AUSTRALIA'S BEST HOLIDAY STAYS REVEALED IN NEW TRAVEL AWARDS AND YOU GET A VOTE
If you're dreaming about your next getaway, the brand-new Time Out Australia Travel Awards could be the shortcut to your perfect booking.
The awards, launched this week in partnership with money transfer service Wise, are the first of their kind for the publication, and the nominees are now live.
Better still, there's a chance for readers to help choose the winners.
What Are The Time Out Travel Awards?
The awards celebrate the best places to stay, play and explore across the country.
They're split into two streams: Editors' Choice, picked by Time Out's editorial team, and People's Choice, which is decided entirely by public vote.
The Editors' Choice stream covers 10 categories, including Best Luxury Stay, Best Boutique Stay, Best Affordable Stay and Best Family-Friendly Stay.
There are also awards for Best Holiday Home, Best Attraction, Best Adventure Experience, Best Destination, Best Eco Tourism and Best Wellness Travel.
The People's Choice categories are Favourite Hotel, Favourite Destination and Favourite Travel Experience or Attraction.
Time Out Australia editor Melissa Woodley said she wanted the awards to show off the sheer variety on offer close to home.
"I truly believe Australia is one of the most diverse places on Earth," she said.
The Nominees Worth Adding To Your Wish List
If you love a bit of luxury, the shortlist reads like a bucket list.
Nominees for Best Luxury Stay include InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef in the Whitsundays, The Langham Gold Coast, Capella Sydney, COMO The Treasury in Perth and The Tasman in Hobart.
1 Hotel Melbourne and Sequoia Lodge in the Adelaide Hills round out the category.
For families, the Best Family-Friendly Stay nominees are a real mix.
They include Jamala Wildlife Lodge in Canberra, Bullara Station Stay near Exmouth in WA, Sails in the Desert at Ayers Rock Resort and Discovery Resorts on Rottnest Island.
JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort and Spa, Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific and The Crocodile Hunter Lodge on the Sunshine Coast are also in the running.
Great Stays On A Budget
Here's the good news for anyone watching their spending.
The Best Affordable Stay category is reserved for hotels with rooms bookable for less than $250 a night.
This year's nominees are Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane, Alex Hotel in Perth, DoubleTree by Hilton Hobart, East Hotel in Canberra, Quincy Hotel Melbourne and Vibe Hotel Adelaide.
If you're planning a city break over summer, that list alone is a handy starting point.
How To Vote In The Travel Awards
Voting for the People's Choice awards is open now on the Time Out Australia website.
Everyone who casts a vote goes into a draw to win a $500 Visa gift card, which could come in handy for your next trip.
Voting closes on Friday 13 November 2026, so don't leave it too late.
Winners in both the Editors' Choice and People's Choice streams will be announced on Monday 23 November, with updates shared on Time Out Australia's Instagram account.
Our Tips For Using The Shortlist
Think of the nominee lists as a ready-made research tool if you're still deciding where to go over the holidays.
Check prices across a few dates, as rates often vary a great deal between weekdays and weekends, especially during school holidays.
Read each property's cancellation policy carefully before you book, particularly if you're travelling with children.
Look into whether your chosen stay offers family rooms or connecting rooms, which can save you booking two separate rooms.
For anyone travelling interstate, consider booking flights and accommodation at the same time to lock in your dates.
And if a hotel has been on your wish list for years, the awards might be just the nudge you need to finally book it.
You can browse the full list of nominees in every category on the Time Out Australia Travel Awards page.
