Australia‘s best hotels according to travellers have been revealed

Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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The ranking is determined by millions of travellers who left customer reviews on TripAdvisor.

TripAdvisor has just revealed the highest-rated hotels in Australia from Orange to Perth. A mix of the unexpected and the extraordinary, the Best of the Best Hotels list highlights the diversity of Australia’s accommodation offerings and the stays that travellers loved most. 

According to TripAdvisor, their Best of the Best title is awarded to “Those who receive a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from the TripAdvisor community over a 12-month period." Of their eight million listings worldwide, only one per cent achieve this accolade. 

Looking for your next getaway? Take inspiration from this just-released list.

Quest Orange

A studio room with a kitchen at Quest Orange.
Quest Orange offers convenient home-away-from-home amenities. (Image: Quest Orange)

Quest Orange is an unexpected accommodation to take the top spot, but it has impressed travellers with its blend of comfort, style and convenience. Offering self-catered accommodation in the heart of charming Orange, it gives guests the home-away-from-home experience. 77 spacious apartments are spread across three levels, ranging from studios to one-, two- or three-bedroom apartments, with airy living spaces, tasteful decor and fully self-contained kitchens and laundry facilities. Head up to the rooftop terrace to enjoy some fresh country air and a summer barbecue.

Quest’s South Perth outpost also took the fourth spot on the list, highly rated for providing modern comfort in a prime location.

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MACq01

An aerial shot of a terrace overlooking the Hobart harbour at MACq 01 Hotel.
Enjoy waterfront bliss at MACq01. (Image: Stu Gibson)

The second-highest rated property on the list is the Tassie waterfront gem, MACq01. Sitting pretty on Hobart’s Macquarie Wharf, this self-described storytelling hotel celebrates the city’s past. The 114 spacious rooms and suites are divided into five sections that reflect Hobart’s Tasmanian traits: colourful and quirky; grounded yet exceptional; fighting believers; curious and creative; and hearty and resilient. They are also each named after a notable Tasmanian figure, which is revealed to the guest at check-in. Rooms are swathed in contemporary luxury with maritime-inspired decor, blending history and comfort for a truly unforgettable stay. 

The Reef House Adults Retreat Palm Cove

An outdoor swimming pool at a hotel.
Enjoy complimentary sorbet by the pool. (Image: Tourism & Events Queensland)

Third on the list is The Reef House Adults Retreat Palm Cove. This tropical oasis offers a peaceful escape perfect for couples, honeymooners or those in need of a city break. It features Queenslander-style elements like wide verandas and rooms that boast serene, tropical elegance. Direct beach access, two sparkling pools, complimentary sorbet, and activities like mixology classes and yoga make this a coveted accommodation in North Queensland. 

The exterior of Pinetrees Lodge on Lord Howe Howe Island.
The idyllic Pinetrees Lodge on Lord Howe Island took spot no.7. (Image: Pinetrees Lodge)

The top 10 hotels in Australia

  1. Quest Orange
  2. MACq 01 Hotel
  3. The Reef House Adults Retreat Palm Cove
  4. Quest South Perth Foreshore
  5. Mount Lofty House & Estate Adelaide Hills – Adults Retreat
  6. Emporium Hotel South Bank
  7. Pinetrees Lodge
  8. Quest Perth Ascot
  9. Treasury On Collins
  10. Royal Mail Hotel

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Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and a self-proclaimed cheese and gin connoisseur. In her role, she creates and manages online content that remains relevant and valuable over time. With a background in publishing and e-commerce in both interior design and travel, along with an English major from The University of Sydney, Rachael is dedicated to curating engaging content that informs and inspires. She began her career at Belle magazine, then went on to become Senior Content Producer at Homes to Love focusing on Australian House & Garden and Belle, followed by Editor at Bed Threads. Her work has also appeared in Qantas Travel Insider. When she's not writing, editing, or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars, and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list are Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and Lord Howe Island.
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How to spend a tasty long weekend in Geelong and the Bellarine

    Lucy Cousins Lucy Cousins
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    From rust-coloured foliage and foodie experiences to stunning sunsets, this part of Victoria is best explored as the mild days of winter arrive.

    As the heat of the summer sun subsides and the milder days roll in, the stunning landscapes of Geelong and the Bellarine add pops of colour. The slight chill in the air will stir your taste buds and invite you to explore the peninsula’s foodie hotspots, while the vivid sunsets and cooler evenings will draw you to cosy fireside chats and evening adventures to watch the stars appear one at a time.

