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Leave the chaos of the city behind and try something new: hike up UNESCO World Heritage-listed mountains, hop between top-tier wineries and swim in untouched waters – all while staying in luxurious hideaways. With each haven within a four-hour drive from Sydney, there’s every reason to uncover the best of New South Wales’ regional backyard.
The Hydro Majestic Hotel
Experience Art Deco-inspired luxury, award-winning dining and timeless heritage design at this historic retreat in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. Just a short drive from the iconic Three Sisters at Echo Point and the Scenic Skyway cable car, this spectacular getaway promises a blend of elegance and nature.
Crystalbrook Byron
Celebrate the harmony of nature and barefoot elegance at this five-star eco-luxurious sanctuary nestled amid 45 acres of lush subtropical rainforest in Byron Bay. Rejuvenate your senses at the world-class Eléme Day Spa and cool off from the heat by the shimmering outdoor lap pool.
Ramada Resort by Wyndham Shoal Bay
This family-friendly spot combines resort perks with self-contained one-, two- and three-bedroom suites on the calm shores of Shoal Bay. With a sprawling lagoon-style pool, 25-metre lap pool, three hydrotherapy pools and day spa, there’s plenty of space for both family fun and adults-only relaxation.
Château Élan at The Vintage
With an 18-hole golf course and views of rolling vineyards, Château Élan at The Vintage is the ultimate Hunter Valley sanctuary. Steeped roofs, arched windows and manicured hedges reflect a Tuscan estate, while each suite and villa has its own built-in spa bath. The Spa at Château Élan is a standout, boasting 17 treatment rooms, a float tank and two outdoor mineral baths.
Wisemans Retreat
Nestled on the Hawkesbury River is Wisemans Retreat’s 45 acres of secluded parklands. Wake up to misty mountain views from your newly refurbished room, then spend the day by the river – fishing off the boat ramp, waterskiing across the water, enjoying lawn games and wrapping up the day with a sunset BBQ. The 25-metre pool and separate children’s pool make this an idyllic family stay.
Sails Port Macquarie by Rydges
This Hamptons-inspired sanctuary sits on the water’s edge in Port Macquarie, a gem of the New South Wales North Coast celebrated for glorious beaches and lush hinterland.
This tranquil hotel has mastered the art of laid-back luxury: guests can fish from the private jetty, hit the bay on a complimentary kayak or kick back in a private poolside cabana. The Boathouse Bar & Restaurant epitomises coastal cool – sit back with a cocktail in one hand and an oyster in the other with the Port Marina as your backdrop.
Peppers Craigieburn Bowral
Tucked in the Southern Highlands, this more than 100-year-old Edwardian-style estate offers a romantic retreat. Whether you’re teeing off on the onsite nine-hole golf course, exploring nearby vineyards or saddling up for a countryside horse ride, life at this serene property moves at its own pace. Hickory’s Restaurant and Bar uses ingredients from the property’s garden and local growers to create delicate, contemporary dishes.
Pullman Magenta Shores Resort
Set on a narrow stretch of land on the Central Coast that borders both the Pacific Ocean and Tuggerah Lake, this resort feels like a world of its own. Apartment-style accommodations are complemented by two coastal-inspired restaurants, an indoor pool, day spa and lagoon pool so expansive that it features its own bridge. Within 52 acres of manicured gardens is the Magenta Shores Golf and Country Club, a private 18-hole fairway designed by renowned designer Ross Watson, with resort guests offered exclusive access.
Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort and Spa
Sandstone ridges, native bushland and sapphire haze: the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains are best paired with a hotel that stirs the senses. Reminiscent of Victorian-era country estates, entering Lilianfels Resort and Spa is like entering a bygone era, home to a hedge-lined pool, tennis court and ornate Australian Good Food Guide hatted Darley’s Restaurant.
Cedars Mount View
Imagine unwinding in an oversized marble bathtub, gazing out at the thriving hinterland, in the solitude of your private villa. This is possible at Cedars Mount View in the Hunter Valley, where ultra-sleek villas stand in striking contrast to untouched natural surroundings. Take off from your villa lawn in a private helicopter to explore nearby wineries or stay in and let a personal chef craft a bespoke meal right in your villa.
Yallungah Boutique Hotel
In the country town of Orange lies the Yallungah Boutique Hotel, a beautifully restored 1896 homestead, with just 22 suites and rooms. Inside, the rooms feature sleek marble ensuites with walk-in showers, some also offering freestanding bathtubs. Outside, the property nods to its past with a slate roof, buff brick chimneys and intricate timber joinery.
Staying here puts you in the heart of Orange’s wine country, with easy access to cool-climate gems like Borrodell Estate, Printhie Wines and Philip Shaw Wines.
Glenayr Farm
Experience off-grid luxury on a vast 320-acre farm in the Central West, featuring four glamping tents and two villas, each with outdoor hot tubs and fire pits. Connect with nature in its purest form at this eco-chic retreat: soak in the hot tubs as kangaroos hop past and wake up to the sight of sheep and cows grazing nearby.
The Red Hill Nest
Situated on 100 acres of scenic cattle country, just 15 minutes from Bathurst, this inviting two-bedroom cottage, owned by a small farming family, offers a warm and intimate getaway. The night skies here are crystal clear, making the farmhouse deck and fire pit the perfect spot to gaze up at the starry spectacle.
Spicers Sangoma Retreat
Perched on the eastern edge of the Blue Mountains, this treetop retreat has eight private suites, featuring floor-to-ceiling glass windows, deep baths overlooking the treetops and polished concrete floors. Its Australian Good Food Guide-hatted restaurant, Amara, only sources ingredients within a one-hour radius of the Hawkesbury region.
Featured image: Cedars Mount View
