The most beautiful outdoor baths in Australia

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Australia’s outdoor baths are quickly becoming one of its star attractions.

Soaking away the day in an outdoor bath with a view has become the holy grail of relaxation. So it’s no surprise to learn that Australia has an ever-increasing list of properties that feature bathtubs situated right in the heart of the great outdoors.

Don’t pass up the chance to marvel at dazzling, natural landscapes from the comfort of your own private bath. Let us tempt you with our pick of the best of the bunch below.

El Questro Homestead, The Kimberley

You’ve probably heard of El Questro, the 700,000-acre cattle station with a made-up, Spanish-sounding name that offers one of the most expensive laid-back luxury experiences in the outback. With prices that start at $2155 per room per night, El Questro’s Homestead is certainly the most covetable getaway in the Kimberley.

The Chamberlain Suite is the most amazing room by far, thanks in large part to a private outdoor double bath overlooking a gorge. A soak here will deliver views of the stunning, wild and unlike-anywhere-else-in-the-world landscape that really sets this lodge apart.

Outside the luxury of egg-shaped tubs, Egyptian cotton sheets and crisp air conditioning in your room, you’re always in the thick of nature.

El Questro Homestead bath
El Questro’s Homestead is certainly the most covetable getaway in the Kimberley.

Hope Springs Retreat, Mt Eliza

Affordable luxury and romance combine in this stunning, self-contained apartment. Featuring a fully equipped modern kitchen and light-filled bedroom, Hope Springs Retreat makes full use of its scale with cathedral ceilings and an oversized bathroom.

An adjoining private deck features the magical cedar hot tub. Hop on in with a glass of local wine in hand to enjoy the sweeping garden views or, once the sun sets, gaze at the stars in absolute tranquillity.

My Eliza retreat cedar hot tub
The magical cedar hot tub.

Kookawood Farmhouse, Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains lay claim to some of the most spectacular scenery in NSW and Kookawood Farmhouse boasts the perfect private bath to enjoy it from.

The 200-acre property is a nature lover’s paradise, while the country-style farmhouse is packed with character and charm. Alongside the outdoor, claw-foot tub, guests are treated to an open log fireplace, two large bedrooms, and the natural beauty, culture and culinary delights that await in the Blue Mountains.

Visit our complete guide to the Blue Mountains here.

Kokawood farmhouse bath blue mountians
Bathe in the beauty of the Blue Mountains.

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Kingsford Homestead, Barossa Valley

Located on a 225-acre property on the edge of the Barossa Valley, Kingsford Homestead has been the home of a wealthy 19th-century pastoralist, the set of McLeod’s Daughters and since 2009 an ever-so-elegant, but oh-so-Australian boutique getaway.

This exclusive 16-suite retreat caters to just 32 guests, but the real drawcard here is the glorious outdoor claw foot bush bath, which sits in a secluded corner of the property. Surrender to nature and relax with only North Para River and giant gum trees for company. Grown Alchemist bath salts are complementary.

Read our comprehensive travel guide to the Barossa Valley here.

Relax with only Para River and giant gum trees for company.

Longitude 131, Uluru

There are a lot of magical ways to experience Uluru, and while many of them come without the price tag of a stay at Longitude 131, there’s a reason this place is consistently named one of the best properties in all of Australia.

When our editorial director Leigh-Ann Pow visited in 2018, it was the bath that took her breath away. “If there was ever going to be such a thing as an Academy Awards ceremony for bathtubs then this would be the winner hands down.

“It’s a bit about the design of the thing – it resembles a luxe rainwater tank – but it’s mostly about the outlook. It sits in front of a floor-to-ceiling window that perfectly frames the hulking form of Uluru in the distance. A front-row bathtub to one of the most breathtaking views in the world."

Read more about Longitude 131 here.

Longitude 131 uluru bath
Bathe in Uluru’s glorious shadow.

Glenayr Farm, Mudgee

Mudgee’s Glenayr Farm offers a traditional upmarket glamping experience set among a 320- acre sheep farming property. Not only do you get to bed down for the night surrounded by the quintessential Australian landscape, but you’ll also be nearby the famous wineries and restaurants.

The real drawcard to staying here is the outdoor, wood-fired hot tub, which transitions into a small plunge pool come summer. You’ll fall in love with the unrivalled sunsets and incredible vistas over one of the most beautiful spots in the region. At night, the sky transforms into one of the best stargazing sites in Australia (Mudgee Observatory is 10 minutes away).

Read more on our Mudgee travel guide here.

Glenayr Farm bath
Fall in love with Glenayr Farm.

Thalia Haven, Great Oyster Bay

What better way to envelop yourself in the beauty of Tasmania than with a long, hot soak in the tub, a glass of wine in hand, as the waves of Great Oyster Bay crash below? It’s all possible at Thalia Haven – a rugged, yet elegant house that is completely wind- and solar-powered.

