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 Hotel Addict. She's responsible for the foundational content on AustralianTraveller.com, helping to manage and grow the brand’s destination guides. With a background in design and travel media, Rachael is dedicated to curating content that is as much informational as it is beautiful. She began her career at Belle magazine, before taking up editorial roles at Homes to Love and Bed Threads. 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 is Lord Howe Island.
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Discovering East Arnhem: Australia’s most unique and rewarding corner

    Joanne Millares Joanne Millares
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    Hard to reach and harder to forget, East Arnhem offers something rare in modern travel: the chance to slow down and experience Country on its own terms.

    The sky feels bigger in East Arnhem. It stretches wide and uninterrupted above rouged earth, stringybark woodland and beaches so empty they seem to belong to another era. The coastline curves for kilometres without a footprint and the horizon runs on forever.

    For comedian Lou Wall, the scale of the place was the first thing that hit them.

    “The sheer openness,” they say. “The sky feels infinite and the land stretches out endlessly. It’s pretty breathtaking visually.”

    But the physical landscape is only part of the story. The real reward isn’t only the scenery but the shift in perspective the journey brings. Visitors stop trying to tick off the destination and a real engagement takes over.

    “It made me never want to travel again,” Wall jokes. “In that I never wanted to leave East Arnhem.”

    Getting there

    Aerial shot of East Arnhem’s coastline as cars trace the curve of the shore.
    Sail along the remote coastline on an expedition cruise.

    Reaching East Arnhem is part of the adventure. Travellers typically fly into Gove Airport near Nhulunbuy via Darwin or Cairns, or arrive by expedition cruise along the remote coastline. Others make the journey overland along rutted dirt roads that cut through East Arnhem’s small pockets of monsoon forest.

    However you arrive, there’s a distinct feeling of crossing into somewhere different. Permits are required to visit the region, reflecting the fact that this is Yolŋu land where communities and traditional owners maintain deep cultural connections to Country.

    The extra planning becomes part of the experience. By the time visitors arrive, they understand they’re entering a place not just of respect, but also patience and curiosity.

    At one with nature

    East Arnhem’s  landscapes leave a strong imprint. For Wall, one place in particular still lingers in their memory: Ngalarrkpuy, also known as Lonely Beach, near Bawaka Homeland.

    “I genuinely felt like I was living inside an Instagram filter,” they say. “One of the most stunning feats of nature I’ve ever seen. The water was so clear I swear I could see even the fish smiling.”

    Across the region, natural experiences unfold at a slower pace. Fishing, beachcombing and island hopping reveal the rhythm of the coastline. The tides shape daily life and the vastness of the landscape makes even simple moments feel downright cinematic.

    For visitors with limited time, Wall says the Bawaka Homeland experience is unmissable.

    “I just left and I’m already planning when I can get back there.”

    The sense of remoteness is part of the appeal. In a country where many beaches are crowded and well-trodden, East Arnhem’s coastline still feels wonderfully wild.

    Immersing in local culture

    A visitor spends a meaningful moment alongside Yolŋu guides, gaining insight into their deep cultural knowledge and connection to the land.
    Experience authentic moments with the locals.

    Culture is woven through every experience in East Arnhem. Visitors have the opportunity to spend time on Country with Yolŋu guides and knowledge holders who share stories and traditions that have been passed down for generations.

    For Wall, one of the most powerful moments came during a conversation with a Yolŋu elder.

    “I got to meet a traditional elder, Mayalil, in Nhulunbuy,” they say. “Listening to her talk about her home made the land feel alive in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”

    The region is also home to internationally recognised Aboriginal art centres where artists shape works deeply connected to land and family knowledge.

    Music carries the same cultural energy. East Arnhem has produced globally recognised artists such as King Stingray and Baker Boy, blending Yolŋu language, storytelling and contemporary sound.

    Wall experienced this musical spirit first-hand.

    “A jam session around the fire was it for me,” they say. “Letting the deep joy and history of their music wash over me…  and meeting a few of the King Stingray musicians was unreal.”

    These moments of human connection often become the most memorable part of a visit.

    Spotting local wildlife

    An aerial view of the beach shows tiny figures lined up across the white sand, moving as if in a rhythmic dance.
    Step into a world where nature reigns.

    The wildlife of East Arnhem adds another layer to the experience. The region is home to an extraordinary range of animals, from waterbirds and turtles to dugongs, dolphins and the formidable saltwater crocodile.

    Wall admits they didn’t actually spot a croc during their visit.

    “Devastatingly, I didn’t see one,” they laugh. “But with all the stories from the locals I definitely gained a healthy respect for caution.”

    Some of the most memorable wildlife encounters can be surprisingly small., At Banubanu Beach Retreat on Bremer Island, Wall remembers walking along the beach one morning and watching it come alive.

    “As you walk through the sand you see hundreds of crabs scurrying into their holes as you pass by,” they say. “Such a small thing, but it was completely magical.”

    Moments like this reveal the quieter rhythms of East Arnhem, where even the smallest creatures seem to play a part in the landscape.

    Visitors who make the journey soon learn the most important travel tip of all.

    “Go in open-minded with a sense of curiosity,” Wall says. “Be prepared to ditch your plans. The land and the locals will guide you on an adventure no spreadsheets could ever compete with.”

    And most importantly, they add, don’t rush.

    “The land and people deserve your time and attention. You’ll be all the better for slowing down.”

    For more information on visiting East Arnhem, head to eastarnhem.com.au.