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Stargazing in Australia: The best luxury stays under southern skies
View from Longitude 131°, with Uluru rising on the horizon
Far from the glow of urban lights, these luxury stays and experiences are perfectly positioned to shine. From outback Queensland to Ningaloo Reef, here’s where to stay for the country’s best stargazing
Winter in Australia is prime stargazing season, and across the country, some of the country’s best regional properties have purposefully created spaces where these mesmerising skies can be appreciated in luxury. And all you need to do is look up.
Mt Mulligan Lodge, Queensland
Set on 28,000 hectares in outback Queensland, Mt Mulligan Lodge offers an escape defined by landscape and luxury. The all-inclusive property, located 160 kilometres northwest of Cairns, sits in the shadow of its majestic namesake surrounded by the tones and textures of the Australian bush. The stars here are aptly celebrated. Alongside the lodge’s signature and bespoke experiences (think hikes, fishing, paddleboarding, ATV tours, gourmet picnics) is Celestial Dreams, a tour across the southern night sky from the perspective of Indigenous and Greek mythologies. Alternatively, take dinner under the stars, sundowners at Geraldine Falls, or simply sink into the corrugated-tin tub on your private porch and gaze skyward.
Kimo Estate, Gundagai
Kimo Estate, located near Gundagai in the Riverina region of NSW, is renowned for its A-frame EcoHuts, positioned for sweeping views of the picturesque countryside. Secluded, stylish and stocked with luxury amenities, the huts also come with an after-dark bonus. Clear, inky skies are illuminated by the silver sweep of the Milky Way and the view goes just perfectly with a glass of local red. No traffic, no schedule, just tendrils of steam from your wood-fired hot tub rising towards the scattered diamonds above.
Sal Salis, Ningaloo Reef
World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef is a veritable ocean paradise. Spanning 260 kilometres, the fringing coral reef is one of the few places in the world where it is possible to swim with whale sharks, humpback whales, manta rays, dugongs and sea turtles. Overlooking Ningaloo Reef, Sal Salis is an incredible launchpad for activities along Western Australia’s Coral Coast, putting guests just steps from the sand and under an utterly magical night sky. The resort’s luxury wilderness tents provide undisturbed views to the horizon as well as a front-row seat to the ethereal glow of the Milky Way and its supporting cast.
Dark Sky Dinner, Hobart
Presented as part of Hobart’s annual Beaker Street Festival, the Dark Sky Dinner combines stargazing, storytelling and fine dining for a sparkling night out. Home of this stellar (sorry!) event is Frogmore Creek, an eminent cellar door and restaurant, located about 20 minutes from Hobart and overlooking the Coal River Valley. As the wine flows, live music entertains and Tasmanian produce delights, constellations are revealed overhead, growing in number and radiance as the evening unfolds. Diners are joined by special guests each year who speak on themes such as the Dark Sky movement and Indigenous astronomy, while the Frogmore veranda is decked with telescopes to help connect…well, the dots.
Longitude 131°, Uluru
It’s hard to surpass the profound presence of Uluru. The intensity of a star-filled sky, stretching endlessly in every direction, offers stiff competition. Combine the two for the makings of a resplendent evening. Longitude 131°, an icon of Australia’s luxury accommodation catalogue, can deliver both in one sitting, and winter is the perfect time to experience the pair. The property’s luxury tents are each equipped with a balcony daybed, from which stargazing is supreme (snuggled up with a blanket, naturally), while the premium tents also feature uninterrupted views of Uluru. Meanwhile, the resort’s Table 131°, set in a secret location among the red-sand dunes, delivers fine dining under the star-spangled canvas.
Arkaba, Flinders Ranges
Sprawled across more than 25,000 hectares, Arkaba is a sizeable slice of meticulously protected Australian outback. The former sheep station, now a conservancy, is anchored by its 1850s homestead, a space to disconnect and absorb the natural surrounds. The Arkaba Walk, an expertly guided three-day hike through the ancient Flinders Ranges, includes a night here. It also includes two nights deluxe swag camping at one of Arkaba’s strategically positioned bush camps. These slightly elevated timber decks offer unmatched views of the countryside and, of course, the cosmic wonders of the expansive night sky overhead. Part of the Great Walks of Australia collection, the journey operates weekly from April to October and is graded moderate.
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