Escape Into Five-Star Luxury At Osborn House

A stay at Osborn House in Bundanoon, NSW, is a lesson in slow luxury.

Nestled deep in the Southern Highlands of NSW, you’ll find Osborn House . The five-star, luxury accommodation offering is a guest-driven experience, with everything you need (and more) to relax, rest and rejuvenate, all in one place. It’s one of those sublime stays that, once you arrive, you’ll never want to leave.

Osborn House in Bundanoon, Southern Highlands, NSW — Osborn House is nestled in the small town of Bundanoon.

Location

Osborn House can be found in the small Southern Highlands town of Bundanoon in regional NSW on Gandangara Country. If you’re coming from Sydney, it’ll take you roughly one hour and 45 minutes by car to arrive.

Bundanoon is also just under an hour’s drive from Goulburn and around two hours from Canberra. Trains also run from Sydney’s Central Station and Canberra Railway Station. However, some routes may require a changeover.

Style and character

The atmosphere at Osborn House is an expertly concocted balance of upbeat modernism and relaxed luxury. Every detail has been masterfully curated but effortlessly styled, from the lobby to the dining spaces and rooms.

The main house dates back to the late 1800s and resembles a museum of eclectic yet sophisticated decor. After valeting your car, you’ll enter a homely lobby with potted plants, comfy couches and a wall pockmarked poetically with room keys.

Go deeper into the heritage house and you’ll find a masterful fireplace sits in the centre of the dining room, which blazes throughout the winter months. Come summer, the space opens up onto a large balcony boasting ample dining space and mountain views.

The dining room is awash in deep navy blues, mustard yellows and olive greens, which are seamlessly blended with sky blues, terracotta browns and blush pinks. Rattan textures are paired with wooden features and gold accents that dance together under striking original artworks by Jai Vasicek. Jai did an Artist in Residence stint at Osborn House back in June, and his distinct paintings are sprinkled throughout the property.

The multifarious play on colour and style seeps into the accommodation options at Osborn House, particularly the exclusive Forest Lodges. While a little more muted, the palette inside perfectly matches the mood the room instils. The primary pop of colour comes from a plush red couch, which is surrounded by soft browns, blues and greys. Freshly cut flowers, small book stacks and low-lit lamps all work in relaxation’s favour.

Outside, the grounds are faintly reminiscent of a manor in the English countryside. But there are subtle nods at each corner that remind you where you are. Like the ancient craggy pines that mingle with old eucalyptus gums. Kangaroos lazily munch on the grass next to dainty cream narcissus in full bloom. The paradox brings Osborn House into a league of its own, heightened even more so by the luxury lodge’s exclusive offerings.

Facilities

Osborn House is one of those places where, once you arrive, you really don’t have to leave until check out; everything you need is onsite. Breakfast, lunch and dinner can all be had just a stone’s throw from each room, plus your mini fridge is stocked with snacks and drinks.

Keen to get active? There are well-maintained tennis and pickleball courts outside. You can also head to the gym, which includes weights, pilates equipment and Peloton bikes for unlimited guest use. Or simply go for a stroll around the gorgeous grounds.

If you’d rather relax, the onsite spa is a must. Treat yourself to a luxurious massage or facial featuring luscious LaGaia products. Or grab your current read and head to the library room in the main house. In the cooler months (and let’s be honest, all year round), the sauna, steam room, heated lap pool and spa are also non-negotiables.

For those staying in a Forest Lodge, you’ll also have access to the new Forest Bathing Deck. Hidden up in a woodland of pines, away from the rest of the property, this secret setting is the ultimate in mindful luxury.

Featuring a sauna, jacuzzi, ice bath, yoga platform and fire pit, the deck overlooks nearby Morton National Park. Open to just two guests at a time, it’s the perfect way for couples to rejuvenate and reconnect with themselves and nature.

Rooms

Just 27 suites make up Osborn House – 15 in the main house and 13 Forest Lodges. Inside, there are the main suites and premier suites, as well as the Highland Suite, Garden Terrace and Premier Garden Terrace.

