Discover What’s New in Australia

Australia is back in action. After two years of some of the world’s strictest pandemic border restrictions, as of February 21, Australia has reopened six of its seven states to vaccinated travelers, with no quarantine needed. (Western Australia is set to open soon, on March 3.)

Australian travel industry leaders, including James Baillie, founder of the renowned Baillie Lodges, are excited to welcome back international travelers after a challenging few years marked by the devastating wildfires of 2019–2020 that preceded the pandemic.

Despite border and state restrictions, Baillie and his wife, Hayley, have continued to pursue sustainability-focused hotel initiatives. In early February 2022, they commenced construction on Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island, their acclaimed retreat that was lost to fire in January 2020; they aim to reopen the property by late 2023.

“We hope that travelers will embrace some of the valuable lessons learned during the pandemic,” Baillie remarked, “taking the time to stay longer and engage more deeply with a destination, exploring its environment, flora, fauna, and communities—to connect with locals and ultimately enjoy a more meaningful and sustainable travel experience.”

As Australia reopens its borders to international travelers, there's a wealth of destination news featuring numerous sustainable and culturally enriching experiences. Keep reading for a curated overview of the highlights by location.

New South Wales

This region is renowned for the vibrant city of Sydney and the stunning golden-sand beaches along Australia's eastern shore. The laid-back surfer town of Byron Bay has seen a surge in popularity, attracting celebrities like Nicole Kidman and Melissa McCarthy, while maintaining its relaxed charm that appeals to both local weekenders and international sun-seekers. The best time to visit is during the Australian fall and winter months from March to August, when the weather is drier and the crowds are thinner.

Situated on a tranquil street just a 10-minute drive from the town center, the new Sunseeker embodies the area's relaxed vibe. Located in a renovated 1980s motel, the property features a retro Southern California style, complete with a kidney-shaped pool and wicker furniture. The 12 guest rooms showcase decor from local artisans, and six standalone bungalows equipped with outdoor baths and private gardens are perfect for families.

Queensland

Queensland boasts a diverse range of epic natural experiences, from breathtaking reefs and beaches to lush rainforests. Just over an hour's drive north of the Sunseeker, the Langham Gold Coast is set to open in mid-2022, offering 169 guest rooms, including 32 suites with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. The hotel occupies the lower levels of a new residential building, designed in natural shades like teal and tan by Sydney's Studio Aria. Located in Surfers Paradise, the hotel provides direct access to the beach.

In Tropical North Queensland, Silky Oaks Lodge reopened in December 2021 after an extensive multimillion-dollar renovation by Baillie Lodges. Nestled along the banks of the Mossman River on 100 acres adjacent to the UNESCO-listed Daintree Rainforest, the world's oldest rainforest at 180 million years, the lodge implements a sustainable management policy focusing on a minimal ecological footprint, with initiatives such as refillable bathroom amenities and an on-site wastewater plant that uses recycled water to nourish the surrounding forest.

Combine a jungle expedition with a trip to the nearby Great Barrier Reef: Just an hour from the lodge is Cairns Airport, where you can catch a flight to Lizard Island, a serene getaway on a remote island offering access to the UNESCO-protected reef ecosystem.

Northern Territory

The Northern Territory of Australia captivates visitors with its nature, culture, and stunning landscapes. Melbourne-based Intrepid Travel is now offering new cultural immersion itineraries that combine these elements beautifully.

On the Premium Red Centre itinerary, guests will spend six days delving into the ancient connection between Aboriginal cultures and the dramatic terrains of the arid Red Centre outback. Highlights include the sacred Uluru sandstone monolith, revered by the Anangu people, and Kings Canyon, where a rim walk takes hikers through a vibrant rust-colored landscape teeming with over 600 native animal and plant species.

