Top 10 places to see the outback in style

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1. Longitude 131, Uluru, NT

Australia’s original luxury lodge, in a prime position. The 15 ‘tents’ here have stunning and privileged views of Uluru, with private dining and tours available. $2040 per night for two, all inclusive; minimum two-night stay.

 

www.longitude131.com.au

2. Wildman Wilderness Lodge, Mary River FloodPlains, NT

If we’d done this feature three years ago it would have included Queensland’s Wrotham Park. The entire resort has been moved 2000km to Kakadu’s doorstep, to open April 1 this year as a Wildman Wilderness Lodge with luxury cabins and touring of the Top End’s diverse wetlands. $285 per person per night including dinner and breakfast; touring is extra.

 

www.wildmanwildernesslodge.com.au

3. Bamurru Plains, Mary River FloodPlains, NT

In the same region as Wildman and part of the Wild Bush Luxury portfolio (which includes Arkaba Station). Wetland tours, fishing and airboat adventures. $930 per person per night including all meals and scheduled activities, but aircon is extra. Minimum two-night stay.

 

www.bamurruplains.com

4. Bullo River, The Kimberley, NT

Made famous by Sara Henderson, the Bullo River Station is on the NT side of the Kimberley and is a true working station experience, with guest activities that include mustering by helicopter and horse, or more relaxed options such as fishing tours to various gorges and the Bungle Bungles. $800 per person per night.

 

www.bulloriver.com

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5. El Questro, The Kimberley, WA

One of the most special locations in the entire Australian Outback, let alone the Kimberley, there is a way to stay here without spending
$1890 a night: camping costs from $17 per night, plus $17 for a seven-day park permit.

 

www.elquestro.com.au

6. Cable Beach Club, Broome, WA

It’s a bit weird to include a beachside resort in an Outback issue, but Broome is where the Outback meets the sea and it’s a great leaping-off point or final destination for an exploration of the Kimberley. From $427 per night.

 

www.cablebeachclub.com

7. Rawnsley Park Eco Villas, SA

The Eco Villas at Rawnsley Park, five hours’ drive from Adelaide, are the best bang-for-buck accommodation in the entire Australian Outback. You’ll find loads to do in the
Flinders Ranges. $350 per night.

 

www.rawnsleypark.com.au 

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8. Burrawang West Station, Forbes, NSW

Not very high-profile but big on luxury, this working sheep and cattle station serves up
an authentic homestead and wilderness experience. $4400 per night for four people including all meals and some activities.

 

www.burrawangwest.com.au

9. Mungo Lodge, NSW

The incredible, sculptural, ancient landscape of Mungo National Park is 100km from Mildura and one of the least recognised destinations
in the Outback. Mungo Lodge’s self-contained deluxe cabins are on the simpler, more affordable end of the style spectrum. Expect king-size beds and plasma TVs, and the feeling that you’ve stumbled upon a truly magic place. $250 for two.

 

www.mungolodge.com.au

10. Platinum SERVICE on The Ghan

The Adelaide to Darwin journey takes in some stunning central Australian Outback scenery. Enjoy the relatively new Platinum Service, which has larger rooms and beds and much more space. Jump off in Alice to explore the Red Centre then rejoin the train two days later. Or for the ultimate indulgence, book a self-contained carriage all for yourself. Darwin to Adelaide and vice versa, $2987 per person.

 

www.greatsouthernrail.com.au

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The secret Sydney suite life: a luxury under-the-radar stay right on the harbour

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
    Continue
    This winter, these secret Sydney harbour suites are the staycation we’ve been looking for.

    Whether it’s the crisscrossing ferries or the white sails of the Opera House rising out of blue depths, Australia’s biggest city lives for its harbour. But while locals might glance at that watery expanse on their daily commute across the Bridge, it can still be hard to truly connect with Sydney’s maritime soul. The secret: seeing the harbour eye-to-eye, right at water level. And what better place to submerge yourself in that energy than sleeping there? That’s where Pier One Sydney Harbour comes in (and with new all-inclusive bed and breakfast benefits, there’s even more to love).

    All-inclusive VIP benefits

    Who Is Elijah Amenities at Pier One Sydney Harbour
    Book in for the all-inclusive VIP treatment.

    The hard truth is that it will be very difficult to tear yourself away from your ultra-luxurious harbour home-away-from-home to explore the city. If you want to make leaving even harder, opt for Pier One’s all-inclusive VIP treatment.