But the real stars of Osborn House are the Forest Lodges. At first, there were just seven onsite, but five new, elevated Forest Lodges have recently been added to the collection.

These divine dens are fitted with a king-sized bed, cosy fireplace, mini bar (with complimentary non-alcoholic beverages) and separate bathroom with a double-headed rain shower. The stand-alone outdoor bath on your private balcony is a highlight, too.

Additional amenities include a large skylight above the bed, a Smeg kettle with tea and coffee provided, LaGaia products in the bathroom, a wall-mounted TV, a Sonos speaker, luxurious bathrobes and air conditioning. There’s also firewood at your door, which is restocked daily.

To celebrate the five newly built Forest Lodges, a handful of new all-inclusive packages are being offered at Osborn House. Available for two-, three- and five-night stays, the packages include a range of different inclusions.

Think bubbles on arrival, dinner daily (plus breakfast and lunch, depending on the package), excursion experiences, twice-daily room services, daily mini-bar restocking and, of course, private access to the Forest Bathing Deck.

Food and drink

There are two onsite restaurants at the property. George’s is a more relaxed, laid-back dining experience where guests can have breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. The menu is paired back but packed with flavour. Think slow-cooked lamb pasta, dry-aged grass-fed sirloin, tuna crudo with finger lime and basque cheesecake for dessert.

For something a little (or a lot) more fancy, head to Dinah’s. Open for dinner between Wednesdays and Sundays, the menu here is set and prepared to be shared. Guests will love the Gundagai lamb backstrap, Musset Holdings salad and slow-cooked pineapple granita.

Both restaurants mainly use fresh produce from the Southern Highlands and offer extensive beverage lists featuring local makers. Oenophiles can sip on both regional and international wines, while cocktail lovers will enjoy the signature Osborn Sour, a take on the iconic Peruvian/Chilean drink.

Does Osborn House have access for guests with disabilities?

All dining rooms and facilities throughout the main hotel (including the spa, bathrooms, steam room, sauna and gym) are wheelchair accessible. The three Garden Terrace suites are all accessible, too.

Is Osborn House family-friendly?

As Osborn House aims to provide its guests with a safe and quiet place to relax and rejuvenate, children must be over the age of 12 to stay and must be supervised by an adult at all times.

Details

Best for: Couples or small groups looking for a luxurious escape immersed in nature.

Address: 96 Osborn Ave, Bundanoon, NSW

Phone: (02) 4883 6027

Cost: The new all-inclusive Forest Lodge packages are priced between $3500 (two-night stay, two guests) and $8399 (five-night stay, two guests). General room rates at Osborn House vary depending on dates but are accessible online.

Thredbo in summer is a nature lover’s dream of show-stopping alpine beauty, cool mountain air and magical moonlit adventure.

For many of us, Thredbo calls to mind shimmering slopes and snow-dusted gums, but come summer, this Alpine resort transforms into a playground of an entirely different kind. A cool mountain retreat despite the season, Thredbo summer hikes are astonishingly beautiful, criss-crossing over dramatic peaks, pristine glacial lakes and abundant flora and fauna.

From approachable tracks for novice walkers to more challenging hikes across the Main Range and even journeys under moonlight, Thredbo puts on an unforgettable show of natural splendour all summer. Lace up your walking boots and take the chairlift from Thredbo village to embark on a self-guided exploration or a tour of the Snowy Mountains’ most compelling landscapes.

These eight unforgettable hiking experiences are only available in summer and offer an alpine adventure like you’ve never experienced before.

1. Full Moon Hike to Mt Kosciuszko

There’s something almost mystical about hiking by the light of a full moon. This guided experience begins with a 15-minute chairlift ride, where you’ll admire the Thredbo Valley below, bathed in the fading sun.

Once at the top, you’ll pass rivers, alpine lakes and spot nocturnal wildlife on your way to the Kosciuszko Lookout and Lake Cootapatamba. By the time you reach the summit, sunset is well underway as you watch day give way to night and the alpine landscape magically illuminated by the lunar glow. Enjoy a hot chocolate here before following the path back to Eagles Nest, brightened by the night sky.

