Three five-star resorts in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland have been named as the country’s top luxury properties in this year’s Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.
The 2025 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards have been running for more than four decades and recognise Australia’s top travel, hospitality and tour operators across 26 categories.
In this year’s five-star luxury accommodation category, the top gong for Australia’s Best Luxury Accommodation went to the family-run Mount William Station in Victoria.
Fourth-generation Owner and Manager Will Abbott says the award is a reflection of the “dedication of our team and the support of our guests”.
“Mount William Station is a working farm that we’ve carefully evolved into a luxury lodge experience, and everyone involved has poured enormous effort into creating something special.
“To see that recognised nationally is both rewarding and motivating as we continue to grow.”
The intimate countryside retreat at the foothills of the Grampians National Park was established in 1842 and has been in the Abbott/Barr Smith family for generations, and was only recently opened to guests.
“We offer travellers the rare opportunity to experience a private estate that was once reserved for family and friends,” adds Abbott.
It seems to be paying off.
At the heart of the experience is the homestead, a 1920s residence reimagined as a boutique hotel, set within English gardens, which has a nightly evolving three-course dining experience, celebrating seasonal ingredients from the estate and regional Victorian producers.
A recent renovation saw the addition of the Bluestone Stables, which were turned into an events space that once housed Melbourne Cup horses.
The venue now hosts weddings, retreats and bespoke gatherings, and the estate also has plans to expand its accommodation offering.
In Berry on the NSW South Coast, set on 145 hectares of lush farmland and native bush, is Mt Hay Retreat, silver winner of the five-star luxury accommodation award.
Anthony and Louise, who run the property, say, “As a small, family-run business operating in rural and regional NSW, quietly and consistently delivering our own definition of luxury accommodation – winning silver at a national level feels amazing and a bit mind-boggling”.
“It’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day life, but the opportunity to step out, stop and think about all the things we do to make our guests’ stay special can be really valuable.
“With all the developments in AI and technology and the increasingly fast and hectic pace of life, we pride ourselves on being a bit of an antidote to modern living. Offering guests real, professional, warm hospitality and an opportunity to take a breath. To stop, relax and reconnect.”
The pair say they are constantly evolving by listening to guests’ needs and working to improve the offering.
“We are implementing new technology to maintain the gardens at Mt Hay (a new robot lawnmower to reduce our use of fossil fuels), alongside additions to our massage menu and new multi-night stay offers, while still keeping things simple for guests who just want an uncomplicated getaway.”
Taking out bronze was the Reef House Adults Retreat, which was one of the first Palm Cove properties built in 1958, operated by Brigadier Thomson as a private residence.
Location is key here, with the beachfront adults-only resort situated between the Great Barrier Reef and ancient Daintree Rainforest in the heart of Palm Cove.
The property is a consistent multi-award-winning property for both its restaurant, nestled under melaleuca trees and palms, and as a luxury hotel.
When you’re not out and about exploring the UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites on its doorstep, spend days swimming in one of two pools, having a treatment in the spa or browsing the onsite boutique.
For more information, visit Mount William Station, Mt Hay Retreat and Reef House Adults Retreat.
