Your ultimate guide to Australia’s best airport lounges

Tom Goward Tom Goward
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Most people dread waiting for their flight to board, but with airport lounge access, waiting at the airport can be one of the most enjoyable parts of air travel.

In Australia, lounges from some of the world’s best airlines and lounge operators endeavour to outdo each other with more and more luxurious features. From day spa treatments to private shower suites, some of these lounges have it all. Here are our top picks.

Qantas International First Lounge, Sydney

Qantas’s International First Lounge at Sydney Airport is deservedly ranked among the world’s best airport lounges. An awesome view, Neil Perry inspired à la carte dining, bar service, barista coffee, complimentary spa treatments and marble-lined shower suites are a few of the perks that this lounge has to offer.

a woman pulling her luggage while heading towards Qantas International First Lounge, Sydney
Head to the Qantas International First Lounge to rest before your flight.

The design incorporates a curved walkway spanning the length of the lounge, with large wooden dividers creating several different seating zones, both for lounging and dining. There is ample natural light thanks to angled floor-to-ceiling windows that provide excellent apron and partial runway views.

Towards the far end of the lounge, you’ll find a restaurant-style setup where you can order à la carte dishes with table service. The service here is brilliant, and the food is good but won’t win any awards.

the seating area at Qantas International First Lounge, Sydney
Pull up a chair in the cosy Qantas International First Lounge.

Comfort: various seating options; warm yet outdated design – 4/5

Dining: barista service; great wine list; small buffet; quality restaurant dining – 5/5

Facilities: shower suites; spa treatments; reading material; private meeting rooms – 5/5

Overall: an open and inviting space with great views and fantastic facilities – 4.5/5

the bar at Qantas International First Lounge, Sydney
Grab a drink at the bar before your flight.

Qantas International First Lounge, Melbourne

Essentially a scaled-down version of its Sydney counterpart, the Qantas International First Lounge at Melbourne Airport offers truly à la carte dining, restaurant table service, a day spa and stunning apron views from floor-to-ceiling windows. There is plenty of seating including some for small groups and single armchairs for solo travellers.

At the far end of the lounge is the dining and bar area, which can seat up to 50 guests. While there is a small counter offering drinks and snacks, the main dining in this lounge is à la carte. The seasonal menu is prepared by chef Neil Perry and is great for an airport.

Comfort: various seating options; superb views – 4/5

Dining: barista service; great wine list; small buffet; quality restaurant dining – 5/5

Facilities: shower suites; spa treatments; reading material; private meeting rooms – 5/5

Overall: a stylish smaller sibling with great views – 4/5

Qantas First Lounge Melbourne comes with all the luxury trimmings.

Plaza Premium and Skyteam Lounges, Sydney

The Plaza Premium Lounge and Skyteam Lounge in Sydney are both run by Plaza Premium, are located adjacent to each other and are similar in many ways. As well as a casual dining area to enjoy buffet items, there’s a comfortable lounge area with views directly above aircraft parking bays.

the Skyteam Lounge in Sydney
Curl up on the couches at Skyteam Lounge in Sydney.

There is a staffed bar serving up almost anything you can imagine, including a respectable wine list and barista beverages.

Comfort: various seating options; busy at peak times – 4/5

Dining: good buffet and bar offerings – 3/5

Facilities: reading material; shower suites – 3/5

Overall: comfortable and clean design with good seating and gorgeous views – 4/5

the bar at the Plaza Premium Lounge, Sydney
Sink into a cold one at the Plaza Premium Lounge.

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Virgin Australia Domestic Business Lounge, Adelaide

Adelaide calls home to Virgin Australia’s first new-look lounge, which has now rolled out to all lounges in the network. With 283 seats there is normally plenty of space to spread out, whether that be at bar stools with power outlets for work or comfy armchairs for relaxing. Ambient lighting, bright greenery and quality fittings make the space oh-so Instagrammable, and that’s before you get to the bathroom mirror!

the bathroom at Virgin Australia Domestic Business Lounge, Adelaide
Freshen up at Virgin Australia’s first new-look lounge.

While the space is comfortable and gorgeous, like the rest of Virgin’s lounges, the food is average at best. Guests often have a choice of soup, one hot dish or snacks. The drinks list is good, but not on the premium end one might expect from a business-class lounge.

Comfort: multiple seating options for work or relaxing – 4/5

Dining: barely passable buffet; barista coffee; average drinks selection – 2/5

Facilities: showers; reading material – 4/5

Design: a well-designed lounge however dining could be improved – 3.5/5

the servery at Virgin Australia Domestic Business Lounge, Adelaide
Slow down for a while at Virgin Australia Domestic Business Lounge.

Singapore Airlines SilverKris First Lounge, Sydney

Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge at Sydney International Airport is a rather small and private lounge that features comfy armchairs, a buffet and dining room, and eight individual seating pods that are similar to business class suites you might see in the air.

the entrance to Singapore Airlines SilverKris First Lounge in Sydney
Step into the opulent Singapore Airlines SilverKris First Lounge in Sydney.

