Step aboard one of the world’s greatest rail journeys with Journey Beyond Rail’s Indian Pacific – an all-inclusive, cross-continental experience that redefines slow travel in the best way. Spanning from Perth to Sydney (or vice versa), this is more than just a train ride: it’s a moving window into Australia’s most striking landscapes, from dusty outback plains to the rolling peaks of the Blue Mountains.
In the heart of The Kimberley’s vast wilderness, El Questro is one of Australia’s most extraordinary outback escapes — a million-acre property that blends dramatic landscapes, remote adventure, and four unique styles of stay. From barefoot luxury at El Questro Homestead to the rustic charm of Emma Gorge, the riverside privacy of The Station, and the self-drive seclusion of Black Cockatoo camping ground , this is a place that offers something for every type of traveller — as long as you’re ready to go off-grid in style.
Set on half a million acres of remote outback country in Australia’s Top End, Bullo River Station is as wild and vast as it sounds — but also warm, intimate, and completely unforgettable. This working cattle station turned luxury wilderness lodge offers the rare chance to experience the Australian bush in its rawest form, without giving up comfort or care. Helicopter rides over gorges, fishing for barramundi in secret waterholes, and cruising past ancient Aboriginal rock art at sunset — this is adventure at its most authentic.
Perched dramatically on the clifftops of Kangaroo Island’s wild southern coast, Southern Ocean Lodge is one of Australia’s most iconic stays — reimagined, rebuilt, and more remarkable than ever. This is the kind of place where luxury doesn’t compete with the landscape, it flows with it: curved, low-slung architecture that disappears into the dunes, floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the crashing sea, and interiors that draw directly from the island’s raw, elemental beauty.
Tucked within the lush canopy of the Daintree Rainforest, where ancient trees meet river bends and birdsong replaces background noise, Silky Oaks Lodge is a sanctuary in every sense. This is where you come to slow down, sink in, and feel utterly enveloped by nature — but with the soft touch of luxury ever-present. Floor-to-ceiling glass, local artworks, rainforest-sourced botanicals, and a spa inspired by First Nations healing traditions — it’s wild, but polished.
At the edge of Australia’s spiritual heartland, Longitude 131° offers an extraordinary blend of raw natural beauty and refined luxury. Overlooking the rust-red curves of Uluru, this unique desert retreat immerses you in the stories of the land while delivering the kind of service and style usually reserved for the savannahs of Africa. Think: guided explorations by day, degustation dining under the stars by night, and an atmosphere so effortlessly relaxed, it feels like stepping into nature’s own private lounge.
Tucked into a glacial valley in New Zealand’s South Island, The Lindis is one of the most architecturally striking stays in the country. It’s sleek, remote, and quietly extraordinary — built to blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape of the Ahuriri Valley, where tussock-covered hills roll into alpine peaks. From above, the building is barely visible; from inside, it’s pure drama — floor-to-ceiling glass, raw timber, and wide, open skies.
Nestled in the heart of Queenstown on New Zealand’s South Island, Eichardt’s Private Hotel offers an elegant retreat that perfectly balances timeless sophistication with a warm, inviting spirit. Occupying a prime waterfront location on Lake Wakatipu, this boutique hotel combines the charm of historic architecture with contemporary design touches, creating a refined yet relaxed atmosphere that feels entirely effortless.
Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses is one of those rare stays that manages to feel both wildly remote and completely refined. Set just outside Kaikōura on New Zealand’s South Island, this contemporary country lodge is framed by the Kaikōura mountains on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. And then there are the tree houses—yes, actual tree houses—elevated 10 metres above the ground and nestled in a grove of native manuka trees.
Hidden deep in the Marlborough Sounds—only accessible by boat or helicopter—Bay of Many Coves is the kind of place you come to truly disappear. No roads. No rush. Just a scattering of architecturally pared-back apartments tucked into native bushland, with every room angled towards the water.
Set on a 28,000-hectare heritage site in Far North Queensland, this all-inclusive luxury lodge sits in the shadow of its namesake mountain: an ancient sandstone escarpment that towers above eucalyptus forest, golden savannah, and sacred Indigenous sites. But what really sets Mount Mulligan Lodge apart is its stillness. You come here to breathe slower, to reconnect, and to experience the outback in a way that’s entirely unfiltered – with a touch of indulgence thrown in, of course.
Tucked away at the northern tip of Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays, Qualia is the kind of place that makes you wonder why you ever put up with ordinary. This adults-only hideaway is all about stillness, space, and views that seem to go on forever — a salt-sprayed blend of laidback luxury and pinch-me moments.
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