15 of Australia’s best rural holiday destinations
Here’s a selection of our favourite country getaways.
Dreaming of the wide open spaces? From West Australian wildflowers to a Bass Strait beach shack, here’s a selection of our favourite country escapes. Please check local travel restrictions – even if you can’t travel now, there’s nothing to stop you planning.
KANGAROO ISLAND, SA
Bushfire recovery continues apace on Kangaroo Island, famous for its friendly wildlife, glorious empty beaches and unspoilt bush. Flinders Chase National Park has reopened, providing an opportunity to observe how swiftly the bush is regenerating. On the island’s eastern end it’s business as usual: surfing at stunning Pennington, strolling among sea lions at Seal Bay, swimming with dolphins at Penneshaw or tucking into fresh oysters at American River. There’s fish tacos at Cactus in Kingscote, crab milk buns and knockout views at Sunset Food and Wine; or blend your own gin at Kangaroo Island Spirits. A new upscale bolthole is Oceanview Eco Villas, a pair of luxurious off-grid digs with long ocean views, outstanding food and wine, and total isolation. From $850 per person per night, all-inclusive. oceanviewkangarooisland.com.au
RENMARK, SA
Take a guided birding tour, hire a canoe, be spirited up the mighty Murray River by dinghy or gondola, complete with a pitstop at a local micro-brewery... or recline on the balcony of your villa, one of three perched on cliffs above a riverbend near Renmark, about three hours’ drive from Adelaide. The architect-designed villas The Frames, with all mod cons including plunge pools, are the creation of Rick and Cathy Edmonds. The star of the show is the century-old gondola, the vessel for several romantic sunset-inspired proposals. From $1050 per night for two (2-3 night rate); packages include catering and excursions. theframesluxuryaccommodation.com.au
WILDFLOWERS, WA
The onset of wildflower season in Western Australia signals it’s time to grab a camera and hit the road. Blossoms have started appearing in the northern reaches of the Golden Outback, which covers more than 50 per cent of the state, from Mount Augustus east of Carnarvon to the bleached beaches in the south. The state has more than 12,000 species of wildflowers, more than 60 per cent of them found nowhere else on Earth. As the weather warms the spectacle creeps south, culminating in September flower shows at Ravensthorpe and Esperance. Stay in self-contained digs at Mellenbye Station, 430km north of Perth, and staff will help find wreath flowers – clusters of delicate petals that grow on the ground, as though dropped by a flower girl at a country wedding. roadtripcountry.com.au/wildflowers
KATANNING, WA
Outside town, farmers gather to buy and sell, yarn and drink tea in the canteen of the vast sheep yards. In Katanning, gateway to Western Australia’s Great Southern and just over three hours’ drive south-east of Perth, businessman Nigel Oakey has transformed a derelict 129-year-old flour mill into a luxury destination. The Premier Mill Hotel has 22 rooms in a range of spaces including the old grain silo. Street-level Dome Café is open all day and from 3pm the basement Cordial Bar serves snacks with a Great Southern wine list; beyond, bush adventures await, from the wineries of Frankland and Porongurup to the coastal seclusion of Bremer Bay and the bushwalking of Bluff Knoll. Rooms from $265. premiermillhotel.com
GUNDAGAI, NSW
Few towns tug at the heartstrings like Gundagai, 375km south of Sydney. Who can resist the track winding back to an old-fashioned shack along the road to Gundagai, or that plucky pup on the tucker box? The town, on the banks of the Murrumbidgee, is a heritage gem built on pastoral prosperity and a touch of gold. That presented sunny prospects for bushrangers such as Captain Moonlite. Banjo Paterson penned the tale of another Gundagai character, gun shearer Flash Jack. A new nine-room boutique hotel named in his honour, Flash Jacks, occupies an 1888 Catholic convent. Its original brick and timber features have been restored and the decor is modern and comfortable. From $180 a night. flashjacks.com.au
TINY ST ALBANS, HAWKESBURY, NSW
Tiny houses were having a moment before social distancing entered the lexicon but they’re an ideal solution for this Covid world. Self-contained, built for two (three at a push), in rural locations of outstanding beauty but close enough to drive. No near neighbours, contactless check-in, BYO food, eco-focused, affordable and more than comfortable for a few days. Our tiny house in the Forgotten Valley of the Hawkesbury region had no TV or mobile reception but it had nature in abundance, lots of walking trails and a historic pub down the way. It’s also dog-friendly. Tiny Away partners with rural property owners in NSW and Victoria to provide the mobile tiny homes – there are about 40 locations to choose from. Tiny St Albans from $220 per night. tinyaway.com
ORANGE, NSW
Named in 1846 for Prince William of Orange, this Central Tablelands town may not be known for citrus, but apple and stone fruit orchards abound, wineries surround it and the focus on parish produce is clear. This is gold-mining country and its heritage is evident in handsome civic buildings, wide boulevards and substantial parks. Historic trails include the origins of poet Banjo Paterson, born here in 1864. There’s splendid dining at Charred Kitchen & Bar and heavenly dumplings at Mr Lim. Best base camp is the new Byng Street Boutique Hotel with 22 guestrooms and suites in a restored 19th-century building and a modern annexe. Rooms from $276. byngstreethotel.com.au
MOUNT MULLIGAN LODGE, QLD
