New Zealand and Australia have some of the most beautiful mountain country in the southern hemisphere, and it is surprisingly varied. New Zealand's Southern Alps are young, sharp and glaciated, rising above turquoise lakes and plunging into the fiords of the south-west, with Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world, at their heart. Australia's mountains are among the oldest on Earth: the sandstone cliffs and eucalyptus haze of the Blue Mountains, the ancient volcanic ranges of Queensland's Scenic Rim and the wild, jagged peaks of Tasmania.
These are the 10 mountain hotels in New Zealand and Australia in our collection, from luxury lodges on Lake Wakatipu to an affordable hotel beneath some of the clearest night skies on the planet.
The best mountain hotels in New Zealand and Australia at a glance
- Best luxury lodge near Queenstown: Matakauri Lodge
- Best secluded escape: Blanket Bay
- Best for Milford Sound: Fiordland Lodge
- Best for Aoraki/Mount Cook: The Hermitage Hotel
- Best for stargazing on a budget: The Godley Hotel
- Best value in Queenstown: Browns Boutique Hotel
- Best for families in Queenstown: The Rees Hotel
- Best in Australia: Spicers Peak Lodge
- Best for Tasmania's wilderness: Cradle Mountain Lodge
- Best for the Blue Mountains: Hydro Majestic Hotel
New Zealand: Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu
1. Matakauri Lodge, Queenstown
Best for: couples, honeymooners, food lovers and skiers
One of New Zealand's finest luxury lodges stands on the shore of Lake Wakatipu just outside Queenstown, with postcard views across the water to the Remarkables. Sister to the celebrated Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers lodges, it has intimate suites, an infinity pool, a spa and outstanding food, minutes from the adventures of Queenstown. Read our review of Matakauri Lodge.
2. Blanket Bay, Glenorchy
Best for: couples, honeymooners and anglers
Near Glenorchy, about 45 minutes from Queenstown, this Relais & Châteaux lodge of stone and timber looks across the lake to the Humboldt Mountains. With just 14 rooms, suites and villas, a spa and a heated pool, it offers fly fishing, horse riding, jet boating and helicopter flights to Milford Sound. Read our review of Blanket Bay.
3. The Rees Hotel, Queenstown
Best for: couples, families, groups and skiers
On the lakeshore with its own beach and wharf, The Rees has 60 rooms and 90 apartments, all with terraces facing the Remarkables, an award-winning wine cellar and a courtesy shuttle into town. It is a spacious, good-value base for skiing and summer adventures. Read our review of The Rees Hotel.
4. Browns Boutique Hotel, Queenstown
Best for: couples and skiers on a budget
A small, stylish bed and breakfast on a quiet street two minutes' walk from the centre of Queenstown, Browns has just 10 rooms, each with a Juliet balcony and views across Lake Wakatipu to the Remarkables. Read our review of Browns Boutique Hotel.
New Zealand: Fiordland, Aoraki/Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo
5. Fiordland Lodge, Te Anau
Best for: couples, hikers and anglers
Just outside Te Anau, on the road to Milford Sound, this timber-and-stone lodge looks across Lake Te Anau to the mountains of Fiordland National Park, with ten rooms, two log cabins and daily-changing dinners. The Kepler, Routeburn and Milford Tracks are all close by. Read our review of Fiordland Lodge.
6. The Hermitage Hotel, Aoraki/Mount Cook
Best for: hikers, stargazers and families
At the end of the long road along the turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki, The Hermitage stands inside Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, with New Zealand's highest mountain filling its windows. The Hooker Valley Track starts nearby, and the night skies are superb. Read our review of The Hermitage Hotel.
7. The Godley Hotel, Lake Tekapo
Best for: couples, families and stargazers on a budget
On the main street of Lake Tekapo village, by one of the most beautiful lakes in New Zealand, this simple, friendly hotel offers lake views and some of the clearest night skies on Earth, in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, at a gentle price. Read our review of The Godley Hotel.
Australia
8. Spicers Peak Lodge, Scenic Rim, Queensland
Best for: couples and honeymooners
Australia's highest non-alpine lodge stands more than 1,100 metres up, surrounded by the World Heritage-listed Main Range National Park, about two hours from Brisbane. Stays are all-inclusive, with an infinity pool facing the ranges, Spa Anise and seasonal Australian food. Read our review of Spicers Peak Lodge.
9. Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge, Tasmania
Best for: hikers, families and wildlife lovers
At the entrance to Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania's classic wilderness lodge has 86 timber cabins in the forest, the Waldheim Alpine Spa and wombats and wallabies on its boardwalks at dusk. Dove Lake and the start of the Overland Track are a short drive away. Read our review of Cradle Mountain Lodge.
10. Hydro Majestic Hotel, Blue Mountains
Best for: couples and history lovers
Opened in 1904 by Mark Foy as Australia's first hydropathic health retreat, this long, white clifftop hotel at Medlow Bath looks over the Megalong Valley, about two hours from Sydney. Its Art Deco interiors and high tea in the Wintergarden are famous, and its rooms are good value. Read our review of Hydro Majestic Hotel.
When to go
The seasons are the reverse of the northern hemisphere. In New Zealand, summer, from December to March, is the season for hiking the Great Walks, lake days and long evenings, and autumn, from March to May, brings golden colour and calm, clear weather, ideal for stargazing. The ski season around Queenstown usually runs from June to September. In Australia, autumn and winter, from April to August, bring crisp, clear days in the Blue Mountains and the Scenic Rim, while Tasmania's mountains are best from December to February, with the turning of the fagus in late April. Wherever you go, mountain weather changes fast, so pack warm, waterproof layers.
How to plan a mountain trip
In New Zealand, Queenstown is the gateway to the southern lakes, with direct flights from Australia. A classic South Island road trip links Queenstown, Te Anau and Milford Sound, then heads north over the passes to Aoraki/Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo, ending in Christchurch. In Australia, the Blue Mountains are an easy escape from Sydney, Spicers Peak Lodge from Brisbane, and Cradle Mountain is about two hours from Launceston. With flights of around three hours across the Tasman, it is easy to combine the two countries in one trip.
Explore all our hotels in New Zealand and Australia. For more stargazing, see the best places to see the northern lights, and for luxury lodges with a view, infinity pools with mountain views.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best mountain hotels in New Zealand?
Our favourites include Matakauri Lodge and Blanket Bay near Queenstown, Fiordland Lodge near Milford Sound, The Hermitage Hotel at Aoraki/Mount Cook, and The Godley Hotel at Lake Tekapo for stargazing on a budget.
What is the best luxury lodge in Queenstown?
Matakauri Lodge, on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, and Blanket Bay, near Glenorchy, are the two finest luxury lodges in the Queenstown area.
Are there mountain hotels in Australia?
Yes. Our favourites are Spicers Peak Lodge in Queensland's Scenic Rim, Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge in Tasmania and the Hydro Majestic Hotel in the Blue Mountains.
When is the best time to visit New Zealand's mountains?
December to March for hiking, March to May for calm autumn weather, and June to September for skiing.
