Australia is a land of countless wonders. Breathtakingly big and beautiful, the country holds a special place in the imagination of travellers from around the world. For many, a trip to the land down under is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, and choosing where to go can feel almost overwhelming. We’d recommend exploring by region if you’re lucky enough to live slightly closer or to be able to return: there are spectacular landscapes, fabulous food, wonderful wildlife and ancient cultures galore to discover. The variety when it comes to the best places to stay in Australia is enormous — like the country itself. Our Gurus have put together guides to our favourite city pads, wine country boltholes and beach hideaways, so that you have somewhere to start!

Aboriginal communities’ ancient culture runs deep. Uluru, in the Northern Territory, is undoubtedly the country’s most famous sacred site and a real wonder for visitors, but you can expect fascinating workshops and guided tours by community members across Australia, and a growing desire to celebrate and preserve art, culture and identity.

Although Canberra is the country’s capital, Sydney is, for many, the gateway to Australia. A hard one to beat when it comes to city break destinations, Sydney is also a fabulous springboard for seeing more of New South Wales. Keen surfers will flock to Byron Bay in the north, whilst the vineyards of the Hunter Valley and the magical Blue Mountains will delight foodies, cyclists and ramblers. If you have your heart set on food-focused Victoria, fly instead to hip Melbourne. Follow the Great Ocean Road for dazzling landscapes, and unwind with world-class wines in the Yarra Valley.

Up north, the wetlands of the Kakadu National Park are marvellous, and wildlife aficionados will find themselves fascinated by life in the red desert. Western Australia, too, offers craggy rock formations in vast deserts, dramatic gorges and great granite mountains. Perth has a fresh, youthful vibe, and keen ]tourists venture to Margaret River, the Swan Valley or remote Broome and the Ningaloo Reef. Arty Adelaide is another favourite, with South Australia's wine country within easy reach. For a laid-back atmosphere and some of the country’s most pristine wildernesses, consider Tasmania. All that without even mentioning Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef, buzzy Brisbane and golden coastline, where you’ll find some of the best places to stay in Australia. Reason enough to plan a second trip already.

The Best Places to Stay in Australia

For City Style

• The Lyall Hotel's elegant rooms & suites are wonderfully soothing and indulgent, with marble bathrooms, white, grey and burnt orange interiors, and big windows inviting lots of light. A Melbourne favourite, the hotel also has a serene spa. One for fans of sophisticated contemporary-classic design.
• The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, once Sydney's General Post Office, has long been a city landmark. Reimagined as a sophisticated urban hotel, this icon now offers luxurious, contemporary suites with marble bathrooms and dazzling city views. The Asian and Australian fare is fantastic, and the fusion of old and new architecture will intrigue design fans.
• The Westin Perth, on centrally located Hibernian Place, is a sleek urban hotel with light-filled modern rooms offering expansive city views. Expect crisp white linens on big beds, framed photographic prints of Western Australian landscapes, and indulgent bathrooms. The Italian eatery, spa and infinity pool make this a terrific luxury offering.
• MACq 01 is a sleek contemporary hotel on the Hobart waterfront, with glittering metal roof, wooden siding and floor-to-ceiling windows in stylish modern guest rooms. Big photos act as headboards, and minimalist rooms feature designer furnishings as well as indulgent bathrooms & terraces. The storytelling theme is appealingly unique, with fascinating organised tours of the hotel and the city beyond.
• The Playford Hotel is an elegant Art Nouveau property with glamorous rooms and suites featuring organic shapes and soft pastel shades. Think velvet-upholstered armchairs, brass accents and dark marble bathrooms — perfect for a romantic Adelaide city break.

For Heritage Charm

• Ship Inn Stanley, housed in a charming yellow-painted inn dating back to the 1800s, is a gorgeous Tasmanian bolthole. Nine indulgent suites ooze elegance, with antique furnishings, original artwork and curios set against warm, moody painted walls and polished wood. Kick back in the shared guest lounge or admire picturesque views of Sawyer Bay from the deck. A real gem.
• Links House, a charming 1920s-built guesthouse in Bowral, has been transformed into a characterful boutique hotel with whitewashed walls, retro furnishings and a wonderfully cosy feel. Sink into armchairs clustered around the fire, savour seasonal produce at Ethos, and stroll through the manicured gardens. Easygoing and very charming.
• La Maison St Arnaud B&B, a lovely cottage built in 1886, now has two elegant guest suites. Kickstart your day with owner Kellie-Anne's delicious home cooked breakfasts, before setting out to play golf, go fishing or explore pretty Rutherglen's fabulous cellar doors. There's a cosy sitting room and deck for unwinding with a good book or planning your next day out.
• Maleny Lodge is a beautiful guesthouse in a 1905-built residence in the heart of Maleny. Elegant, adults-only suites and a three-bedroom house have antique furniture, earthy linen textiles and wood-burning stoves. The gardens and swimming pool are gorgeous. Utter bliss.

