INTRODUCING AN EXCITING COLLECTION OF NEW LUXURY TRAVEL EXPERIENCES ACROSS AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND & FIJI
From sundrenched beaches and palm-fringed tropical islands to snow-capped alpine and glassy alpine lakes, vibrant contemporary cities to ancient rainforests, towering forests and vast red earth outback; dramatic fiords and rolling vines – the diversity of breathtaking landscapes and climates across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji are the canvas for bucket-list experiences, year in, year out and all year round.
Here we share a collection of fabulous new experiences for all kinds of travellers: nature-lovers, wellness-seekers, honeymooners, families, golfers, off-beat adventurers, sports fans ‘coolcationers’ to enjoy in 2025 – and beyond:
FOR NATURE – AND NURTURING:
FLOCKHILL VILLAS – Craigieburn Valley, New Zealand’s South Island
Following the (very high) standards set by the fabulous Flockhill Homestead four-bedroom serviced private villa experience (opened November 2022), the brand new Flockhill Villas follow in the same vein to offer spacious and contemporary luxury accommodation that showcases the spectacular landscapes that surround.
Seven free-standing luxury accommodation villas – each comprised of two king size suites (that can be booked separately together) joined by a generous living area – enjoy panoramic views from their private outdoor decks and easy access to the property’s new signature Sugarloaf restaurant.
Nature lovers are spoilt for choice with hiking, mountain biking, caving, fishing and stargarzing all on offer – and all spectacular!
FOR ALL-ROUND WELLNESS:
THE SANCTUARY at ALBA THERMAL SPRINGS & SPA – Mornington Peninsula, Victoria – Australia
Alba Thermal Springs & Spa (opened late 2022) is a world-class day spa sanctuary with 31 indoor and outdoor pools of varying sizes (including geothermal, cold-plunge and herbal-infused botanical pools), 22 treatment rooms (including steam rooms, Vichy showers and couples’ treatment room), tranquil relaxation lounges, saunas and an on-site restaurant set in 15 hectares of beautifully landscaped native gardens.
From May this year, Alba will extend their offering with the introduction of five stand-alone contemporary luxury accommodation villas, each with log fire, thoughtful in-room inclusions and a private balcony enjoying tranquil views. Naturally, guests also enjoy complimentary access to Alba’s Thermal Pools and bathing during their stay.
Surrounded by the many other Mornington Peninsula pleasures and distractions: great golf, scenic coastal walks, beautiful beaches and fabulous food and wine; all round wellness is well catered for with a stay at Alba’s new Sanctuary Villas.
FOR AN INTIMATE TROPICAL HONEYMOON HIDEAWAY:
ROYAL DAVUI – Beqa Lagoon, Fiji
A 7 month, multi-million dollar refurbishment (including all of the resort’s 16 luxury guest villas – each with private plunge pool, the property’s iconic treetop Banyan Bar and Restaurant, and the main pool area), has been revealed, elevating the Royal Davui experience to a new level.
Surrounded by the turquoise waters and technicolour corals of Fiji’s Beqa Lagoon marine sanctuary, the locally owned and operated, adults-only boutique island resort is an idyllic barefoot tropical hideaway for honeymooners, couples and serenity seeking solo travelers.
Honeymooners particularly love the private plunge pools, couple’s spa treatments, sublime sand cay picnics and private beach hut dining options.
FOR SUN-SEEKING FAMILIES:
SUNDAYS – Hamilton Island, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef
Hamilton Island, in the heart of Australia’s Whitsunday Island group and surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef, looks forward to welcoming (opening April 2025) a new family-friendly luxury accommodation option.
At the northern end of Catseye Beach, with 59 guest rooms designed with families in mind, the all-new Sundays offers contemporary guest rooms with private balcony or terrace (including a collection of interconnecting rooms for larger families), kitchenette facilities, exclusive access to the Sunday’s private pool and easy access to the property’s waterfront restaurant (with menus designed by highly-acclaimed Australian chef, Josh Niland for all the family to enjoy).
Alternatively, families with older children (16 years+) will also delight in the new Residence accommodation at qualia. Formerly (up until July 2024) the private holiday home of the resort owners, The Residence is now available for guests seeking additional space and privacy at qualia. With two bedrooms in the main residence and an adjoining studio, generous indoor and outdoor living spaces and its own 25m infinity pool there is space for all the family.
