Twenty places to stay in Australia that offer jaw-dropping views to wake up to, from Uluru to the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney Opera House
- For uninterrupted views of the Uluru rock formation, spend a night in the deluxe camping hotel Longitude 131
- Suites at the Park Hyatt Sydney hotel offer guests a direct panorama of the iconic Sydney Opera House
- READ MORE: Trips to take your breath away – the inside track on Australia’s most jaw-dropping rail journeys
Australia is brimming with truly astonishing scenery – and luckily for visitors there are plenty of places to stay that offer amazing views of it all.
Here we round up 20 places to stay across the country where your room key unlocks breathtaking panoramas.
Some of these unique retreats offer unrivalled views of iconic Australian landmarks such as the Uluru rock formation or the Sydney Opera House.
Some are housed in unconventional structures, from an Airbnb in an ‘enchanted cave’ to a transparent pod in the Blue Mountains.
And some are perched on remote Australian islands, such as a hideaway that lies on the wallaby-filled King Island and an oceanside bolthole on remote Lord Howe Island.
Scroll down for the inside scoop on stays that offer uniquely Aussie views…
LONGITUDE 131 HOTEL, RED CENTRE, NORTHERN TERRITORY: Australia’s Red Centre is home to some of the world’s most epic rock formations, including the Uluru monolith, and the red domes of Kata Tjuta. And guests of this deluxe eco-camping hotel can revel in uninterrupted views of both sites from bed, with the picture above showing one of the views of Uluru that’s on offer. Guides are on hand to lead groups on outings to these breathtaking natural wonders, imparting knowledge of the natural and cultural heritage of the Red Centre along the way. Visit longitude131.com.au
PUMPHOUSE POINT RETREAT, TASMANIA: This unique adults-only retreat is made up of several buildings at Lake St Clair, which is the Southern Hemisphere’s deepest lake, reaching a depth of more than 700 feet (215 metres). The main building is a 1930s pumphouse that sits at the end of a 240m- (787ft) long walkway that juts over the water and encompasses 12 guest rooms, lounges, an honesty bar and a library. Tripadvisor reviewer ‘Linda C ‘ described the views from her bedroom as ‘mesmerising’. Visit pumphousepoint.com.au
KINGS CREEK STATION, WATARRKA, NORTHERN TERRITORY: Kings Creek Station offers glamping experiences where stunning views of the George Gill Range mountains come as standard. Pictured above is the cluster of tents that form the station’s ‘Drovers Dream’ site, with each tent coming equipped with ensuite bathrooms, a fire pit and barbeque. Another amazing view is available 36 kilometres (22 miles) away – of the spectacular Kings Canyon, also known as Watarrka. Visit kingscreekstation.com.au
SKY PODS HOLIDAY RENTALS, CAPE OTWAY, VICTORIA: Lined with floor-to-ceiling windows, these holiday rentals rest on a 200-acre wildlife refuge on Cape Otway, a rugged cape in southern Victoria. During your stay, marvel over the vista of the Southern Ocean and the surrounding coastal rainforest, which is being restored as a habitat for koalas and birds. Only accessible via a handful of walking trails, the houses are truly off-grid. Other beauty spots such as sandy Station Beach and the spring-fed Rainbow Falls are all within walking distance. Visit skypods.com.au
RAWNSLEY PARK STATION RETREAT, IKARA-FLINDERS RANGES NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH AUSTRALIA: This remote retreat overlooks the southern side of Wilpena Pound – a spectacular natural amphitheatre of mountains that lies in the heart of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park in the Outback. Take your pick from a range of accommodation options within the retreat, which is comprised of a private homestead, luxury villas and a caravan park. The retreat can also arrange a ‘heli-camping’ experience that includes a helicopter ride over the park and a night spent camping under the stars. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for kangaroos and emus throughout your stay. Visit rawnsleypark.com.au
BUBBLETENT AUSTRALIA RETREAT, CAPERTREE VALLEY, NEW SOUTH WALES: Set on a working farm, this trio of transparent ‘bubbletent’ pods overlooks the Capertee Valley canyon near the town of Running Stream in New South Wales. Inside the pods, you’ll find a queen bed dressed with goose-down pillows and an adjoining ensuite bathroom, while outside there’s a romantic wood-fired hot tub that’s ideal for watching sunsets and stargazing. To reach the site, it’s a three-hour drive from Sydney through the sprawling Blue Mountains. Visit bubbletentaustralia.com
MOUNT STURGEON COTTAGES, NEAR DUNKELD TOWN, VICTORIA: These holiday cottages, part of the nearby Royal Mail Hotel, are set within the serene, 91-hectare Mount Sturgeon Biodiversity Reserve. Guests are greeted each morning with a view of the Mount Sturgeon (Wurgarri) peak. By day, take part in a native wildlife conservation tour and encounter native species such as the eastern quoll marsupial. Visit royalmail.com.au
‘TREEHOUSE’ AIRBNB, NEAR THE TOWN OF BILPIN, NEW SOUTH WALES: This unique rental promises a ‘back-to-nature experience’ complete with ‘simply stunning’ vistas of the Blue Mountains rainforest through floor-to-ceiling windows. The listing advises: ‘Stargazing is a popular pastime, so check the meteor shower guide for the best times to watch.’ Airbnb reviewer Rick wrote: ‘No picture can describe how amazing the view is there.’ Visit airbnb.com.au
