Australia’s Finest: The Michelin Key Hotels Redefining Luxury Down Under

For Part 2 of our Michelin Key series, we’re crossing the Tasman to spotlight the Australian stays making waves in the world of luxury hospitality.

From the red-rust outback to lush tropical rainforests, glittering coastlines, and cosmopolitan cities that hum with energy, Australia’s natural diversity sets the scene for some truly remarkable escapes. These are the stays that capture the country’s wild beauty, relaxed spirit, and that unbeatable barefoot brand of Aussie luxury.

We’re proud to represent these outstanding properties that have earned their place on the Michelin Key list. A quick refresher: One Key signals a stay with real personality, Two Keys mark an exceptional experience, and Three Keys is where extraordinary becomes effortless.

Longitude 131°, Yulara, Northern Territory - Two Keys

Taking its name from its spectacular remote location, east–west with Uluru, Longitude 131° sits deep in Australia’s remote red centre and earns its Two Key honour for exceptional uniqueness.

The Dune Bar and Restaurant celebrate native ingredients with the option to dine under the stars, while days unfold with guided ventures into the ancient landscapes surrounding Uluru and Kata Tjuṯa.

Back at your tented pavilion, luxury comes easily: vast, plush beds, sleek bathrooms with views from even the shower, and front blinds that lift at the touch of a button to reveal one of the most spectacular sights on Earth.

Every hotel strives for a point of difference — for Longitude 131°, it’s effortless. When the outback sun melts into the horizon and Uluru ignites in crimson light, you’ll understand exactly why.

Capella Lodge, Lord Howe Island, New South Wales - Two Keys

On a small, remote stretch of reef and rainforest, Capella Lodge offers understated luxury in an untouched and blissfully isolated setting. Sitting above Lovers Bay at the foot of Mounts Gower and Lidgbird, Capella Lodge is Lord Howe Island’s only true luxury retreat. Awarded Two Michelin Keys, it is celebrated for its relaxed elegance, sensational ocean views, and intimate connection to its remote island setting.

The lodge’s nine timber-edged suites, softened with linen, porthole windows, curated art and basalt-stone bathrooms, open onto expansive ocean-facing decks. Days follow the island’s slow pace – lazy morning swims in crystal clear water, barefoot lunches on the deck, and long, relaxed evenings by the fire. Dining highlights local produce, including from the lodge’s own kitchen garden, with views of the mountains as a sensational backdrop.

Silky Oaks Lodge, Finlayvale, Queensland - Two Keys

Cradled by the Mossman River beneath the emerald canopy of the world’s oldest rainforest, Silky Oaks Lodge is pure tropical escapism. Awarded Two Michelin Keys, its intentionally pared-back design lets the setting steal the show. Forty elegant treehouses float among the leaves, each with an open-air tub and hammock set to the river’s gentle soundtrack. Interiors honour the landscape with rich Silky Oak timber and Yalanji artworks adding warmth and soul.

Dining in the open-sided Treehouse Restaurant feels like drifting through the treetops, with menus that hero local ingredients and native flavours, from kangaroo tartare to yuzu-glazed quail. When you’re not exploring the Daintree with Kuku Yalanji guides or slipping into hidden swimming holes, the Healing Waters Spa is a must - a sanctuary inspired by ancient beliefs in the river’s restorative energy. Immersive, romantic, and deeply connected to its surroundings, Silky Oaks Lodge is the benchmark of rainforest luxury.

Saffire Freycinet, Coles Bay, Tasmania - Two Keys

Known for its distinctive stingray-inspired design, Saffire Freycinet appears to hover over the landscape, an architectural statement that feels both bold and totally in harmony with the surrounding landscape. Awarded Two Michelin Keys, the all-inclusive resort sits at the gateway to Freycinet National Park, offering a luxurious base for total immersion in glorious nature.

The 20 suites feature incredible views of the pink-hued Hazards Mountains and Great Oyster Bay, while the day spa, fine dining, and curated experiences connect guests to the region’s natural beauty, culture, and produce. Days can be filled with guided hikes through pristine wilderness, encounters with local wildlife, scoffing oysters directly from the ocean, or simply soaking in the surroundings from your private balcony.