FOR GOLFERS (AND NON-GOLFERS ALIKE):
TE ARAI LINKS – Northland, New Zealand
This all-new world-class coastal golf resort in New Zealand’s stunning Northland has been a work in progress revealed in stages since the first Coore and Crenshaw-designed 18 hole South Course opened in October 2022. Te Arai Links now also includes a second 18-hole Tom Doak-designed golf course, a choice of accommodation options (including course-side Suites, two-bedroom Ocean Cottages – and the recently revealed (November 2024) four-bedroom luxury Villas) and dining venues (including Rics Restaurant for casual wood-fired pizzas overlooking the 2.5 acre putting green, the Halfway House for mid-round bites and beverages, the North Clubhouse serving Mexican-inspired fare and the new signature Ocean Restaurant with views to the Pacific Ocean).
Golfers and non-golfers will also delight in the array of other activities also available on-site at Te Arai Links (in-room massage and beauty treatments, private yoga sessions) and nearby (hiking, horseriding, kayaking, surfing and wine tasting).
FOR OFF THE BEATEN TRACK ADVENTURES:
ECLIPSE EXPEDITIONS – Sailing Western Australia’s coast
For travellers looking for a truly personalised off the beaten path adventure, Eclipse Expeditions offers private charter catamaran sailing cruises to a collection of spectacular destinations along Western Australia’s stunning coastline: The Kimberley, Montobello Islands, Geographe Bay and the South West.
Sailing aboard a 50ft catamaran (with 4 queen-size guest cabins with ensuite, and a crew of 3), discover remote and untouched corners of the continent, try your hand at sailing (or sit back and relax), enjoy freshly prepared meals and immersive local experiences such as mud-crabbing, fishing and snorkelling, scenic coastal hikes and waterfall swims woven into bespoke itineraries.
Eclipse Expeditions also offer a series of set departures for individuals and couples to join a small group cruise itinerary in each of the regions (maximum 8 guests).
With demand for luxury private and small group expedition-style cruising on the rise, we are delighted to be able to offer a range of extraordinary luxury cruising experiences in some of the most remote reaches of the continent – from True North on the Kimberley Coast to Odalisque III in Tasmania’s South West wilderness.
FOR AVIS SPORTS FANS:
WORLD CLASS INTERNATIONAL SPORTING EVENTS – Rugby Union and Cricket across Australia in 2025
From the Australian Open Tennis Grand Slam in Melbourne each January and the Formula 1 Grand Prix in March right through to the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race over the festive season, Australia offers a year round calendar of exciting sporting events to which our Travel Desigers can secure tickets and special access exclusive experiences.
In 2025 Australia will also host a collection of high profile special international sporting events including:
The British and Irish Lions Rugby Tour of Australia – visiting Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and Sydney between 28 June and 2 August 2025
And
The Australia – England Ashes Cricket Test – playing in Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney between 21 November 2025 and 8 January 2026.
Looking further ahead, Australia will also host the next Rugby World Cup in October/November 2027
FOR ULTRALUXE ‘COOLCATIONING’ – ALL YEAR ROUND:
ROKI Queenstown – New Zealand Southern Alps
Bringing a new level of luxury to the shores of Lake Wanaka – only footsteps from Queenstown’s bars, restaurants and more, ROKI Queenstown will offer ultraluxe accommodation (in a collection of 15 studios and apartments), a world-class wellness facility, exclusive guest experiences and destination dining venues when the doors open in July 2025 – perfectly timed for the ultimate colocation.
From mid-June to September, New Zealand’s snow-capped Southern Alps (easily accessible from Queenstown) offer all manner of coolcationing adventures: snowboarding, skiing, heli-skiing, snow-shoeing and snow mobile adventures. It’s also a perfect time for Southern skies stargazing and snuggling up by the fire with a glass of Central Otago Pinot Noir!
Outside these months, Queenstown continues to offer a year-round collection of ‘cool’ adventures: from hiking and mountain biking, lake cruises and mountain top hot tubs, golf, bungee jumping, jetboating and more.
From fabulous new city stays to wild outback walks, there are dozens more fabulous new experiences that the Southern Crossings’ Travel Designers look forward to sharing with you – contact our team today to start curating your ideal adventures Down Under:
Australia ausdesign@southern-crossings.com
New Zealand nzdesign@southern-crossings.com
Fiji fijidesign@southern-crossings.com
Header image: The Alba Thermal Springs & Spa new luxury accommodation in the Mornington Peninsula
