hero media

The Aussie hotels missing from Condé Nast’s Triple Crown Hotels list

Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ George Apostolidis

Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
Condé Nast has released a new Triple Crown Hotels list, but there are some gaping omissions.

Australia’s best hotels contend with the best the world has to offer. Luxury in the heart of the country, iconic harbour views and tranquil forest stays are just the beginning. And Condé Nast Traveller’s new Triple Crown Hotels list is dedicated to honouring the best of the best. It’s the culmination of an impressive three awards in one: the annual Hot List for best new hotels, the Gold List of editor favourites, and Readers’ Choice.

And look, we get that. But some of the very best hotels in Australia have been continually snubbed by Condé Nast. We do know Australia better than most, which is why we’ve gathered a list worthy to sit alongside the other best-in-class hotels featured on the Triple Crown Hotels list so you have a full picture of all the incredible stays we have in this country to choose from.

Spicers Peak, Qld

Spicers Peak Lodge
Guests have access to a wide range of nature-focused amenities. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Combine rugged outdoor adventure and five-star eco-luxury at the highly awarded Spicers Peak luxury lodge in Queensland’s Scenic Rim. Considered ultra-luxury, this all-inclusive mountain retreat boasts particularly gobsmacking views over the Scenic Rim, thanks to its position up the mountain, 1100 metres above sea level (and yes, that does make it Australia’s highest non-alpine lodge). Lace up your walking shoes and explore the surrounding 8000 acres of World Heritage-listed Main Range National Park wilderness, or just stay in and luxuriate.

Longitude 131, NT

Longitude 131, NT
Be awed by views of Uluru from your room. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ George Apostolidis)

This celebrated luxury outback camp is not only nestled among the striking red sand dunes of Australia’s Red Centre, but many rooms also gaze out onto views of Uluru itself. It’s kept small and private, with an exclusive 16 tented pavilions. Guests can also take advantage of all-inclusive dining, and deeply immersive, Indigenous-guided desert experiences.

Capella Sydney, NSW

view from bathroom Capella Sydney
Find history and views at Capella. (Credit: Timothy Kaye)

There are few hotels better to explore Sydney’s CBD from than Capella. This five-star hotel sits inside a lovelingly resorted building from 1912 (the former Department of Education building), blending Edwardian Baroque architecture with contemporary design. Its location is as much to love as its style and service, in the historic Sandstone Precinct just steps from Circular Quay.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Raes on Wategos, NSW

Raes on Wategos, NSW
Step into Byron Bay’s most iconic retreat. (Credit: Madeleine Johnson/ Sean Fennessy)

Raes on Wategos is an iconic private retreat on the shores of Wategos Beach in Byron Bay. Ultra-luxurious and boutique, the coastal elegance mixed with a touch of boho pulls hotel and dining guests alike.

Ritz-Carlton Melbourne, Vic

view from the pool at Ritz-Carlton Melbourne, Vic
Gaze down on Melbourne’s CBD. (Credit: Visit Victoria)

What’s better than rising above a CBD in style? The Ritz-Carlton is a whopping 80 stories high above Melbourne, with views of Victoria Harbour and Port Phillip Bay culminating in a dramatic sky lobby on the top floor. Here, find 257 elegant rooms, an immersive wellness floor with an infinity pool and the hotel’s signature, hatted fine-dining restaurant Atria.

The Calile, Qld

bedroom at Calile Hotel Brisbane
Pastel hues bring a playful energy to The Calile Hotel. (Image: Supplied)

The five-star urban resort that is The Calile is the very definition of sleek sophistication in the heart of Brisbane. Think breezy, Palm Springs-style resort glamour meets classic sub-tropical Australian architecture. With a neutral colour palette and elegant curves all surrounding a 30-metre pool. And it boasts a prime location in Fortitude Valley.

Langham Gold Coast, Qld

Beach side at The Langham Gold Coast
Enjoy a taste of beachfront luxury at The Langham Gold Coast.

Ultimate beachfront, right between the Gold Coast’s famous Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, the shimmering, crystal-like twin towers of this five-star hotel make for a striking image.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

Mt. Mulligan Lodge, Qld

Mt Mulligan Lodge
The luxury lodge invokes the spirit of adventure in the Queensland outback.