KITTAWA LODGE, KING ISLAND, TASMANIA: Watch wallabies hop past your bedroom with a stay at Kittawa Lodge on the western coast of King Island, a rugged isle off the coast of mainland Tasmania. You might also spot the island’s resident wallaby population grazing as you bathe in the retreat’s concrete outdoor tubs. Choose between two open-plan rentals on the site, both of which offer panoramic views from every room and sleek furnishings. Visit kittawalodge.com
PARK HYATT SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES: Check into a suite at the Park Hyatt Sydney and you’ll be rewarded with a direct view of the iconic Sydney Opera House. To turn up the luxury levels a notch, opt for the expansive Opera Suite – it boasts six private balconies that overlook the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House as well as a swish dining space for up to eight dinner guests. Visit hyatt.com
‘CAMEL BEACH HOUSE’ AIRBNB, NEAR VENUS BAY, EYRE PENINSULA, SOUTH AUSTRALIA: This rental, perched on a 250-acre site on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, has direct access to a private beach, so you can dip your toes in the Southern Ocean. The house is described in the listing as a ‘rustic modern nest inspired by the iconic wild west fisherman’s shack’, and is packed with books, games and artwork. Airbnb reviewer Alan praised it for its ‘fabulous views from every angle’. Visit airbnb.com.au
CAPELLA LODGE, LORD HOWE ISLAND: This lodge lies on the Unesco-listed Lord Howe Island, a tiny crescent-shaped isle in the Tasman Sea that’s known for its distinctive flora and birdlife. And it’s never crowded, with just 400 people allowed to visit at any one time. The property houses nine contemporary suites, which offer a panorama of the island’s towering twin peaks, Mounts Gower and Lidgbird. Tripadvisor reviewer ‘Elise E’ wrote: ‘The view is second to none.’ Lord Howe Island is reached from mainland Australia via a two-hour flight from Sydney. Visit capellalodge.com.au
THE GHAN, ADELAIDE TO DARWIN: Witness the otherworldly landscapes of Australia’s Northern Territory via the Ghan Railway as it winds its way northbound from Adelaide, through Australia’s Red Centre and the tropical north of the country, before finishing its journey in Darwin. Passengers can enjoy excursions throughout the 3,000km (1,864-mile) voyage – among others, there are outings to the domes of Kata Tjuta and the stunning Nitmiluk gorge. Elegant private cabins and attentive service are an added bonus. Visit journeybeyondrail.com.au
HAYMAN ISLAND RESORT, WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS, QUEENSLAND: This holiday resort lies on Hayman Island, the most northerly of Queensland’s famously photogenic Whitsunday Islands. From its hillside perch, the retreat offers a glorious panorama of the Coral Sea – guests can even drink in sea views from their own private pool in the resort’s top-tier suites. Visit haymanisland.intercontinental.com
LADY MUSGRAVE HQ, DEPARTS FROM BUNDABERG, QUEENSLAND: For unique views of the Great Barrier Reef, camp overnight on the Lady Musgrave HQ, a three-level pontoon positioned in the reef lagoon off the coast of Lady Musgrave Island. Guests arrive on the pontoon via a catamaran transfer from the coastal city of Bundaberg. There’s a luxury glamping set-up on the deck as well as bunks in the pontoon’s underwater observatory. Spend your day snorkelling among the vibrant coral and sea life of the lagoon, and when the sun sets, set off on a night kayak tour to experience the reef at its most enigmatic. Visit ladymusgraveexperience.com.au
DAINTREE ECOLODGE, DAINTREE RAINFOREST, QUEENSLAND: The Daintree Ecolodge offers 15 eco-friendly ‘bayans’ (treehouses) immersed in the canopy of the Daintree Rainforest in North Queensland, thought to be the world’s oldest rainforest – it’s millions of years older than the Amazon. Guests can admire the Daintree Ecolodge’s private waterfall and can soak in their own private bathtub, which overlooks the rainforest’s unique flora and fauna. Visit daintree-ecolodge.com.au
‘ENCHANTED CAVE’ AIRBNB, NEAR BILPIN, NEW SOUTH WALES: Take in dreamy views of Australia’s Blue Mountains from this quirky Airbnb, which has been built into the top of a natural rock platform near the town of Bilpin. To enter, guests walk through a round wooden door that ‘wouldn’t be out of place’ in Hobbiton, a filming location for The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the listing notes. Visit airbnb.co.uk
WANDER HOLIDAY RENTALS, KANGAROO ISLAND, SOUTH AUSTRALIA: These four luxurious holiday rentals are perched on the northern bluff of the Kangaroo Island coast, overlooking Snelling Beach. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows and the outdoor bathtubs lend front-row views of the island’s wildlife – you’re in with a good chance of spotting native kangaroos. Visit wander.com.au
‘HAMPTONS ON THE HILL’ AIRBNB, AIRLIE BEACH, WHITSUNDAY REGION, QUEENSLAND: Revel in amazing views of the Whitsunday Islands from the bedrooms of this Airbnb, which lies in the coastal town of Airlie Beach. You can fire up the rental’s barbecue and spend the day floating in its showstopper infinity pool, or if you fancy a saltwater dip, it’s just a 10-minute walk to the nearest beach. Visit airbnb.co.uk
SAFFIRE FREYCINET LODGE, TASMANIA: Occupying a stunning spot on the eastern coast of Tasmania, this luxury lodge offers sweeping views of Great Oyster Bay and The Hazards mountains. Take your pick from 20 suites, which are designed to help you to ‘find connection with the environment’, according to the lodge. Tripadvisor reviewer ‘Lookforgrace’ wrote: ‘Honestly, there was barely a spot in the entire place that didn’t have an amazing view.’ Visit saffire-freycinet.com.au
- For more on everything that Australia has to offer visit www.australia.com/en-gb.
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