14 Luxurious ways to see Australia’s natural wonders

Discover Australia’s natural wonders without sacrificing comfort or style. 

Australia is a vast and varied country. We have densely populated urban cities and empty outback deserts. There are rainforests, beaches, mountains and canyons, spectacular lakes, rivers, formations and reefs. It could take a lifetime to experience all of Australia’s natural wonders, but we’ve compiled a list of some of the best sights worth seeing to get you started. Better yet, we’ve found a luxurious place to stay, or a way to access, each and every natural wonder, so you can discover your country in comfort.

14 Luxurious ways to see Australia’s natural wonders

Experience Lord Howe Island at Capella Lodge, New South Wales

Lord Howe Island, 600 kilometres off Australia’s East Coast, is a leader in sustainable development, and its conservation practices are the world’s envy. Lord Howe Island is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed location surrounded by a Marine Park, and has some of the planet’s rarest flora and fauna. Before we were wiser, ships dropped anchor on the coral reef; rats came ashore from the boats and feral cats, pigs and goats trampled the land and caused the extinction of five endemic bird species, at least 13 species of endemic invertebrates and two plant species. However, this pretty island has ratted out the rodents with a $9.5 million eradication project that is a world-first conservation success story for a permanently inhabited island. Aerial and ground baiting, along with biosecurity dog teams, eradicated more than 200,000 rats; and the population of one of Australia’s rarest birds, the Lord Howe Woodhen, has rocketed from 30 to now more than 1,000.

Only 400 guests are allowed on Lord Howe Island at any one time, and Capella Lodge is the best base from which to explore the island. Nestled at the foot of Mount Gower and Mount Lidgbird, Capella is a contemporary retreat that channels the spirit of Australian beach culture. The Lidgbird Pavilion is spread across two levels, with an indoor and outdoor bathroom, a deck with heated plunge pool, lounge with fireplace, an in-suite bar and an electric buggy for the exclusive use of guests on the island. Visitors will find a spa, restaurant and bar on-site, and the lodge staff can arrange island expeditions, aquatic adventures, cruises and more.

Join an Australian safari in Kakadu National Park at Bamurru Plains, Northern Territory

Welcoming just 26 guests at any one time and holding 300 square kilometres of floodplains and savanna woodland on the Mary River, Bamurru Plains is an all-inclusive safari camp in the Northern Territory positioned on the cusp of World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, one of Australia’s natural wonders. Visitors can expect exclusive wildlife and bird encounters, chef-prepared meals, premium wines, a team of hosts and gorgeous safari bungalows. The most recent addition to the accommodation options is Jabiru Retreat, which opened in May 2023, consisting of two safari-style bungalows connected via a raised walkway leading to an exclusive-use plunge pool and lounging deck overlooking the floodplains.

Visit Uluru-Kata Tjuta at Longitude 131°, Northern Territory

Uluru-Kata Tjuta is undeniably the most famous of Australia’s natural wonders. At Longitude 131°, expect safari-style tented pavilions with private plunge pools, artworks by local Indigenous creatives, contemporary furnishings and all the mod cons. However, the spectacular panoramic views of Australia’s spiritual heartland, Uluru-Kata Tjuta, are best enjoyed from the Dune Pavilion, the newest premium suite at this luxury resort. Spa Kinara ensures guests are relaxed and rejuvenated, while the Dune House serves up world-class cuisine influenced by Indigenous flavours. There’s a swimming pool, plunge pool and Table 131°, a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience where, as darkness falls, a four-course dinner with matched Australian wines is served in an exclusive outback setting.

See King’s Canyon from above with a helicopter tour, Northern Territory

Departing from Ayers Rock Resort, the Professional Helicopter Service run a King’s Canyon Air Safari by Helicopter tour from $910 per person, per 95-minute flight time. See the salt lakes of Lake Amadeus, Kings Canyon, and the Domes of the Lost City.

See Tasmania’s famous Wine Glass Bay at Saffire Freycinet

Explore Wineglass Bay, the Hazards, and Mount Amos on Tasmania’s beautiful east coast at Saffire Freycinet, a luxury all-inclusive retreat. The on-site restaurant, Palate, serves up some of the world’s best and freshest seafood and cool climate wines. The restaurant also provides tailor-made gourmet experiences for guests and multi-course degustation menus. Saffire’s day spa utilises natural elements and luxury products to deliver transformative treatments. The top-tier private pavilions provide guests with spacious bedrooms, living and dining areas, a private courtyard with a plunge pool, and deck.

Breathe the cleanest air in the world at Kittawa Lodge, Tasmania

Set within an exclusive 96-acre property on King Island off the North-West coast of Tasmania, Kittawa Lodge is an award-winning private residence with on-site staff. Surrounded by Tasmania’s pristine wilderness, this off-the-grid boutique lodge employs ecologically responsible practices and has a number of sumptuous catering options, including your own in-house cook. Whether you are travelling solo, as a couple or with friends and family, Kittawa Lodge will design a bespoke experience just for you.

