Hats Off to Luxury Lodges of Australia

Congratulations to Luxury Lodges of Australia on 15 years of connecting travelers to experiential luxury in Australia’s wilderness, reefs, outback, desert, rainforest, wine and food regions, and coastline. Ian Swain recalls with pride being at the launch 15 years ago at the Capella Lodge—how the industry has changed and we’ve all grown together! (pictured above: Pretty Beach House, New South Wales)

How It Started

Since its launch in 2010, Luxury Lodges of Australia has redefined how travellers from around the world experience Australia’s extraordinary landscapes and hospitality, in style.

Luxury Lodges of Australia Executive Chair Penny Rafferty said when the founding members first came together in 2009, they recognized that Australia offered something distinctive to luxury travelers, but that perceptions of Australia as a destination did not, at that time, reflect this new era of experiential luxury.

Luxury Lodges of Australia Now

Now, the lodges collectively deliver more than 350 individual experiences that connect their guests with place. They offer rare and privileged access to some of Australia’s most extraordinary landscapes, high levels of hospitality, diverse experiences, people and what makes Australia, distinctively Australian.

The anniversary highlights the broader impact of the twenty member properties, all located in regional Australia. Each lodge partners with local producers, artists, makers and specialist guides, collectively doing business with more than 4,000 local – mostly small – Australian businesses, stimulating the regional economies.

Locations include many World Heritage-listed areas, and range from spectacular wilderness, reefs, outback, desert, rainforest, bountiful wine and food regions, and coastline. While each lodge offers its own unique experiences, the defining characteristics that united the collection at its inception remain consistent today – exceptional hospitality, authentic experiences, and showcasing the best of Australian landscapes, produce, wine, wildlife and culture.

What sets us apart as a collection is that our lodges have always been more than just a place to stay. Each property is in an extraordinary location with a compelling reason to go there and ‘do’ something. Together, we’ve created a distinctively Australian brand of experiential luxury that resonates with global travelers seeking real experiences of place.

Penny Rafferty, Executive Chair

We can’t help but think how perfectly this statement fits with our philosophy of Luxury With Heart. From connecting with people in their cultures to encountering wildlife in their natural habitats to enjoying impeccable accommodations in breathtaking landscapes, luxury and connection truly can go hand-in-hand. By working with travel partners who are as passionate about exceptional service as they are about nature, wildlife, and their local communities, Swain Destinations ensures that travelers experience unparalleled luxury while having a positive impact.

Swain Destinations Luxury Lodge Partners

Our team of Master Designers of Luxury Travel can customize an itinerary of luxury lodges in Australia just for you. Contact us today to start planning!