Seven self-indulgent long-weekend luxury escapes

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Megan Arkinstall finds seven long-weekend ideas to take you away from it all so you can indulge in, well, pure indulgence.

1. Glide on water in the Top End: Kakadu National Park, NT

Bamurru Plains coined the term ‘wild bush luxury’ to describe their accommodation; a down-to-earth camp with a focus on fine details, designed to draw your attention to the surrounding environment rather than the distractions of modern life. There are a host of activities to get you out and about to explore the wildlife, but we recommend starting with a morning glide on the wetlands on board a fan-propelled airboat (specially for shallow waters) – a unique way to view the birdlife native to the area. At night, retreat back to camp for a hearty meal cooked with local ingredients, before falling into a deep sleep to the sounds of Kakadu silence: croaking frogs and local owls. Sounds like a bloody good long weekend to us.

 

Location: Bamurru Plains is a three-hour drive or 20-minute flight from Darwin. Swim Creek Station near Point Stuart in the Mary River Region, 10 kilometres from Kakadu National Park’s western boundary; 1300 790 561; bamurruplains.com

2. Create a work of art in your own studio: Swansea, Tas

Two kilometres up a dirt road brings you to the secluded and stunning Rocky Hills Retreat. Set on 250 acres of dry bush, the house overlooks a valley and out towards Maria Island. Have a bath on the deck and watch the sun go down, or awaken your inner artist in the fully-equipped on-site art studio. In here you’ll find tools to draw, paint, sculpt and knit… the possibilities are endless.

 

Location: Rocky Hills Retreat is 1.5 hours from Hobart. 11901 Tasman Highway, Rocky Hills, Swansea; 1300 361 136; rockyhillsretreat.com.au

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3. Take a private seaplane to a secluded getaway: Whale Beach, NSW

Jonah’s boutique hotel, on Whale Beach just north of Sydney, offers an idyllic getaway without really getting away at all. Kick back on your private balcony and simply admire the 180-degree views of the ocean… and imagine previous guests Sir Anthony Hopkins, Rod Stewart and Mick Jagger doing the same. To really knock your socks off, we recommend arriving in style by private sea plane – you can transfer direct from Sydney’s Rose Bay, as part of a hotel package including a three-course dinner at their hatted restaurant and brekky. Now that’s how a long weekend should be spent (if you’re comfortable with spending, that is).

 

Location: Jonah’s is a 50-minute drive from Sydney or 20 minutes by seaplane. 69 Bynya Road, Whale Beach, Sydney; 02 9974 5599; jonahs.com.au

4. Soak it up on a private rooftop spa: Noosa, QLD

Perched on the highest point of Noosa’s Sunshine Beach Esplanade is a not-so-average retreat, complete with four bedrooms, five bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen, media room, billiards room, pool and yes, a rooftop spa overlooking the Coral Sea. Turn on the bubbles, pour some bubbles and toast to the Queensland winter sun with a few of your favourite friends, before a barbecue on the deck. Winter warming at its best.

 

Location: The Beach Shack is two hours north of Brisbane. 19 The Esplanade, Sunshine Beach, Noosa. Book through R&W Noosa Holidays; 07 5448 0966; rwnoosaholidays.com.au

5. Retreat to a weekend of relaxation and pampering: Byron Bay, NSW

Sometimes, the best kind of indulgence is a break from indulgence. Whether you want to detox, de-stress, lose weight or simply gain some peace, the sprawling hinterland of Byron Bay, home to Olivia Newtown-John’s eco-retreat Gaia, is a beautiful place to do it. With activities like yoga, tai chi, meditation, body balance, cooking classes, art and sculpture classes, and a multi-award winning day spa – your mind, body and spirit are covered. Leave your mobile phone at home… we dare you.

 

Location: Gaia Retreat & Spa is two hours south of Brisbane. 933 Fernleigh Road, Brooklet; 02 6687 1216; gaiaretreat.com.au

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6. Luxury beyond words in a picture worth a thousand: Wolgan Valley, NSW

Brush up on your photography skills and capture the beauty of Wolgan Valley with a guided photography tour. The six-star Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort is a beautiful 4000-acre property with 40 luxury suites boasting a private pool and terrace, and double-sided fireplaces (no wonder it was voted number five in AT’s 100 Incredible Travel Secrets). Step out from behind the lens to enjoy the other onsite activities including hiking, mountain biking, 4WD tours and horse riding. Then return home with your stunning photos to prove that yes, you were indeed at Wolgan Valley. Lucky you.

 

Location: Wolgan Valley is a three-hour drive from Sydney. 2600 Wolgan Road, Wolgan Valley, Lithgow; 02 6350 1800; wolganvalley.com

7. Take a bush bath: Barossa Valley, SA

An elegant country manor located on a 225-acre estate… sounds like an idyllic place to rejuvenate. And what better way to do that than running yourself a soothing bath and soaking to the sound of silence in the middle of the bush? (Yes, it fits two.) The all-inclusive two-night stay at Kingsford Homestead includes drinks and canapés served on the verandah as the sun goes down, cooked breakfast, complimentary wines from the cellar, a five-course degustation one night and a three-course dinner the other. The 1856 homestead may look familiar: it was the previous home to McLeod’s Daughters, but now it can be yours.

 

Location: Kingsford Homestead is 45 minutes from Adelaide. Kingsford Road, Kingsford; 08 8524 8120; kingsfordhomestead.com.au

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7 of the best hotel pools to plan a holiday around

(Credit: Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences)

    Lucy Cousins Lucy Cousins
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    Whether you prefer harbour views or coastal escapes, these seven hotels prove that every holiday should start poolside.

