If Australia is known for anything, it’s the seemingly endless coastline and spectacular beaches that make an idyllic backdrop for any laid-back holiday. From Western Australia to Queensland, here are the best Australian hotels positioned where the land meets the sea…
Australians are some of the hardest people in the world to impress when it comes to beaches, thanks to the countless picture-perfect sandy shores we experience on our home turf. From hot and dry WA to tropical Queensland and down to beautiful New South Wales, this sunburnt country is not only brimming with seaside spots, but also some of the world’s most impressive hotels and resorts, many of which are perfectly positioned to take in those sweeping ocean vistas.
So next time you’re planning a holiday, why not make it closer to home and check into one of Australia’s best beachfront resorts? After all, there’s no place like home…
Alamanda Palm Cove
QLD
Located just outside Cairns at the beautiful, village-liked Palm Cove, Alamanda Palm Cove has the remarkable ability to merge the vibe of a slow-paced beach town with that of a luxury, full service experience. The only resort in Palm Cove to boast a beach-front property, it is the perfect spot for a lazy day of pool lounging or as a base from which to explore the Great Barrier Reef. The self-contained apartment style is ideal for those – especially families – who want the comforts of home and the flexibility to cook their own meals. As for the spa, that’s an experience Mum and Dad should definitely not miss, with expert therapists on-hand to get hands-on and then lead you up to the rooftop to the ingenious spa pavilions, where you can rest and splash around in your own private infinity pool.
Halcyon House
NSW
This family-run establishment has a long list of accolades, its metaphorical trophy shelf absolutely heaving with awards collected since its 2015 opening. With just 21 rooms, each individually and uniquely designed, this charming boutique hotel also has a much-lauded and multi-award-winning restaurant, Paper Daisy, while immediately beyond the hotel you’ll find the sandy shores of Cabarita Beach and an ocean swelling with good surf breaks. The unique beachside property lies between sunny Queensland and Northern New South Wales putting it in a prime location to access Byron Bay, Bangalow, Newrybar and Brunswick Heads. Halcyon House embodies Australia’s laid-back culture in a luxurious environment that still manages to feel like home.
Rae’s on Wategos
NSW
Recently refurbished Rae’s on Wategos lies sprawled on Wategos Beach in Byron Bay. The resort, styled with a fusion of Moroccan-Mediterranean elements, has only seven suites making it a haven for travellers in search of privacy. For a lavish arrival at the hotel, Rae’s offers a private jet guests can book to fly them to and from the hotel, as well as a 26-mete-re yacht available to charter.
Sheraton Grand Mirage
QLD
This trusty sand-fringed hotel is hard to look past on any visit to the Gold Coast, not least of all because of its incredible views of famous Four Mile Beach. An ideal respite from busy city life, Sheraton Grand Mirage is positioned within minutes of glitzy Surfers Paradise, and a sky bridge connects guests to the myriad boutiques, restaurants and cafés of the Marina Mirage Shopping precinct. We love the resort’s lush outdoor oasis replete with botanical gardens, the 11 contemporary suites –many of which have private terraces – and the gleaming salt-water lagoon with its swim-up bar.
Cable Beach Club Resort
Known as one of Australia’s most beautiful beaches, the squeaky, pure white sand of Cable Beach in Broome, Western Australia is a must-see for any sun-seeker. Settle in to comfy accommodation by night at Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa, and then head off in the morning to experience kayaking, whale watching, helicopter tours and Broome’s most iconic experience – a camel ride on Cable Beach under WA’s famous clear-blue skies or as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean.
Southern Ocean Lodge
Another Luxury Lodges of Australia favourite, Southern Ocean Lodge has views of vast wild coastline, towering cliff faces and miles of sparkling ocean. Rooms are luxurious with heated bathroom floors and bathtubs facing the magnificent ocean sceneries, and the resort offers culinary delights as chefs create meals using fresh local ingredients. With pristine beaches, hospitable staff and views that are sure to amaze Southern Ocean Lodge is a top contender for your next holiday spot.
Pullman Bunker Bay Resort
Nestled on beautiful Bunker Bay in south west Western Australia lies Pullman Bunker Bay Resort, an ocean oasis in the heart of the world-renowned Margaret River wine region. Bunker Bay is one of the region’s most stunning beaches, with the whitest of white sand and bright turquoise water, but if you tire of the beach there are wine tours and tastings to be enjoyed in the the surrounding vines. For the quintessential south WA experience, spend the morning at the beach and then head out for lunch at one of the many esteemed and award-winning winery restaurants nearby.
Capella Lodge
NSW
One of the country’s most covetable boutique accommodations, Capella Lodge is uniquely positioned on New South Wales’ Lord Howe Island, perched above the petite secret beach at Lovers Bay.
It has sweeping views over the Pacific Ocean and the world’s southern-most coral reef along with the twin peaks of Mounts Gower and Lidgbird, and features just nine contemporary suites that have been luxuriously appointed and designed to complement the island’s pristine natural environment. One of Australia’s most stylish and sophisticated beachside escapes.
Lizard Island
QLD
Taking things up a notch is Lizard Island – a private island resort located on a 1,013-hectare National Park and right on top of the Great Barrier Reef.
Its 40 exclusive rooms and villas mean guests of Lizard Island will get a level of privacy never experienced before, while the island’s 24 beaches mean there is almost a private beach per person, for those wanting to head off to find their own pocket of paradise for the day.
This is a resort for the absolute luxury traveller, and a resort experience that will be hard to beat.
