Go Beyond the Cellar Door this Spring

As spring arrives, so too does budburst - the magical moment in vineyards across Australia where vines awaken and the journey to next vintage begins. There’s no better time to escape to wine country, and no better way to do it than by combining immersive winery experiences with a luxurious place to stay.

Whether you're sipping aged tawny in the Barossa, tasting cool-climate bubbles in Tasmania, or enjoying panoramic views over Hunter Valley vines, some of Australia’s most prestigious wineries are conveniently located near the country’s most exceptional luxury lodges.

Here’s your guide to luxury stays just moments away from the cellar door - and the unforgettable experiences that go beyond it.

For those keen to witness the magic of budburst (or perhaps just seeking an excuse for a sneaky trip to wine country) - there are several Luxury Lodges of Australia located in, or near, some of Australia’s best wine regions and wineries, many of which are part of Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia. These wineries offer immersive experiences that take guests ‘beyond the cellar door’, for so much more than a wine tasting.

BAROSSA VALLEY

Ultimate Winery Experiences: Yalumba, Seppeltsfield, Jacob’s Creek and St Hugo

Closest Luxury Lodge: The Louise

The Louise sits in the heart of South Australia’s wine country, and offers a wonderful central base from which to explore the famous Barossa Valley wine region. Seppeltsfield is only a stone’s throw away, offering tours of their Centennial Cellar and the chance to taste a 100-year-old tawny. Nearby, St Hugo takes guests from garden to table, with a chef-led tour of the kitchen garden followed by an intimate lunch with front-row seats of the culinary process. At Yalumba, guests can see how a wine barrel is made at the only winery in the Southern Hemisphere with a fully operational, on-site cooperage. And at Jacob’s Creek, guests can enjoy a picnic in the sunshine or a guided tasting of their special Double Barrel range, aged in whisky barrels.

HUNTER VALLEY

Ultimate Winery Experience: Audrey Wilkinson Wines

Closest Luxury Lodge: Pretty Beach House

Perched on the NSW Central Coast, Pretty Beach House is a luxurious bushland retreat just a short scenic drive from the Hunter Valley.There, Audrey Wilkinson Wines offers panoramic views and immersive tastings - from cheese and fortified pairings to pasta-making classes with local chefs. Recognised as one of Australia’s top wineries to visit, it’s a must for lovers of fine wine, food, and hospitality. It is rated a 5-star winery by Australian wine critic and vigneron James Halliday and has been named in the top 10 wineries to visit in Australia by Gourmet Traveller. 

TASMANIA

Ultimate Winery Experiences: Moorilla, Devil’s Corner, Josef Chromy and House of Arras

Closest Luxury Lodges: On Board (Hobart) and Saffire Freycinet (East Coast)

When visiting Tasmania for a journey to the South West Wilderness World Heritage Area with On Board or a stay at Saffire Freycinet on the East Coast, a visit to one of the state’s cool-climate wine regions is a must. Nearby to Saffire Freycinet is Devil’s Corner, which offers a sensational wine-matched oyster-shucking experience by Moulting Lagoon, a spectacular wetland which is internationally recognised for its biodiversity. For those taking a road trip to the north of the state, Josef Chromy near Launceston teaches guests the art of sparkling, while a sparkling tasting at House of Arras (which you’ll find in your in-suite minibar at Saffire Freycinet) as part of the wine, wildlife and vineyard tour of their picturesque property is a must. In Hobart itself - where On Board’s expeditions depart and return to - a visit the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) is a rite of passage, as is an experience at the onsite winery Moorilla. As part of Moorilla’s Big Day Out, guests can travel to and from Mona in style in the Posh Pit of the Mona Roma ferry, and enjoy a full day of wining and dining at this iconic Hobart museum.

View all lodges in the Luxury Lodges of Australia collective.

View all experiences in the Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia collective.