With the Trans-Tasman bubble open, Hilton wants to inspire you to make the best of any type of getaway in Australia. Here’s a short list of the top destinations, things to do and places to stay – whether you’re a family looking for fun, a couple looking to dine to your heart’s content or a solo traveller seeking some sunshine this winter. With a portfolio of exceptional hotels, Hilton invites you to create new travel memories with unique and meaningful experiences and enjoy the warm service and exceptional hospitality that Hilton’s hotels are known for.
Sydney – Best for Big Views and Big Events
Sydney’s iconic views never get old, and its events calendar is unrivalled. If you’re looking for a city break that’s packed full of stunning vistas, events, exhibitions, dinner dates and cocktail bars to end the night in, Sydney’s the right place.
For stunning coastal views, take a trip to iconic Bondi Beach and walk from Bondi to Bronte, or even Coogee if you want to explore a little further. One of the best views is looking down onto Icebergs where locals swim laps year-round in Australia’s most famous ocean pool.
Many of Sydney’s main events are taking place this year around the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, including the annual VIVID Sydney, August 6-28, 2021, an extraordinary and cutting-edge festival of light, offering outdoor immersive light installations and projections, performances by local and international musicians, and an ideas exchange forum featuring public talks and debates with leading creative thinkers. Make sure you get in early to book your experiences as it is Sydney’s most popular festival.
If you’re planning your trip sooner, the new Sydney Solstice festival runs from June 8-21, 2021, which will see Sydney come alive with dining, drinking, entertainment, arts and cultural activities. The festival will be a true takeover of the city centre, and extend to surrounding areas including Paddington, Surry Hills, Newtown and Enmore. The program will be packed full of live music, performances, comedy, workshops, food and beverage, exhibitions and installations.
The newly refurbished Hilton Sydney is perfectly positioned to attend all the top events, located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, with excellent connectivity to greater Sydney. It is also home to Luke Mangan’s chef’s-hatted glass brasserie and the historic live music and cocktail bar, Marble Bar, which means you can enjoy the best of the city’s big views and big events, knowing exquisite dining and nightlife is at your doorstep.
If you’re after a more boutique-style Sydney stay experience, West Hotel Sydney, Curio Collection by Hilton is situated beside the waterfront Barangaroo precinct offering direct access to one of the city’s most vibrant drinking and dining spots. Make sure you try one of the botanical-inspired cocktails at the hotel’s Solander Bar before you head out to make the most of Sydney’s events and nightlife.
Stay at Hilton Sydney from NZD $225 and West Hotel Sydney, Curio Collection by Hilton from NZD $206.
Melbourne – Best for Street Eats, Unique Art and Culture
If you’re planning a city break with tonnes of arts, culture and great food and drink, Melbourne is the place to go. Known for serving up some of the world’s best coffee, endless art galleries and exhibitions to see, and infinite routes to explore the city’s street art, you’ll never be lost for things to do.
The laneways throughout the city are covered in incredible street art, so check out some of the favourite spots including AC/DC Lane, Croft Alley, the super popular Hosier Lane, and Little Queen Street with the mural art by Juddy Roller and Kitt Bennett.
The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), is Australia’s oldest, largest and most visited art museum. There are a number of exciting arts exhibitions in this year’s calendar that you won’t want to miss, including She-Oak and Sunlight: Australian Impressionism, a display of over 250 works, until August 22; Top Arts 2021, showcasing the exceptional work of students and new talents, until July 11; and We Change The World, an exhibition that shares the many different ways artists and designers can provoke change through their work, running until September 19.
For theatre lovers, Melbourne has some of the country’s best. See Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film come to life, with Moulin Rouge showing at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne, starting Aug 2021.
For street eats, explore Melbourne’s laneway icons Hardware Lane and Degraves Street and don’t miss the chance to get a scoop (or two) of gelato at Pidapipo Gelateria CBD. Or try the best croissants in the world from Lune Croissanterie, on Collins Street. For a contemporary dining experience, book a table at Luci, set in the grand hall of Melbourne’s historic Equity Chambers building at the brand-new Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street. The art deco styled dining room provides a sophisticated backdrop to awarded Executive Chef Sam Moore’s contemporary Australian menu with Italian accents.
For history buffs and lovers of architecture, the history tour at Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street, in collaboration with heritage consultant Lovell Chen, tells the stories of the heritage listed Equity Chambers building and the evolution of this iconic landmark. A great way to see the city from a different vantage point is by booking an electric GoBoat, giving you the chance to be your own captain and experience Melbourne from the water as you cruise down the Yarra River.
Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street and DoubleTree by Hilton Melbourne, Flinders Lane are both ideal spots to book for your stay, positioning you in the heart of the CBD so you can easily transport yourself around the city with ease.
Stay at Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street from - NZD $321, and Doubletree by Hilton Melbourne Flinders Street from -NZD $192.
Surfers Paradise – Best for a Family Getaway
Credit: Tourism Australia
Surfers Paradise is the go-to spot for those looking for a family adventure. Take a coastal stroll from Broadbeach up to The Spit Gold Coast and get gorgeous photos from the viewpoint.
Have you always wanted to visit the top of Australia's tallest building? SkyPoint Observation Deck offers panoramic views of the Gold Coast, 270 metres above sea level, located atop the Q1 building. SkyPoint's unique vantage point lets you take in the entire city skyline from one location so you can enjoy a delicious meal or a signature cocktail at Gold Coast’s highest Bistro+Bar, sitting 77 levels up!