For adventurous travelers seeking a unique experience, the five-day Trek the Larapinta Trail camping itinerary offers guided hikes through the lesser-known stretches of the 143-mile Larapinta Trail in the West MacDonnell region. Guests will traverse winding rivers and open plains while gaining insights into the area's rich cultural and geological history.

Western Australia

Intrepid’s new culture-focused journeys extend into Western Australia as well. The nine-day Premium Kimberley & Bungle Bungles tour provides a glimpse into the ancient First Nations history of the northwest Kimberley region, shared by descendants of the Walmadjari and Nyigina peoples. Guided walks will take visitors to the stunning gorges, waterfalls, and red-rock formations that define this vast wilderness area, which is home to fewer than 40,000 residents.

In southern Western Australia, the five-day Margaret River and Albany Adventure begins in Perth and immerses participants in First Nations traditions through bushwalks that explore medicinal plants and didgeridoo performances in the culturally significant Ngilgi Cave. Travelers will also have the chance to indulge in tastings of locally produced cheeses, chocolates, and cabernet sauvignons in the Margaret River wine region.

South Australia

Shiraz and cabernet grapes flourish in the Mediterranean climate of South Australia’s Barossa Valley wine region. Now, there’s a new adults-only resort designed for wine lovers to fully embrace the region's sophisticated experiences.

Opened in August 2021, Sequoia Lodge is situated in the Adelaide Hills, just a 15-minute drive from downtown Adelaide, perched on Mount Lofty Estate, which also hosts the Mount Lofty House boutique hotel and several restaurants. The lodge features 14 spacious suites, each measuring 800 square feet, adorned with oil paintings by local artist Stephen Trebilcock. Each suite includes a local stone fireplace, a freestanding tub, and sweeping views of the valley. Sequoia Lodge places travelers within 30 miles of some of the region's top wineries.

Victoria

In Melbourne, Victoria's capital, a new Ritz-Carlton is set to open in September 2022. Located in a skyscraper in the Central Business District, this will be the tallest hotel in the city once it opens. In the meantime, guests can enjoy the United Places Botanic Gardens, featuring 12 guest rooms designed to feel like private residences with views of the Royal Botanic Gardens.

This year will also see the launch of Melbourne Skyfarm on the rooftop of a car park, spanning 21,000 square feet. Opening to the public in mid-2022 with a café and event space, the farm will highlight regenerative growing techniques and offer tastings of products made on-site, including honey.

For an authentic taste of Australian cuisine, visit the newly opened Big Esso restaurant. Here, chef Nornie Bero, a descendant of the Indigenous Meriam people, creatively incorporates ingredients from her childhood in the Torres Strait Islands, located in the waterway between Australia and Papua New Guinea. Her seasonal menu, showcased in a dining space adorned with artwork by Indigenous Australian artists, may feature dishes like charred emu filet and lemon aspen-charred arti, or sustainably sourced octopus, with many ingredients coming from First Nations, LGBTQ+, and women-owned businesses.

Tasmania

In the wild and stunning island state of Tasmania, Hobart has welcomed some exciting new additions to its hotel offerings. The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, is capturing attention with its beautifully reimagined heritage buildings from the 1840s and art deco era, situated near the waterfront. The 152 guest rooms, some featuring gas fireplaces, are designed with marble bathrooms and inlaid ceilings crafted from native sassafras timber.

In the gallery and shop-filled MidTown neighborhood, the Rox, an 1880s building transformed into a modern hotel last year, features accommodations with exposed brick walls, hardwood floors, and natural wood furnishings.

In the island's interior, along the shores of Lake St. Clair, the Pumphouse Point resort welcomes guests of Walk Into Luxury, which offers new four-day guided walks exploring the lake and nearby parks such as Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.

Meanwhile, on the Tasman Peninsula, Southern Sea Ventures provides travelers with a fresh way to experience whale watching. Accompanied by a resident biologist, guests embark on a three-night paddling itinerary near the peninsula, seeking migrating humpback and southern right whales, while also visiting remote coastlines and outlying islands.