Unique stays with the best views in Australia

AS AUSTRALIA REOPENS TO Singaporeans, the states of New South Wales, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory are the first to roll out the red carpet. This will be followed by other regions on subsequent dates. If you've been pining for the great outdoors, road trips, fresh air, and spectacular views of sun-dappled coastlines and lush hinterlands, now is the time to start planning your soul-stirring journey. Here's a curation of some of the most mesmerising stays with postcard perfect views and quintessential gourmet experiences.

NEW SOUTH WALES

BLUE MOUNTAINS

Solitude seekers will find the ultimate escape at the Secret Treehouse. This unique accommodation is set in Blue Mountains, overlooking Bowen's Creek Gorge and the surrounding mountains, cliffs and canopies. Located just one and a half hours' drive west of Sydney, this cosy self-contained, solarpowered sustainable cabin is perched high among the gum trees.

During the day, immerse yourself in nature on a guided walking tour. At night, join a southern skywatching nocturnal tour and stargazing experience. The 90-minute guided tour includes hot chocolate and a professional computerised telescope for a closer look at the stars. Look out for a Wine Tasting Stargazing tour led by an Astrophysicist at Dryridge Estate Winery, along with storytelling by the firepit.

For meals, either cook or have gourmet food delivered. In Katoomba, there is a host of cafes and restaurants to check out. Try fine dining Darleys Restaurant, known for innovative cuisine using fresh local produce. It is located within Lilianfels Resort and Spa, a short walk to the famous Three Sisters rock formation. Or savour Modern Australian cuisine at Pins on Lurline, located in a charming grand house.

ORANGE

Food and wine destination Orange is around a two and a half hours' drive from Katoomba or about three hours from Sydney.

Here, the Borrodell Vineyard is one of Australia's highest vineyards. Stay at one of the estate's suites flanked by verdant grapevines. The orchard grows more than 200 heritage apple varieties and plums too. Here, the trufferie comes alive during the annual truffle season in winter.

Alternatively, head to Nashdale Lane Wine's site which affords views of Mount Canobolas, and the surrounding fruit trees and olive groves. For another novel experience, stay overnight at the luxurious on-site glamping accommodation. Besides soaking in the beauty of the great outdoors, this is a place to enjoy fine wine and food by the wood fire.

For specialty food and wine tours in Orange, join Country Food Trails which brings visitors on immersive tastings at farms, cellar doors and providores in the area. Pitstops include the native garden planted by Gerald Power, founder of Indigenous Cultural Adventures, as well as Spilt Milk Bar, which flavours one of its ice-creams with Power's home-grown lemon myrtle and other natural local ingredients.

SOUTH COAST

Take a road trip from south of Sydney towards the stunning coastline, ending in the Shoalhaven region, whose beaches are blessed with pristine white sand. Oyster lovers can visit Australia's Oyster Coast - a collection of over 45 oyster growers operating across some of the most eco-friendly estuaries in the world. This area produces three varieties of premium oysters including the Rock oyster, popular Pacific oyster, and the rare Angasi "flat oyster". You can savour them at the annual Narooma Oyster Festival (May 6 and 7, 2022), and mingle with visiting chefs and producers on the shores of Wagonga Inlet.

VICTORIA

GREAT OCEAN ROAD

It's not just about The 12 Apostles here. Spend a few days exploring the long and winding road, about four hours from Melbourne, and savour unobstructed views overlooking the world famous coastline. Perched in the Otway National Park is Sky Pods, a unique luxury eco accommodation with floor-to-ceiling windows. Imagine having a glass of wine on the deck at sunset, with sweeping views of the shimmering ocean. Depending on the season, you may spot some whales too. Although operating fully off-the-grid, the Sky Pods are complete with modern amenities, including a kitchen with high-end appliances, spacious bathroom, wood fireplace, 100-inch projector with Bose Bluetooth speaker, and free WiFi.

