Places to stay in New South Wales
In the diverse landscape of New South Wales, there are visually stunning overnight stays from the outback to ocean. While some are already famed for their square pictures, some you may not have heard of just yet.
According to Destination NSW, these are the top 20 places to visit in the state, according to Instagram:
Kimo Estate, Gundagai |@kimoestate
Situated on a working 7000 acre farm, this is an Australian country experience for the style-conscious. Relax in the luxe eco hut, the charming Daleys cottage or gather a group in the authentic Shearer’s quarters with contemporary-style wash house and big open kitchen.
Halcyon House |@_halcyonhouse
Once a faded motor inn, Halcyon has been transformed into Instagrammers’ heaven by two stylish sisters. The room interiors by Anna Spiro are the hero here and artfully combine bold textiles, antique furniture and travel tokens. Outside there are vintage bikes to borrow, a Mediterranean-esque pool and renowned eatery, Paper Daisy.
The Greenhouse Retreat, Central Coast NSW |@thegreenhouseretreats
Greenhouse is an inviting wellness retreat offering self-care experiences for the stressed out. Stay solo or book a corporate group into the five-bedroom Greenhouse to soak up the serene atmosphere and indulge in herbal teas, spa treats and whole food pantry supplies.
Bells At Killcare |@ bells_at_killcare
Foodies flock to this Hamptons-style boutique hotel, spa and restaurant 90-minutes north of Sydney. Whether you’re poolside on the candy-striped lounges or tucking into seasonal Italian-style menu at Bells at Killcare Restaurant & Bar – this is a memorable stay with plenty of picture-perfect moments.
Love Cabins, The Blue Mountains |@lovecabins
Hide away from the world in this warm and welcoming cave accommodation in the iconic Blue Mountains. The love seat carved from the bedrock, a spa set into the floor with views of the blue-tinged valley and the flickering of the fire on the cave walls make for a memorable stay.
Retro Pod Byron Bay |@retropod
Cute and quirky, this trio of vintage caravans can be set up in and around Byron Bay for a fun weekend away. Helen from Retro Pod along with husband Pete are keen vintage caravan renovators and will kit out your ‘pod’ with everything you need including linen, towels and tea.
Bubble Tent Capertee |@bubbletentaustralia
Stargazers and romantics will fall in love with these magical domes overlooking Capertee Valley beyond the Blue Mountains. The three transparent spheres named after zodiac constellations—Leo, Virgo and Cancer—sit atop wooden decks and give guests a dazzling view of the stars at night and the vast valley during the day.
Willow Farm, Berry |@willowfarm_berry
Renowned for destination weddings, this farm tucked into the lush Shoalhaven region offers accommodation for ten in a restored French-style 1920s stone farmhouse. With yoga in a transformed shed overlooking the paddocks and a garden bar with rambling wisteria vines, this is a unique find to take your tribe and experience country life.
The Shed at Broger’s End, Kangaroo Valley |@brogersend
For a quintessential Aussie farm experience, a stay in a revamped shed is high on the list.The old milking shed at Broger’s End, Kangaroo Valley, has been spectacularly restored with recycled materials into a three-bedroom haven with French doors, velvet chairs and alfresco dining space.
QT Sydney |@qt_hotels
For a sultry stay in the heart of Sydney, the QT Sydney has salon-style rooms and a rich history. Housed in the former Gowings buildingdesigned by famed architect Crawford H Mackellar, the facade has been returned to its gothic glory and the dimly-lit interior showcases eccentric objet d’art. The rooms and suites shy away from the typically pale palette of city hotels with charcoal bathtubs and crimson faux fur throws.
Ravesi’s Bondi |@hotelravesis
A stay at Bondi Ravesi’s is all about beachside glam, bikinis and bling. The two levels of hotel suites above the lively corner hotel on Bondi Beach are decorated Palm Spring style with putty pinks, ottomans to lounge on post-swim and big beach views from petite Juliet balconies.
The Old Clare Hotel |@theoldclare
Once an old brewery and art deco hotel, The Old Clare has become a popular inner city stay with high ceilings, delicate lighting and popular rooftop pool. You must eat at Automata (pronounced like thermometer) for the decadent five-course degustation.
Sierra Escape, Mudgee |@sierraescape
Deep in Mudgee wine country, Sierra is a breathtaking property with three five-star tents to escape from the world for a while. The glamping huts are luxurious and spacious with wooden floors, King or Queen beds and deep freestanding bathtubs in two of them.
Calabash Bay Lodge, Hawkesbury |@calabashbaylodge
Tucked amongst fragrant eucalypt trees on the edge of the magnificent Hawkesbury River, Calabash Bay Lodge is a luxury home only accessible by boat or seaplane. With four big bedrooms and three bathrooms all styled impeccably and sweeping north-facing views of the river, this is the perfect hideaway to celebrate the good life with friends or family.
Permanent Camping Mudgee |@permanent_camping
In an out-of-the-way location, this architect-designed, eco-friendly tower was built as a retreat from the world for the owner Jason and since then, he has opened the unique two-story, copper-clad structure to guests. Inside there’s a kitchen and Rais wood-fired slow combustion stove downstairs and a sleeping loft upstairs, accessed by a ladder.
Tilba Lake Pods, South Coast |@tilbalakehouse
Nestled in stunning coastal countryside in Central Tilba, two tiny homes by the name ofBonnie and Clyde cosily accommodate two adults in country-luxe style. The eco-pods have toasty wood fires, comfy Queen beds in the loft, fully-equipped kitchen, hot shower and a wooden deck to take in the views.
Moonbah Hut, Jindabyne |@moonbahhut
Like a hideout from a classic getaway movie, these traditional log huts sit secluded on the banks of Moonbah River in the Snowy Mountains. Just as appealing when snow-covered or sunlit, they are cosy inside with stone fireplace, wood-fired cooking and quaint fishing prints on the wall. Outside you can fish, ski in Winter, rock climb in Summer or kick back on the porch with a book and a wine.
Wolgal Hut, Kiandra |@nswnationalparks
Instagrammers love the exterior of this classic 1960s ski lodge, a historic remnant of the origin of skiing in Australia. The interior is pared back with wood, stone and timber finishes and vintage ski equipment on the walls. Situated in the Selwyn area of Kosciuszko National Park, there’s not much around so pack carefully. If you visit outside snow season, take a bush walk through fields of wildflowers, cycle the many trails or fish for trout, which are plentiful in the region.
The Atlantic Lifestyle Hotel, Byron Bay |@atlanticbyronbay
The Atlantic entices you to live like a Byron local in one of their four open-plan beach houses. Each house has been beautifully restored with bright, airy rooms, travel paraphernalia adorning the walls and share kitchen. On the compound you can hang on a day bed in the tropical garden, lap the glittering pool, borrow an Atlantic surfboard or head into Byron on one of the resort’s Tokyo bikes.
Milton Park, Bowral |@miltonparkcountryhouse
Milton Park has that grand manor charm usually only seen in the English countryside – and indeed the conversion of the homestead into a boutique hotel by two doctors in 1984, was inspired by their love of the great country hotels of Europe. The elegant hotel is now a popular wedding destination and stands serenely in grounds of Cypress-lined drives, wisteria archways and bluebell fields, and boasts an oft-photographed ivy-covered pool house with French villa-style detailing.
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