Top 20 Resorts in Australia and the South Pacific (2026)

Silky Oaks Lodge is the stronger choice for a rainforest-first stay than for a food-only detour. Its recent Michelin 2 Keys recognition and La Liste Top Hotels 2026 score make it a serious luxury pick, but the practical trade-off is isolation and difficult availability, so plan early and treat dining as part of the lodge experience.

Southern Ocean Lodge is the Kingscote-area splurge to book when the stay itself is the reason for the trip. It is strongest for travellers who value a remote coastal setting, wellness time, and major hotel recognition over loyalty-program convenience or city-style flexibility.

Capella Lodge is the Lord Howe Island choice for a serious celebration stay, especially when the destination matters as much as the room. Recognition from MICHELIN Guide Hotels, Forbes, Mr & Mrs Smith, and Star Wine List supports the splurge case, but availability should drive the plan. Cross-shop Byron Bay if you want easier logistics and more backup options.

The Brando is a private-island resort in French Polynesia.

Shangri-La Yanuca Island, Fiji placed No. 5 in Top 20 Resorts in Australia and the South Pacific (2026), with a reader score of 98.24.

Likuliku Lagoon Resort is worth shortlisting for a quiet Fiji lagoon stay where the setting does more of the work than a busy activity schedule. The 2026 La Liste Top Hotels score helps justify considering it against larger or more brand-driven Fiji resorts, but value depends heavily on timing and whether seclusion is what the trip needs.

Book Qualia if the trip calls for a polished Whitsundays retreat where the hotel is central to the holiday. Its Michelin 1 Key and La Liste recognition support the premium positioning, but families should weigh the calm, luxury-retreat feel against the need for child-focused facilities or a busier resort atmosphere.

A strong choice for travelers who want Vanua Levu to be the focus of the trip, not a side stop. Michelin 1 Key recognition in 2025 and Virtuoso Luxury Hotel Partner status in 2026 make it a safer high-commitment booking, but the harder availability and quieter Savusavu setting mean it suits planned family or resort-led stays better than quick Fiji itineraries.

Lizard Island Resort sits on the Great Barrier Reef, about 240 kilometres north of Cairns and 27 kilometres off the Queensland coast.

Book Kokomo Private Island for a high-privacy Fiji celebration where the hotel, pool, spa, and island setting are the point of the trip. Its recognition from La Liste, World's 50 Best Hotels, Forbes, Virtuoso, and MICHELIN Hotels gives it strong luxury-hotel credibility, but it is a poor fit if the group needs frequent off-property dining or city-style logistics.

Kittawa Lodge placed No. 11 in Top 20 Resorts in Australia and the South Pacific (2026), with a reader score of 97.71.

A strong choice for travelers who want a quieter Pacific Harbour base rather than a large resort strip or private-island transfer plan. Nanuku Resort is easiest to justify when privacy, calm, and south-coast access matter more than brand scale or a dining-led itinerary.

Flockhill Lodge is worth booking when the Canterbury high-country setting is the reason for the trip, not a backdrop to a busy itinerary. It suits travellers comparing destination lodges more than city hotels, especially if alpine isolation carries real value. Cross-shop The George Christchurch for convenience, Otahuna Lodge for heritage, and Annandale Villas for privacy.

Namale the Fiji Islands Resort and Spa is a strong Savusavu choice for travelers who want a quiet, resort-led Fiji stay rather than a town-based itinerary. The value is strongest when privacy, spa time, and low-friction days matter more than restaurant hopping or business convenience.

Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort placed No. 15 in Top 20 Resorts in Australia and the South Pacific (2026), with a reader score of 97.27.

Tokoriki Island Resort is a strong Fiji shortlist pick for travelers who want the resort itself to be the trip: quiet island time, recovery-focused days, and a slower pace. Its Travel + Leisure 2026 “100 Favorite Hotels in the World” recognition gives it a credible quality signal, but it makes less sense for business travel, nightlife, or guests who want frequent off-property dining.

Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay placed No. 17 in Top 20 Resorts in Australia and the South Pacific (2026), with a reader score of 96.85.

Huka Lodge is a lodge near Taupō, New Zealand.

Te Arai Links placed No. 19 in Top 20 Resorts in Australia and the South Pacific (2026), with a reader score of 96.79.

The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa placed No. 20 in Top 20 Resorts in Australia and the South Pacific (2026), with a reader score of 96.76.