Sensational new stays in the Sunshine State

Pelorus Private Island

Queensland has welcomed a raft of new holiday experiences in 2023, including an impressive lineup of firsts: the first five-star luxury hotel knocking on Townsville’s door.

Turning up the luxury dial, Townsville is about to welcome an exclusive new retreat on the Great Barrier Reef, accessible by helicopter or private yacht. Enter, Pelorus Private Island. Set to open before the end of the year, the island, which is surrounded by fringing reefs, features a spacious residence with four super swish suites, making it the only luxury private island in the Townsville region. Back on the mainland, $88 million resort Ardo will be the first five-star luxury hotel in Townsville. Opening in December, Ardo promises to deliver premium accommodation, world-class dining, a deluxe day spa, and a stunning rooftop pool deck and bar with panoramic views across the Coral Sea to Magnetic Island.

Following a fresh facelift The Elandra at Mission Beach will re-launch late 2023 with the first 20 revamped villas throwing their doors open to new guests by the end of this year. A further 12 two-level apartments, each with private plunge pools, are scheduled to open in the first half of 2024. Perched atop a peninsular overlooking the Coral Sea, guests can sit back and soak up the island views enjoyed by singer, model and actress, Grace Jones, when she ushered in the resort in 2008.

Essence Peregian Beach

Sink into a state of pure serenity at the new Essence Peregian Beach on the Sunshine Coast. Nestled on the edge of Noosa National Park just footsteps from the bustling village of Peregian and the patrolled surf beach, the new property comprises a 32-room boutique hotel and 20 architecturally designed beach homes. Meanwhile, at the southern end of the Sunshine Coast, an 80s-era lodge, the Caloundra City Centre Motel, has been fashionably transformed into Motel Caloundra. The refurbished property offers nine stylish rooms including a family room and apartment (both with two bedrooms) just a short stroll from Bulcock Beach. Owners Andrew and Lucy Pink have installed 47 rooftop solar panels to harness renewable energy sources in their quest to become the Sunshine Coast’s first net-zero energy hotel.

Escape to Binna Burra’s brand-new Tiny Wild Houses to experience the breathtaking beauty of Lamington National Park in the Scenic Rim. Nestled atop an expansive clifftop, the Tiny Wild Houses feature Queen-sized beds and floor to ceiling glass windows providing stunning vistas across the valley. The Tiny Wild Houses are designed exclusively as an adult-only experience. Also tucked away in the Scenic Rim, new boutique accommodation, The Vistas at Cedar Creek Lodges snuggle into the rainforest of Tamborine Mountain. Under an hour’s drive from the Gold Coast, the 20 bespoke suites offer cosy holidays for up to three guests each.

Rolling Seas

Back on the coast, Rolling Seas at the southern end of the Gold Coast has just opened its dreamy doors to uninterrupted views of Bilinga Beach. The private residence fuses the charm of Hellenic-style white-washed exteriors with Hamptons sophistication to accommodate up to 12 guests across two separate villas. Nearby at Palm Beach, turn back the clock and step into nostalgia at the soon-to-open Cheshire Cat Motel. Oozing an eclectic mix of 70’s Australiana and Palm Springs, the boutique accommodation is set to open this summer and has seven rooms, including a two-bedroom bungalow for a stay with just that little bit extra space.

Still chic, but more heritage in style, Charleville’s iconic Hotel Corones welcomed three Heritage Rooftop Rooms earlier this year. Reflecting the charm of the Outback, the rooftop rooms offer period furniture and access to the outdoor rooftop Champagne Bath Deck for a sunset soak and sip.
* Tourism and Events Queensland