With all the allure and charm of a luxury hotel, plus the space and privacy of the home you left behind, they are the perfect way to experience these diverse landscapes with a large group or with someone special for the ultimate in privacy and personal touches.
With homes as unique as the regions they are a part of, we’ve put together a Private Home Guide so you can make the most of your next journey to Australia.
Cliffside, Port Douglas
Having undergone a multi-million-dollar makeover, this sophisticated private home occupies prime real estate along the headland of Port Douglas in Tropical North Queensland. Offering the ideal blend of modern elegance and tropical serenity, guests can indulge in uninterrupted water views from the master bedroom, while three additional king rooms, a full alfresco kitchen and a lounging area opening directly onto the pool and landscape gardens makes this property ideal for larger groups. Hidden amongst lush tropical greenery and overlooking the sparkling waters of the Coral Sea, this home is a picture-perfect gateway resting directly between the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest.
Cliffside’s prime location in Port Douglas makes it the perfect spot for exploration of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Daintree Rainforest. A prehistoric tropical rainforest – the oldest in the world – with the creatures to match. Crocodiles, lizards, frogs and snakes are easy to spy, with the rare tree kangaroo, bandicoots, sugar gliders and ringtail possums providing a more challenging spot alongside cassowaries, platypuses and dingoes. Nature enthusiasts will find a private tour through the forest hard to pass up, with experienced guides and First Nations members providing valuable insight into the incredible ecosystem.
The House at Lizard Island
The House at Lizard Island is a world-class reef house, perfectly positioned on the doorstep of the Great Barrier Reef. Interwoven with exceptional food and wine offerings, experiences totally unique to an inimitable pocket of nature, and on-call servicing by a private chef, sommelier, and expert host, The House offers complete seclusion and privacy in three king suites. Pairing each with an ensuite, indoor-outdoor shower, outdoor bath, and private balcony to enjoy and soak up the views, The House embodies all things authentically Australian while offering unparalleled privacy and personalised service.
Secluded within a national park, The House is your back door to private beaches, hidden coves and some of the best dive sites in the world. Fringing reefs on the doorstep of this home make for incredible snorkelling, while renowned dive sites such as the Cod Hole and the Clam Garden are within arm’s reach for those looking to gear up and swim in the depths of this natural world wonder. With private tours able to take you to some of the most sought-after places, and helicopter tours to take you to some of the lesser-known, there is no better place to reside if you are looking to explore the Great Barrier Reef.
Pelorus Island
More than just a private home, Pelorus Island offers you the seclusion of your own private island in the Great Palm Archipelago. Experience 400 acres of pristine, virgin habitat surrounded by clear, shallow waters fringed by the Great Barrier Reef. The sprawling island residence offers five luxury suites, fine dining and personalised service. An intimate dwelling designed for families and friends with five luxurious suites, the home epitomises connection in communal lounges and dining areas with a fully stocked bar and open kitchen for demonstrations by the island’s private chef. A sparkling beachfront pool and deck area provide the perfect place to lounge, read and chat with endless Coral Sea views.
Snorkel from the coastline to coral gardens or dive to witness the Museum of Underwater Art with the island acting as your base. You can also embark on a bespoke tour of the nearby Hichinbrook Island; discover its cloud-covered mountains and eucalyptus forests divided by serpentine fingers of the Coral Sea. Dugongs and green sea turtles reside in seagrass beds off the coast while mangrove forests provide a sanctuary for other marine life.
Island House on Lord Howe Island
Island House on Lord Howe Island is a serene hideaway within extraordinary natural surrounds. Consisting of two houses for eight guests, Island House offers a private and intimate setting surrounded by Kentia palms and centuries-old Banyan trees. With a dedicated Adventure Room, stocked with high-quality outdoor equipment inviting you to explore the many different experiences the island provides, you will be left with no shortage of adventures during your stay.
Often compared to Hawaii, Lord Howe Island is a collage of tiny, hidden beaches framed by subtropical rainforests and imposing mountain faces. The ideal for hiking enthusiasts, Lord Howe’s untouched landscape feels Jurassic, with the sounds of trilling cicadas, laughing kookaburras and tropical bird calls immersing you in its splendour. The island offers warm, clear waters for recreational exploration should you choose to snorkel, dive or stand-up paddle through its aquamarine seas.
One Kangaroo Island
One Kangaroo Island is a large, contemporary, hosted eco-retreat, found atop a dune sitting between bush and a secluded beach on Kangaroo Island’s Dudley Peninsula. Calm, clear water from the sheltered bay it faces invites you for a dip, whilst white sand laps at the feet of the house, urging you to wander. Fully catered by experienced chefs, with a strong focus on artisan Kangaroo Island produce alongside a private bar and wine selection. Equipped with four ensuite bathrooms, two sitting areas, and multiple infinity decks with outdoor dining and entertaining areas – including a decadent outdoor bath and shower – there’s plenty of space to unwind.
Australia’s own Galapagos, Kangaroo Island is the ideal place to experience Australia’s native wildlife. Koalas, kangaroos, sea lions and seals are plentiful, with guided tours form locals giving you the opportunity to swim alongside dolphins, hand-feed wallabies and, in the right season, spot whales on their yearly migration. Rugged national parks, white-sand beaches and unique landmarks dot the island, making it the ideal spot to witness Australia’s biodiversity.
Baird Bay Seaside Villas, Eyre Peninsula
Tucked away in the heart of nature’s unspoilt beauty in a small fishing village on the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia, Baird Bay Seaside Villas epitomise the essence of quiet luxury.
Featuring two self-contained villas, a two story four-bedroom and single story three-bedroom villa, joined by a communal outdoor lounge, BBQ area and pool. Each villa is designed to provide a peaceful retreat against the dramatic and rugged backdrop of Australia’s southern coast, inviting guests to unwind in serenity that contrasts with the wild beauty of the surrounding landscape.
Best known for its unrivalled aquatic adventure swimming with wild sea lions and dolphins in the protected waters of Baird Bay, guests will also have the opportunity to experience a number of privately guided excursions around the region. From hiking along the highest point along the Great Australian Bight, to fishing on kayaks in the bay and dining under the stars with chef prepared meals, each experience is tailored to guests’ personal preferences. While dining at Baird Bay, is simple, yet exceptional where the quality of the regional produce and purity of flavours shine through.
Damia, Byron Bay
Set amongst a lush backdrop in the Byron Bay hinterlands and framed by an orchard of macadamia trees, Damia captures the essence of region’s laid-back allure, offering absolute privacy and a true sense of escape. Rolling hills, native bushlands and rainforest border this private homestead, tempting visitors onto walking trails through private gardens, past natural springs and across farmland. Wedge-tailed eagles soar overhead while wallabies bound across the ridgeline, stroll through remnant forests to spot koalas and echidnas traversing the undergrowth. As the sun paints the sky in streaks of gold, venture down to the fishing shack via ATV and wind down with a drink by the fire.
Three private dwellings make the property ideal for large groups, able to house a total of 12 beneath European-inspired architecture decorated with artisanal furniture. A 50-foot (15 metre) infinity pool overlooks a sweeping valley, while a heated spa, infrared sauna and outdoor cinema further entice you to enjoy time beneath an open sky. Perfectly positioned to be within easy reach of Byron Bay’s barefoot beach culture, ocean kayaking, surf lessons, pottery classes and more are at your fingertips in this idealistic escape.
