through the south-west corner of Western Australia with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

9 of the top luxury stays in Australia to escape to