The 20 best resorts and lodges in Australia

Bells at Killcare is bound to ring a bell for Aussies who appreciate the finer things in life. Nestled on the Bouddi Peninsula just outside Sydney, this coastal-luxe boutique hotel is the epitome of relaxed sophistication with 25 Hamptons-style seaside cottages, a farm-to-table restaurant boasting an award-winning wine list, and a luxurious day spa. In 2024, Bells unveiled four nature-inspired standalone lodges, complete with two king bedrooms, outdoor showers, private verandas, a heated magnesium pool and a sunset deck boasting stunning views of Broken Bay, Palm Beach and Bouddi National Park. And with all meals included, you’ll indulge in a nightly three-course à la carte or five-course chef’s tasting dinner at the acclaimed Wild Flower Bar and Dining.

Escape to your very own piece of paradise at Australia’s most famous private island resort. This is the type of place you see in the magazines, only much, much better, thanks to its panoramic position on the sparkly blue waters of the Whitsundays. Unwind in your private plunge pool, seek shade under the exclusive waterfront cabanas, melt away stress with a hot stone massage, and enjoy a seafood buffet at sunset. Or just take it easy; you're on island time now.

Perched atop limestone cliffs on South Australia’s wildlife-filled Kangaroo Island, Southern Ocean Lodge was one of only two places in Australia named on National Geographic’s world’s best hotels list for 2024. The 25 sparkling suites in this dreamy eco-hotel were recently rebuilt after being destroyed by wildfires in 2019 and 2020. Guests can soak up all the luxuries in their private plunge pool, take in sweeping views of the Indian Ocean from the floor-to-ceiling windows, and cosy up by the fireplace with a nightcap in hand.

Small-town charm meets big-city style at this Southern Highlands haven, located just a two-hour drive from Sydney and Canberra. With century-old gardens on one side and the untouched beauty of Morton National Park on the other, Osborn House provides a private sanctuary to rest and refill your cup. The main heritage building is home to 15 impeccably styled suites, with five freestanding forest lodges built in 2024. Guests can unwind on the forest bathing deck, featuring a soothing jacuzzi, sauna and ice bath. Additional amenities include a 25-metre lap pool, steam room, pickleball and tennis courts, plus an Argentinian-inspired open-fire dining experience available during the cooler months.

There are times to be frugal, and there are times to splurge. Longitude 131º is one such experience. Dotted among the dusty dunes of Australia’s Red Centre are 16 tented pavilions, each offering a glamorous base from which to explore the World Heritage-listed natural icons Uluru and Kata Tjuta. After a day of exploring, you can lounge around in your spacious abode decorated with local Indigenous artworks and custom-designed furniture from Australian designers. Make the most of your stay with Longitude’s help-yourself bar, plush outdoor lounges, plunge spa and rain shower, plus dinner under the stars.

You don’t need to book a trip to Bordeaux when South Australia has its own world-class food and wine scene. Base yourself at this intimate adults-only lodge sitting atop the misty Adelaide Hills. Sequoia’s 14 open-plan suites boast a large bathtub with panoramic views of the valley, a spacious private balcony, a sunken lounge room with a toasty fireplace and a moon window for stargazing before bed. Also included in your luxury getaway are daily breakfast, a complimentary mini bar, an inviting infinity pool, an exclusive spring-fed hot pool experience, plus seasonal walking tours and culinary masterclasses. 

Sitting in the shadow of its namesake tabletop mountain, the majestic Mt Mulligan Lodge offers a stylish way to experience the spirit of the North Queensland outback. This eco-property sits on an expansive 28,000-hectare cattle station, accessible by a scenic 35-minute helicopter flight from Cairns or a thrilling 2.5-hour 4WD adventure. Each of Mt Mulligan’s charming glamping tents, retreat rooms and spacious suites is designed for indulgence, featuring a deep outdoor bathtub, private veranda, gourmet minibar and an electric buggy to zip around the property. 

If your Instagram feed has been looking a little lacklustre lately, we have a surefire cure: take a bubble bath in a five-star hotel next to a pair of Malayan sun bears. Yes, we’re serious. This is a real, actual thing you can do at Jamala Wildlife Lodge, inside Canberra’s National Zoo and Aquarium. An overnight stay comes with all the behind-the-scenes perks you’d hope for from a sleepover at the zoo, including a guided afternoon tour; pre-dinner drinks featuring Moët, canapés and a pair of surprisingly adorable hyenas; an African-influenced dinner party next to the aquarium; and lots of Insta-worthy animal encounters.

Discover the endless beauty of Australia’s untamed Kimberley region from this expansive 700,000 acre property, housing a maximum of only 20 guests. The Homestead opens seasonally from April to October, offering a relaxed escape from the daily hustle and bustle. Along with feather-topped beds and double deluxe baths, guests are treated to gourmet meals daily, the finest local beverages and selected tours, such as a river cruise, exclusive use of Zebedee Thermal Springs, a sunset trip to Buddy’s Point, and guided walks through the rugged gorges and tranquil rainforests of the Kimberley region. 

Sitting pretty in the heart of the Whitsundays, this jaw-dropping resort is a true paradise for luxury seekers and nature enthusiasts alike. With its breathtaking location on Hamilton Island, the resort offers serenity and natural beauty in spades, packaged with an understated luxe vibe that doesn’t brag about its five-star credentials. At Qualia, guests can indulge in world-class amenities, including an infinity pool, a state-of-the-art spa, and gourmet dining options that showcase the finest local produce. 