As far as dining, there’s a good selection at the self-service bar and buffet plus an à la carte menu. The menu has a few options to choose from and changes throughout the day, with full table service offered throughout the lounge.

the dining room at Singapore Airlines SilverKris First Lounge, Sydney
Grab something to eat before your flight.

Comfort: little capacity; luxury seating options – 4/5

Dining: good selection at the bar and buffet; à la carte dining – 5/5

Facilities: eight working pods; reading material; showers – 3/5

Overall: an intimate design featuring dark tones and open spaces – 4/5

Singapore Airlines SilverKris First Lounge Sydney is a small and intimate option

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Qantas Domestic Business Lounge, Melbourne

Qantas’s stylish Melbourne Domestic Business Lounge is a fantastic, renovated space, featuring dark tones and sophisticated finishes. Apron-facing windows span the length of the lounge, giving the space a light and open feeling. A diverse range of seating for up to 350 guests lines the lounge, with space for solo travellers and some for groups.

Towards the middle of the lounge is the bar, which stocks a generous selection of beers, wines and spirits, as well as all-day barista coffee and signature cocktails. As well as the standard buffet that offers several Asian-focused dishes, Qantas has introduced an Asian Spice Bar to its signature dining concept. Inspired by Neil Perry’s Spice Temple restaurant, the Spice Bar offers a range of fresh dishes prepared to order, with two options available at any one time.

Comfort: various seating options; extremely busy at peak times – 3/5

Dining: hit or miss dining; Asian Spice Bar; barista coffee – 3/5

Facilities: separate work area; reading material; shower rooms – 4/5

Overall: a welcoming design that makes great use of the space – 3.5/5

people sitting while working on their laptops inside the Qantas Domestic Business Class, Melbourne
Relax and do some work at Qantas Domestic Business Lounge.

International Aspire Lounge, Perth

The Aspire Lounge in Perth’s International Terminal 1 is perhaps Australia’s best-designed airport lounge. The bar is set incredibly high with properly separate zones for getting work done or relaxing before a flight. If you’re ready to jump into holiday mode, private booths and window seats are offered up in spades at Perth’s old airport viewing deck.

the reception at International Aspire Lounge
Head to the International Aspire Lounge before your flight.

Aspire Perth offers a hosted buffet and full-service bar, which works great when you can actually find someone to serve you. The drinks list focuses on West Australian drops and is fantastic, but the food offerings aren’t nearly as good.

Comfort: multiple seating options; great apron views – 5/5

Dining: minimal staff at hosted buffet; average dining; great local drinks – 2.5/5

Facilities: separate work area; reading material; shower rooms – 4.5/5

Overall: a welcoming design that makes great use of the space – 4/5

the interior with chairs at the International Aspire Lounge
Relax inside the International Aspire Lounge.

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Tom Goward
Some say it's an obsession, others say it's love. Tom likes planes and flying them. He’s also a professional travel addict, with a knack for maximising loyalty points to travel at the pointy end of the plane. Did we mention Tom likes planes?
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Inspire your senses with these iconic East Kimberley stays

    Jennifer Ennion Jennifer Ennion
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    The East Kimberley should be on every bucket list, and here’s why.

    Livistona palms soar out of chasms the colour of Valencia oranges. Shady waterholes beckon travellers daring to venture off the bitumen. From the air, fruit farms give way to vast plains that meet rolling hills and fascinating geological formations centuries in the making. The East Kimberley is one of Australia’s most treasured wilderness areas, but don’t be fooled by its rust-coloured roads. This north-eastern corner of Western Australia is home to some of Australia’s most iconic stays by Discovery Resorts that should be on everyone’s bucket list.

    A group of people enjoy an intimate dining experience at El Questro Homestead.
    Dine in the heart of nature.

    Your guide to Lake Argyle

    The backstory

    With rolling hills that glow amber at sunrise and glassy water that reflects the Kimberley’s bright blue sky, a visit to Lake Argyle is nothing short of awe-inspiring. As Australia’s second-largest man-made freshwater lake, travellers flock here to soak in the views from boats, helicopters and Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle.

    The latter is a lakeside oasis, a resort where travellers crossing from Western Australia into the Northern Territory (or vice versa) converge. Fifty minutes’ drive south of Kununurra, the property is perched atop a cliff overlooking the sprawling Lake Argyle.

    Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle was originally built in the late 1960s to provide accommodation for builders of the Ord River dam, which formed Lake Argyle. In the decades that followed it had several owners, until a Kununurra local took the reins in 2004 and reinvented the property with luxury villas and its now world-famous infinity pool. The iconic property was added to the Discovery Resorts portfolio in 2021, undergoing a major upgrade that took the resort from a beloved campground to an all-encompassing resort with premium waterfront villas.

