Lee Tulloch outlines for The Sydney Morning Herald Traveller her top 13 travel highlights for 2024 ~
Best Spa – El Questro Homestead, Zebedee Springs
“The word bliss is often bandied about, but I achieved true bliss this year wallowing about in the cascading mineral springs at Zebedee Falls, Northern Territory, during a stay at famed El Questro Homestead. Guests of the luxury lodge have the warm rainforest pools to themselves each afternoon and there are a multitude of private rockpools on offer, depending on how high you’re prepared to climb up the waterfall. Nature’s spa is always the best.”
Best Stay – Bullo River Station, Western Australia’s Kimberley
“Bullo River Station in Western Australia’s Kimberley is a miraculous place – a working cattle station on 161,874 hectares which is being farmed with best-practice sustainable management. The restored homestead, decorated gorgeously by Sibella Court, sits in a beautiful landscape, with lakes, rivers, gorges and wetlands full of brolga and other bird life. Incredible hospitality and fantastic home cooking puts Bullo up there with the best places I’ve stayed.”
Best Guestroom – Saffire Freycinet, Tasmania
“Saffire Freycinet, 14 years after I first visited, is still one of Australia’s most beautiful lodges, with its wonderful scenery, outstanding architecture, and fine dining emphasising the best local produce and wines. There are few hotel rooms in Australia that can surpass the experience of waking up to the panoramic view of The Hazards mountain range.”
Best Return – Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island
“Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island reopened after being destroyed by the January 2020 bushfires and I returned early this year to check out the rebuild. It’s more wonderful than ever, if possible. The first time you walk into the resort’s Great Room with its breathtaking 180-degree view of the wild coast and pounding surf is one of travel’s biggest wows. Sitting in the lounge around the fire with a glass of South Australian shiraz – even better.”
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