Australia is a favorite vacation spot for its beautiful landscapes, friendly citizens, and unique cultural heritage. With these luxury escapes in Australia, you can enjoy the trip of a lifetime.
An island nation of approximately 25 million people, Australia is a diverse country with a balance of old and new to offer, from the majesty of the Great Barrier Reef to the bustling streets of Sydney. If you want to make your trip truly memorable, however, a luxury escape in Australia is the perfect opportunity. From a safari customized to your interests to a resort stay along the edges of a coral reef, there’s plenty to do and see. On your next vacation, consider one of these options in warm, sunny Australia.
Handa Opera on the Harbour at Sydney, New South Wales
The Sydney Opera House is well known, both for its stunning location and distinctive sail-like design, but it’s not the only place in town to see a show. If you want a true luxury experience while in Sydney, take the opportunity to explore a world-class production on the floating Handa Opera stage in the Sydney Harbour. Running through March to April each year, this event offers guests a truly unique experience.
The Handa Opera stage, with its stunning views and highly lauded musicals – long-running Broadway show “West Side Story” opened the stage this year with opera “La Traviata” on the cards for 2020 – is a must-see experience. The floating stage is positioned at Mrs Macquaries Point, at the tip of the Royal Botanic Gardens. Visitors who favor glamor can take a water taxi to the show.
In addition to enjoying several hours of quality theater, the venue also hosts a variety of bars and restaurants, with affordable street fare as well as fine-dining options. Guests can sip on a favorite craft brew while enjoying a burger or watch the sun set over the harbor with a glass of wine and a fine steak. When the show is over, numerous high-end bars and restaurants are within walking distance.
Seating at the opera is limited and guests from around the world travel to attend, so booking tickets in advance is highly suggested.
Dine under the stars at Uluru, Northern Territory
Despite its populated city centers, much of Australia is uninhabited – perfect for those looking to get away from it all. And nowhere is better for escaping from modern civilization than the Red Centre in the Northern Territory. This area is also home to Uluru, a natural stone structure assumed to be around 700 million years old. This rock formation is of great significance to Indigenous Australians and is a highly visited area of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
If you’d like to do more than just witness Uluru from afar, the Ayers Rock Resort can offer a way to deepen the experience. With the Sound of Silence fine-dining dinner, guests can spend hours dining and exploring the national park. A buffet inspired by authentic regional cuisine is on offer, with options like dukkah-crusted kangaroo and braised crocodile. The menu changes on a regular basis to reflect seasonal regional cuisine. A star talker is on hand to provide information about constellations and any visible planets.
Those who don’t want to stop at dinner can extend their evening with a visit to the A Night at Field of Light exhibition, an art installation made up of over 50,000 spindles of light in a remote area far from the resort itself.
Relax at the best spa in Australia at Wolgan Valley, New South Wales
Vacations can be a great way to relax and unwind while away from home. If you want the ultimate in relaxation in one of the best luxury escapes in Australia, there’s no better spot than Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley. While the resort is considered by many to be one of the best in the country, its spa is the showstopper, offering a sanctuary in the midst of Australian forest. With views of the Greater Blue Mountains, a World Heritage site spanning over a one million hectare area, visitors can unwind in the tranquility of nature.
Set across a 7,000 acre reserve dedicated to conservation, the spa is focused on authentic traditions for the ultimate in relaxation. All spa products are from a natural Australian line, Sodashi, for a pure, chemical-free experience. Guests can receive their treatments in any of the luxury spa’s six double treatment rooms with private changing areas and Japanese soaking tubs. Spread out in the relaxation rooms complete with fireplaces and outdoor decks, take a dip in the pool, or release toxins in the sauna and steam room.
The list of treatments available at the spa is extensive, offering a little something for everyone. Only Here treatments are dedicated to mindfulness and overall wellness, with components like bathing rituals, full-body exfoliation, and infusion body masks. Those who want more hands-on techniques will love Only Body treatments, which include aromatherapy massage, stone massage, and a bushman massage that incorporates traditional local massage techniques. Guests who want facial therapies will love Only Face treatments, while Only Renewal treatments provide access to salt scrubs and body wraps.
From one treatment to a full day of bliss, Emirates One&Only Spa is the perfect place for pampering.
Stay at an island paradise at Hamilton, Queensland
If a luxury resort is on the cards for your time in Australia, a getaway to Queensland is an excellent option. With a location in close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, Qualia Resort on Hamilton Island provides a tranquil escape unlike anywhere else.