Located at the gateway to Victoria’s King Valley, this recently refurbished boutique hotel offers luxury with a welcome dose of good ol’ fashioned country hospitality. Venture through to Lancemore’s outdoor back plaza, which overlooks rows of vines, and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve somehow been transported to a Tuscan villa. There’s a pond, hammocks, white umbrellas, festoon lights and a pool with sun lounges – insert Aperol Spritz here, thanks. The rooms themselves are modern, spacious and elegantly furnished – each featuring a gorgeous bouclé daybed deserving of a standalone post on the ‘gram and providing the perfect spot for a cheeky arvo nap. Watch the sun go down from your private balcony or terrace, and be sure to suss out the mini bar chock-full of local wines, beers and snacks.

For an A-class beach holiday in the boho-luxe land of Byron Bay, check out Elements of Byron. It’s a hop and a skip to Belongil Beach, and it’s got all the amenities you could wish for (and some you didn’t even know you wanted). Sun loungers are dotted around the adults-only pool, a swim-up cocktail bar is ready to accede to your every spirit-based whim, and golf buggies will transport you from tennis court to nature trail to jumbo-sized fire pit. Elements’ eight freestanding villas are hot property in summer, so you might want to plan a few years in advance. 

There’s luxe and then there’s luxe. A hidden hideaway in Tasmania’s stunning Freycinet National Park, this all-inclusive resort is home to 20 luxury suites with breathtaking views of Wineglass Bay. Your stay is bound to be a generous mix of relaxation and adventure. During the day, you’ll be entertained by harbour distillery tours, Tasmanian devil encounters, oyster farm culinary experiences and hikes. Then, at night, you’ll be greeted with relaxing deck lounges, therapeutic milk bath soaks and world-class menus.

You can only access Australia’s most remote luxury lodge experience by air, meaning that your adventure starts before you even check in. From the sky, you can admire the lodge’s 20 identical villas, floating atop two coastal sand dunes on the Kimberley Coast. You can relax into the rhythms of nature from your sun-soaked private veranda, laze away the afternoon on the comfy outdoor daybed, or soak in the Kimberley moonlight from the open-air bathtub.

Under the lush and leafy canopy of the Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest, you’ll find 40 luxury treehouses fitted with private verandas, inviting hammocks, large spa baths and generous amenities. Let Silky Oaks Lodge be your base for exploring the natural theatres of the surrounding Mossman River, where you can embark on Dreamtime walks, the Valley Falls hike, helicopter flights or enjoy a peaceful picnic on the forest floor. 

You know that feeling you get from watching puppy videos? Yeah, that’s how you’re going to feel after a stay at this warm and welcoming seaside retreat. Seven luxury suites spread throughout the sandstone building, with each designed to feel like a warm hug, featuring floor-to-ceiling window panes and a colour palette that reflects the surrounding coastal farmland. Guests are often seen relaxing in the communal foyer by the modern fireplace, reading in the sun-drenched nook by the spa, or at the large dining table. Despite the (welcome) isolation, there’s plenty to do. You can try one of the farm’s walking tracks, head down to the surf (Lon Retreat has private beach access) or really lean into your relaxing getaway with a mineral springs water therapy treatment at the day spa.

For a Hamptons-style holiday, look no further than this seaside sanctuary and spa in NSW’s charming coastal town of Port Stephens. You’ll wake up to the sound of lapping waves from The Anchorage’s bright and breezy waterfront rooms, which are moored on the cusp of a boutique marina. The picturesque Corlette beach is a short barefoot stroll away, but you can also bask in the vista of the bay from the resort’s infinity pool with snacks and Spritz from the brand-new poolside bar.

Clock out of the office and into full relaxation mode at Western Australia’s award-winning five-star resort, located on the crystal clear waters of Bunker Bay in the magical Margaret River wine region. Surrounded by peppermint trees and sand dunes, this resort truly is a piece of paradise on earth. Dip your toes in the heated infinity pool, enjoy a pamper session at Vie Spa, find inner peace with complimentary yoga classes, explore the region’s best drops on a wine-tasting tour, and close out the day with sunset drinks on the ocean-view terrace, before retreating to your romantic Bungalow-style villa.

Hidden behind the squeaky white sands of The Bay of Fires is this hilltop escape, exclusively for those who embark on the scenic four-day, three-night Bay of Fires walk. Sitting 130 feet above sea level, the Lodge offers unparalleled views of the bay and beyond from its floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Make friends over shared meals in the expansive living area, cosy up by the open fire with a book from the library, or rest your feet on the relaxing deck chairs. Pre-bookings are best if you’re keen to sink into the outdoor tub or settle in for a luxurious few hours at the spa.

Fringed with colourful coral reefs and Australia’s most sparkling seas, this exclusive island retreat is a must for those seeking world-class hospitality with access to Australia’s greatest natural wonder, the Great Barrier Reef. As the only luxury stay located directly on the Reef, Lizard Island Resort truly offers the quintessential desert-island experience, with snorkelling, diving, kayaking and fishing all on your doorstep. Stay in complete seclusion in one of the resort’s tropical garden view suites, or opt for uninterrupted views of the turquoise water from a beachfront villa.