Head to the Queensland outback to find this ultra-luxury, all-inclusive outback retreat. Set on a 69,000-acre working cattle station 160 kilometres northwest of Cairns, just 28 guests at any one time can soak in world-class hospitality and unique outback vistas. Ngarrabullgan/Mt. Mulligan itself is an 18-kilometre-long flat-topped sandstone escarpment with plenty of history behind it to discover during a stay.

MACq 01, Tas

MACq 01 Tasmania
Stay in style on Hobart’s historic Macquarie Wharf. (Credit: Stu Gibson)

Hobart’s historic Macquarie Wharf features MACq 01, where old-world heritage meets cutting-edge design. Its 114 rooms are individually themed after a notable Tasmanian character, from Indigenous leaders to convicts to environmental pioneers.

Who did make the Triple Crown Hotels from Australia?

To give credit where it’s due, there are certainly still many incredible stays that did make the Triple Crown Hotels list. Here are some of the top listed mentions:

Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set Australian Traveller as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
View profile and articles
red rock hut king island airbnb
Australia

Australia’s most wishlisted Airbnbs revealed for 2026

Airbnb has released a selection of its most wishlisted homes in Australia for 2026.

Read more
Baillie Lodges enters new global era as ‘Beckons’
Australia

Australian luxury lodge pioneer Baillie Lodges enters new global era as ‘Beckons’

The homegrown hospitality group behind Southern Ocean Lodge and Longitude 131° is expanding internationally under a new name.

Read more
Landscape shot of Maria Island Walk in Tasmania
Australia

The best last-minute Easter getaways you can still book

From luxury lodges and coastal resorts to outback adventures and cruise deals, these Easter getaways prove there’s still time to escape.

Read more
a spacious apartment with marina view at Trinity Point, Lake Macquarie NSW 
Australia

Australia’s newest hotels worth planning a trip for

Check into Australia’s most exciting new hotel openings, from buzzy city stays to dreamy coastal escapes.

Read more
hero media

8 Northern Territory secrets the locals don’t want you to know

    Lee Mylne Lee Mylne
    Continue
    Summer transforms the Northern Territory into a lush paradise of colour and life, as a visit during the ‘low-season’ reveals secrets the locals willingly share.

    Waterlilies bloom, floodplains are alive with birdlife, waterfalls are gushing, and everywhere the green is dazzling. Summer in the Top End and the Red Centre is a kaleidoscope of unexpected wonders that delight and surprise visitors. Of course, the locals know only too well that the Northern Territory low season is often the best time to see and experience this amazing part of Australia.

    Here are some of the reasons why savvy travellers – avoiding the crowds – are discovering a new dimension to the Territory. Remember that you’ll need a Parks Pass to visit national parks.

    1. Take a dip in the Florence Falls waterhole

    Wander through savanna woodland and monsoon forest to discover the perfect place to cool off – the waterhole at the base of spectacular Florence Falls in the magnificent Litchfield National Park, just 90 minutes’ drive from Darwin. The falls flow year-round but are most spectacular during the summer. Camping is available nearby but bookings are essential and must be made online before you visit.

    Surrounded by lush forest, a woman cools off in Florence Falls, just one of many incredible things to do in the Northern Territory.
    Cool off beneath the cascading waters of Florence Falls. (Image: Joshua Griffin)

    2. Wind down at Buley Rock Hole

    Another popular local swimming spot in Litchfield National Park is Buley Rock Hole, open year-round. This is a great place to wind down after exploring everything the park has to offer, including towering termite mounds. Wade through the rock pools, soak up the scenic bush or just lie back and relax as the cool water rolls over you.

    Buley Rockhole, Litchfield National Park
    Let the cool water wash over you. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    3. Tour the Tiwi Islands

    The Tiwi Islands, a scenic 80km flight from Darwin across the narrow Clarence and Dundas Straits, reveal a different side to the Territory, with their own distinctive culture. Take a day tour with Tiwi by Design to visit Bathurst Island and learn about creation stories, the Mission days, World War II history and the islanders’ obsession with AFL!

    Take a ‘behind-the-scenes’ tour of Tiwi Design’s screen-printing workshop and pick up a great souvenir in the form of art. Choose from contemporary or traditional Tiwi designs and a wide range of work including carvings, paintings, pottery, printmaking, bark paintings and tunga (bark baskets).

