Australian Hotel Openings to Get Excited About

Wunderlich Lane, a new dining and retail precinct on the border of Surry Hills and Redfern in central Sydney, has been generating real buzz. First came Olympus Dining, a modern Greek eatery serving standout kefalotyri saganaki (kefalotyri cheese with honey and lemon). Then, the hub welcomed rooftop Mexican joint Lottie and Euro-inspired all-day eatery Bar Julius – both within the The EVE Hotel. The property forms the heart of the precinct, welcoming guests with 102 light-flushed rooms and cool, contemporary design. There’s no better place to relax than by the 20-metre rooftop pool, ringed with terracotta-hued loungers and umbrellas.

The EVE Hotel is now open.

Renowned chef Josh Niland is best known for serving up exceptional fish-focused dishes at his restaurants in Australia and beyond. With the opening of The Grand National in Sydney’s Paddington, Niland and his wife Julie prove they know a thing or two about the hotel business, too. This 14-suite oasis sits above the chef’s world-class diner Saint Peter, so guests can sample culinary creations from breakfast through dinner (the standout brekky includes marron scrambled eggs exclusive to hotel patrons). The intimate stay retains many original 1890s features, from fireplaces to architraves, plus balconies that overlook the surrounding leafy streets. 

The Grand National is now open.

A trip to Victoria’s Yarra Valley would hardly be complete without stopping by one of the region’s renowned wineries. Visitors will soon be able to spend more time at the award-winning Levantine Hill Estate when the Levantine Hill Hotel opens in October 2025. The two-storey property, which overlooks abundant vineyards, shares architectural DNA with Hobart’s MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) by way of design firm Fender Katsalidis. Guests can take in the serenity of the surrounding mountains from the comfort of each room’s private balcony – glass of chilled estate Chardonnay in hand – while those staying in Optume and Premium suites have deep-soaking circular tubs to sink into.

Enquiries for Levantine Hill Hotel are now open.

The first phase of the renovation of the former Smith Hotel on Darwin’s waterfront is already underway, promising more than just a rebrand of the 186-room property into the Courtyard by Marriott, Darwin. The hotel’s onsite restaurant is expected to plate up modern Australian dishes with an Asian twist, a nod to the city’s multicultural dining scene, while the rooftop gym with harbour views and a pool will be the coolest new way to experience the balmy Top End swelter.

Courtyard by Marriott, Darwin is now open. 

Bringing a new level of luxury to the laid-back charm of WA’s Rottnest Island, The Lodge Wadjemup is as tranquil as the isle’s turquoise beaches with its blonde wood furnishings, seafoam blue bathrooms and king-sized beds dressed in crisp white. Although the property is more elevated than the famed holiday spot’s mostly low-key accommodation options, it retains the island’s nostalgic holiday charm. Head to Pelican, a chill onsite kiosk, for coffee in the morning and soft serve ice cream in the afternoon or, for a special occasion dinner, try the Skull Island Tiger prawns at the open-plan Sunsets restaurant. Guests can currently choose from rooms with views of the salt lakes or a leafy courtyard, with more room types on the way as the second phase of the property’s refresh nears completion.

The Lodge Wadjemup is now open.

Designed by the same team behind the renowned adults-only luxury resort, qualia, Hamilton Island’s eagerly awaited The Sundays offers similar levels of indulgence but will be open to guests of all ages. Little ones will love the Clownfish Kids Club, while the older contingent can get their adrenaline pumping on a jet ski tour or paddle the Coral Sea in a kayak. Whatever you get up to, ensure you make time for a meal at the Catseye Pool Club, the onsite eatery helmed by Australian chef Josh Niland. To keep the kids happy, you can always hire a golf buggy and head to the marina for ice cream.

The Sundays is now open.

At first glance, the 1 Hotel Melbourne embraces an industrial feel with its boxy windows that reflect the Yarra River. But inside, everything softens, with low-hanging art pieces, creeping vines and foliage sprouting from vases throughout the 277 rooms and communal areas. You’ll feel right at home in this calming setting (especially if you’ve brought your furry friend thanks to the hotel’s pet-friendly policy) but you can also up the adrenaline at the state-of-the-art wellness centre in a yoga class or high-intensity workout.

1 Hotel Melbourne is now open. 

Get a taste of the Mediterranean just moments from Burleigh Beach with the opening of the 208-room Mondrian Gold Coast – the lifestyle property group’s debut in Australia. Interiors blend the region’s coastal charm with contemporary design (think curvaceous couches and textured walls) but the real star of this multi-storey marvel is the Sky House: a beautiful space with red-hued marble bench tops and a huge balcony that looks out to pandanus-lined shores. Drift from the soothing, sand-coloured rooms to the Haven Restaurant & Pool Club for local oysters by the lap pool at golden hour, then on to Italian diner Lito for farm-to-table plates.

Mondrian Gold Coast is now open.

On a quiet stretch of the NSW coast some 45 minutes drive north of Port Macquarie, Sea Sea is a newly opened '70s-chic retreat in Crescent Head. There are just 25 rooms and all embody the town’s laid-back surf culture, exemplified in works by late surf photographer Peter Crawford and retro-patterned bed linen. Spend your time lazing by the pool, hire a longboard or indulge at the onsite restaurant, helmed by a former Icebergs chef.⁠

Sea Sea is open now.

Just an hour’s drive from Brisbane and only half an hour from the Gold Coast, The Tamborine offers a modern twist on a traditional mountain escape. Despite being nestled in the hinterland, the 23-room property celebrates coastal living with its pastel hues and light, airy interiors (though glimpses of the dense rainforest creeping around the escarpment reminds you of where you are). The highlight of the stay is the outdoor mineral pool and spa, dotted with sun loungers and retro-style umbrellas. Enjoy bar snacks such as waffle fries by the water or head indoors for cocktails at Peacock O'Clock, the low-key aperitif bar serving French-leaning drops from rosé to chablis.

The Tamborine is open now.

6 Easy Ways to Switch Off in Cairns