Set on 130 acres of coastal bushland, you’re never far from the ocean, with sounds of the sea audible from each of the four bedrooms – and each room features a deluxe king-sized bed to complete the experience.

It’s stocked with everything you could need for a private winter weekend hideaway including fresh Tassie produce such as eggs, milk, sourdough bread, jam and butter. Oh, and did we mention that outdoor tub?

Thalia Haven bath
Bathe in complete privacy to the ever-changing colours of the sea.

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Saltbush Retreat, Longreach

Longreach is considered the heart and soul of Queensland’s outback, but that doesn’t mean you have to skimp on life’s little luxuries: enter Saltbush Retreat. This spectacular property offers guests accommodation in the rustic, 4.5-star Homestead Stables, the 4-star Slab Huts or the Outback Cabins.

The Homestead Stables are beautifully appointed to tell the full outback story, with old gates repurposed as bedheads and rustic troughs fashioned into bed bases. They also provide access to the all-important outdoor bath terrace where you can enjoy the ultimate soak with a view. The accompanying pamper pack includes comfy slippers, loafers, chocolates and all-important bath salts.

The all-important outdoor bath terrace.

Cliff House, Kangaroo Island

Spend your stay on Kangaroo Island overlooking Snellings Beach at Cliff House. The luxurious pad sleeps six, but you and your partner will want this one all to yourselves.

Boasting several romantic features, including a master bedroom fashioned inside a circular tower with panoramic views of the Southern Sea, the outdoor cliff-edge Jacuzzi is the crème de la crème of luxurious bathing. Hop in after sundown for a truly spectacular atmosphere – just you, the stars, the moon and the Milky Way.

Find more places to stay on Kangaroo Island here.

The cliff-edge Jacuzzi is the crème de la crème of luxurious bathing.

Freycinet Lodge, Freycinet National Park

Freycinet Lodge is a special-occasion-type place. The kind of place that allows you to really get away from it all in luxurious seclusion.

Inspired by its stunning natural surroundings on the Freycinet Peninsula, the accommodation (with options that range from cabins to Coastal Pavilions) features a contemporary yet cosy design made from timber, stone and leather.

For a spectacular sojourn, opt for one of the nine waterfront Coastal Pavilions. These architecturally designed rooms include a private deck that wraps around each pavilion – and it is here where you will find the magical outdoor bath that takes full advantage of the breathtaking views of Coles Bay and out to the Hazards.

Freycinet SAffire Lodge
Freycinet offers special-occasion bathing.

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Unforgettable First Peoples tours and experiences in Victoria

    Angela Saurine Angela Saurine
    From ancient aquaculture systems to sacred rock art shelters, Victoria’s First Peoples cultural experiences offer a powerful connection to one of the world’s oldest living cultures – where every site, story and smoking ceremony invites a deeper understanding of the land beneath your feet. 

    Victoria’s sweeping landscapes hold stories far older than any road map can trace – stories etched into stone, sung through generations and woven into every bend of river and rise of hill. From the lava flows of Budj Bim to the ancient middens of Moyjil/Point Ritchie and the volcanic crater of Tower Hill, the state is home to some of the most significant First Peoples cultural sites in Australia. These places, along with other immersive experiences, offer not only a window into a 60,000-year legacy, but a profound way of understanding Country itself. As more travellers seek connection over checklists, guided tours by Traditional Owners offer respectful, unforgettable insights into a living culture that continues to shape the land and the people who walk it. 

    Budj Bim cultural landscape  

    Budj Bim Cultural Landscape
    Budj Bim Cultural Landscape is on Gunditjmara Country. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Venture beyond the surf and sand of the Great Ocean Road to discover a deeper story etched into the volcanic landscape. At Budj Bim, ancient aquaculture channels built by the Gunditjmara people to trap, store and harvest kooyang (short-finned eel) reveal one of the world’s oldest living cultures. While you’re in the area, head over to the state-of-the-art Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre, where you can observe the eels in a special tank, wander the shores of Tae Rak (Lake Condah), and enjoy a bite at the Bush Tucker Cafe. Also nearby is Tower Hill, a dormant volcano reborn as a wildlife reserve, offering trails through bushland teeming with emus and koalas. 

    eel tank
    The kooyang (eel) tank at Tae Rak. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Dumawul Kooyoora Walking Tour 

