When it comes to hotels in Australia, the options are as varied as the country itself, and fill the whole spectrum from cheap and cheerful to ultra-luxurious – you’ll discover hotels, B&Bs, hostels, resorts, apartments and even quirky crocodile-shaped abodes on your travels in Australia. 

Sleep in self-catering apartments in the heart of city centres, hunker down in legendary hostels in locations as varied as downtown Sydney to Monkey Mia, snuggle up in B&Bs and guesthouses along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road or discover your inner farmer on a delightfully authentic rural farm stay. 

Language: English    |    Currency: Dollars ($)    |    Local time: UTC   |    Avg. Flight time: 22.5 hrs

Living the high life in Australia’s luxury hotels

Looking for the best hotels in Australia? You’re in luck, as there are plenty of amazing places to stay, though they are not always where you might expect to find them.

The cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Cairns are home to impeccable international five-star hotels, of course, but there’s also a wealth of independent luxury hotels in Australia, where quirky designs and playful décor reflect the ambience of the area, whether it is the retro chic Gold Coast or cultured Canberra.

Travellers have long made a beeline for the magnificent Whitsunday Islands, where azure waters lap against the private cabanas of some of the most acclaimed of Australia’s all-inclusive resorts (such as Hamilton Island or the aptly-named Daydream Island).

Environmental sensitivity is a refreshingly common theme here, too. From Byron Bay and the remote Lord Howe Island to national parks such as Daintree, you’ll discover swanky resort bungalows entwined within nature and oozing with eco activities. 

Where to find Australia’s best budget accommodation

Hostels are fantastic budget options. They can be found all over: on the shores of Sydney Harbour, in Port Douglas and Cairns for the Great Barrier Reef, and Monkey Mia for Ningaloo Reef. They also offer rip-roaring entertainment events and excellent facilities.

From beach houses to stilted jungle cabins to city-centre poolside havens, these budget bases are quirky, charismatic and abundant.

Good-value self-catering apartments make for trusty budget options too. There are plenty in cities such as Brisbane and along the east coast, and they’re ideal for longer stays and family groups.

Heading into the Outback

Getting off the beaten track is a true Australian adventure and there are many ways to do it.

From remote budget hostels and mid-range rural retreats to all-inclusive luxury, Australia’s most isolated and adventurous destinations are now more accessible than ever.

Hark back to an era of 19th-century romance in a swanky bush camp on the shores of the Ningaloo Reef or get your hands dirty on a working sheep station in the heart of the Outback. Revel in the natural beauty of Fraser Island or laze by the fire in a rural retreat on the slopes of Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain. The options are endless in enigmatic Australia.