For Foodies

• Jackalope is a seriously swish modern hotel set in its own 12-acre vineyard on the striking Mornington Peninsula. Pick this place for cutting-edge design, farm-to-fork cuisine, wine tastings and amazing countryside views. A foodie favourite.
• The Louise is a cool, contemporary hotel in the heart of the Barossa Valley. Guest rooms feature modern art pieces and vineyard views, but the real highlight is the acclaimed Appellation Restaurant. Chef Daniel Murphy's tasting menus are reputedly the best in the region, and the Tscharke and Two Hands wineries are within walking distance.
• Stillwater Seven in Tasmania's lovely Launceston is the stuff of legend. Chef Craig Will's seven-course tasting menus will delight foodies, who have been flocking to the award-winning Stillwater Restaurant since its opening. Linger a little longer with a few nights at one of the seven suites housed in an 1830s riverside flour mill.
• Brae, headed up Chef Dan Hunter in rural Victoria, is amongst Australia's very best restaurants. Much of the produce used in the kitchen is grown on the 30 acre farm, where you'll also find six superb modernist suites — only available for booking if you have a table at the restaurant. A dazzling foodie experience, with ever-changing tasting menus.

For a Wine Country Retreat

• Cape Lodge promises an indulgent Margaret River escape for couples or groups of friends. The main heritage house is stunning, as are the traditional rooms overlooking manicured gardens and eight acres of vineyards. Oozing timeless charm and sophistication, this is a hotel that guests return to again and again.
• Tower Lodge, near Pokolbin, takes luxury to new heights with sensational suites set within the grounds of a picturesque vineyard. The Sebastian restaurant showcases Basque cuisine with a modern Australian twist, and the sumptuous suites with terracotta floors, enormous beds, emerald green-tiled bathrooms and characterful seating areas promise absolute bliss. Fabulous.

For a Beach Break

• Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa is a sophisticated spot on Cable Beach in Broome. Indulgent rooms and suites feature original artwork by Sidney Nolan, and the resort also boasts the first L'Occitane spa in Australia. An impressive 245 rooms means that there are plenty of options for families, plus dedicated children's pools and games. Superb.
• Raes on Wategos, a sensational Spanish Mission-style villa, sits just a few paces from Wategos Beach in Byron Bay. A glamorous party pad from the 1960s, this hotel has been reimagined as an indulgent seven-suite haven, with pale textiles, handmade tiles and dazzling views. The sumptuous spa and gourmet restaurant are sure to impress.
• Hotel Sorrento is a glamorous clifftop hotel overlooking Port Phillip Bay in Victoria. A family-owned hotel with a century-long history, this spot has chic, understated rooms and suites decorated in cream and white tones, with exposed stone and pale oak. A refreshing pool, lively bars and delectable eateries complete the picture, and the sea is just steps away. Very cool.

For a Tented Escape

• Squeaky Windmill Boutique Tent B&B has just three eco tents on the edge of the Western MacDonnell Ranges. Expect beds topped with patterned quilts, private decks facing the mountains and simple en-suite bathrooms. Evening BBQs are a real treat, as are the bird watching opportunities. Book all three tents for a private retreat with friends.
• Sal Salis is the ultimate in barefoot luxury. Superb safari tents sit in a remote bush setting overlooking the Ningaloo Reef in a remote part of Western Australia. For nature lovers looking to escape to an intimate and understated hideaway.

For Remote Luxury

• StowAway has four cosy cabins, tucked within 250 acres of family-owned farmland close to Kangaroo Island's northern coast. Think fresh, airy interiors, a real sense of seclusion and private hot tubs for dazzling evenings under the stars. Cook up a storm in your hideaway's kitchen before curling up by the crackling woodfired stove. Romantic bliss.
• Arkaba Station sits on a private 63,000-acre conservancy close to Flinders Ranges in South Australia. Reconnect with nature through the legendary Arkaba Walks, feast on gourmet fare and unwind in style at the restored 1850s homestead, which has just five guestrooms. A magical, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
• Berkeley River Lodge promises real luxury in one of Australia's most remote settings. Accessed only by chartered flight, this escape on the edge of the Timor Sea is ideal for those dreaming of wild picnics, hikes, heli-fishing and romance aplenty.
• Kittawa Lodge is one of Australia's most exceptional escapes. Set on 96 acres of windswept coastal dunes on remote King Island, the lodge offers two minimalist one-bedroom hideaways featuring designer furnishings, sea-facing soaking tubs and artwork by local artists. Expect friendly hosts, feasts of seasonal produce and off-the-beaten-track adventures. Totally off-grid, absolutely sensational and very romantic.
• El Questro Homestead offers nine stunning suites overlooking the Chamberlain River in Western Australia. Spend your days exploring rugged landscapes — including the impressive Zebedee Thermal Springs — before returning for gourmet cuisine at communal tables, lovely private dining and pool dips.

FOR A PRIVATE HOUSE OR APARTMENT

• If you'd prefer a self-catering option, we suggest that you visit our online partner Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Australia is a big place, so you'll find international and regional airports aplenty. You'll likely take some internal flights if planning a bigger trip. Most international visitors fly into Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, Melbourne Airport, Brisbane Airport, Cairns Airport or Perth Airport and continue by road, rail or air from there.
• Australia's cities tend to be well-connected by public transport, but stunning scenery makes the wider country ideal for road trips. If you would like to hire a car, we recommend visiting our online partner Rentalcars.
• A wonderful year-round destination, Australia is known for its great weather. The heat reaches its peak in the summer season, close to Christmas, and winter falls between June and August. Expect climate and temperatures to vary enormously depending on region. You'll find the best deals and fewer crowds during the shoulder seasons of March - May and September - November, outside the school holidays.

STILL NOT SURE?

• Browse through our list of all the best places to stay in Sydney.
• Widen the net and see our pick of the best places to stay in New Zealand
• Or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.