All 100 Greatest Getaways

Australian TravellerBy Australian Traveller
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Discover all the top 100 Greatest Getaways.

Ancient rainforests, dramatic waterways, craggy coastlines and glittering cityscapes. Epic road trips, food festivals and outback gatherings under star-strewn skies. These diverse landscapes and experiences set the scene for our ultimate rundown of Australia’s 100 Greatest Getaways.

Here is the complete list to inspire your travels this year and beyond. Follow the links to read the stories that inspired each experience on the list.

Weekend Getaways

Read about each of Australia’s greatest weekend getaways

1. The Limestone Coast, SA
2. Pumphouse Point, Tas
3. The Hunter Valley, NSW
4. Trentham, Vic
5. The EVE Hotel in Sydney, NSW
6. A weekend cruise along Australia’s coastline
7. The Blue Mountains, NSW
8. Explore Fitzroy in Melbourne, Vic
9. The Lodge Wadjemup, Rottnest Island, WA

City Getaways

Read about each of Australia’s greatest city getaways

10. A midwinter dalliance at Dark Mofo, Tas
11. Choose your own cultural adventure in Canberra, ACT
12. Hike a 100-km loop around Adelaide, SA
13. Experience the all-new Melbourne Place, Vic
14. Test your fitness in Brisbane, Qld
15. Find out why Perth is topping global must-visit lists, WA
16. Embrace nocturnal tourism in Sydney, NSW
17. Tick off Darwin’s coolest openings, NT

Food & Wine Getaways

Read about each of Australia’s greatest food & wine getaways

18. Treat yourself at Pair’d in the Margaret River, WA
19. Hop between two of SA’s top wine regions
20. Wild feasts in Kakadu National Park, NT
21. Dive into the Sunshine Coast’s Curated Plate, Qld
22. Silversea’s S.A.L.T. program
23. National Wine Festival of Australia, ACT
24. Newcastle is NSW’s newest dining destination
25. Visit the highest wine-growing region in the country, Qld
26. Mark your calendar for Orange F.O.O.D Week, NSW

Regional Getaways

Read about each of Australia’s greatest regional getaways

27. Port Stephens, NSW
28. Southern Highlands, NSW
29. Coal River Valley, Tas
30. Namadgi National Park, ACT
31. The Cairns Hinterland, Qld
32. The Tweed, NSW
33. Mandurah, WA
34. High Country, Vic
35. Mildura, Vic

Luxury Getaways

Read about each of Australia’s greatest luxury getaways

36. Two Central Coast luxe stays, NSW
37. Lord Howe Island, NSW
38. Arkaba Homestead, SA
39. Saffire Freycinet, Tas
40. The Lake House, Daylesford, Vic
41. Two of Hamilton Island’s luxe stays, Qld
42. The Mondrian Gold Coast, Qld
43. Luxe stays come in threes in The Kimberley, WA

Coastal Getaways

Read about each of Australia’s greatest coastal getaways

44. Tasmania’s islands
45. Kangaroo Island, SA
46. Sleep by Ningaloo Reef at Sal Salis, WA
47. Noosa, Qld
48. Bellarine Peninsula, Vic
49. Norfolk Island
50. Gold Coast, Qld
51. Chill at Elements of Byron, NSW

Epic Getaways

Read about each of Australia’s epic getaways

52. Board The Indian Pacific
53. Aussie station stays
54. Fly Australia with Captain’s Choice
55. The Larapinta Trail, NT
56. Arnhem Land, NT
57. The tip of Australia, Qld
58. Aussie safari parks
59. Cruise the Murray River

Cultural Getaways

Read about each of Australia’s greatest cultural getaways

60. Camping with Custodians, WA
61. Garma Festival, NT
62. Festival of Outback Opera, Qld
63. Illumina, K’gari, Qld
64. Adelaide’s festivals, SA
65. Townsville’s art scene, Qld
66. Big Red Bash, Qld
67. Bendigo Art Gallery, Vic