This secluded private property is just 800 metres from the sandy dunes of Station Beach - that crosses over the Great Ocean Road. There is also a walking track from Apollo Bay to The 12 Apostles, and access to Rainbow Falls, which cascades down the cliff into the ocean. Within a short drive from the property are other attractions including the historic 1848 Cape Otway Lighthouse, Crayfish Bay, Melba Gully, The Otway Fly, Great Otway National Park and more.

Meanwhile, visitors to this region will never go hungry. Victoria's Otway Ranges boasts breweries, wineries, chocolatiers, confectioners, farm gates and eateries. Check out the Otway Harvest Trail which showcases the best gourmet food and wine that the Otways hinterland has to offer.

You can also linger at Common Ground Project, a farm and cantina which doubles as a social enterprise connecting hospitality and food workers with Melbourne chefs, regenerative farming practices and mental health support.

Over at the Otways Hinterland (at the Torquay end) is Dinny Goonan wines where you can sip coolclimate shiraz and chardonnay while munching on local produce at the cellar door. About an hour's drive from Lorne in Barongarook West is Otway Estate, home to a winery, brewery, cidery and distillery. For a relaxing getaway with your family, there are three cottages here nestled among the bush landscape.

HEPBURN SPRINGS & DAYLESFORD

If time permits, spend a couple of days in the heart of Victoria's spa country, just one-and-a-half hours north-west of Melbourne. Clifftop at Hepburn is a one-of-a-kind retreat which makes you feel like you're sleeping on top of the world. Luxury reclaimed shipping container villas, called Solitude, are cantilevered over ravines with amazing views via the floor-to-ceiling windows. There's even a glass floor overlooking a gorge.

In nearby Daylesford, about 10 minutes' drive away, the Daylesford Sunday Market at the old Railway station opens every Sunday. Browse among the stalls while munching on sourdough loaves and baguettes from Two Fold Bake House. When you're done, head to the Daylesford Cidery for a paddletasting of 10 ciders, and linger over wood-fired pizzas for lunch. For an additional carb fix, drive to the small town of Trentham where artisanal bread is rolled out of the century-old wood-fired Scotch oven at John Reid's Red Beard Bakery.

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Imagine waking up to a sunrise (and cool breeze) over a vineyard at Mount Majura in a tiny house on wheels, named after Dinny Killen, the original owner of the Mount Majura Vineyard site.

When current owners of Cubby & Co, Wilson and Daniel Di Scipio, decided to set up a glamping farmstay, the aim was to create a secluded getaway without being too far from town.

Nestled beneath the hills of Mount Majura Winery just 15 minutes from Canberra city, this compact yet cosy lodging offers direct views of the undulating vines. And the best part - you don't even need to get out of bed! Amenities include a queensized bed with luxury linen, kitchenette, fridge, lights and phone chargers, plus glassware and crockery. The sites are powered by solar energy and utilise recycled water and strict waste management systems.

For meals, you have the option of having them delivered from local restaurants XO and The Boat House. But the (second) best part of your stay is probably the leisurely tasting session of Mount Majura's acclaimed wines.

If you're visiting ACT in winter (from early June to August), take part in a truffle hunt on Canberra's only truffle farm on Mount Majura Road. Follow the Truffle Farm's team of highly trained and friendly dogs as they roam and sniff out black truffles among 3,000 trees. From the farm, it's a short car ride to OTIS's kitchen where chef Damian Brabender, renowned for his black truffle expertise, takes guests on a truffle-centred degustation experience during truffle season.

Canberra is also home to 140 vineyards, with more than 40 wineries within 35 minutes' drive of the city. The first vines were planted in this region in the 1840s. The industry went into decline for several decades, but these cool-climate wineries were revived in the 1970s. With more than 30 boutique cellar doors, contemplate a visit to the wineries in autumn. You can also discover various labels during the annual Canberra Wine Harvest Festival.

For more information on trip planning to Australia, visit australia.com