Silky Oaks

With its perfect location in the heart of the city, the Four Seasons offers fantastic panoramas and proximity to landmark attractions such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. Rooms and suites are decorated in contemporary grand-luxe style, with big windows that look out over the Sydney skyline. In the larger suites, guests are treated to full harbour views that show the city in all its glory. Enjoy contemporary Australian cuisine at Mode Kitchen and Bar where locally-sourced produce is served in a relaxed bistro-style environment. Head to the Grain for craft beers, organic wine and a selection of expertly mixed cocktails. After a day of exploring, relax and unwind at the hotel spa or take a dip in the outdoor pool. For those who like to stay active on holiday, there is a fitness centre with the latest equipment while the sauna and Jacuzzi act as soothing tonics. The Four Seasons is close to Sydney’s vibrant shopping districts as well as operating as the ideal spot from which to begin your adventures in the surrounding Port Jackson region.

Only two hours from Brisbane, Spicers Peak Lodge is set in soul-stirring beauty atop the Cedar Mountain plateau and surrounded by a private nature refuge and thousands of acres of ranchland. Australia’s highest non-alpine lodge not only boasts spectacular mountain views, it offers a decadent all-inclusive retreat with food, drinks and treats available around the clock. The 12 suites each create a unique experience of this lush destination, with private outdoor decks, wood-burning fireplaces, stone showers and some have their own outdoor spa bath. If the surrounding bush, epic views and luxe accommodation aren’t enough to entice you, then the award-winning restaurant will. The seasonal, organic a la carte and degustation menus are a delight for all the senses. The property allows for total immersion in the surrounding pristine National Park with guided bush walks, cycling, helicopter flights and tours of vineyards in this up-and-coming wine region. Or sit back and soak it all up in the lounge, with treatments in the spa or at the deck-fringed infinity pool where you can spot the numerous friendly kangaroos.

Get an authentic outback experience at this luxury bush retreat, sitting in 60,000 acres of private wildlife conservancy in Flinders Range and shared with only nine other guests. Arkaba offers one of Australia’s most exclusive getaways, with uninhibited access to some of the country’s most spectacular wildlife and scenery from wandering wallabies, kangaroos and emus to ancient landscapes. The homestead is recognised as one of the country’s most beautiful outback properties, sensitively designed to pay tribute to its pioneer history as a former sheep station. And with limited to no phone access it offers a rare opportunity to truly switch-off and completely immerse in this quintessential Australian environment. Each of the homestead’s five bedrooms capture the property’s heritage with rural décor while offering all the creature comforts, in a large and luxurious space. All have outdoor verandahs equipped with lounging chairs so you can sit and soak up the expansive vistas. Dedicated to conservation, Arkaba gives its guests the unique opportunity to really experience the outback, with guests able to help out with the many conservation projects, go on guided walks, open-top safaris or even scenic flights.

Only two and a half hours drive from Sydney, enter a world away from it all at Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley. There is a strong focus here on reducing waste and recycling, as well as finding increasingly environmentally sustainable ways to operate. This seriously luxurious lodge is one special place. It sits in a 7,000-acre pristine nature reserve in the middle of two of Australia’s most prominent national parks. Luxury is in every detail, with opulent styling, all the creature comforts, cosy lounges with open fireplaces, and idyllic private swimming pools. The 40 villas invoke a sense of total seclusion and privacy, with uninterrupted views into the wilderness that are frequented by hundreds of friendly kangaroos, wallaroos and wombats. Each villa has a temperature controlled inside-outside pool, a lounge with inviting, large sofas and double-fronted fireplaces. The site of the hotel was originally a homestead in 1832 and the original farm buildings have been preserved and are now home to a museum. The restaurant offers panoramic views and serves up modern Australian cuisine using seasonal, local and organic produce. The star attraction of the property has to be its stunning surroundings, which you can explore by foot, bicycle, horseback or go on guided hikes and bird watching excursions. Return to the homestead at the end of the day and sink into the plush armchairs in front of the fire with a gin and tonic, soak up more of the scenery at the beautifully designed outdoor pool or head to the excellent spa for treatments which uses the hotel’s own range of organic products.