Bucket list hotels in Australia

Australia is such a vast and diverse country, you can be skiing or soaking up the sun all in one country. Australia has its fair share of luxurious world class hotels, and it’s hard to pick just a few. However, we have chosen the best of the best throughout Australia to either add to your bucket list or to stay at in the future. We have chosen these because we have either stayed at them in the past or we wish to stay at in the future.

1. Intercontinental Hayman Island, Queensland

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Located in the heart of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, Intercontinental Hayman Island is the northernmost of the Whitsunday Islands off the coast of Queensland. With its own private island, stylish elegance reflecting the harmony of nature and with beautifully appointed accommodation set against the backdrop of the Coral Sea, it is hard not to add it to our list. The hotel transfers are even more luxurious, helicopter, yacht or water plane. Take your pick! The resort offers a variety of water sports, complimentary wifi and various food choices. Not to mention David and Victoria Beckham had their honeymoon here, to put it into perspective!

2. Byron at Byron Bay, NSW

The Byron at Byron Bay – Click here to book!

Located just 15 minutes outside the popular town of Byron Bay, the surrounding of this resort are unlike no other. Set in 46 acres of wild rainforest, and just a short stroll from the beautiful Tallow Beach, this resort is luxurious and serene. Meander along the boardwalks through the rainforest, which contains 200 species of native plants, over 90 species of birds and a range of native wildlife. The Byron is a “retreat” in every sense of the word. It has all the hallmarks of a luxurious five-star resort – a day spa, a fine-dining restaurant, and a luxurious modern pool surrounded by lush vegetation.

3. Longitude 131° Ayers Rock, NT

Longitude 131 – Click here to Book!

Longitude 131° is located in the red centre of Australia.  Facing majestic Uluru, the hotel boasts spectacular views of the outback icon and World Heritage listed wilderness of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. This luxury retreat will make your senses come alive, while you delve into the foundation of Anangu culture and explore this irresistible land and the stories of the traditional custodians. If you are wanting pure luxury whilst exploring the red centre, this is the only hotel near, and is only located a few kilometres from the rock itself. With only 15 tented pavilions you are guaranteed to have a personal, tranquil and remarkable stay. All excursions are included, like watching the sunset over Uluru, the Mala Walk & Kantju Gorge evening walk, and a sunrise walk into Kata-Tjuta. Another thing to add, Prince William and Kate stayed here during their recent visit to Australia.

4. Intercontinental Sydney, NSW

Intercontinental Hotel Sydney – Book Here!

We’ve had the pleasure of staying at this luxury hotel located a short walk from Circular Quay. Although the hotel itself is “just an average” Intercontinental hotel, the reason why we chose to add it was due to the views of the harbour from certain high floor rooms and especially the club lounge.
The club lounge of the Intercontinental Sydney makes it the coolest place in all of Sydney to sip on your evening drink or to enjoy your breakfast in the morning. With the rising or setting sun in the background and a perfect view of the harbour bridge and the opera house, there is no better place to view Sydney from. If you’re not ready to pay for a club room, better stay at the Four Seasons or Shangri-La in a room with a view, but otherwise, you won’t find a better place to view this stunning city from!

5. Crown Towers Melbourne, VIC

Crown Towers Melbourne – Click here to Book!

In 2014 Crown Towers Melbourne won the Luxury Travel Magazine’s Gold List for Best Australian Hotel. Located on the Yarra River, with stunning views of the city, it is definitely our top pick for Melbourne. The moment you step food into this hotel, you’re greeted with spotless service, a beautifully glossed black granite marble lobby, and endless entertainment options including continuing on into the hotel’s casino, heading straight to your private room or relaxing in the lobby’s sophisticated waiting area. Not only does the hotel spa represent the true definition of luxury but if you book an hour treatment, then you can use the hydrotherapy area for free, which is totally worth it.

6. Lizard Island Resort, Queensland

Lizard Island Resort – Click here to Book!

Loved by honeymooners, divers, and well-heeled travellers, this outer Great Barrier Reef resort ticks all the high-end tropical-island vacation boxes: luxurious beachfront accommodation, fine food and wine, and world-class diving and fishing, whilst being located on a secluded, tranquil island. With only 40 suites and villas you’re guaranteed to have a personal experience. An added bonus to Lizard Island Resort is that it includes all meals, wine, cocktails and gourmet picnic hampers.

7. Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley, NSW

Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley – Click here to Book!

Rated by TripAdvisor as the best hotel in Australia, once you arrive it’s not hard to see why. The conservation retreat which consists of 40 beautifully designed luxury cabins sits on 1% of its 7000 acres. The rest of the land? For you to explore of course! You can hike, mountain bike, or horse ride through the surrounding mountains. Emirates Wolgan Valley really is the perfect escape for natural lovers and adventurers. All meals are included, 3-course meals plus wines and beer. Not to mention the cheese room and cellar which house 300 different wines and numerous amounts of cheese to inhale at your desire!

8. Qualia Resort Hamilton Island, Queensland

Qualia Resort Hamilton Island – Click here to Book!

Australia’s Qualia resort was judged the Best Resort in The World by readers in the Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards in 2012, so it’s honourably on our bucket list hotels. They’ve got a wine label – Wild Oats – judged the best in the world, a yacht, by the same name, which has won the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race six times, and they’ve also got a world class resort that has won just about every international accolade possible. At Qualia Resort, you don’t get just a room; here they’re virtual one-bedroom houses four times the sizes of the average hotel room. You can either choose you’re own infinity pool or outdoor shower each with their own price range, and includes all meals, non-alcoholic beverages, transfers and your own electric buggy.

9. Southern Ocean View Lodge, Kangaroo Island, SA

Southern Ocean View Lodge – Click here to Book!

Southern Ocean Lodge was recently awarded by Travel + Leisure USA magazine as the third best hotel in the world! Floating atop a secluded cliff on a rugged stretch of coast, the lodge commands peerless views of the wild Southern Ocean and pristine Kangaroo Island wilderness. Sensitive, intimate and sophisticated, Southern Ocean Lodge is a sanctuary of refined comfort and luxe. With just 21 luxe suites, this is the epitome of luxury living.

10. Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise, Queensland

Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise – Click here to Book!

If you’re looking for luxury living on the Gold Coast, then look no further. We have stayed at this magnificent hotel, and loved every second of it. Located right smack-bang in the centre of Surfers Paradise, and directly opposite the beach front. This makes for unparalleled convenience, and absolute ocean views. Soul is a very popular five-star Gold Coast hotel for the super-rich from all around the world. The main entrance to Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise looks like something out of Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous – Maserati’s, and Ferraris of Soul’s affluent guests abound.

11. Berkeley River Lodge, WA

The Berkeley River Lodge – Click here to Book!

Part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World and only accessible by air, getting to the Berkeley River Lodge is half the adventure. Leave modern life far behind and relax into the rhythms of nature floating atop the coastal dunes. You can be one of the privileged few to set eyes upon breathtaking wilderness landscapes by river cruise or helicopter flight. Berkeley River Lodge gives guests the chance to connect with its stunning natural surrounds in just about every way imaginable. There are four-wheel drive
tours, sea turtle viewing and monitoring, guided hikes and astronomy tours. For a bird’s-eye view, a Bell 407 helicopter is at the ready to whisk you to inaccessible places where few have ever ventured.

12. Injidup Spa Retreat, WA

Injidup Spa Retreat – Click here to book!

Injidup Spa Retreat is a three-and-a-half hour drive south of Perth, at the northern end of Margaret River’s wine region. The resort nestles into a rare piece of privately owned coastal bushland that’s surrounded by 1200 hectares of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, providing an opulent seclusion that has nothing to do with pretension. With just 10 spacious villas, each with its own heated plunge pool. Nine of the villas have two bedrooms, each with its own ensuite bathroom. The tenth, features one bedroom with an oval-shaped natural stone bathtub that’s been designed specifically with honeymooners in mind.

Are you thinking of visiting Australia in luxury? Book here for all the best luxury hotels!

Do you have any further questions, additional hotels you think we missed, or you just enjoyed and found this guide useful? If so, do not hesitate to comment below on your thoughts! We love hearing from you guys! ????Happy Travels!

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