    Dumawul walkingtour
    Guests are guided through Kooyoora State Park on the Dumawul walking tour. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Step into a timeless landscape with Dumawul’s guided tour through Kooyoora State Park, around an hour’s drive west of Bendigo in north-central Victoria. Led by Djaara guides, this immersive half-day journey breathes life into Country, weaving together stories, bush tucker and ancient rock art. Known to the Dja Dja Wurrung people as Guyura – the ‘mountain of light’ – this dramatic granite range is rich with cultural and spiritual significance.  The adventure begins with a meet-up at the Bridgewater Hotel on the banks of the Loddon River, before guests are welcomed onto Country with a traditional Smoking Ceremony – a powerful ritual that honours ancestors and cleanses those who walk the land. From there, it’s a gentle wander through rugged outcrops and open bushland, with sweeping vistas unfolding at every turn. Along the way, guides share their knowledge of how the Dja Dja Wurrung peoples have cared for and adapted with this land for generations, offering a rare and moving window into an ancient way of life that continues to thrive today.  

    Kooyoora walking tour
    Knowledge of the Dja Dja Wurrung is shared on the trail. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Kingfisher Cruises  

    Kingfisher Cruises
    Cruising the Murray with Kingfisher Cruises. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Glide quietly through the Barmah-Millewa forest – the nation’s largest river red gum ecosystem – on a scenic journey along the Murray River and into the Barmah Lakes with Kingfisher Cruises. Led by passionate guides who share stories of the cultural significance of this ancient landscape, these cruises reveal the stories, totems and traditional knowledge of the Yorta Yorta people. As you navigate narrow waterways and spot native birds, you’ll gain a richer understanding of how First Peoples have lived in harmony with this floodplain for tens of thousands of years. It’s a gentle, immersive experience that leaves a lasting impression – one where every bend in the river carries echoes of culture, connection and Country.  

    wawa biik 

     Taungurung leaders
    Exploring Nagambie with Taungurung leaders. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Translating to ‘hello, Country’ in the language of the First Nations People and Custodians of the rivers and mountains of Taungurung Country in Central Victoria, wawa biik guides a range of authentic and deeply immersive experiences. Leaving from either Nagambie or Euroa, the tours are woven with ancient stories of the Taungurung, telling how a sustained connection and responsibility ensures the continued health of biik – benefitting the people, animals and plants that live in and around the Goulburn River. During the wawa Nagambie experience, guests participate in a Welcome Smoking Ceremony, and enjoy lunch and conversation with two Taungurung leaders as they cruise through the wetlands of tabilk-tabilk (place of many waterholes). The 4.5-hour tour begins at Tahbilk Winery, which is set in the wetlands of Nagambie on Taungurung Country and collaborates with Taungurung Elders to share knowledge of biik. 

    Bataluk Cultural Trail  

    Bataluk Trail
    Cape Conran on the Bataluk Trail. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    The Bataluk Cultural Trail winds through East Gippsland like a thread stitching past to present, tracing the deep connection between the Gunaikurnai people and their land. Starting at the Knob Reserve in Stratford, visitors walk among scarred trees and ancient stone tools once used for survival and ceremony. At the Den of Nargun near Mitchell River, the earth holds stories of women’s sacred spaces, cloaked in myth and legend. Further along, Legend Rock at Metung tells of greed and consequence, its surface etched with ancient lore. At Cape Conran, shell middens lie scattered like breadcrumbs of history – 10,000 years of gatherings, stories and saltwater songs still echoing in the wind.  

    Healesville Sanctuary  

    echidna at Healesville Sanctuary
    Get up close with a resident echidna at Healesville Sanctuary. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Set on the historic grounds of Coranderrk Aboriginal Station, Healesville Sanctuary honours the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation through immersive storytelling and connection to Country. Along Wurundjeri Walk, visitors are invited to reflect on the land’s rich First Peoples history, with native plants revealing their traditional uses. Wurundjeri Elder and educator Murrundindi shares culture in-person with the Wominjeka Aboriginal Cultural Experience every Sunday, and most days during Victorian school holidays. Murrundindi’s smoking ceremonies, storytelling and bush tucker knowledge reveal the sacred relationship between people, animals and the environment. Bird-lovers can’t miss the incredible Spirits of the Sky show featuring native birds daily at 12pm and 3pm. 

    The Grampians 

    Rock art at Bunjil Shelter in The Grampians
    Rock art at Bunjil Shelter in The Grampians. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Known as Gariwerd to Traditional Owners, the Grampians is a place of immense cultural and spiritual significance. This rugged landscape holds more than 80 per cent of Victoria’s known First Peoples rock art, offering a powerful window into the region’s deep heritage. Visitors can respectfully explore five remarkable rock art sites: Billimina and Ngamadjidj in the Wartook Valley, Manja Shelter near Hamilton, Gulgurn Manja shelter near Laharum, and the Bunjil Shelter near Stawell, where the creator spirit is depicted. Each site tells a unique story of connection to Country, shared through ancient handprints, dancing figures and Dreaming narratives etched into stone.