The Oaks Ranch

The Oaks Ranch is around four hours’ drive from Sydney and two from Canberra, but when you’re lounging by its magnesium pool and dining under festoon lights on the terrace, you’ll feel like you could be sunning yourself in the Sonoran Desert.

The NSW South Coast accommodation was renovated in 2022, refreshing its Spanish mission architecture and 14 renovated suites with a Palm Springs resort feel.

Each of the bungalow suites now has luxury linen bedding and robes, Leif bathroom products, Maison Balzac glassware, Riedel wine glasses, Mecca coffee and Tea Collective tea, as well as a private courtyard, an ensuite bathroom with twin showers, heated floors, a smart TV and free wi-fi.

The boutique hotel sits on 300 acres, with views of Deua National Park. It has a nine-hole golf course, and you can kayak in the nearby Tomaga River or spend the day at Tomakin Beach. Moruya and Batemans Bay are less than 30 minutes away for visiting the local markets, and it’s not too far from Narooma, Tilba Tilba and Bodalla for more adventures up and down the coast.

If you’d rather stay put, The Oaks Ranch has an on-site restaurant – Arlo – which looks out over the hotel’s terrace and pool. It serves dishes such as tempura prawns with nasturtium, chilli and ginger; grilled barramundi with Paris mash and broccolini; and raw tuna with ponzu sauce and bonito. And the venue can accommodate 80 to 120 guests for parties and weddings.