Seven members of the Luxury Lodges of Australia collection have been celebrated by travellers around the world in the just-announced Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2026, with lodges from the Daintree Rainforest to the Red Centre featuring across the reader-voted lists of both the United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK) titles.
Readers of the US-based Condé Nast Traveler have voted Silky Oaks Lodge in Queensland’s Daintree Rainforest in 15th place in the overall Best Resorts in the World list with 99.55 points from a possible 100, and as the number one property in the Best Resorts Australia and New Zealand category, leading an outstanding showing for the collection’s members. Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island followed in second place in the regional list with 98.50 points and Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island in third place with 98.43 points. Meanwhile qualia in the Whitsundays was ranked seventh on the list with 98.19 points and Lizard Island in Tropical North Queensland has come in ninth place with 97.95 points.
In the US title’s World’s Best Hotels, Australia and New Zealand list, The Louise in South Australia’s Barossa Valley has been recognised in 10th place, continuing its run of reader-voted acclaim.
Across the Atlantic, readers of the UK’s Condé Nast Traveller have voted qualia second in the World’s Best Hotels, Australasia and South Pacific category with 98.58 points. Southern Ocean Lodge has been ranked fifth with 93.50 points, Longitude 131° at Uluru-Kata Tjuṯa seventh with 95.33 and Silky Oaks Lodge in 10 th place with 93.50 points.
Silky Oaks Lodge, Southern Ocean Lodge and qualia have each been honoured by readers of both titles this year, a rare double recognition that reflects the enduring appeal of these lodges for discerning travellers on both sides of the Atlantic.
Luxury Lodges of Australia Executive Chair, Penny Rafferty congratulated the seven lodges and their teams, saying the results were a wonderful reflection of the passion and care that goes into every guest stay.
“We’re so proud of our members and the remarkable people behind them. The Readers’ Choice Awards are voted for by travellers themselves, so this recognition speaks directly to the unforgettable experiences these lodges create for their guests, year after year,” Ms Rafferty said.
“It’s especially heartening to see so many of our members recognised by readers in both the US and the UK. From the ancient rainforest of the Daintree and the wild coastline of Kangaroo Island to the reefs of the Whitsundays and the spiritual heart of Uluru, these lodges showcase the extraordinary diversity of Australia to the world.”
“The collection’s twenty luxury lodges are located across a vast and varied continent, and with more than 350 experiences of place, people, wildlife and culture on offer between them, there’s every reason to stay a little longer and combine multiple lodge stays in one extraordinary itinerary,” she said.
The September 2026 Media Update across the Luxury Lodges of Australia collection includes all the latest news from the members, while a roundup of all the latest offers, events, media coverage and awards is available on the website here.