    The Bed and Breakfast with Suite Benefits package turns up the volume on what is already the ultimate staycation, with complimentary valet parking, daily breakfast for two and turndown service. The biggest perk? Enjoy a bottle of French champagne every day during your whole stay

    Pier One Sydney Harbour

    Pier One Sydney Harbour
    Step into a piece of history with all the modern comforts. (Credit: Dave Wheeler)

    The five-star Pier One Sydney Harbour is quite literally old Sydney through and through. Built on what was once a working cargo wharf and the passenger terminal for those heading to the North Shore before the bridge was constructed, the heritage building sits right between the tangle of cobblestones, pubs and alleyways of The Rocks and the historic docking zone of Walsh Bay – at the centre of the city’s old sea trade.

    If knowing the hotel’s history isn’t enough to get your sea-longing going, the interior design certainly will. As soon as you step up to the concierge desk in the lobby of the restored building – which underwent a $15 million redevelopment in 2019 – you’re immersed in Sydney’s seafaring tale. Weathered wood panelling and white marble floors surround you, while loop lighting installations hover above the bar island just beyond, ringed with stools ready for intimate, martini-tinted conversations. Steel rivets and timber beams speak to its past, and glass-walled views anchor you firmly in the present-day life on the harbour.

    Pier One Suites

    Pier One Sydney Harbour admiral suite
    Enjoy incredible views from your suite.

    Across the 189 rooms and suites built on and over the water, the maritime theme continues. Sculptural aged brass fittings, exposed girders, colour schemes that evoke shifting currents, and mirrors that reflect ripples that – depending on your booking – sit just metres from your pillow.

    United on theme yet unique in set-up, each room or suite is different. On the ground floor, dog-friendly rooms with direct access to the pier are all prepped for pampered pups, while others have views and even balconies overlooking Walsh Bay, the Bridge and the Harbour.

    But the 19 suites step things up even more. Gaze out through floor-to-ceiling windows, or get even closer. Your private balcony is made for sipping a Nespresso coffee on as the sun comes up – or soaking in the bathtub of the Admiral Suite on the deck, a drink from the locally stocked mini bar in hand. This mini bar was recently completely transformed, so you have more Aussie favourites to choose from, including alcohol and snacks.

    Dining at Pier One

    Pier Bar Pier One Sydney Harbour
    Settle in for an afternoon of good drinks and views.

    Once you’re checked in, start your afternoon with a spritz at PIER BAR – or arrive by boat via the private pontoon if the occasion calls for it – and settle into one of the cabanas. Weekdays bring Happy Hour (or ‘sunset hour’ at Pier One); weekends bring the DJs. After an even sweeter experience? The Everyday Creamery and Matcha Kiosk is slinging mango and vanilla soft serve – classic and those spiked with Midori and gin alike.

    PIER Dining is an ode to contemporary Australian flavours across the terrace, pier and dining room. On its seafood-leaning menu are Sydney rock oysters from Merimbula, potato scallops with salmon roe and crème fraîche, chicken with melting sundried tomato butter, vodka rigatoni with Shark Bay prawns. And the ‘Pierlova’ – that’s pavlova with chocolate, dulce de leche and banana is worth saving room for. Make sure to ask for the wine list – it’s 100 per cent Australian drops.

    Around town

    luna park, sydney opera house and sydney harbour bridge
    Explore the neighbourhood during your stay. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    If you’re strong enough to polish off just one last pastry from the breakfast buffet and walk out the door, we applaud you. Luna Park across the harbour beckons with its wide grin, while a glance upward might spur you to climb the Bridge’s famous iron arches. The Opera House – just across Circular Quay from the Museum of Contemporary Art – sings out for a concert.

    You’ll want to book ahead for those hot-ticket performances at Sydney Theatre Company and Sydney Dance Company, just a few minutes’ walk south of the hotel. Ten minutes further brings you to the waterfront bars, restaurants and clubs of Barangaroo, or the karaoke, gardens and dim sum of Chinatown further afield.

    Keep the mellow of your weekend getaway going with a stop at Barangaroo Reserve, watching the yachts go by – all before returning for that Sydney sundowner at Pier One.

    Ready to make that Pier One stay a reality? Book the ultimate Sydney staycation at pieronesydneyharbour.com.au

    Top 10 places to see the outback in style - Australian Traveller