    A boat glides across the expansive waters of Lake Argyle, surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the Kimberley. As part of the Discovery Holiday Parks experience, this unforgettable journey offers adventure and relaxation.
    Glide across the vast, shimmering waters of Lake Argyle.

    The rooms

    A lakeside resort like no other, Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle offers something for everyone, from campsites to villas and cabins. The Deluxe Lakeview Cabins have views of the opposing cliff and are surrounded by bush, ensuring plenty of privacy, while both the Deluxe and Standard Cabins are ideal for families, with contemporary furnishings and one, two or four bedrooms. The campsites also come in a variety of sizes.

    The facilities

    There’s no doubt the biggest drawcard to Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle is the lake, 20 times the size of Sydney Harbour. One of the best ways to experience it is on the Kimberley Durack Sunset Explorer Cruise, during which you’ll see freshwater crocodiles nesting along the banks (it’s home to 30,000 freshies) and even get the chance to swim in their waters. The cruise also takes in Mt Misery, towering above the original and now submerged Argyle Downs Homestead.

    If you have young children who need to get to bed early, a great alternative is the three-hour Lunch Explorer Cruise. You’ll tour around the lake’s bays as you learn about the local wildlife before stopping at a remote island for a swim.

    Refuel between adventures at the onsite pub-style eatery, The Lake Argyle Cafe. The cafe is the heart of the resort, bringing together friends new and old over a steak, cold beer and live music. Hours vary with the seasons, but rest assured you’ll be able to enjoy a good feed year-round, with a well-stocked general store also open during the day.

    Cool off from a day of exploring in the striking infinity pool with some of the best views in the country (you’ll find sweeping views of the lake below). Or enjoy a flight with HeliSpirit, or clear your mind during a yoga class on the lawn.

    Two people unwind in an infinity pool, overlooking stunning Lake Argyle at Discovery Holiday Parks.
    Take a dip in the infinity pool and soak in breathtaking Lake Argyle views.

    Your guide to El Questro

    The backstory

    One of the most famous stays in Australia is El Questro. A former cattle station, it’s evolved into one of the country’s most recognisable tourism destinations over the past 30 years, and is now embarking on a new chapter to elevate the region’s rich First Nations culture.

    The property draws travellers seeking to reconnect with nature and the beauty of this country. Wild in spirit but immaculate in style, El Questro is a 283,000-hectare property like no other; surrounded by dramatic gorges, impressive mountain ranges, thermal springs, secluded waterfalls and even rainforest, it’s the perfect base for adventurous souls.

    A person floats leisurely in the river at Discovery Holiday Parks, immersed in nature’s tranquillity.
    Float along Zebedee Springs and immerse in nature.

    The rooms

    Across the sprawling El Questro are three properties catering to the wide variety of travellers who journey this way. The most impressive is the luxurious Homestead, where 10 suites perch at the edge of a burnt-orange cliff, with cantilevered bedrooms over the peaceful Chamberlain River. The adults-only, all-inclusive Homestead is a member of the prestigious Luxury Lodges of Australia collection and offers a backdrop of thick bushland; riverside, you’ll find an immaculate lawn and a shaded pool that lures guests out of their rooms.

    At Emma Gorge, travellers will be immersed in the beauty of the Cockburn Ranges, falling asleep to the sounds of wildlife in safari-style tented cabins. This is where you come if you want to completely connect with your environment while retaining a few creature comforts. The Emma Gorge Tented Cabins sleep three or four people and feature private ensuites and ceiling fans.

    Families also love The Station, home to simple yet comfortable air-conditioned rooms, as well as a large, leafy campground. Sitting by the Pentecost River, The Station is open from April to October and has a range of accommodation, from unpowered and powered campsites to air-conditioned tents for two people and a Gardenview Family Room for five.

    Two people stand beside a suite perched on the edge of a striking burnt-orange cliff, gazing out over the serene Chamberlain River below.
    Take a breather with stunning views of nature all around.

    The facilities

    Located in the heart of the Kimberley, El Questro retains its strong connection with its Traditional Owners, the Ngarinyin people. A highlight of a stay here is the Injiid Marlabu Calls Us experience; over two hours, guests are immersed in the soul of Country by witnessing ancient healing rituals, listening to generational stories and learning about the land’s ancestral heritage.

    Other experiences include bird watching, cruising through Chamberlain Gorge, hiking through Emma Gorge, horse riding, four-wheel-driving and soaking in Zebedee Springs. At the properties, you can also cool off in the pools, and relax in the restaurants or at private dining locations. A bonus of staying at The Homestead is the exclusive service of El Questro’s dedicated reservations team, who will craft a bespoke itinerary tailored to your travel tastes.

    A group of people stand beside a tree, with a car parked nearby, taking in the surrounding natural beauty.
    Experience thrilling nature activities.

    Book your East Kimberley adventure today with Discovery Resorts.

    Your Ultimate Guide To Australia's Best Airport Lounges - Australian Traveller