Exotic adventures wrapped in 5-star elegance. Experience Australia’s natural wonders and cosmopolitan cities in absolute elegance and style. Wake up to the spectacular view of the sun rising over the Sydney Opera House, escape to the Whitsundays and enjoy the natural beauty, tranquility and adventure of Hayman Island. Indulge in a sumptuous tropical spa therapy or for the more adventurous, discover the underwater beauty of the Great Barrier Reef. In the Outback, savor a drop of Australia’s best wine and gourmet cheeses, while watching the sun set over Uluru (Ayers Rock).

The Best Luxury Hotels

Sir Stamford at Circular Quay, Sydney : This AAA-rated five-star hotel combines old-world luxury with a wonderful bar and nice views.

Park Hyatt Sydney : You’ll have to book well in advance to snag a room at Sydney’s best-positioned property, at the edge of the city’s historic Rocks district. Many rooms have fabulous views across the harbor to the Sydney Opera House.

Sebel Reef House (Cairns, Queensland ): Everyone who stays here says the same thing: “It feels like home.� Airy rooms look into tropical gardens, waterfalls cascade into the pools, mosquito nets drape over the beds, and you could swear pith-helmeted colonial officers will be back any minute to finish their gin-and-tonics in the Brigadier Bar. Idyllic Palm Cove Beach is just across the road.

Lizard Island (off Cairns, Queensland ): Lizard Island has long been popular with Americans for its game fishing, wonderful coral and diving, smart food, and simple upscale lodge accommodations.

Bedarra Island (off Mission Beach, Queensland): Presidents and princesses in need of a little time out come to this small rainforest island ringed by beaches. The timber villas are cozy, and the discreet staff assures privacy. Best of all, though, is the extravagant 24-hour open bar.

Orpheus Island Resort (off Townsville or Cairns, Queensland): Beloved of film stars and others who relish privacy, this resort has simple, attractive rooms; good food; a marvelous sense of seclusion; and a beautiful location in the curve of a palm-lined bay. The only way in is by seaplane.

Hayman (Whitsunday Islands, Queensland; ): Located on Hayman Island in the Whitsundays, this is Australia’s most glamorous resort. It’s got classy rooms, excellent restaurants, staff keen to please, a superb hexagonal swimming pool, and a fleet of charter boats waiting to spirit you off to the Reef or your own deserted isle.

Longitude 131 (Uluru/Ayres Rock, Red Centre, Nothern Territory; ): A newcomer to the Ayres Rock resort scene, Longitude 131 is an African-style luxury safari camp set in the sand dunes and with great views of Uluru/Ayres Rock. It’s very exclusive and very expensive, but you experience the Outback in style.

El Questro Homestead (The Kimberley, Western Australia): Charming country decor spiced up with Indonesian antiques, good cooking, and a dramatic gorge location make this glamorous homestead on a million-acre cattle station popular with jet-setters. Cruise wild gorges, heli-fish for barramundi, and hike to Aboriginal rock art while you’re here.

Cable Beach Club Resort Broome (Broome, Western Australia): Chinatown meets the Outback at this elegant corrugated-iron-and-pagoda-studded resort lying low along glorious Cable Beach in the romantic pearling port of Broome. Three to-die-for suites, decorated with superb Asian antiques and paintings by luminaries of the Australian art world.

The Hotel Como (Melbourne, Victoria): Great service, nice rooms, and free plastic ducks make this one of our favorite top-flight Australian hotels.

Hyatt Hotel Canberra (Canberra, ACT;): Visiting heads of state and pop stars make this their residence when staying in Canberra. It’s a 2-minute drive from the central shopping district, and a stone’s throw from Lake Burley Griffin and the Parliamentary Triangle.