With Christmas fast approaching, where are your travel daydreams spiriting you away to? What’s floating your boat on the luxury fantasy front? Recently, I attended the Luxperience travel marketplace in Sydney, a global showcase of the world’s leading luxurious travel products and experiences. If you’re dreaming of recharging at a high-end resort, at home or abroad, here’s a few tempting luxury resort offerings that particularly impressed me at Luxperience, and worthy entries to your 2017 bucket list.

A haven from the city rush, and a restorative foray into New Zealand's pristine wilderness – Te Waonui Forest Retreat is truly a place to relax and refresh. All focus has been on creating a healthy, environmentally safe habitat to maximise guests' wellbeing. With a natural, earthy ambience and attentive service, this is a stunning retreat in Franz Josef.   Every aspect of the 5 star Qualmark rated Te Waonui Forest Retreat has been crafted to an impeccable standard. From deluxe soundproofing technology between rooms to the five-course degustation menu featuring local and seasonal cuisine, every imaginable detail has been impeccably thought out. A truly innovative retreat, Te Waonui Forest Retreat has raised the bar in luxurious wilderness hospitality. www.tewaonui.co.nz

Smiths Beach Resort, Margaret River. We love this place. Smiths Beach Resort is perfectly positioned on the pristine sands of Smiths Beach overlooking the sparkling Indian Ocean, in Western Australia. Nestled between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin, this architectural award-winning resort provides an ideal retreat on an iconic beach that is lovingly tended and preserved.  A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the resort celebrates the ultimate in beachfront living. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the minimalist yet stylish beach houses, villas and apartments give the sense of bringing the outside in, and with an ever-changing panorama of shifting sands and ruby red sunsets the scenery is truly breath-taking.  Partnering with well-known restauranteur Kate Lamont, the resort features Lamont's Smiths Beach, incorporating a Gourmet Deli and Café, Wine Room for private dining along with fine dining a la carte Restaurant offering guests and visitors a premium range of food and wine from the region and beyond.  Experiences can be arranged in advance including spectacular coastal walks and indulgent spa treatments at sister property Injidup Spa Retreat.  www.slh.com/hotels/smiths-beach-resort

Helena Bay. It’s just opened! Owned and developed by the family trust of Russian billionaire Alexander Abramov, Helena Bay can be found amongst the countless inlets, coves and bays that form the unspoiled Tutukaka Coast, just 40km from Whangarei. The Abramov Family travelled to many remote corners of the globe during their search amongst some of the world's most beautiful places, for a truly special and unique location where they would build their perfect luxury retreat. Eventually they found Helena Bay in New Zealand and their dreams have now become a reality. The Abramovs were inspired by many of Northland's early heritage buildings such as Pompallier Mission House in Russell, Waitangi's Treaty House and Te Waimate Mission House. Guest facilities are generous and include a gym, saunas – including a Turkish sauna, massage and treatment rooms, a 25-metre heated swimming pool, library, three lounge areas, both informal and formal dining areas and an outdoor fire pit. Gourmet cuisine includes fresh produce gathered daily from the estate's own vegetable gardens and orchards and meat from the estate's own Helena Bay farm. www.helenabay.com

Alkina Lodge. Designed to create an exclusive and intimate experience, Alkina Lodge offers the discerning traveller private luxury accommodation on the Great Ocean Road.  Located at Wattle Hill on the Great Ocean Road, just 20 minutes from the 12 Apostles, 30 minutes to Port Campbell and less than 3 hours from Melbourne, Alkina Lodge is close to other major attractions including the Great Ocean Walk, the Great Otway National Park, Wreck Beach, The Redwoods, Apollo Bay and Johanna Beach. You'll find Alkina Lodge the perfect base from which to explore the dramatic scenery, sweeping beaches and ancient rainforests the Great Ocean Road is renowned for. “Nothing is too much” is the Alkina service philosophy. www.alkinalodge.com.au

Vomo Island, Fiji. Fully rebuilt after Cyclone Winston, Vomo Island Resort welcomes families of all ages, honeymooners, multi-generation parties and destination weddings. Vomo is situated just 15-minutes by helicopter from Nadi International Airport. This pocket of paradise is bordered by white sands and coral reefs offering snorkelling, deep-sea fishing, scuba-diving and fantastic kayaking. Vomo also features a weekly traditional Meke performance, kava ceremony and lovo feast, exercise gym, 9-hole par-3 golf course, badminton, tennis, croquet, petanque, hiking and jogging tracks plus a brand new luxurious day spa and 'Ocean Play' water sports team. http://vomofiji.com

Conrad Bora Bora Nui. The 115-key resort, formerly known as Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa, is undergoing a multimillion-dollar refurbishment and will open as Conrad Bora Bora Nui in March 2017. Offering panoramic ocean views, access to sea sports, coral reef dive sites and hiking trails, the beachfront Conrad Bora Bora Nui will feature 29 tropical garden and beach villas and 86 overwater bungalows, including the destination's only double-story Presidential Suites. The resort will also  have a full-service spa, with eight treatment rooms, including one al fresco deck with clear views of the lagoon, a Kids Club, a mini-golf course, a fitness centre and retail spaces. Conrad Bora Bora Nui's food and beverage concepts include a modern take on a French Brasserie, serving breakfast and dinner set against sweeping views of the lagoon, a specialty beach restaurant serving Polynesian and Mediterranean cuisines, a swim-up pool bar and an overwater sunset bar and lounge. http://conradhotels3.hilton.com/

Kokomo Island Fiji. Superior design. Untouched beauty. Pure luxury. Australian property tycoon, Lang Walker has developed over 240 projects over the past decade and this is his latest project, set to open next month. Costing $130 million and taking five years to develop, Kokomo Island Resort is situated right next to Aspara Reef, the fourth biggest barrier reef in the world, offering sublime snorkelling. A huge focus has been on preserving and nurturing the natural elements, from the sea life to the rainforest. Pitched at the high-end traveller, Lang even bought his own barges and seaplane for the resort. A world away from the world, this is all-inclusive retreat is set to be a head-turner. www.kokomoislandfiji.com

Mike Yardley is Newstalk ZB’s Travel Correspondent on Saturday Mornings with Jack Tame.