Thanks to spectacular natural wonders, vibrant city and town centers, and innovators in design and culture, NSW is primed for luxury accommodation. Whether you’re booking into five-star city experiences, wine region indulgence or a World Heritage-listed tropical getaway, let your worries melt away with these unforgettable stays across Sydney and New South Wales.
One-of-a-kind stays
Gather your inner circle for an idyllic weekend of bonding at Burrawang House, a luxury holiday home in the Southern Highlands village of Burrawang. With an open kitchen set up for entertaining, a nine-metre pool, a games room, several luxe living spaces, a sunny deck and an office, you and 13 others will always have something to do and somewhere to escape to.
Ramp up the rural charm on a different kind of Southern Highlands escape with a stay at Osborn House: a grand, century-old property on the edge of Morton National Park in the village of Bundanoon. For more privacy, book into Osborn House’s two-person Forest Lodge and spend the afternoon in an outdoor bath overlooking the park. Whether in the main manor or a lodge, spend your evenings getting pampered in the impeccably designed spa, and with a table at the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, Dinah’s.
The complete opposite end of the luxury spectrum is the sleek, almost futuristic feel of award-winner Dovecote. Take in the panoramic ocean views from either Dovecote’s two-bedroom Range or four-bedroom Headland properties, both set on 60 hectares of coastal farmland above the seaside town of Gerringong, less than two hours’ drive from Sydney on the NSW South Coast.
In NSW’s capital, Capella Sydney offers one of the most extravagant stays in the city. The hotel, set within a heritage-listed sandstone building by the harbor, is immaculately designed so almost every furnishing, artwork, and building material tells a story about the city’s culture and history. There’s also a premium spa hosting one of the most beautiful indoor pools in the state and a high-end restaurant, Brasserie 1930, run by the acclaimed Bentley Group.
Disconnected in paradise
World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island feels like a rare piece of untouched nature, where you can snorkel pristine coral reefs, hike mountains with extravagantly colored tropical birds, and swim beaches with water the color of bubble gum ice cream. Rest your head at Capella Lodge, a premium retreat with nine opulent suites, a serene spa and a fine-dining restaurant showcasing the unique local produce.
Escape to your own private oasis on the island at Island House, where each of the two houses is stylishly fit with Mid-Century Danish furniture and is designed to meld into the environment. Alternatively, settle into one of only four suites at the five-star Arajilla Retreat before enjoying the creative fare from the resort’s organic kitchen garden.
Romance on the water
Check into a plush harbourside room at a lauded five-star hotel such as Park Hyatt Sydney, W Sydney or Ovolo Woolloomooloo, then take your love to new heights on a sunset helicopter tour over Sydney Harbour. Or whisk away your loved one for the ultimate romantic getaway with a seaplane flight over the city and its spectacular coast. Sydney Seaplanes and Sydney by Seaplane both offer private flights from the eastern suburb of Rose Bay, landing on the sheltered waters of the Hawkesbury or the Northern Beaches.
On the Northern Beaches, drink, dine and recline at the Whale Beach institution Jonah’s Restaurant and Boutique Hotel. Or live a luxury experience on the water with Lilypad, a luxurious villa floating in the secluded bay off Palm Beach. On the Hawkesbury River, check into the exclusive Oxley Boatshed, set right on the water, accessible only by boat. Just further north, on the Central Coast, The Lodges at Bells at Killcare delivers three stories of elegant, coastal luxury among the angophora forest, with fresh baked goods delivered in the morning and a nightly seat at The Wild Flower Bar and Dining for dinner.
Look for luxury among the vineyards
In the historic Hunter Valley wine region, a two-hour drive north of Sydney, you’ll find a comprehensive experience of luxury. Renew your body and mind with treatments at plush day spas, check into the sculpted gardens and country elegance of Spicers Guesthouse or Chateau Elan, and entertain your tastebuds with the creativity and panache served at award-winning restaurants Muse and Margan. The next morning, gain a new perspective as you take to the skies on a hot-air balloon ride with Balloon Aloft or a helicopter flight around the valley.
Cozy up in style in the Mudgee wine region, a 3.5-hour drive northwest of Sydney. Soak in an outdoor bath and gaze at the vibrancy of the country night sky at Sierra Escape, a luxury eco-glamping experience a 20-minute drive out of Mudgee, or stay close to the action at Perry Street Hotel, housed in a 19th-century civic building in the heart of town. Enjoy the fruits of this fertile region at Pipeclay Pumphouse Restaurant, the casual fine diner of Robert Stein Winery or try Lowe Family Wine Co.’s slow-food-focused seasonal farmhouse, Zin House.
Discover country history and an acclaimed wine-growing region around Orange, a 3.5-hour drive from Sydney via the Blue Mountains. Byng Street Boutique Hotel, in the heart of the town’s heritage precinct, brings color, character, and a bold design vision to the original homestead. Then spend the days touring some of Orange’s outstanding wineries, including Borrodell Estate and Ross Hill Wines. Anchor a memorable day of wine tasting with a long lunch at Printhie Wines‘ acclaimed fine diner a few minutes outside of town.
Recharge in the mountains
NSW’s Snowy Mountains offers alpine luxury in the snow or a rainbow of wildflowers in the spring. Nimbo Fork Lodge, an understated country retreat around a four-drive from Sydney near Gundagai and Tumut, offers cute cottages with soothing Snowy Valleys scenery and a farm-to-table restaurant run by the celebrity chefs of Three Blue Ducks.
In Capertee National Park, just west of the Blue Mountains, marvel at the sandstone cliffs dotting the world’s second-largest canyon, less than three hour drive northwest of Sydney. Then kick back in your bubble tent, soaking up the last rays of the mountain sun, and using the tent’s telescope to contemplate the complexity and beauty of the cosmos painted across the sky above.