Outback Getaways

Read about each of Australia’s greatest outback getaways

68. Wellness Way, Qld
69. Ikara-Flinders Ranges, SA
70. Board The Ghan, SA & NT
71. The Kimberley, WA
72. Uluṟu, NT
73. Mungo National Park, NSW
74. Australia by camelback, WA & SA
75. Kakadu National Park, NT

Unexpected Getaways

Read about each of Australia’s greatest unexpected getaways

76. Snowies Alpine Walk, NSW
77. Heyscape tiny cabins, WA
78. Rumi on Louth, SA
79. The Overland Track, Tas
80. An eco lodge stay in Capertee Valley, NSW
81. Tiwi Islands, NT
82. The Tarkine, Tasmania
83. Island-hopping in WA

Once-in-a-lifetime Getaways

Read about each of Australia’s once-in-a-lifetime getaways

84. Stay in Queensland’s Luxury Lodges of Australia
85. Cruise the Kimberley, WA
86. The Big Lap of Australia
87. Sail to Antarctica from Hobart, Tas
88. A heli-tour of SA’s best wine regions
89. Dinner with the founder of Mona, Tas
90. Circumnavigate Australia
91. Hire Makepeace Island, Qld

Road Trip Getaways

Read about each of Australia’s greatest road trip getaways

92. Pacific Coast Way, Qld
93. Victoria’s silo art trail
94. Great Ocean Road, Vic
95. The Red Centre, NT
96. Grand Pacific Drive, NSW
97. The EV Network, WA
98. Tasmania by coach
99. Waterfall Way, NSW
100. Gibb River Road, WA

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Where to eat, sleep and visit on Grand Pacific Drive, and beyond

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
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    The ultimate road trip begins and ends on NSW’s stunning Grand Pacific Drive.

    Whales, charming villages, fine wine and stunning natural vistas: there’s a lot to love about a road trip along the Grand Pacific Drive in New South Wales. Winding from the Royal National Park through Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven before heading inland to the Southern Highlands, this scenic drive makes for an unforgettable road trip.

    But like all great road trips, it’s not just about the drive but the stops made along the way. From incredible farm-to-plate (and grape-to-glass) dining options to unbeatable natural vistas and quaint towns with beautiful accommodation, there’s plenty to explore en route.

    Shellharbour Marina
    Spend time in Shellharbour Marina.

    Where to eat

    What is a road trip without incredible food? Whether you’re after fresh seafood, slow-cooked paddock-to-plate feasts or delicious wines, you’ll find something around every bend along Grand Pacific Drive.

    Restaurant Santino is a local Wollongong secret we can’t keep quiet any longer. With a fresh take on Italian cuisine, servings are hearty and flavours are comforting. The chitarra with blue swimmer crab, garlic, chilli, parsley and crustacean oil is a crowd favourite.

    Keep it local in Shellharbour with a menu all about fresh local produce at Relish on Addison . From South Coast oysters and blue swimmer crab linguine to crispy pork belly, surf and turf takes on an elevated meaning here.

    Kiama’s neighbourhood wine and cocktail bar, Little Betty’s , is just as good for a tasty share plate as it is for creative cocktails. The signature Grilled Octopus with burnt honey, garlic confit and sautéed Asian greens is worth a trip on its own.

    Only the best will do in Shoalhaven, where multi-award-winning Bangalay Dining uses native Australian ingredients to bring its dishes to life. Start with the Smoked trout croquette before moving on to the sautéed potato gnocchi. Don’t forget the white chocolate mousse for dessert.

    Meanwhile, the Southern Highlands are full of culinary highlights. From dining on incredibly fresh, local fare (we’re talking ingredients plucked from the team’s on-site kitchen garden or sourced through local producers) at Eschalot Restaurant in Berrima to creating gin blends at Millsheds Distillery .

    bangalay dining shoalhaven
    Taste native flavours at Bangalay Dining.

