By Charmaine Chan

One of the best things about living in Australia is the constant sense of discovery. Beyond its exciting outdoor adventures and notable food culture, this endlessly creative continent is also a haven for relaxation and indulgence. 

If you are looking for privacy, pampering or exclusive pleasures, Australia has it all. Read on to discover the luxurious gems scattered across its eight states.

Immerse yourself in ultimate relaxation in Victoria

Fine dining is something I like to indulge in when there is an occasion to celebrate. My husband’s recent birthday was reason enough for us to take off for The Lake House in Daylesford. A constant on the “Best Restaurants in Victoria” list, this establishment has won more than 76 Chef’s Hats over its 40-year history. 

It delivered on its promises from the moment we drove into its manicured compound, about an hour out of Melbourne.

The food was sublime — duck salad, lobster-stuffed ravioli, barramundi and venison capped off with poached pears and chocolate. Later, the attentive waitstaff served our petits fours and coffee on the deck so we could fully enjoy the view of Lake Daylesford.

The restaurant is part of a beautifully maintained estate anchored by a 33-room boutique hotel. We strolled past a solar-heated infinity pool, a spa, tennis pavilion and lush gardens featuring plum and apple trees. A few steps further out took us into picturesque paths that circled around Lake Daylesford before entering the majestic Wombat State Forest. The entire experience was characteristic of the kind of luxury Australia excels at — transporting you to another world of  enchanted golden hours.

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Embrace privacy in Margaret River or The Kimberley in Western Australia

What’s increasingly hard to find when holidaying today? In an age of constant connection and information, quiet spaces can be the ultimate luxury. For movie star brothers Chris and Luke Hemsworth, privacy is hard to come by, but they find it in spades in The Kimberley, a three-hour drive from Perth. 

“The Kimberley is a rare kind of pristine,” says Luke Hemsworth. “Take time to slow down and you’ll see things that nobody gets to see. If you time it right, you can be the only person walking a trail or floating a river.”

The same kind of privacy is afforded to guests staying at the other end of Western Australia in the heart of Margaret River Wine Country at Cape Lodge. With the feel of a private country estate and the facilities of a world-class boutique hotel, the lodge pampers its guests with charming rooms, scenic walking trails, lakeside views, exclusive tours, wine masterclasses and indulgent dining experiences.  

It has its own 3ha vineyard that produces sauvignon blanc and shiraz wines only for its guests, while its restaurant’s seasonal menus feature regional produce from local farms, vegetables from the kitchen garden, and the freshest catch from the oceans nearby.

 Experience coastal living on Kangaroo Island, South Australia

When it comes to experiential luxury, few can beat Southern Ocean Lodge, which is set on the beautiful clifftops of Kangaroo Island. 

With architecture that ensures the lodge blends seamlessly into its gorgeous setting, the resort frames breathtaking views of the Southern Ocean through a masterful use of curving lines, limestone floors, blackwood walls and natural timber. 

There are 25 suites, and a spa with three treatment rooms, a sauna, and gymnasium. Book a treatment, if only to enjoy the spa’s luxurious use of the island’s lavender, eucalyptus and the purest Ligurian honey.

This remote island has been described as “the Australian Galapagos” because of the diversity of its native wildlife, so exploring it is a must. To maximise your experience, join a tour that covers the best of the island — like Flinders Chase National Park, Remarkable Rocks and Seal Bay — while incorporating curated meals and wines. 

Alternatively, you can book yourself for a wellness retreat which includes relaxing “earth walks”, feasting on fresh produce straight from the ocean, and even a yoga session with koalas.

Drift away on a dreamy dinner tour in Nitmiluk National Park, the Northern Territory

One of the must-sees if you are in the top end of the nation is Nitmiluk Gorge, set within a national park that is a 3.5-hour drive away from Darwin. This deep canyon, carved through ancient sandstone by the Katherine River, comprises 13 separate gorges that link up during wet season when the water levels rise.  

Cruise this area in style with a Nabilil Dreaming Sunset Dinner Tour, which combines romantic sightseeing with unexpected luxury for its guests. It is also a perfect way to discover the opulent richness of Australia’s Jawoyn people who own these lands, as you will drift by beautiful examples of their rock art. Watch as the colours of the canyon walls change with the setting sun, then sit back and enjoy a three-course meal freshly prepared by chefs onboard.

