The Australian hotels rock stars stay in when they visit

The Langham, Melbourne

The Langham’s top suite comes with everything a rock star could possibly want – its own marble lobby, a butler, chauffer-driven limousine, Bulgari bathroom amenities, a fully stocked bar, access to the hotel boardroom and a fully equipped kitchen – but this wasn’t enough for one star who requested a “dedicated TV assistant" to operate the remote. Another was adamant they required low fat, calorie and portion controlled food, only to be sprung chowing down on ice cream in the Club Lounge. This refined hotel has about it a genteel class, which makes it especially popular with European and British rock royalty (yes, Coldplay, we’re talking about you). www.langhamhotels.com

Sofitel Brisbane

Sometimes rock star behaviour isn’t all bad. Hotel night staff and guests were delighted when Robbie Williams did an impromptu rehearsal at a piano in the bar, and Maroon 5 endeared themselves to reception by handing out a wad of concert tickets. Perhaps it’s thanks to laidback Brisbane, but requests here are seldom outrageous. Burt Bacharach asked for a specific brand of cranberry juice, Ozzy Osborne wanted roast chicken and gravy (which must have been good because he had it twice). The Opera Suite (formerly the Monet Suite) at Sofitel Brisbane is unique as it can be entered via two different floors. A swirly spiral staircase, which must be a doozy in rock chic heels, links the level 29 bedroom with the lounge area on level 28. The suite comes with a kitchen – Kylie Minogue brought along a private chef to cook her favourite organic food – and a desk big enough to dance on (gold hotpants optional). Other high profile guests have included the Dalai Lama, Neil Finn, John Travolta, Nicole Ritchie and Joel Madden. www.sofitelbrisbane.com.au

Park Hyatt Sydney

Not even the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge are enough to prevent a few rock stars from blacking out what is arguably the best view in Australia in their quest for privacy. For those of us who can only dream of staying here, it’s enough to make you cry. The opulent Governor Suite comes with not one but six balconies, a personal wine cellar and a de-dicated butler who was once asked to turn the place “into a racing car" so Mr Rock Star could play Xbox games. A full kitchen and dining table for 12 regularly sees this suite playing host to star-studded dinner parties. Locals should keep an ear out when rock stars are in town: music from the grand piano often drifts across Sydney Harbour. www.sydney.park.hyatt.com

Crown Towers, Melbourne

Getting rock star scuttlebutt from Crown proved harder than breaking even at a casino. They were, however, willing to confirm that Celine Dion, Ricky Martin, Tom Jones, Elton John and Justin Timberlake have all come to stay. The most popular rock star digs are the Crown Tower Villas, which take up a quarter of each floor. The most desirable is either the Georgian or Paxton Manor but these two top villas are by invitation only (yes, even for rock stars). Those with a reputation for trashing rooms are unlikely to get a look in. Villas and the two manors form part of an exclusive “hotel within a hotel" with a dedicated lobby and private lifts. Security is tight. www.crowntowers.com.au

Hyatt Regency Perth

The top room at the Hyatt Regency Perth may be called the Presidential Suite, but with its flashy gold colour scheme and tonnes of bling it screams rock star. Special requests range from fairly standard (bottled water, kids’ DVDs, massages) to the bizarre (a private soccer game arranged at short notice remains one of the more unusual). Perth is often the last stop on any Australian music tour, which means this hotel frequently hosts huge after parties. One star took this a step further by announcing during his last concert exactly where he was staying and inviting “all the pretty girls" back to his room at the Hyatt. Very rock star (not to mention problematic for the hotel, which was besieged by eager young ladies). www.perth.regency.hyatt.com

InterContinental Sydney

The InterCon’s Australia Suite feels almost as big as Australia itself and comes with a grand piano and its own steam room. The 245m2 suite is the largest in Sydney and has played host to some spectacular private parties. It’s hard to believe, but “beautiful people only, please" was a real request. There can be an abundance of alcohol – or none at all, if a rock star is in rehab. The private open-air terrace with its sweeping Sydney views is often used for sun baking (hey, we never said rock stars were smart). Intercontinental Sydney

Get out of the city and close to nature in Victoria’s Heartland, one of Australia’s finest food-producing regions.

This fertile area is abundant in natural beauty, rich volcanic soils, mineral-rich waters, artisan producers and farm fresh produce. In towns spanning the Central Goldfields, Macedon Ranges and surrounds, just a short drive or easy train ride from Melbourne, you can taste a plethora of incredible food and world-class wine in these best of Victoria’s Heartland food regions.

1. Daylesford

Lake House Restaurant, Daylesford — Dine on the multi-course fare served at the elegant and light-filled Lake House Restaurant. (Credit: Visit Victoria)

Warm and inviting, fans of Japanese cuisine should make a beeline for Kadota. Settle in for Japanese flavours, in cocktail glasses and on the plate, that have been carefully produced using seasonal local ingredients.

For those who love a farm-to-table moment, Sault is the place to be. Fresh ingredients – directly from the restaurant’s kitchen gardens, or from regional organic farms and producers – are crafted into a delicious seasonal menu by Chef Hat-awarded Head Chef Jack Powlay.

Boasting gorgeous water views from its location on the banks of Lake Daylesford, Boathouse Restaurant is perfect for an elevated dining experience.

For a special treat, a visit to the two-chef-hatted restaurant at the Lake House is a must. Savour beautiful views and a seasonal menu championing small-scale local suppliers and their own farm just 10 minutes away.

