Best Accommodation in Australia
Having grown up in Australia, I have certainly stayed in many different types of accommodation across the country. Some incredible, while some not so great. So, check out my growing list of best accommodation in Australia to help plan your next trip down under.
If you are looking to travel Australia on a budget, also make sure to check out the How to Use Hostelworld blog post.
Last updated February 2025*.
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Best Accommodation in Australia
Best Accommodation in Queensland
QT Gold Coast
QT provides luxury accommodation in major cities across Australia. However QT Gold Coast was my first experience with the chain, and it quickly topped my list of best accommodation in Australia. Visiting over one weekend in August made for the perfect sunny escape from Melbourne’s chilly winter. In fact, we didn’t leave the property the whole weekend because it was so comfortable.
Instead of a traditional hotel room, we opted to stay in a qtQT Cabin. The service was incredibly personable and there were no other guests at the time, so we had the entire rooftop garden to ourselves. Despite being in the tropics, the cabin was super cozy, especially with the fire pit and board games to enjoy.
For our only full day here, we rented a poolside cabana to soak up the rays. During the day, our fruit platter and cocktails were constantly replenished between laps in the pool. We truly could not have asked for a more relaxing time here.
We spent two nights in a qtQT Cabin at AUD$474* per night. The Bikini Chic package was an extra AUD$190*, which included our poolside cabana for the day and a few extra treats. For a weekend getaway, this was an incredible price due to the high standard of service we experienced throughout our stay.
The Calile Hotel
The Calile Hotel provides not just accommodation, but a luxurious destination in itself that is perfect for any Brisbane getaway. This modern tropical property has been voted the best in Oceania, and the world’s 25th best hotel. So of course, it makes any list of best accommodation in Australia.
Between the clean, cozy rooms, glistening pool and six onsite dining options, you can spend an entire weekend here without leaving the property. We spent our days enjoying Hellenika’s greek treats by the pool, and evenings sharing cocktails and pasta in the Lobby Bar.
The modern art deco design here also blew us away. Every detail was perfectly planned to elevate our stay.
This property was on my bucket list for a long time, and it certainly lived up to the hype. We stayed just one night in an Urban Room King at AUD$899*.
Best Accommodation in Tasmania
MACq 01 Hotel
Located at Hobart’s Macquarie Wharf, MACq 01 Hotel provides perhaps the most luxurious stay in the city. Despite Hobart’s freezing temperatures, this property curates a hearty atmosphere that places it on the list of best accommodation in Australia.
I especially loved the storytelling in this hotel that created a uniquely Tasmanian personality. With each room themed around an important figure in the city’s history, our stay provided a unique insight into such this region of Australia.
One of the highlights of the property was its location in downtown Hobart. The short walk to Salamanca Market on Saturday morning followed by a ferry from the wharf to MONA on Sunday made for the perfect Hobart weekend.
We stayed in a Superior Hunter Street Room for two nights at USD$440* per night. Given flights between Melbourne and Hobart are so cheap, this actually made for a more affordable weekend getaway without sacrificing luxury or comfort.
Best Accommodation in Western Australia
Bullara Station Stay
There is truly no better way to experience true outback culture than staying at a cattle station. Moreover, there are few places in the world so remote that you are able to see the whole milky way above. As a result, Bullara Station Stay easily makes the list of best accommodation in Australia.
While the hot showers and flushing toilets made for a luxury camping experience, the highlight was actually the sense of community among travellers here. Staying on a Friday night meant live music and free burgers at the wool shed. We were able to meet many other travellers, all with great tips and even greater stories from the road. Not to mention the station-raised beef used in the delicious burgers!
The property’s location just a one-hour drive from Exmouth made it a great base for exploring this region. Whether you are snorkelling with the whale sharks, or beach hopping through Cape Range National Park, this area truly has so much adventure to experience.
Paying AUD$41 per night for an unpowered campsite, Bullara Station Stay was definitely one of the highlights of my Perth to Broome road trip. Alternatively, opt for one of the Bell Tents or Shearers Lodges to get the cattle station experience without the camping.
Karijini Eco Lodge
Karijini National Park is the highlight of any Western Australia road trip. Located within the national park itself, Karijini Eco Retreat is surrounded by hiking trails and gorges. I especially enjoyed being able to explore Joffre Falls on our first night before cozying up by the fire under the stars. The Outback Restaurant also provided a welcome feast after a long day of outback trekking.
Karijini Eco Retreat was also full of native wildlife. Despite the dingo safety advice we received upon arrival, I absolutely loved learning about the flora and fauna of the area. Not to mention the vast red-sand landscape itself – the dirt here is so iron-rich that it is magnetic!
However, the highlight of the property is its commitment to social and environmental sustainability. Not only does it encourage sustainable eco-tourism practices, but is 100% Aboriginal owned. I absolutely loved that our stay was directly supporting the Traditional Owners of the land.
Paying AUD$50 per night for an unpowered campsite, Karijini Eco Retreat certainly makes my list of best accommodation in Australia. For those who do not love camping, opt for one of the Eco Tents instead for a true glamping experience.
Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm
Located at the tip of the Dampier Peninsula just North of Broome, Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm is well worth the extra drive. Not just another outback camp site, but an immersive pearling experience. In fact, Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm grows the rarest South Sea Pearls in the world. And while I may not love camping, I certainly love pearls!
During our stay, we took part in the Pearl Farm Discovery Tour for AUD$39*. It was incredibly insightful to learn not only about the history of Cygnet Bay, but also their sustainable and innovative pearl farming practices. We were even able to witness the harvesting and grading of a beautiful pearl! This experience actually ended up being the highlight of my Perth to Broome road trip, and should not be overlooked.
The campsite itself was quiet and comfortable, with full service kitchen and bathroom facilities. We especially enjoyed the infinity pool overlooking Cygnet Bay, a welcome retreat after two weeks spent over-landing through the outback. The Homestead Restaurant also offered a delicious blend of Indigenous and Asian flavours, further reflecting the backgrounds of the early pearlers. Every detail of our stay here really was a true experience.
Paying AUD$50 per night for an unpowered campsite in the Pearlers’ Village, Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm easily makes my list of best accommodation in Australia. For a more luxury experience, opt for one of the Safari Tents instead of a campsite.
*Please note that all prices are current as of the publication date of this post.