    A creative moment shared inside Tiwi Design’s screen-printing space.
    Take a peek inside Tiwi Design’s screen-printing studio. (Image: Tourism NT)

    4. Dine in Darwin

    Foodies are spoilt for choice in multi-cultural Darwin. Try Sri Lankan flavours at Ella by Minoli, where Masterchef contestant Minoli De Silva creates delectable dishes, or head to Charlie’s of Darwin for gin-tasting, cocktails and more. Bowls of fragrant laksa, excellent coffee, fresh vegetables and authentic crafts are all part of a weekend visit to Darwin’s Parap Markets, Rapid Creek Markets and the Nightcliff Markets.

    Prefer to catch your own dinner? Book a Top End fishing charter to bag a barramundi – and from October register for the annual Million Dollar Fish competition. Hooking one of the tagged barra released each year in waterways across the Territory could win you up to $1 million.

    A bowl of Laksa.
    Eat your way through multicultural Darwin. (Image: Tourism NT)

    5. Up close with Uluṟu

    The magnificent monolith Uluṟu is even more magical when the summer rains fall. When it rains on The Rock, the locals come out to watch – consider yourself lucky if that happens when you visit. Waterfalls cascading off the sides of Uluṟu is a sight that relatively few tourists see.

    There’s so much to do at Uluṟu, from guided walks to learn the stories of the Aṉangu people and the ancient landscape they live in to scenic flights for a bird’s-eye view or a leisurely walk around the base of Uluṟu. Book ahead to spend the evening wandering through the Field of Light installation by Bruce Munro.

    A closer look at Uluru and uncover its ancient stories, sacred sites, and striking natural beauty – one of the most iconic things to do in the Northern Territory.
    Discover the details that make Uluṟu truly sacred. (Image: Tourism NT)

    6. Drive the Red Centre Way

    From Alice Springs, take an epic road trip along the Red Centre Way, taking in Uluru and Watarrka National Park, home to the magnificent Kings Canyon. Allow at least a week to drive through the red heart of Australia by 4WD, a little longer on the sealed road by 2WD vehicle, travelling through ochre deserts, palm-lined valleys and dramatic gorges. Stop off at waterholes for a refreshing dip along the way.

    Kings Canyon offers hiking options for all levels of fitness, from the three-hour Rim Walk atop soaring sandstone walls to the gentler Kings Creek Walk. Either way, you’ll have breathtaking views.

    SEIT Outback Australia is a small group touring specialist offering exciting, adventurous, exclusive and specialised iconic, pioneering and cultural touring in the Red Centre of Australia, giving you the time to learn, absorb and relax in the heart of Australia.<br /><br />This innovative tour company focuses on providing clients with the ultimate interpretive touring experiences with a range of products and customised touring itineraries for small groups and bespoke private charters.<br /><br />The company bases its philosophies from the key words of Spirit, Emotion, Intellect and Task (SEIT).
    Drive through Australia’s heart. (Image: Outback Australia Tours)

    7. Take a walk at Kata Tjuṯa

    Head out early to tackle the Valley of the Winds Walk at Kata Tjuṯa. This natural wonder, also known as The Olgas, is a labyrinth of soaring ochre domes that glow golden at sunrise and sunset (the walk may be closed during the middle of the day as temperatures rise).

    Walking trails range from easy to longer, more difficult tracks. At the Kata Tjuṯa dune viewing area, take in the panoramic view of the domes. The longest of the trails is the Valley of the Winds Walk, a 7.4km circuit that winds between the domes and through creek beds. It’s moderately difficult and steep in places, but offers stunning views – and occasional encounters with kangaroos.

    The Valley of the Winds Walk at Kata Tjuta is one of the most awe-inspiring things to do in the Northern Territory, especially at sunrise when the domes glow golden.
    Step into the golden light of Kata Tjuṯa. (Image: Tourism NT)

    8. Explore Tjoritja/West MacDonnell Ranges

    Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park lies 135km west of Alice Springs, with many fascinating natural features to beguile visitors. The ‘West Macs’ formations include chasms, gorges and waterholes – take your swimsuit for a dip at Ormiston Gorge waterhole, open year-round. The Ormiston Pound Walk is a three to four-hour circuit that leaves from the visitor centre and loops back along the gorge via the main waterhole. Other places of interest in the park include Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Big Hole and Glen Helen.

    Soaking in the serenity of Ormiston Gorge, these two travellers enjoy one of the most scenic things to do in the Northern Territory.
    Take the plunge at Ormiston Gorge waterhole. (Image: Joshua Griffin Litchfield)

    Start planning the NT road trip of a lifetime at northernterritory.com