In Latin, Qualia roughly translates to “deep sensory experiences”, and that’s exactly what guests can find when they make this island resort home. With a location on the secluded northern tip of the island, visitors can take in the amazing sights while relaxing in a private room with high-end amenities in a uniquely-designed hotel. With wide-open spaces, a minimalistic design, and a tropical atmosphere, this resort was built with the intention to blend outdoor and indoor space for an indulgent experience.
Accommodations are available in the private Leeward Pavilions with views of the Coral Sea, spacious suites in the Windward Pavilion, and the ultra-luxurious Beach House with dining space for ten and a private infinity pool along the water’s edge. When not relaxing in their rooms, guests can take advantage of fresh, healthy dining at Long Pavilion and Pebble Beach, as well as drinks and bites at the exclusive guests-only private bar spaces. The resort also features a decadent spa for an island-inspired massage or facial or you can book an adventure, such as sailing, diving, snorkeling, or golfing to take in the natural sights. Tours of the Great Barrier Reef are available as well, allowing guests a chance to get up close and personal with one of the world’s most iconic wonders.
The resort also features a state-of-the-art fitness center and a quiet, calm yoga studio for those practicing mindfulness.
Dine in the best restaurant in Melbourne, Victoria
Melbourne has many attractions, from the Victoria Royal Botanic Gardens to the historic Queen Victoria Market, but nothing stands out quite like the city’s dining options. The best restaurants in Melbourne have a lot to offer, from authentic Australian favorites to thoughtful international cuisine. Guests who want to take in the best of the best will love Ezard, a fine-dining contemporary spot that has been wowing diners for 20 years.
Ezard is a leader in modern “Australian Freestyle” cuisine, an adaptation of Australian dining that incorporates culinary techniques from other regions, most notably Southeast Asia. The restaurant’s recent re-launch took this concept to the next level, offering an even more refined menu that focuses on creativity while still preserving a tradition of refined and harmonious flavors.
Guests dining at Ezard can choose between a nightly eight-course tasting menu, a five-course tasting menu available from Monday to Thursday, or a fixed price three-course menu. An a la carte menu is also available for guests who would like to choose their own meal. Menus change seasonally but can include dishes like smoked eel cream, Murray cod, pork belly, and Sher wagyu beef. Tasting menus are also available in vegan and vegetarian forms to best accommodate all guests.
See the shores of Australia on a stunning cruise
If seeing Australia on land isn’t enough, a cruise can be a great way to take in the sights while also exploring the natural wonders dominating Australia’s oceans. True North is a leader in Australian adventuring, offering numerous different cruise plans and destinations for locals and visitors alike.
Wherever you’d like to explore, there’s a cruise that’s right for everyone. Those who want to stay local will love the five-night Coral Atoll Cruise. This nature-focused expedition takes an up-close and personal look at the Rowley Shores in Broome, Western Australia – an area dominated by gorgeous coral reefs and beautiful representations of marine life. Led by a marine biologist specialist, this cruise is perfect for nature lovers as well as snorkelers and divers. Those with the confidence to explore the water’s depths will get to venture into rarely-visited waters, including a maze of lagoons and tidal canyons.
See the Australian Outback on a Luxury Safari
While most people think safari adventures are limited to African countries, this is far from the case. With some of the most unique, diverse wildlife in the world, Australian safaris are unlike any other. On luxury safari tours, guests can spend an entire trip taking in the wonders of the famous Australian outback while learning more about the plants and animals that call this country home.
Ker & Downey, a leading name in luxury organized trips, offers several safari options that can be customized to visitors’ preferences. A standard 15-day trip starts with two nights at a luxury hotel in Sydney, followed by a visit to Kangaroo Island to see kangaroos, koalas, and sea lions in their natural habitats while staying in a luxury lodge. From there, tour guests may go on to visit Uluru, followed by a trip to Arnhem Land and a stay at an eco resort lodge. Guests may also visit Kakadu National Park, or The Kimberley in the northern region of Australia.
With a guided tour, visitors can see the most important and significant sights across Australia’s uninhabited regions with help from an area expert. These trips are entirely up to you; with a menu option of tours, places to stay, and parks and landmarks to visit, it’s possible to check every box on your must-see itinerary.
Australia is one of the top countries in the world for vacationers from the U.S., Europe, and beyond. While simply staying in hotels is fun, nothing compares to a luxury escape in Australia. From visiting the top luxury spa to staying in a secluded island luxury resort, there are countless ways to enjoy your trip down under.
During your next trip to Australia, be sure to book a professional Blacklane car service to start your luxury escape off right.
