Must-see hotels in Australia & Pacific

  • Hoover House

    Western Australia

    Hoover House, the 1898 mine manager’s house, is named for Gwalia’s first mine manager, Herbert Hoover, who later became the 31st president of the US. It's…

  • Mangawhai Chalets

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    There's a Cape Cod feel to the three stylishly decked-out cedar chalets positioned in the lavender-filled garden behind the friendly owners' designer…

  • Davidson's Arnhemland Safari Lodge

    Arnhem Land

    An oasis of good taste with high levels of comfort in western Arnhem Land, Davidson's has appealing cabins on stilts, good food and a lovely setting. It's…

  • Sierra Escape

    New South Wales

    Three Australian-made luxury tents sit atop 280 acres of rolling hills and valleys. The canvas walls may be thin, but the only sounds you'll hear are…

  • Southern Comfort Backpackers

    Fiordland & Southland

    A mix of snug and swish, this large Victorian house has a lounge with a fireplace, a fully equipped kitchen and peaceful gardens. Adding to the perks are…

  • Wanaka Haven

    Wanaka

    Luxurious B&Bs seem to be constantly sprouting in the Wānaka countryside. This one has the advantage of gorgeous views over manicured lawns to the…

  • Ross Beach Top 10

    The West Coast

    Perched on a ruggedly beautiful stretch of windswept beach, 2km northwest of Ross, this holiday park has plenty of space for tents and motorhomes, as well…

  • Down to Erth B&B

    Outback South Australia

    A real dugout gem about 3km from town: your own subterranean two-bedroom bunker (sleeps two adults and three kids – perfect for wandering families) with a…

  • Woodbank Park Cottages

    Christchurch & Canterbury

    Nestled among the trees, these two plush cottages are a six-minute drive from Hanmer but feel a million miles away. Decor is crisp and modern, with wrap…

  • Peppermint Ridge Retreat

    The Southeast

    Two amazing handmade straw-bale-and-stone studios, complete with composting toilets, recycled timbers, spa baths, lofty ceilings and brilliant D…

  • Goombaragin Eco Retreat

    Broome & The Kimberley

    With a superb location overlooking the scarlet pindan cliffs and turquoise waters of Pender Bay, this eco-retreat offers several unpowered campsites, a…

  • Oamaru Backpackers

    Dunedin & Otago

    A stone's throw from the Victorian quarter, this snug hostel has lovely, individually decorated rooms and a great dorm with privacy curtains and…

  • Chillagoe Eco Lodge

    Cairns & Far North Queensland

    The top place to stay in Chillagoe, this easygoing resort has 10 modern and comfortable units with aircon, fridge and verandahs. There's space for camping…

  • Shady Brook Cottages

    Victorian High Country

    Set over 14 acres, a magnificent garden envelopes this lovely, peaceful group of self-contained country-style cottages. Two come with a spa and all have…

  • Code Time Lodge

    The West Coast

    Driftwood decorations and soft colour schemes impart a dreamy air to the Code Time Lodge, whose two roomy, self-contained apartments (kitchen included)…

  • Adina Apartment Hotel

    Darwin

    The Adina is a stylish place with contemporary apartments sporting clean lines and modern art on the walls. Most rooms have excellent views out over the…

  • Halfmoon Cottage

    Banks Peninsula

    This pretty 1896 cottage, 12km from Akaroa and right on the water, is a blissful place to spend a few days lazing on the big verandas or in the hammocks…

  • Aroha Island

    Bay of Islands

    Kip among the kiwi on the eco island of love (aroha), 12km from town. There’s a wide range of reasonably priced options, from the peaceful campsites with…

  • Tombstone Backpackers

    Marlborough Region

    Rest in peace in a smart dorm, double room or self-contained apartment at this hillside hostel, opposite the cemetery. Perks include a spa pool…

  • Tasman Bay Backpackers

    Nelson

    This well-designed, friendly hostel has airy communal spaces with a 100% Kiwi music soundtrack, colourful rooms, a sunny outdoor deck and a well-used…

  • Denmark Waters B&B

    Southern WA

    Run by the delightful Maria, a treasure trove of local knowledge, this intimate, three-room B&B sits in a quiet location overlooking the sound, just south…

  • Criffel Peak View

    Wanaka

    Situated in a quiet cul-de-sac, this excellent B&B has three rooms sharing a large lounge with a log fire and a sunny wisteria-draped deck. The charming…

  • Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    A blissful 19km drive northwest of Murwillumbah leads to this superb luxurious and secluded retreat in the shadow of the caldera. The timber bungalows…

  • Mystery Bay Campground

    South Coast NSW

    Just by the marvellously scenic beach of Mystery Bay, this campground has pit toilets, cold showers and running water. It's first come, first served, so…

  • Civic Guest House

    Townsville

    This old-fashioned hostel respects the independent traveller's needs for cleanliness, comfort, security and easy company – it's a slightly old-fashioned…

  • Portobello Motel

    Otago Peninsula

    These sunny, modern units are thoughtfully decorated and outfitted with all mod cons. The studio units are the pick of the bunch, each with small private…

  • Aroha Mountain Lodge

    Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula

    Spread over two lovely Edwardian villas on the hillside above town, the plush Mountain Lodge offers affordable luxury (so much nicer than a regular motel)…

  • Epiphyte B&B

    The Daintree

    This lovingly built, laid-back place is set on a lush 3.5-hectare property. Individually styled rooms are of varying sizes, but all have their own…

  • Kaiteri Motels & Apartments

    Nelson Region

    Just 200m from Little Kaiteriteri Beach (around the corner from the main beach) is this congregation of comfortable, stylishly furnished, roomy units with…

  • Lake Tekapo Lodge

    Christchurch & Canterbury

    This fabulously designed, luxurious B&B is filled to the brim with covetable contemporary Kiwi art, and boasts painterly views of the lake and mountains…

  • Bow Street Studios

    Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula

    With a waterfront location right in town, Bow Street has self-contained studios and a historic cottage. The cool and chic decor is stylish and relaxing…

  • Piha Beachstay – Jandal Palace

    Auckland Region

    Attractive and ecofriendly, this wood-and-glass lodge has extremely smart facilities. It’s 1km from the beach, but there’s a little stream at the bottom…

  • Wineglass Bay Camp Site

    The East Coast

    Excellent free camping at the southern end of Wineglass Bay (keep it hush-hush, or everyone will be here). It's a long trudge along the beach sand,…

  • Sejala

    Townsville & Mission Beach

    Choose from 'Waves', 'Coral' and 'Beaches': three self-contained beach 'huts' within snoring distance of the coconut palms. Each one comes with rainforest…

  • Paluma Rainforest Inn

    Townsville & Mission Beach

    Up in the tiny village of Paluma is the cool Rainforest Inn, with well-designed rooms and a nearby restaurant-bar. The rainforest haven sports 50…

  • Mouses House

    Gold Coast

    Linked by softly lit boardwalks, these 14 cedar chalets hidden in the magical misty woods are intimate mountain hideaways. Each has a spa bath and a wood…

  • Daintree Wilderness Lodge

    The Daintree

    Beautiful wood-floored cabins with balcony deep in the rainforest make this a top place for immersion in the Daintree. Service is impeccable, there's a…

  • Esperance B&B by the Sea

    Southern WA

    This great-value beachhouse has a private guest wing and the views from the deck overlooking Blue Haven Beach are breathtaking, especially at sunset. It's…

  • Gidgee Inn

    Outback Queensland

    Constructed of rammed red earth, the Gidgee Inn is Cloncurry's most upmarket accommodation, with reasonably plush and comfortable rooms for these parts, a…

More destinations you need to see