Qualia, Whitsundays, Queensland - One Key

Hamilton Island’s most exclusive resort - and an A-lister favourite - qualia delivers barefoot luxury at its finest. Awarded One Michelin Key, it’s celebrated for its refined minimalism, thoughtful design, and effortless connection to the sensational Whitsundays. Sixty freestanding pavilions overlook the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef, balancing modern architecture with soft, sun-washed tones and welcome pops of colour. Days unfold at an easy pace: dive the reef, sail the Whitsundays, or simply drift between your infinity-edge pool and private deck. Each pavilion comes with its own golf buggy – a most relaxed (and fun) way to roam the island’s tropical calm.

Dining at Long Pavilion champions seasonal Australian produce and seafood, best enjoyed with a glass of Champagne as the sun melts into the sea. Minimalist yet indulgent, qualia defines that quintessential kind of down-under luxury - barefoot, effortless, and unmistakably Australian.

Southern Ocean Lodge, Karatta, South Australia - Two Keys

On the rugged south coast of Kangaroo Island, Southern Ocean Lodge is truly otherworldly. Awarded Two Michelin Keys, it is understated yet extraordinary, with bold, distinctive architecture that hovers above the surrounding scrub and walls of glass framing the dramatic coastline.

The 25 sea-facing rooms hover above mallee scrub, offering uninterrupted views of ocean, sky, and the wildlife that frequently wanders past - kangaroos, echidnas, and native birds included. Interiors are minimal and elegant, with bespoke furniture, Ecosmart fireplaces, and local artworks complementing the serene palette.

Days are spent on guided hikes, enjoying wildlife encounters, or simply tuning out on your private terrace or sunken lounge. Gourmet meals, an open bar, and a walk-in cellar stocked with local wines complete the lodge’s all-inclusive offering. Daily sunset drinks in the Great Room provide the perfect vantage point to watch the Southern Ocean fade to gold, while the spa’s floor-to-ceiling windows let you unwind in sight of the surrounding wild.

Lizard Island Resort, Lizard, Queensland - Three Keys

The only property on a national park just 3.9 square miles in size, with rugged hills, mangroves, tropical forest, and 24 pristine beaches, Lizard Island is the ultimate off-grid escape. Awarded Three Michelin Keys and the only Australian property to join Relais & Châteaux, it’s luxury with a rare, untamed twist.

Villas and suites rise from the sand and scrub, bleached timbers, soft linens, and open layouts framing the reef, ocean, and sky. French Champagne flows freely, and kitchens balance abundant local seafood with the Australia’s finest ingredients, flown in twice daily.

Days are yours to command - diving vibrant reefs, wandering empty beaches, or sipping cocktails as the sun drops into the turquoise horizon. Lizard Island is total off-grid indulgence, and a horizon-expanding view of paradise – a worthy recipient of the Three Key honour.

Spicers Peak Lodge, Maryvale, Queensland - Two Keys

High in Queensland’s Scenic Rim, Spicers Peak Lodge makes a compelling case for swapping the beach for the bush. A world away from the coast’s hustle and bustle, this contemporary mountain retreat feels blissfully remote, surrounded by rolling hills, bushland, and its resident herd of Brangus cattle. With just ten suites and an arrival best made by helicopter (or a slow, scenic 4WD climb), privacy is absolute. Inside, cathedral ceilings, stone fireplaces, and vast windows bring the wilderness in, while the views stretch endlessly to the horizon. Evenings begin with cocktails by the fire and end with multi-course degustation’s paired with wines from the lodge’s cellar. Days unfold with bushwalks, tennis, picnics in the national park, or simply soaking in a freestanding tub under a sky strewn with stars. Refined yet deeply in sync with its surroundings, Spicers Peak Lodge captures the quiet beauty of the Queensland hinterland.

Spicers Sangoma Retreat, Bowen Mountain, New South Wales - Two Keys

Just an hour from Sydney, Spicers Sangoma Retreat feels like stepping into another world, tucked high in the Blue Mountains. Named after the Zulu word for “healer,” this eight-suite hideaway feels immediately grounding. It balances intimacy with pared-back luxury, with suites that combine warm timber and expansive glass with freestanding Philippe Starck bathtubs, roll-up canvas walls, and views that bring the surrounding forest inside. The infinity pool hovers above the valley, the restaurant celebrates seasonal, organic produce, and the pace slows to something far dreamier. Sangoma is where luxury meets birdsong and the soft hush of the bush.