Royal Mail Hotel, Grampians National Park 

A historic building at the edge of the Grampians National Park, this hotel’s stellar cuisine is the stand-out feature of the town.

Tucked away in Dunkeld, a small town at the foot of Mount Sturgeon, this hotel is a surprising find. The hotel’s interiors are minimalist, creating a calming effect – choose a Deluxe Mountain View Room to get the most out of your superb location. If you prefer your accommodation with a little more character, the one and two-bedroom Mount Sturgeon Bluestone Cottages are rustic and have their own closer view of Mount Sturgeon, just under two miles from the hotel. With over 99 miles of walking tracks and private paths from the hotel, The Grampians is a spectacular stop for keen walkers.

The main attraction, however, has to be the hotel’s restaurant. It has been awarded two ‘Hats’ out of a possible three (referring to the Chef Hat rating system, Australia’s alternative to Michelin stars).  The eight-course degustation menu offers a chance to experience the hotel’s acclaimed dining experience, complemented by an award-winning wine list that is easily one of the most extensive in Australia. The only thing that could make the food here taste even better is learning that an impressive portion of the produce is grown in the acre of the hotel’s organic kitchen garden, which the chefs give daily tours of for inquisitive guests.