The dramatic setting for this outback Queensland retreat, a three-hour drive from Cairns or 35 minutes by chopper, will stay in your memory long after your visit. The vastness of the 28,000ha working cattle station and moody Mount Mulligan will capture your heart, along with the simple luxury of your pavilion, all timber and glass and a veranda with deep bath. Kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding will keep you busy, but there’s history in the abandoned mining town nearby. Guided tours will give you a taste of cattle station life. Rooms, including meals and beverages, from $1700 per night. mountmulligan.com
SPICERS HIDDEN VALE, GRANDCHESTER, QLD
The view from the rebuilt homestead at Spicers Hidden Vale, on a 4850ha working farm near Ipswich, is of lush paddocks and bushland stretching to the Little Liverpool Range. The soils are rich, the produce sublime – and new restaurant Homage is a sublime tribute in the hands of chef Ash Martin. But the retreat, with 34 guestrooms and suites in restored cottages, is not all about lounging and dining. You’ll spot hundreds of roos on the property, home to a Wildlife Centre, plus there are tennis courts, two pools and 110km of trails for cyclists, runners and hikers. The five-day version of Spicers’ Scenic Rim Trail guided walks departs from Hidden Vale (more at scenicrimtrail.com). B&B for two from $559 a night. spicersretreats.com
SALTBUSH RETREAT, LONGREACH, QLD
In a region crammed with pioneering history, Saltbush Retreat is styled accordingly: saddles draped over ledges, bridles decorating walls, horseshoes holding bath towels. Visit Stockman’s Hall of Fame down the road then retire to the retreat’s bath terrace – three clawfoot tubs on an open-air deck. Rooms in the homestead stables feature kitchens, queen and bunk beds and a large ensuite. Cabins from $155 per night, homestead stables from $220. saltbushretreat.com.au
FLINDERS ISLAND, TAS
Come for the fishing, beachcombing on the 120 beaches or hiking up the mountains that bookend the island; this island in Bass Strait off north-east Tasmania is a natural wonderland. Call in to the stylish Flinders Wharf cafe/restaurant and distillery at Whitemark for food showcasing the island’s bounty and a slice of infectious enthusiasm from owners Tom and Jo Youl, who are carefully reinvigorating the island’s tourism scene and have opened three-bedroom Wombat lodge. In normal times look out for the monthly guest chef program and the crayfish festival, usually in April. We stayed in three- bedroom Cray Shack, overlooking a wild bay. It’s nicely fitted out with a maritime-rustic theme and an outside loo, from $360 per night. theflinderswharf.com.au
FREYCINET NATIONAL PARK, TAS
With its pink granite mountains, turquoise waters and white-sand coastline, it’s no surprise that this national park on the east coast is the state’s most popular. Nestled in the park is Freycinet Lodge, with its newish coastal pavilions – timber-and-glass pods with private decks sporting outdoor tubs to ogle that view. The property has two restaurants; rooms range from cabins from $249 per night to coastal pavilions at $699 per night. freycinetlodge.com.au
DUNKELD, VIC
The panorama of river gums in the foothills of volcanic mountains at the south end of the Grampians is so essentially Australian it could have been painted by master impressionist Arthur Streeton. And it was. It’s the ideal setting for the two-hat restaurant Wickens, in the grounds of the Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld, just over a three-hour drive from Melbourne. Chef Robin Wickens draws on produce from his kitchen garden and local sources. There’s less formal dining at the hotel’s Parker Street Project and the town is the gateway to a hikers’ paradise in the Grampians. Two-night Royal Return package, dining included, from $1190 per couple. royalmail .com.au
ROSS FARM, MEENIYAN, VIC
At Ross Farm, outside the tiny South Gippsland town of Meeniyan, guests stay in three reimagined old buildings. There’s a one-bedroom cottage, a three-bedroom dairy and a two- bedroom barn with wow factor: a steel spiral staircase leading to a loft bedroom and Japanese-style tub made of local cyprus; windows with Tarwin Valley views; and glass doors opening to a courtyard, firepit, second bedroom and huge onsen-style bathroom. Much of the furniture was crafted locally; a breakfast hamper has local bread, fresh eggs and herbs from the farm garden. Barn from $320 per couple per night. rossfarm.com.au
LONGITUDE 131, ULURU, NT
Uluru from one window, Kata Tjuta from another… is there a better view from any room in Australia? At this luxury lodge, reopening on August 30, you’ll never forget the experience of star gazing from a swag on your deck. Crawl back to your king bed and watch the rising sun illuminate Uluru – then prise yourself from your room for guided tours that explain the wonder of this place. The Dune Room, with generous living spaces and plunge pool, is the top of the range at $6800 for two per night but the other tented rooms, nestled in the desert 19km from Uluru, don’t hold back on outback comfort. Fine dining, premium bar, transfers and tours are included. From $1700 per person per night (min. two nights). longitude131.com.au
Availability may change depending on Covid-19 restrictions; check with the operator. Prices are a guide only. While correct at time of publication, they are subject to change due to season and other factors.
Contributors: Lee Atkinson, Grasham Erbacher, Penny Hunter, Susan Kurosawa, John Lethlean, Christine McCabe, Christine Middap Photography: Jason Charles Hill
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