This 13-kilometre hike will take place on 3 January, 2 February, and 2 April in 2026.

2. Super Full Moon Hike

Super Full Moon Hike in thredbo — Take in the might of a super full moon.

The only thing that could level up the celestial beauty of a full moon hike would be a super full moon hike . Following the same route, you’ll meet the moon when it is largest and closest to Earth by ascending to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko at an elevation of 2228 metres. From such a height, it almost feels as though you could reach out and touch its glowing surface.

Given the rarity and splendour of the super full moon, limited spots fill up fast for this awe-inspiring hike, so be sure to book the 5 December in advance.

3. Lunar Eclipse Hike

Thredbo Lunar Eclipse Hike — See dazzling celestial displays.

What could be more extraordinary than witnessing a lunar eclipse from Australia’s highest peak? Whether you’re a keen astronomer or simply revel in nature’s beauty, this guided 13-kilometre hike will place you on top of Mount Kosciuszko just as Earth passes between the sun and moon, throwing shade over the lunar surface before transforming it with a deep-red hue.

It’s an epic place to witness one of our galaxy’s most spectacular and rare light shows. Apart from the dazzling celestial display, you’ll also enjoy walking through the moon-bathed landscape, an evening chairlift ride, and a hot chocolate at the summit.

Book now for 3 March.

4. New Moon Hike

New Moon Hike Mt Kosciuszko — Catch the changing skies of a new moon.

A stargazer’s delight, the darkness of a new moon gives the Milky Way full permission to dazzle with its shimmering display. Both astronomers and photographers will relish this opportunity to observe and capture the starry skyscape from the lofty height of Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko. Departing Thredbo Village at dusk and leaving its twinkling lights far below, you’ll arrive at the summit in time to see the sun slip away and the stars appear.

Catch this hike during the new moon lunar phase on 20 December, 19 January, 17 February, 19 March or 17 April.

5. Thredbo River Track

Embark on a gentle entry into the Snowy Mountain scenery with an amble along the Thredbo River. This self-guided hike hugs the river and wanders along the valley floor, revealing snow gum forests, swimming holes and little waterfalls that make for revitalising cold plunges in the summer heat.

6. Merritts Nature Track

Merritts Nature Track thredbo summer hikes — Stop at swimming holes along the way.

On warm summer days, venturing into the cooler air of Thredbo’s alpine tracks offers relief from the heat. Particularly if you set course for the four-kilometre Merritts Nature Track , where there are opportunities to take a refreshing dip in swimming holes along the way.

The two-to-three-hour self-guided hike meanders through towering ancient trees (dubbed the ‘Pixie Forest’ by locals), takes in stunning mountain vistas and is soundtracked by the melody of birdsong. Stop for a picnic and discover a hidden natural infinity pool, the location of which is given away by the roar of a cascading waterfall.

7. Mt Kosciuszko Summit Tour

Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko's summit. — Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko’s summit.

While you can easily steer yourself to Australia’s most iconic peak without a guide, following an expert guide to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko will colour your experience with a deeper knowledge of the landscape and its wild inhabitants. The 13-kilometre return trail puts the alpine scenery on display with 360-degree views from the highest spot in the country.

The walk begins at the top of the Kosciuszko Chairlift and takes around four to six hours to complete, but is gentle enough to be embarked upon by all ages.

8. Snowies Alpine Walk Experience

If you’re looking to truly untether from daily life and embark on a real immersion in Thredbo’s stunning alpine scenery, pack your hiking boots for the newest multi-day walk in the mountains. The Snowies Alpine Walk can be tackled over two or three days and includes nightly accommodation in the iconic Thredbo Alpine Hotel, daily buffet breakfast, packed lunch and dinner vouchers, plus daily transfers to and from trail heads in a brand-new Defender.

The two-day experience covers 24 kilometres, while the three-day experience almost doubles that at 44 kilometres. Along the way, explore barely trod landscapes, vast high-country plains and uplifting mountain horizons.

Discover the full offering of summer hikes in Thredbo at thredbo.com.au.

Escape into five-star luxury at Osborn House