    For the 13 million Australians planning a domestic holiday next year, where to stay is as important as where to go. The ideal hotel is one that helps you relax the moment you check in, with freshly prepared dining, easy access to local attractions, and an inviting pool lined with loungers and lush greenery. These seven hotel pools tick every box.   

    1. Hilton Surfers Paradise

    Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences rooftop pool
    Dive into this sunny pool precinct.

    What’s better than a stunning hotel swimming pool? Four stunning hotel swimming pools. Just two minutes’ walk from the iconic Surfers Paradise beachfront, Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences has its own pool precinct extending over 1500sqm. 

    There’s a 40-metre lap pool, plunge pool, kids’ pool with playground, and an indoor pool for a heated escape on cooler days. Follow up your swim with a luxury treatment at the eforea Spa, before taking in the ocean and hinterland views at the hotel’s Catch Restaurant. Guests can choose from luxury hotel rooms, or fully self-contained apartments with a kitchen, laundry and private balcony. The Sky Residences are located on level 33 and above, and include floor-to-ceiling windows, larger balconies and stop-you-in-your-tracks views.  

    2. Hilton Cairns

    hilton cairns pool
    Spend a day by the tropical lagoon-style pool.

    If location is key, Hilton Cairns offers an urban, waterfront escape just two minutes’ walk from the marina, Cairns Esplanade Lagoon and CBD. When you’re not exploring the Great Barrier Reef or the local restaurants and markets, you’ll most likely spend your time on a lounger by the inviting tropical lagoon-style pool, shaded by lush palm trees. There’s even a ‘Popsicle Hotline’ for a complimentary ice block delivered straight to your lounger, or order from the popular pool bar.

    Every room at the Hilton Cairns features a private balcony – rare for city hotels – so you can sip your coffee and watch the sunrise as the marina readies itself for boats heading out to the reef through Trinity Inlet.  

    3. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns

    Double Tree By Hilton Cairns pool
    Pull up a lounge chair and enjoy the Cairns weather.

    Famous for their ridiculously delicious welcome cookies, served warm on arrival, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns is also known for its seven-story, open-air tropical atrium with waterfalls, bridges, pathways and a pond filled with barramundi. Some rooms and internal balconies overlook this rainforest indoor garden, and you can explore it anytime you like.

    Don’t miss the regular fish-feeding sessions. When you’re not adventuring in the atrium, pull up a lounge chair beside the newly refurbished pool, or enjoy The Vine Room restaurant and bar, which won best redeveloped hotel in QLD at the Queensland Hospitality Awards. This hotel is the perfect base to visit the nearby Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, Cairns Aquarium, and the Reef Fleet Terminal.  

    4. Hilton Garden Inn Busselton

    heated pool at Hilton Garden Inn Busselton.
    Enjoy the heated pool at Hilton Garden Inn Busselton.

    To experience the colour-soaked sunrises of South West WA, get up early and take a dip in the welcoming, heated pool at Hilton Garden Inn Busselton. Overlooking the sheltered Geographe Bay foreshore, the loungers are perfectly positioned to take advantage of sunny afternoons as well. 

    Order a cool drink or devour fresh seafood from the hotel’s restaurant, Together & Co Restaurant. The unique menu is refreshed seasonally, but expect locally sourced Western Australian produce, Margaret River wines and modern Australian dishes. This hotel also offers Ocean View Rooms that frame the iconic Busselton Jetty nearby, as well as some rooms with private balconies, all decked out in soft coastal colours, pale timbers and sandy tones, reflecting the surrounding landscape.   

    5. Hilton Darwin

    Hilton Darwin pool deck
    Head to the sun-drenched rooftop pool.

    As soon as you drop your bags off in your harbour-view room at the Hilton Darwin, you’ll most likely head to the sun-drenched rooftop pool to wash away the tropical humidity and enjoy the endlessly blue Northern Territory skies.

    After a dip, book into award-winning PepperBerry Restaurant. The menu leans into the cultural significance of the region by incorporating native ingredients. Think lemon myrtle, Kakadu plum, saltbush, wattle seed and other Indigenous flavours. Round out your evening with a short stroll to the CBD for an after-dinner drink or ice cream by the waterfront.  

    6. DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin

    DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin pool
    Dine beside the pool, or dive right in.

    The most sought-after seat at the DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin is undoubtedly a terrace table in the hotel’s Aqua Restaurant and Bar. With views across the oversized pool and tropical gardens, the terrace is the best place to relax and enjoy the Mediterranean-inspired dishes with local ingredients.

    From there, famous attractions such as Crocosaurus Cove and the Darwin Waterfront are within a gentle stroll. Recharge in one of the comfortable, luxury rooms with the Sweet Dreams® by DoubleTree sleep experience – a custom-designed bed, with feather or down bedding and crisp white sheets. It’ll give you a sleep so restorative, you’ll want to take the bed home with you, which you literally can, thanks to the brand’s retail collection.       

    7. Hilton Garden Inn Darwin

    an aerial view of the pool at Hilton Garden Inn Darwin
    Hit the on-site pool under shady palms for a respite.

    Striking a balance between being central and blissfully removed from Darwin’s busy nightlife, the Hilton Garden Inn Darwin hugs the quieter end of the famous Esplanade. With a resort-style pool set among palms and tropical plants, it’s a destination in its own right. Harbour View rooms have sweeping panoramic views of ochre-coloured sunsets, while other rooms enjoy the striking city skyline. The hotel is so highly regarded by the locals, it recently won the Best Overall Accommodation Hotel and Best Mid-Range Accommodation categories at the Hospitality NT awards – but that won’t surprise anyone who has stayed there. 

    Start planning your poolside bliss at hilton.com.