Where to Stay in Australia on Your Australian Holidays

Getting the right answer to the question of where to stay in Australia is more about analysing your budget than variety. It’s easier to hit upon enticing places to spend a few days in every Australian city than to stay within your financial limits on your Australian holidays.

Australia is a veritable nirvana for travellers. It has everything a curious traveller can ask for - capacious beaches, expansive wilderness, world-famous attractions, and of course, delightful cities that are celestial shrines for urbane folks on their Australia holidays.

Our across-the-board discussions with travellers from different countries and coming from diverse economic echelons motivated us to compile a list of best places to stay in Australia, classified by cities of Australia.

Please note this is not a best-of-something list and not a ranked catalogue; our recommendations of where to stay in Australia come directly from the horses’ mouth… I mean travellers’ mouths!

Where to stay in Melbourne

As one of the topmost livable cities in the world, Melbourne leaves even seasoned travellers to Australia perplexed with its profuse choices of neighbourhoods to base your stay in Australia. Let’s try to make things a little bit easier for you by choosing the best 3 Melbourne neighbourhoods that can be your key to where to stay in Melbourne:

1. The Central Business District or CBD. A compendium of the best of everything Melbourne has to offer - lush parks, impressive hotels, bursting restaurants, illustrious heritage and artistic attractions like the National Gallery of Victoria, cheap bars and the local Chinatown.

The best hotels in CBD, Melbourne in descending order of price are Grand Hyatt Melbourne, Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne, and Atlantis Hotel CBD.

2. St. Kilda. The postcard perfect neighbourhood is a darling of both, tourists and locals for the palm-lined boardwalk and regular festivals all around the year. Like most of the country, seaside activities are the most preferred way of unwinding and celebrating in this part of Melbourne too. Enjoy your cuppa or your glass at one of the numerous delightful cafes or bars here.

The best hotels in St. Kilda in descending order of price are Adina Apartment Hotel, Quest St Kilda Bayside and Tolarno Hotel.

3. Fitzroy. Probably the most affordable area of the city, Fitzroy is an excellent option for artistically inclined travellers who are not too keen to break the bank. The pulsating place is home to art galleries, boutique clothing stores that sell their wares at outrageously low prices and impressive cafeterias.

The best hotels in Fitzroy in descending order of price are Pullman Melbourne on the Park, District Apartments – Fitzroy, and The Nunnery Accommodation.

Where to stay in Sydney

If blowing up your budget was a contest, travellers to Sydney would win hands down. The city of overindulgences is renowned for making you shell out more, much more than you accounted for - every single time! Here are our selected neighbourhoods for an unforgettable stay in Sydney.

1. The Central Business District or CBD. First-timers in Sydney invariably flock to the city’s main tourist hub, CBD. The full of beans neighbourhood is brimming with high-rise buildings, luxury shopping arcades, celebrity chef restaurants, and major Sydney tourist attractions like the Opera House, Royal Botanic Garden and the eponymous Australian Museum.

The best hotels in CBD, Sydney in descending order of price are Park Regis City Centre, Megaboom City Hotel, and Sydney Hotel, CBD.

2. Surry Hills. The bohemian Surry Hills is one of the coolest places to stay in Sydney for its celebrated restaurants, art galleries, buzzing cafes and simply to absorb the classic Australian vibe. After a frenetic day shopping for trendy clothes and jewellery at trendy boutiques and relishing a myriad of cuisines at Crown Street, you can easily spend the night pub hopping in a few of the 23 pubs that line the verdant streets of Newtown.

The best hotels in Surry Hills in descending order of price are Rydges Sydney Central, Harpoon & Hotel Harry and Cambridge Hotel Sydney.

3. Darling Harbour. Located within Sydney’s CBD, Darling Harbour is a vibrant district that is widely preferred by families travelling to Sydney. The most famous of attractions here are the Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Wildlife World, Tumbalong Park and the Australian National Maritime Museum; making Darling Harbour the impossible-to-miss fun destination for the whole family. Close to the major public transit routes, Darling Harbour is a favoured base for families looking to discover Sydney.