You can also marvel at this ancient wonder from the sky via a helicopter ride.  Depending on which tour you choose, Nitmiluk Tours has landings in remote locations not accessible by road,  ensuring rare and unique photo opportunities not available to many others.

Sample the rarest wine vintages in New South Wales

Serious oenophiles will welcome the opportunity to tour some of the most distinguished pockets of grape-producing land in the country thanks to Sacred Sites Experience at Tyrell’s.

Established in 1858, Tyrrell’s Wines is the second-oldest continuously owned and operated family winery in Australia. The Sacred Sites refer to a small part of their extensive vineyards, which range from Hunter Valley in New South Wales to Heathcote in Victoria, planted with cuttings brought from Europe in 1832. These dry-grown vines are more than 100 years old, making this patch in Hunter Valley one of the oldest vineyards in the world. 

For over three hours, you will enjoy a private tour of these vineyards, followed by an in-depth winery visit. There will also be barrel and tutored tastings of the wines, which are some of the rarest in the industry often available only on allocation, such as the Old Patch Shiraz. 

Alternatively, you can elevate your wine tour at Printhie Winery with a private helicopter ride. Get picked up by a chauffeur who will drive you to the Printhie Cellar Door where your helicopter will fly you to the Printhie Winery. There, you will explore grape-to-glass secrets before being flown back for a private tasting at the Cellar Door and a three-course lunch with wine pairings.

Cruise, tee off, and chase the southern lights in Tasmania

This island state’s World Heritage-listed wilderness is best explored through an indulgent luxury catamaran cruise or by a scenic flight. Pick a tour that will take you through key spots such as Port Davey, Bathurst Harbour and Melaleuca. There will be shore and tender excursions that will incorporate picnics on untracked beaches, guided hikes to craggy mountain tops, and encounters with native flora and fauna. 

Then cap off your stay at award-winning luxury resort Saffire Freycinet, located within the Freycinet National Park and giving you access to stunning natural wonders like Hazard Mountains and Great Oyster Bay.

Cape Wickham Golf Links on King Island is a dream destination for serious golfers. Mirroring the timeless beauty of Scottish and Irish links courses, every hole on this unique course boasts an ocean view, a rare feature, with no two holes alike and the rolling terrain plays firm, sparking endless creative shots.

Got an adventurous itch to scratch? Private tours will take you on a night sky adventure where you will stargaze at the peak of Mount Wellington/Kunanyi and if you are very lucky, witness the elusive Aurora Australis, also known as the southern lights.

Savour the secrets of the ancient Daintree Rainforest in Queensland

As the only boutique accommodation situated within this World Heritage rainforest, the Daintree Ecolodge offers guests the unique experience of waking up to the sights and sounds of the enchanting tropical rainforest. 

Each one of their 15 eco-friendly bayans offers an open plan setting and micro-screened balconies to allow guests to feel close to nature while enjoying creature comforts. Book a treehouse bayan to experience the jungle canopy or try a hideaway to soak in a freestanding tub with gorgeous views of the rainforest. 

During your stay, tuck into great meals at Julaymba Restaurant in the main lodge; sign up for a spa treatment to enjoy the pure waters of the onsite waterfall as well as native botanical ingredients, or book a river cruise with a gourmet picnic hamper. 

Chef and TV personality Curtis Stone once summed up the attractions of the Unesco site perfectly when he said, “Even though the Daintree is 135 million years old, it still feels like a secret, like you’ve stumbled upon something special.”

Stay in a stylish safari lodge in the Australian Capital Territory

The Jamala Wildlife Lodge, located within the National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra, offers a rare combination of luxury and adventure for those who love the safari experience. The unique accommodation is definitely a highlight — with rooms secreted away amidst the animal enclosures so that guests are able to fully enjoy their exotic neighbours. The Giraffe Treehouses come with balconies at the exact height for a friendly encounter with the giant ruminants living next door; while the Jungle Bungalows are situated in areas where cheetahs, lions, tigers and sun bears freely roam, so you can observe them through the glass as you drowse in bed or soak in your tub. Larger groups can book the Ushaka Lodge, which boasts African themed décor, meerkats and monkeys around its pool and terrace, as well as its very own shark tank.  During your stay, enjoy a scrumptious African gourmet dinner party with great Aussie wines in the Rainforest Cave, where you may also meet white lions or hyenas. Special encounters with white rhinos, barking owls and endangered tree kangaroos can also be arranged.

Ready for more? Start planning your Australian itinerary today.