Explore South Australia’s world-class wine regions at Sequoia

Perched upon Mount Lofty above the Piccadilly Valley in the Adelaide Hills, Sequoia is surrounded by four world-class wine regions, the region’s largest surviving koala population and extensive Indigenous history. The lodge itself is an adults-only luxury retreat that provides personalities offsite activities and exclusive amenities for guests. There are spring-fed hot pools, infinity pools, a tennis court and a wildlife enclosure. Dining is an enjoyable affair at Sequoia. There’s a culinary experience available at the three-hatted Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant, or a choice of lounge or in-suite private dining. The suites each boast panoramic views, a sunken lounge, a large balcony, a fireplace, a bathtub and a wellness shower. The suites are fully automated offering different mood and time of day settings.

Cruise to the Great Barrier Reef at Qualia, Queensland

One of the most beautiful of Australia’s natural wonders is the Great Barrier Reef, which also counts as one of the seven natural wonders of the world! At Qualia, you can sail, swim with turtles, dive, snorkel or walk the white sands of the Whitsundays. Qualia is a private resort perched on the northern tip of Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays. Located close to the island’s retail and dining hub, the resort offers private charter cruises to the eastern edge of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, among other activities. The architectural design of the resort blurs the lines between indoors and out, with an open framework of timber and glass. The Long Pavilion restaurant serves up fine dining and a curated wine list, however, Pebble Beach restaurant is Qualia’s signature culinary experience. There’s an infinity pool and private cabanas, landscaped gardens, a gym, Spa Qualia for wellness and relaxation, and a library. Guests also have access to an electronic golf buggy for private use around the island.

Discover the Daintree Rainforest at Silky Oaks Lodge, Queensland

Home to some of the world’s tallest trees, the Daintree is the world’s oldest surviving tropical rainforest and the biggest tropical rainforest in Australia, stretching across 1200 square kilometres. The Daintree Pavilion at Silky Oaks Lodge is the ultimate hideaway within this natural wonder. Tucked away in North Queensland, this 325-square-metre suite has two bedroom wings, an open-air lounging atrium and an infinity pool that brushes up against the leafy canopy. The lodge itself has a contemporary architectural style, two sleek bars, a fine dining restaurant and a spa. Silky Oaks Lodge also facilitates cultural experiences, river, rainforest and reef expeditions, and helicopter flights.

See the Flinders Ranges and Wilpena Pound at Arkaba, South Australia

‘Saving wildlife through immersive outback safaris’ is the Arkaba Conservancy tagline. Framed by Australia’s natural wonders of Wilpena Pound and the Elder Range, with the Flinders Ranges spanning far and wide, Arkaba Conservancy is a wild bush property that only accommodates up to 10 guests at any time. The 60,000-acre property is dedicated to wildlife conservancy, and guests can expect to encounter wild mobs of kangaroos, emus, and other iconic Australian wildlife. Local South Australian produce takes centre stage on the menu, accompanied by local wines.

See the Twelve Apostles on foot with the Australian Walking Company, Victoria

The Twelve Apostles Signature Walk by the Australian Walking Company is a four-day walk that takes adventurers on a journey past some of Australia’s natural wonders in Victoria. The Great Ocean Walk has overnight stops in an eco-lodge, which boasts features such as a foot spa, rain shower, kitchen garden, dining room and ensuite, along with beautiful food and premium wines.

Join a private heli-hiking tour to the Bungle Bungle Range, Western Australia

Journey to El Questro, a premium homestead in the heart of the Kimberley in Western Australia, and settle into your home base. Then, join the Purnululu Heli-Hiking Experience by Walk Into Luxury. This helicopter flight departs from El Questro and soars over the East Kimberley rivers and ranges before arriving at Purnululu National Park, and the Bungle Bungle Range. You’ll embark on a private 4WD journey and a guided hike to Cathedral Gorge or Echidna Chasm. Enjoy a picnic lunch on your walk. Then return to the skies and see Argyle Diamond Mine and the Ragged Range before landing at a remote waterfall at a secret spot coveted by pilots in the area. Enjoy a refreshing swim before tracking back to El Questro Homestead for a pre-dinner drink.

See the Pinnacles with a private tour from Perth. Western Australia

The moon-like environment of the Pinnacles Desert is one Australia’s natural wonders. Luxury Outback Tours host a four-person small group day tour from Perth that will guide guests through the limestone spires and yellow desert sands of Nambung National Park, Cervantes, Lencelin, Thirsty Point and the stromatolites at Lake Thetis. This tour can be customised to include Caversham Wildlife Park. Price on application.

Traverse Tasmania’s Bay of Fires at Holland House, Tasmania

Known all over the world for the boulders covered in bright orange lichen, Bay of Fires is one of Australia’s natural wonders. Holland House is situated on the east coast of Tasmania in an area of the Bay of Fires region known as ‘The Gardens’. This award-winning and architecturally designed house sits above the land on slender steel columns thoughtfully built, blending into the rugged terrain, and immersed into the magnificent views of the Bay of Fires.