The best hotels in Darling Harbour in descending order of price are The Darling at the Star, Glasgow Arms Hotel and Siesta Sydney.

Where to stay in Cairns

The tropical city of Cairns has grown rapidly over the past few years due to its status as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. But there is more to Cairns than exploring the Reef and rainforests. Like tropical adventure activities and many other tourist attractions that have made Cairns one of the most popular Australian tourist destinations. We recommend the three best places to stay in Cairns that will offer you multiple ways to entertain and relax as well.

1. Cairns City Center. Heart of the city that continues to thrill travellers throughout the day and night, City Center comes with all the trimmings of a futuristic city with an ambiance of a small coastal paradise. The foremost Cairns landmark, the Esplanade is barely a few minutes’ walk from here.

The best hotels in Cairns City Center in descending order of price are Pullman Cairns International, DoubleTree by Hilton and Cairns Rainbow Resort.

2. Palm Cove. Situated strategically between Cairns and Port Douglas, Palm Cove can be your perfect base for a memorable holiday in Cairns. While the Great Barrier Reef is connected with regular bus services, other attractions here include award-winning restaurants, world-class spas that have made Palm Cove the spa capital of Australia and UNESCO world heritage regions.

The best hotels in Palm Cove Cairns in descending order of price are Alamanda Palm Cove Resort, Peppers Beach Club & Spa Hotel and Sarayi Boutique Hotel.

3. Port Douglas. Minutes away from the Great Barrier Reef, Port Douglas is also the closest habitat to the Daintree National Park; the perfect place for an immersive experience of the legendary Australian natural wonders. Port Douglas lies about an hour’s drive from Cairns along a part of the stunning Great Barrier Reef drive. You can choose to spend your holidays in this coastal resort town for an authentic feel for an Australian village where high-rises still struggle to touch the magnificent palm trees.

The best hotels in Port Douglas in descending order of price are Thala Beach Nature Reserve, Seascape Holidays - Tropic Sands and Port Douglas Palm Villas.

Where to stay in Gold Coast

Every ultimate Gold Coast accommodation guide lists the areas of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach as the best places to stay in the Gold Coast, the eternally sunny city of Australia. While both the recommended neighbourhoods are a short distance apart, the ambiance at each of them makes them worlds apart. Another area that you can explore a preferred place to stay in Gold Coast is the nature lovers’ delight, Hinterland in the Gondwana Rainforests that house the Lamington and Springbrook National Parks.

Here’s our recommendation for a cherished stay in Gold Coast.

1. Surfers Paradise. The always buzzing Gold Coast area is dotted with fabulous entertainment options, glitzy hotels and bars, clean-as-a-whistle walkways and the city’s most famous beach.

The best hotels in Surfers Paradise in descending order of price are Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise, Q1 Resort and Spa and voco Gold Coast.

2. Broadbeach. While Broadbeach does not give even an inch to Surfers Paradise when it comes to pizzazz and opulence; Broadie stands tall as a contrast with its cool vibes all around the place. Probably the close proximity to Star Casino makes people peppier with high hopes! You may also witness scores of disappointed souls too who struggle to even make it to their hotel rooms after a few shattered dreams at the gambling den.

The best hotels in Broadbeach, Gold Coast in descending order of price are Peppers Broadbeach Resort, Sofitel Gold Coast Hotel and Spa and Voyager Resort.

3. Hinterland. My last day there and how much I repented! The green in the gold is beyond a doubt a marvellous place to spend a few days right in the lap of plush natural surroundings. Set in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests, the Gold Coast Hinterland is a sumptuous concoction of walking trails, waterfalls and exceptional flora and fauna all through the two National Parks - Lamington and Springbrook.

The best hotels in Hinterland, Gold Coast in descending order of price are Worendo Cottages, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, and Pethers Rainforest Retreat.

We are sure our list will come in handy no matter you are visiting Australia for the first time or ninth time. We will be glad to publish a worthy place if you have a few of your own recommendations. If chosen, your name shall be prominently displayed along with your suggestion.

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