Luxury Holidays In Australia - 2026/2027

As a canvas for once-in-a-lifetime experiences, few places shine brighter than Australia. This mighty island-continent is a land of extremes, from the world’s largest coral reef system, the world’s oldest living culture, and even the longest stretch of railway track in the world. On a luxury vacation to Australia, you might find yourself swimming with whale sharks on the Ningaloo Reef, mustering cattle in the Outback, scaling Sydney Harbour Bridge, and plucking fresh oysters straight from the ocean, all on the same trip.

For all of its extremes, luxury holidays to Australia allow you to push nature’s boundaries from a base of extraordinary comfort. Cosmopolitan cities such as Sydney and Perth brim with world-class dining and polished hotels, while remote wilderness areas offer luxury lodges and exclusive access to natural reserves and ancient sites that form the very fabric of the land down under. Whether flying over the Great Barrier Reef to the Whitsundays in a private seaplane or sipping award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon in the Margaret River, luxury travel in Australia delivers authentic experiences that are both refined and rooted in place.

Our tailor-made Australia tours are crafted by experienced specialists with creativity, empathy and deep knowledge. Every single element is taken care of, allowing you to be completely present in the wonders that await you.

THE SEASON AHEAD

September ushers in one of my favourite times of year to be in Australia. Spring is beginning across the southern states, bringing plenty of sunshine without the intense heat of midsummer, and places such as the Blue Mountains are especially lovely to explore before visitor numbers pick up. Further north, the Northern Territory remains warm and dry, its rust-red escarpments and plunging gorges creating a striking backdrop. I always recommend spending a few days at an outback station if you can, getting a taste of life on the land by day before sitting down to a fireside dinner beneath a sky thick with stars. Kakadu is another highlight, both for its otherworldly landscapes and the chance to gain a deeper understanding of Aboriginal culture.

By December, summer is in full swing and Australia takes on an infectious energy I never tire of. Sydney and Melbourne spill outdoors, the coast comes into its own and long, sunny days continue through January and February. This is a brilliant time for beach barbecues, vineyard visits and national park walks, and I love how easily a few days in the city can be combined with wildlife-rich islands, coastal wilderness or secluded beaches.

Rachel – September 2026 

WHERE AND WHEN

When is the best time to visit Australia?

Australia’s enormous size and varied climates mean that there are experiences to be enjoyed year-round. The most popular time to visit the southern half of the country is during the Australian summer, from December to February. You can expect long sunny days, perfect for enjoying Australia’s legendary beaches, vineyards, and national parks.

For a quieter experience, we highly recommend visiting the south of Australia in spring (September to November). You can still expect plenty of sunshine, but the slightly cooler temperatures make outdoor adventures (such as hiking in the Blue Mountains) all the more enjoyable. The autumn season (April and May) is another great time to visit the south of Australia. Again, there is still plenty of sunshine to be enjoyed, but humidity is lower. The autumn brings perfect conditions for sailing and snorkelling around the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef. This is also a lovely time to enjoy wine tasting in South Australia, and in the Margaret River in Western Australia.

Autumn and winter (April to August) are the best times of year to visit the north of Australia. Days are warm and sunny but not oppressively hot, making the Northern Territory, the Red Centre, and the Outback all the more enjoyable to explore. April to June is also one of the best times of year to swim with whale sharks on the Ningaloo Reef.

Where are the best places to visit in Australia?

In a country the size of Australia, you can be overwhelmed with choice for wonderful places to visit. We recommend considering the activities and experiences that are most important to you as a starting point, and then allowing our specialists to recommend how many places you should visit with the time that you have, and how best to fit them together.

• Queensland – a region of reefs and rainforests. In Queensland you can sail around the Whitsunday Islands, go snorkelling and diving in the Great Barrier Reef, and go on wildlife walks and kayaking adventures in the Daintree Rainforest.
• New South Wales – home to some of Australia’s most iconic sights including Sydney with its harbour bridge and Opera House, Bondi Beach, Byron Bay, and The Blue Mountains.
• Tasmania – we recommend visits to the small island state of Tasmania to those who have longer to spend in Australia. Here you will find natural beauty in the shape of the Hazards Mountains and the Freycinet Peninsula, and a renowned gourmet scene.
• South Australia – luxury travel to South Australia allows you to enjoy fabulous wine tasting in the Adelaide Hills, the wildlife haven of Kangaroo Island, and the lesser-explored Eyre Peninsula.
• Western Australia – the highlights of this vast province are the lively city of Perth, the world-class wineries of the Margaret River, the spectacular Ningaloo Reef, and the remote wilderness of the Kimberley in the far south.
• Northern Territory – there is far more to the Northern Territory than just Uluru (Ayers Rock). Connect with the soul of Australia, learning about Aboriginal culture in the Kakadu National Park, or staying in a remote cattle station to learn about life in the Outback.

MEET DAVID DOUDLE

Read the journal article below to learn how David Doudle – one of our expert guides in Australia – went from grain farming to luxury tourism.

"Dave Doudle is a charming, passionate ambassador for the Port Lincoln area of southern Australia. This autumn I had the pleasure of spending a sunny afternoon pulling up lobster pots with him in Coffin Bay as he recounted his 11-year journey as a guide in this beautiful wilderness, a region he refers to as the ‘real Australia’. As afternoon quickly became evening, our lobster became dinner at the exquisite 1802, with a chilled bottle of Boston Bay."

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JAMES — ADVENTURE GUIDE & EXPLORER

Being the first person to kayak unsupported across the Tasman Sea from Australia to New Zealand – and holding another Guinness World Record for a South Pole expedition – it is fair to say that adventure is in James’ blood. But no endurance credentials at all are required to enjoy one-of-a-kind experiences with James in the captivating Blue Mountains. Despite being only a two-hour drive from Sydney, the Blue Mountains are an invigorating natural playground in New South Wales where those prepared to venture a little off-the-beaten-track are rewarded with a taste of pristine Aussie wilderness. James can tailor your Blue Mountains journey entirely to suit your preferences. This might involve heli-hiking in remote canyons, gourmet bush picnics, or learning to rappel in completely hidden waterfalls. Anything you can possibly think of, James will make it happen.

LUNCH — COASTAL GUIDE & STORYTELLER

David Doudle, aka Lunch, is a passionate and energetic ambassador for a very special region of South Australia he refers to as his ‘backyard’. Born and raised on a sheep and wheat farm just outside Port Lincoln, Lunch has spent his life exploring the wild and stunningly beautiful Eyre Peninsula. His connection to the land and sea here runs deep, and he loves sharing the Eyre Peninsula’s many hidden wonders with visitors. He might take you tracking wild koalas through eucalyptus forests, crossing empty dunes at sunset in a 4x4, or shucking fresh oysters straight from the ocean. It is seeing peoples’ reactions when they discover these places and experiences for themselves that is Lunch’s biggest motivator. “Every day is a happy day. Seeing people with beaming smiles when they have just caught their first ever fish, or the shrieks of laughter from children as they are patting koalas in the wild for the first time.” For Lunch, there is nothing quite like it.