Whitsunday Coast
Head 32km south of McKay to stay in an endearingly ramshackle cottage, a rustic livery stable or the charismatic Dead Horse Hostel, and forget all about…
Must-see hotels in Australia
Wilsons Promontory Lightstation
Victoria
These isolated, heritage-listed 1850s cottages, attached to a working lightstation on a small dot of land that juts into the ocean, are a real getaway…
Phillip Island
It’s hard to imagine a better location for your island escape than this classy place perched above Smiths Beach. Of the eight luxurious suites, the top…
Sydney
Halfway between the beach and Bondi Junction train station (10 to 15 minutes' walk to either) this pleasantly scented guesthouse is great value. Rooms are…
Brisbane & Around
Uphill from the town centre, this magnificent, heritage-listed 1899 mansion with wrap-around verandah offers 12 period-style rooms with no shortage of…
Brisbane & Around
Ecoridge is an excellent alternative to the often unremarkable accommodation in Toowoomba. Around 15km from the city on a back road to Gatton, its three…
Outback Queensland
The boutique Red Earth is undoubtedly Mt Isa's top address (unless you want a pool), with period-style furniture, claw-foot baths and uniformed staff. It…
Tasmania
Hadspen's unreservedly gorgeous 1844 Red Feather Inn offers French Provincial–style boutique accommodation, with rooms ranging from attic doubles to a…
Cairns
Luxurious Green Island Resort maintains a sense of privacy and exclusivity despite having sections opened to the general public, including restaurants,…
Launceston
Peppers is one of Launceston’s newest and most ambitious hotels. Filling the city's former silos (together forming Launceston's highest building), it's…
Capricorn Coast & the Southern Reef Islands
Popular with families and bushwhackers due to its variety of accommodation – tent and caravan sites, safari tents ($125 to $165), cabins ($195) and…
Mid-North Coast
Not for those on a budget, this boutique collection of fully self-contained, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses in an absolute…
South Coast NSW
This 19th-century post and telegraph office is now an enchanting four-room B&B with great historical character. High ceilings, marble fireplaces and the…
Brisbane
Above the Queen St Mall, Next delivers stylish, affordable accommodation. Rooms are generic though svelte and contemporary, with high-tech touchscreen and…
South Coast NSW
Glamp in ecofriendly style in these 12 safari tents with en suites, wrap-around decks and billowing mosquito nets. It’s set in dense bush 4km from…
Brisbane & Around
In atmospheric bushland outside of Stanthorpe, Diamondvale offers four refreshed, self-contained cottages and a four-bedroom lodge. One-bedroom cottages…
Gulf Savannah
Built from wood, stone and corrugated iron, overlooking a remote corner of the Gilbert River, this fabulous place combines a blissful sense of isolation…
Fremantle
Named after a historic convict ship, this boutique hotel's spotlessly clean rooms are cleverly constructed from sea containers. Standard 'cabins' are…
Cairns
Billed as the 'arty one' of Cairns' three Crystalbrook Collection five-star hotels, Bailey's green, eye-catching facade is already a cityscape icon,…
Hale River Homestead at Old Ambalindum
Northern Territory
This remote spot run by NT veterans Sean and Lynne offers a great range of accommodation including a nicely renovated homestead, a cottage sleeping five…
Northern Territory
Boasting 3km of Mary River frontage, this bush retreat has excellent poolside and bush cabins with decks surrounded by trees, as well as some fine safari…
Northern Territory
One of the best places to stay in the Top End, Wildman Wilderness Lodge is an upmarket safari lodge with an exceptional program of optional tours and…
Glass House Mountains Ecolodge
Sunshine Coast
The sign at the entrance sums it up: 'Trespassers will be impressed'. Overseen by a keen environmentalist and close to Australia Zoo, this novel retreat…
Cape Bridgewater Seaview Lodge
Great Ocean Road
Overlooking the water, this wonderful double-storey house was built as a replica of the original Bridgewater Hotel that burnt down here in 1927. As well…
The Daintree
The sublime boutique 'banyans' (pole cabins; 10 with private spa) here sit in seclusion high in the rainforest canopy a few kilometres south of Daintree…
Canberra
This 1950s-era building, with original custom-built furniture, resides in the tree-lined grounds of the Australian National University (ANU) and is…
South Coast NSW
Situated within a former dairy farmer's residence 4km north of Hampden Bridge, Laurel's is arguably the finest B&B on the South Coast. Walls lined with…
Victoria
These handmade mud-brick units are something special. With an emphasis on recycling and eco-friendliness, the whimsical flats (sleeping up to four) have…
Kings Cross & Potts Point
This expert conversion of three Victorian-era terraces adds a touch of class to leafy Victoria Street. The charming front rooms have original features and…
Tasmania
Set in 8 hectares of landscaped bushland on the edge of Smithton, this impressive resort offers facilities including a sports bar with pool tables, bistro…
Victoria
At the forefront of Bendigo's style makeover, the Schaller art hotel takes its inspiration from Australian artist Mark Schaller, and his signed works…
Melbourne
This 43-room boutique hotel has a cool city vibe. It's friendly, fun and loaded with goodies – on the free list are self-service laundry, minibar, a…
The Daintree
This eco-resort on the Mossman River woos honeymooners and stressed-out execs with amazing architecturally designed tree houses, riverside lodge suites,…
Fremantle
Arrayed across three floors and featuring a New York–loft vibe, this spacious apartment is right in Fremantle's heritage precinct. A massive leather couch…
Newcastle
A slick but sympathetic revamp of this grand old 1880s dame means it's an upbeat, modern place to stay above a great pub. The 28 light-filled rooms are…
West Coast Australia
Private bushland – complete with marsupial locals – conceals three luxury chalets that are well located to explore the region's vineyards, caves and…
Perth
Hostel G is a snappy refit of an old office block, with designer interiors by esteemed architects Woods Bagot. Beanbag-strewn communal areas revolve…
Cape York Peninsula
This beautiful national park camping ground is among the most popular on the trip north to Cape York. It's a short walk to the excellent swimming spots of…
The East Coast
Down a hawthorn-hedged driveway, 4km south of Swansea, these 21 stylish stone cabins fan out from an old farmhouse close to the sea and beside a lagoon…
Tasmania
Occupying a handsome Federation-style house surrounded by apple and pear trees and a manicured garden, Jensens has a communal lounge with an open fire,…