    Just over an hour from busy Flinders Street, or a short 25-minute drive from Avalon Airport, Geelong is Melbourne’s cooler, more laid-back cousin with a sparkling marina, stunning surf beaches, impressive museums and a lively foodie scene.

    federal mill geelong in autumn
    Winter is the perfect time to see local sights.

    It’s also the perfect starting point from which to explore the Bellarine Peninsula. Packed full of jaw-dropping scenery, inviting townships and over 40 cellar doors serving up local cool-weather wines, winter here is distinctly beautiful with its change of colours, temperatures and produce.

    Whether you drive or catch the short but incredibly scenic ferry from the Mornington Peninsula, it’s no surprise this region offers up one of Australia’s best long weekend destinations. Here’s how to soak it all up.

    Day 1: Explore Geelong with the locals

    Morning

    Start the day by grabbing breakfast and strong coffee from Pavilion Geelong (try the braised mushrooms on toast) while watching the gentle waves lapping the edge of Corio Bay. After brekkie, join the locals walking along the scenic Art Deco waterfront to explore the historic piers, beautiful beaches and gleaming white yachts in the marina.

    Pavilion Geelong in winter
    Start the day at Pavilion Geelong.

    Afternoon

    After a morning in the sun, venture to the recently refurbished Federal Mill precinct, a grand old woollen mill built in 1915. Explore the industrial history of this area, as well as the gourmet produce on offer, before pulling up a table at the popular Paddock Bakery. Famous for their wood-fired sourdough and tasty pastries, this cafe serves up tasty dishes like their Crème Brûlée doughnuts. Chase your lunch down with an afternoon of gin tasting at Anther Distillery.

    Paddock Bakery Crème Brûlée doughnut
    Try the Paddock Bakery Crème Brûlée doughnuts.

    Night

    For an evening of frivolity and decadence, head back to Geelong for dinner and a show at the newly reopened Geelong Arts Centre. Later, enjoy a mini Negroni with a scoop of Black Pearl Oscietra Gold caviar at the sleek Non Disclosure Bar.

    Day 2: A foodie-centric day in Moorabool Valley

    Morning

    Wake up with the soft winter sun and cooler temperatures, then travel to the lush farmlands and stunning landscapes of Moorabool Valley, the home of Meredith Farm Store. Choose a seat outside in the leafy courtyard and enjoy a tasting platter of fresh produce among the flowers.

    Afternoon

    To explore the area, visit the cellar door at the Moorabool Valley Wine Collective, which encompasses three award-winning winemakers, before stopping by Austin’s Wines for lunch. Not only can you taste over 10 local wines at the dedicated tastings bar, but you can also curate your own cheese platter to eat outside on their shaded deck.

    two people trying the wine at Austin's wines
    Stop by Austin’s Wines for lunch.

    Night

    Continue on your foodie quest with dinner in Newtown at the Asian fusion Two Noble restaurant, or, inside the same venue at Sawyers Arms Tavern, dive into the European flavours of Eileen’s Charcoal Grill on your way back to Geelong.

    table spread at two noble restaurant
    The chef’s hatted Two Noble restaurant is waiting.

    Day 3: Adventures in The Bellarine

    Morning

    For a light breakfast, head 20 minutes out of town to the rustic Ket Baker, an artisan bakery known for their 100% sourdough croissants. Grab a hot cuppa under the gum trees and enjoy the morning chill in the air. Then spend the morning on the foodie-focused Bellarine Taste Trail, visiting local producers like  Bellarine Smokehouse, Flying Brick Cider House and FarmDog Brewing.

    croissants at ket baker
    Enjoy a light breakfast at Ket Baker.

    Lunch

    There’s no better way to enjoy lunch than to make it from scratch. With Harvest Experience’s Pasta & Pinot cooking class, you’ll have a genuine farm-to-plate experience as you learn to make fettuccini and filled ravioli from scratch. Once cooked, sit down, relax and enjoy your hard work with a glass of Bellarine Peninsula pinot noir.

    Afternoon and night

    Burn off your lunch with an afternoon trip to the bayside town of Portarlington, where Australian blue mussels are harvested offshore. Stop by the quirky Ducks Nuts and peruse the trinkets and treasures before making your way to the restored Portarlington Grand Hotel. Built in 1888, this beautiful building now houses four distinct dining experiences, including the new open-air spaces of The Atrium and Lawn, where you can enjoy a local gin as the sun sets over the bay.

    waiter holding mussels at Portarlington Grand Hotel
    Be sure to try Portarlington mussels.

    Start planning your ultimate Geelong & The Bellarine adventure at visitgeelongbellarine.com.au.

    Australia's best hotels according to travellers have been revealed