2. Hepburn Springs

If you're exploring Victoria food regions to visit, Surly Goat is one restaurant you won’t want to miss. — Tuck into hearty, farm-fresh flavours. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Taking cues from its Swiss-Italian roots and the area’s produce, the picturesque Lavandula Farm houses a seasonal trattoria, rustic wine bar, and a new deli and larder inside the original Shepherd’s Flat Post Office.

For another dining destination immersed in the area’s history, visit The Hepburn Pavilion café at Hepburn Bathhouse. Brunch, lunch, scones and house-made cakes are served under the vaulted ceiling of this Edwardian heritage-listed building.

And while The Surly Goat may have a farm-like ring to it, it’s in fact a homely restaurant that takes seasonality seriously. Chef David Willcocks heads up an ever-changing set menu celebrating local and small-scale regenerative producers.

3. Trentham

Add Sisko Chocolate to your list of Victoria food regions to visit for a sweet stop along the way. — Satisfy your sweet cravings with handcrafted treats. (Image: Sisko Chocolate)

No trip to an Aussie regional town is complete without a stop at the pub. Pig & Whistle Hotel sits surrounded by farmland. Soak it in from the locally beloved beer garden. Here, pub classics include a parmigiana with an Irish twist.

For a more refined experienced, dine at du Fermier, where chef and owner Annie Smithers crafts a weekly menu of French farmhouse-style dishes, often sourcing ingredients from her nearby farm in Lyonville.

And if you have a sweet tooth, don’t leave town without a cheeky stop at Sisko Chocolate Studio, where owner Christina Tantsis has built a chocolate-lovers wonderland inside a stunning architectural space. Her handcrafted creations use couverture from Valrhona, a certified B Corporation, and the hot chocolates are positively sinful.

4. Woodend

Kuzu Izakaya in woodend, daylesford — Taste incredible Japanese cuisine at Kuzu Izakaya.

Taste local drops in town at the family-owned Woodend Cellar and Bar – complemented by tapas and artisan platters featuring sourdough from the local bakery – or at 600 Above, a wine bar with a sunny courtyard and cosy fireplace serving small and large plates.

Nearby, Kuzu Izakaya is the go-to place for Japanese dining. Chef Eriko Pannam has crafted a moreish menu of creative and traditional dishes; think miso cream scallops and everyone’s favourite, Japanese fried chicken.

Mount Macedon Winery is another must-visit for wine connoisseurs. Enjoy a glass and wood-fired pizza on the deck, or opt for fine dining at their Cellar Door Restaurant.

5. Kyneton

Piper Street in Kyneton is overflowing with top-notch eateries. Take Prato, specialising in traditional Greek dishes and pinsa (a lighter, crispier version of traditional pizza); or the upscale Midnight Starling, where chef Steve Rogers serves French classics inside a historic building with bluestone cellar.

A little further down, The Piper Street Wine Company is a European restaurant and wine bar inside a gorgeous heritage building. Their evolving menu highlights one European country or region at a time, so there’s always something new to discover. Further along, Fook Shing delivers a flavour-packed Southeast Asian menu using local and regional Victorian produce.

6. Castlemaine

Blue cheese from Long Paddock Cheese. — Discover rich, creamy cheeses crafted by a certified cow’s milk artisan cheesemaker. (Image: Long Paddock Cheese)

Cafes, bars and restaurants have taken up residence inside this former Gold Rush town’s historic buildings. At The Mill Castlemaine – an 1870s woollen mill turned creative hub – you’ll find Long Paddock Cheese, a small-scale artisan cheesemaker that uses certified-organic cow’s milk from a nearby family-owned farm; and Das Kaffeehaus, a Viennese cafe serving traditional Austrian food with coffee from their small batch roastery.

Meanwhile, inside the Midland Hotel you’ll find the chef-hatted Bar Midland, founded by locals Loudon Cooper and Alexander Marano. Their monthly set menu celebrates Victorian producers who focus on sustainable land management, and often utilises indigenous food, introduced wild animals and weeds.

7. Lancefield & Romsey

A flatlay of food from Lost Watering Hole. — Savour beautifully plated dishes in a relaxed setting. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Art meets food and wine at Mount Monument, located just outside of Romsey. The beautiful vineyard is home to a sculpture park, cellar door and restaurant with a menu shaped by the Macedon Ranges’ rich seasonal produce.

In town, The 1860 Romsey has reimagined a 160-year-old hotel. Here, country pub charm meets modern bistro, with a menu that supports local at every opportunity (their Central Victorian Oakdale Black Angus steak is a winner).

A few minutes’ drive north, the Lost Watering Hole in Lancefield is a family-friendly brewery and restaurant crafting 100% naturally brewed beers. Their unusual names – No Dodo, Flightless, Big Roo – make sense once you learn Lancefield is the location of one of the richest deposits of megafauna fossils in Australia.

8. Harcourt

Lovely pastries from Hartcourt Produce & General Store. — Treat yourself to buttery, house-made Danish pastries. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Harcourt is famous for its apple orchards and cider production, and there’s no better place to visit than The Little Red Apple. At this roadside store, you can stock up on fresh crisp apples, ciders, vinegars, juices, and other gourmet products.

To taste more local delights, pop into the Harcourt Produce & General Store, renowned for their house-made danishes, or stop at Sutton Grange Winery where winemaker Chris Smales crafts wines using their organically grown estate fruit. Open on Sundays, it’s an idyllic spot to slow down over wine, pizzas and share plates.

Start planning your next outdoor adventure at victoriasheartland.com.au.

Rock star approved: Hotels welcoming the rich and famous