    Exploring nature

    Scenery is everything when hitting the road, and Grand Pacific Drive serves it up in spades. Drivers don’t even have to leave the car to enjoy the iconic ocean views from Seacliff Bridge (but several lookouts make it easy to stop).

    Seaside Kiama boasts stunning beaches and famous blowholes. But travellers can also swap ocean for rainforest when taking the Minnamurra Rainforest walk, culminating in a picturesque waterfall. Or soar overhead at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures .

    The scenic coastal drive along Sea Cliff Bridge, Clifton.
    Cruise along the stunning Grand Pacific Drive.

    Between May and November, 30,000 whales make their way passed the South Coast between May and November. Spot them from the coastal shores or join a whale-watching cruise from Shellharbour Marina or Jervis Bay. Dive in with Woebegone Freedive .

    Shellharbour’s Killalea Regional Park is home to a traditional bush tucker and medicine walk with Aboriginal tour group, Gumaraa . Learn Indigenous healing practices and gain a deeper appreciation for the rich heritage and wisdom of the land’s Traditional Owners.

    Wollongong is the perfect place for hikers, with the 6.5-kilometre Wodi Wodi track serving up views, settler history and a variety of landscapes in one loop. If you prefer, skip the walk and pull up at Bald Hill Lookout for expansive views south towards Wollongong (and a hang-glider or two).

    For something truly unique, join the Highland Cow experience at The Swallow’s Nest in the Southern Highlands. In a brand-new offering, get a taste of farm life and help groom and feed these gorgeous creatures.

    kiama coast walk people with dog
    Wander the Kiama Coast Walk.

    Unique experiences

    No need to choose between an adrenaline rush or a culture fix, Grand Pacific Drive serves up both.

    Soar into aviation history at Shellharbour’s HARS Aviation Museum .  Tour the museum, then join a guided walk onto the wing of the record-breaking Qantas Boeing 747 and see the significant historic aircraft up close.

    If ever there was a place to skydive, it’s in Wollongong. Dive from 15,000 feet (tandem, of course) with Sky Dive Wollongong and see the coastal beauty of this region from above.

    Shoalhaven’s Bundanon Art Museum has to be one of the most unique offerings in the country. The legacy of artist Arthur Boyd and more than just a gallery, find eco-accommodation, fine dining, award-winning architecture and community here.

    Kiama’s Crooked River Estate is about more than just delicious wine.  Grab a picnic blanket and enjoy casual food and drinks with live music at Kick Back Fridays , every week.

    Between June and August, the Southern Highlands’ Robertson attracts novice truffle hunters. Join the hunt at family-owned and operated Robertson Truffles (alternatively, you can order truffle treats online, if your sense of adventure isn’t up for it).

    Freshly dug truffles at Terra Preta Truffles, Braidwood.
    Discover hidden gems beneath the soil in the Southern Highlands. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Where to stay

    Road trips are the ultimate promotion for slow travel, encouraging visitors to take their time, enjoy the journey and stop along the way to really immerse themselves in local towns.

    Find history and elegance at Berida Hotel in the Southern Highlands. Intimately set amongst gardens, but still close to the main street of Bowral, this 1920s private residence turned boutique hotel is the perfect stay.

    Stay in one of Barranca’s private villas with views of rolling farmland overlooking the dramatic escarpment at Kangaroo Valley or be surrounded by native bushland (a short walk from the beach) in Jervis Bay.

    Speaking of beachside escapes, Headlands Hotel Austinmer Beach delivers unrivalled access to Wollongong’s beaches. These serviced apartments enjoy coastal views from spacious balconies.

    For something completely different again, check in at Cicada Luxury Camping . Stay in safari-style or large bell tents, each with a private fire pit and top-notch kitchen facilities. Outside, enjoy spectacular countryside views.

    Cicada Luxury Camping
    Unwind at Cicada Luxury Camping. (Image: DNSW)

    Discover more and plan your ultimate road trip along the Grand Pacific Drive and beyond at grandpacificdrive.com.au/grand.