For the ultimate family day out, book your tickets for Dreamworld and Warner Bros. Movie World Theme Parks and meet your favourite stars and superheroes and experience the exhilaration of world-class adventure rides.
For kids with a thirst for knowledge, The Real Human Anatomy Exhibition offers comprehensive insight into the real human body. Located in the lobby of Hilton Surfers Paradise, this exhibition is a display of art, of the beauty of the human body.
If you’re all tired out from a busy weekend of family fun, treat yourself to a signature Vichy Shower treatment at Hilton Surfers Paradise’s eforea spa. Designed to increase circulation and reduce stress, this refreshing and cleansing full body treatment includes a soothing skin exfoliation using a mineral sea salt scrub, before the shower washes away your tension. The treatment is finished off with a full body relaxation massage.
Stay at the towering Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences with myriad attractions and theme parks nearby. You will be centrally located in Gold Coast, steps from Cavill Avenue and within a 5-minute walk of the beach. This exceptional hotel is 1.5 kilometres from SkyPoint Observation Deck and 20 kilometres from Warner Bros. Movie World.
Stay at Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences from NZD $269.
Brisbane – Best for Couple Adventures
Credit: Brisbane Marketing
Fancy an adrenaline boost? The Story Bridge is Brisbane’s most well-known structure, and you can climb it too! Experience a unique perspective of the city and its surrounds, from the Glass House Mountains in the north to Moreton Bay in the east and the Scenic Rim Mountains in the south, along with the best views of the Brisbane skyline. As one of only three bridge climbs in the world, Story Bridge Adventure Climb offers an original adventure. If heights aren’t your thing, try Riverlife Adventure Centre for endless water sports and activities.
Looking for a day trip from Brisbane? Moreton Island and Tangalooma Day Trips set amid the national and marine parks of Moreton Island, is just the ticket. If you’re after an action-packed adventure on land and sea or even just some time to connect with nature and unwind, Tangalooma Island Resort is the place for you and only a 75-minute cruise from Brisbane, departing daily.
For those adventurous couples who value sustainability and appreciate the environment, Hilton Brisbane is the hotel for you. Its award-winning sustainability programs include 23 different initiatives from recycling used soap, oral care items, single-use plastics and coffee cups to homing five beehives (that’s 250,000 bees) that produce 500 kilograms of honey a year, some of which you will find each morning on the breakfast menu.
Hilton Brisbane is also conveniently located on Queen Street Mall, near the local attractions and best shopping spots in Brisbane and is home to Vintaged Bar + Grill which is a true celebration of seasonal cuisine.
Stay at Hilton Brisbane from NZD $289.
Cairns – Best for Winter Sun
Credit: Tourism Australia
If you’re craving winter sun, Cairns is the perfect Australian destination for you. Considered the gateway to Australia's Great Barrier Reef, this city in tropical Far North Queensland has so much to offer. Sample gin at Mt Uncle Distillery in the Tablelands which has been filtered through volcanic rocks that are thousands of years old, or if you prefer to stay central, have a gin tasting session at the Three Wolves Distillery, in the CBD.
Plan a dreamy afternoon exploring the Waterfall Circuit on the Tablelands with some of the most photographed waterfalls in Australia, including Zillie and Millaa Millaa, and finish the day with some dinner at Oak Beach Restaurant. Set in four acres of the lush natural surroundings of Oak Beach, Queensland, they have developed a working garden that grows the vast array of organic produce they use. Ranging from Thai eggplant to kaffir lime, all ingredients served are perfectly in season.
Get up close and personal with a gang of reptiles at Hartley’s Crocodile Park and learn everything there is to know about these majestic giants. To soak up the sun, head to Half Moon Bay, to Trinity and Kewarra beaches and of course, Palm Cove. These stunning beaches are not only easy walks, but most importantly they’re rarely crowded.
Why not hire a Porshe or Mustang for the afternoon and cruise up the coast to the stunning Port Douglas? Available from Cairns Luxury Car Hire, these beauties will level up your holiday snaps and give you a day you’ll never forget.
Set amid tropical greenery on Cairns' waterfront, Hilton Cairns is ideally located just 400 metres from The Reef Terminal, where the majority of Great Barrier Reef trips depart. Alternatively, DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns boasts uninterrupted views of the Coral Sea, and is a short walk to the city centre and entertainment precincts. DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns also offers a live barramundi feeding experience every Monday and Friday at 1pm – a unique Aussie activity for anyone!
Hilton Cairns Starts from -NZD $225 per night and Doubletree Cairns Starts from -NZD $182 per night.
With Hilton, you can book your Australian holiday with confidence. Developed in response to the pandemic, Hilton CleanStay ensures guests enjoy a cleaner and safer experience during their stay. The industry-defining standard of cleanliness and disinfection include a Hilton CleanStay Room Seal to indicate that a room has not been accessed since being thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, additional cleaning of common areas and items and contactless check-in.
Additionally, Hilton hotels offer fully flexible booking options with free changes and cancellations. Most hotels even give you flexibility to change or cancel up to 24 hours before your arrival day*.
*Some exclusions to the 24-hour window may apply. Please refer to the property’s Rate Details for applicable terms or exceptions, if any, when booking or changing reservations.