Luxury travellers, here’s what you can look forward to in Australia in 2025

The tourism sector in Australia is poised to expand as international visitor arrivals to Down Under have seen a steady increase in the past year. In February, about 8.3 million international visitors travelled to Australia, a nine per cent increase from last February, and the figure is expected to grow to 13.2 million by 2029. 

Over the past year, 416,000 visitors have travelled from Singapore to Australia, ranking it among the top 15 markets in terms of the number of tourist visits. These figures were shared during a media conference at Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE), the largest annual trade event organised by Tourism Australia. The event, which was held from 27 April to 1 May, took place in Brisbane. Over 1,600 delegates from 640 Australian tourism businesses and more than 720 international buyers from 31 countries attended the event. It will be held in Adelaide next year.

For the first time in 17 years, ATE was held in Brisbane, which has recorded the highest number of visitor nights and spending in 2024, as its economy is set to grow by 68 per cent over the next two decades. Last August, the city also welcomed the completion of five-star hotel, The Star, which is part of Queen’s Wharf, a $3 billion riverfront mixed-use development that comprises hotels, restaurants and residences. Optimism is also bubbling up in the city, which will host the Olympics and Paralympics Games in 2032. Officials believe that games will heighten the pace of development of its tourism infrastructure as Brisbane is thrust into the international spotlight 

Fresh from ATE, we highlight five key developments that luxury travellers to Australia can look forward to in the coming year.

1. Mondrian Hotels debuts in Australia

Mondrian Hotels, which has an outpost in Singapore, will debut in Australia with the opening of Mondrian Gold Coast in June. The 208-room hotel in the heart of Burleigh Beach boasts a spacious sense of coastal luxury with rooms twice the size of the national average Down Under.

The one- and two-bedroom Suites look like they belong in a serviced residence rather than in a hotel, as they are equipped with kitchens, open-plan living and dining areas, laundry, and bedrooms with ensuites. The two- and three-bedroom Beach Houses, which house up to 12 guests, come with plunge pools and terraces, perfect for private beachside parties. 

Culinary highlights include LiTO, a lively all-day Italian restaurant and bar channeling the warmth of the Amalfi coast, and Haven, an oceanfront seafood restaurant and pool club serving wood-fired fare and cocktails. The third-floor pool calls for DJ sets, live acts, and sun-drenched lounging in true beach club style.

The hotel also boasts a bio-wellness spa and inspiring event spaces. Topping it all off, the Sky House on the 24th floor offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.

Rates start from A$749 for a Studio King room.

2. Live out your cabin dreams in Heyscape

Got plans for a food and wine getaway at Margaret River in Western Australia? Consider making a pitstop at Denmark in South-West Australia, which is a four-hour drive from the gourmet destination. Off-the-beaten-track accommodation provider, Heyscape will increase its number of cabins to 18 by the end of this year, after launching with three cabins in late 2024.

The new cabins are located in Raintree, an oceanfront regenerative farm that houses award-winning paddock-to-plate restaurant The Dam, a botanical distillery, marron and truffle production areas. 

The cabins are equipped with amenities such as self-contained kitchens, outdoor baths and locally sourced products including The Dam’s truffle butter, honey and oil, and cocktail kits using vodka distilled on the property. Guests can also enjoy a range of unique experiences, such as a ‘Marron Catch and Cook.’

3. The Ghan train voyage ups its luxe factor

Bespoke rail journey company Journey Beyond will unveil two new luxury suites on The Ghan, a passenger train service that runs between Darwin and Adelaide in 2026. 

Guests in the Australis and Aurora suites will be treated to a highly personalised butler service, in-room dining, private bar, where a free-flow of Champagne Bollinger awaits. The Australis Suite has a queen-sized bed in a separate room, writing desk wardrobe and ensuite toilets with double vanity counters and Jurlique amenities.

4. Rumi on Louth to fully open after expansion

Luxury eco-villa Rumi on Louth, which is located off the coast of the scenic Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, will expand to cover the entire Louth Island. The resort will fully open later this year, where new villas will be added to the current slate of Ocean View King Rooms and the One Bedroom Ocean View Suite. These new additions are designed to co-exist seamlessly with the dramatic cascading sand dunes on the island. New facilities include tennis and pickleball courts, onsen, plunge pools and cabanas. Gourmands can enjoy dishes made with seafood and foraged produce at the two-hatted Samphire Restaurant.