Where To Go On The October Long Weekend

Plan the perfect October long weekend with help from this shortlist of dream jaunts.

All hail the long weekend. To be enjoyed this year on Monday 3 October, Labour Day celebrates the eight-hour working day, a feat achieved in the mid-19th century. One might argue the eight-hour working day has been subject to inflation over the years, but unpaid overtime won’t stop too many people making the most of a three-day weekend.

Here, some of the best destinations to consider when planning your precious long weekend. Since the public holiday only applies in New South Wales, South Australia and the ACT (other states observe theirs in autumn), we’ve limited the list accordingly. But hey, would taking Monday off be so bad?

Huskisson, NSW

Huskisson is a popular launch pad for all things Jervis Bay, the marine paradise that extends from Culburra in the north to Sussex Inlet in the south and east to Point Perpendicular. Home to Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay National Park and Jervis Bay Marine Park, the region is a highlight reel of natural wonders, but Huskisson alone could keep you well and truly happy over a long weekend. Owen Street, Huskisson’s main drag, is packed with cafes, restaurants and retail stores and the ‘Husky Pub’ has Sunday Sesh written all over it. And those beaches – perfection.

Swim with the seals in Jervis Bay (Photo: Jordan Robins)

Fleurieu Peninsula, SA

There is much to love about South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, but in October there’s a particular highlight worth seeking out. Southern right whales continue to splash about in the region’s waters until the end of the month with Victor Harbor the suggested vantage point.

The lure of Fleurieu stretches beyond spotting these majestic cetaceans. Sip world-class wines throughout the McLaren Vale region, explore spectacular coastline at Second Valley, enjoy the natural wonders of Rapid Bay, and return home with at least another long weekend’s worth of fun you didn’t get time for.

Central Coast, NSW

Just an hour north of Sydney, the Central Coast has always been a popular destination thanks to its generous coastline, and the reasons to visit just keep growing. The Boathouse Hotel Patonga is one such reason. The hotel opened late last year following a $5 million revamp and has since expanded to offer accommodation, making it an attractive one-stop-shop if checking in and staying put is your weekender style. If not, there are plenty of beaches, cafes and restaurants to check out, cool gallery spaces to roam and the creative charm of Long Jetty to explore.

The Boat House Patonga — Take a seat at Patonga’s Boat House

Canberra, ACT

While Canberrans themselves might be looking to get out of town for a long-weekend escape, the nation’s capital cuts an attractive figure for non-residents in search of a quick getaway. Far removed from the dull offering of bygone primary school excursions, Canberra is an on-trend amalgam of cultural delights, intriguing design and fantastic dining. Plus, until 14 October, Canberra shows off its spring credentials with Australia’s premier floral display, Floriade . Take Floriade, add moonlight and twinkling fairy lights, and you’ve got NightFest, the festival’s after dark offering, which runs from 3 to 6 October.

Hayman Island, QLD

A little further afield, but certainly worth the additional travel time, Hayman Island has recently reopened and is even dreamier than its luxurious predecessor. A $135 million overhaul, spurred by the damage caused during Cyclone Debbie in 2017, has upped the luxe factor while those world-famous views of the Whitsundays are hard to beat. Now operating as Hayman Island by InterContinental, the 166-room property puts everything at guests’ fingertips, meaning all you have to worry about is which of the resort’s five restaurants and bars to choose from. It’s a hard-knock life.

Lord Howe Island, NSW

Keen on those island vibes, but not so keen on going the distance? Lord Howe Island has got your back. The UNESCO World Heritage site, sitting pretty in the Tasman Sea about 600 kilometres off Port Macquarie, is a spectacular vision with pristine waters and lush rainforest just the beginning. Only 400 visitors are allowed on the island at any given time, there are no power lines or high-rise buildings and the island-wide speed limit is 25 kilometres per hour – this is a step back in time, in the best possible way. Direct flights to paradise are available from Sydney and Port Macquarie.

Limestone Coast, SA

Travelling along the state’s south-eastern coast from Coorong National Park to the Victorian border, the Limestone Coast is jam-packed with enough natural wonders to keep you occupied for a long weekend and then some. There’s the rugged coastline, of course. And then there’s the Coonawarra region, where terra rossa soils give rise to world renowned cabernet sauvignons. But, while you’re here, be sure to discover what lies beneath, too. The region sits on a subterranean labyrinth of caves and tunnels, which have been uncovered over the years, creating incredible attractions such as sinkholes, sunken gardens and fossil preservation sites.

Glamp under the stars at Belleweather Wines on the Limestone Coast

Mudgee, NSW

About three-and-a-half hours west of Sydney, Mudgee offers a slower pace than many holiday hotspots, but not at the expense of long-weekend necessities: great food, great coffee, great vibes. Add wide tree-lined streets, beautiful colonial buildings and that fresh country air, and you’ll return home rejuvenated and ready for the four-day week. And perhaps a little smug. Take the smug factor up a notch by bedding down in Australia’s first bubble tent , overlooking the vast Capertee Valley.

Bubble Tent glamping — Bubble Tent’s unique outer shell gives guests an experience like no other

Mornington Peninsula, VIC

Victorians might not be blessed with the October public holiday, but the state’s glorious Mornington Peninsula boasts strong long weekend appeal for interstate travellers. Less than 90 minutes’ drive from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine), the Mornington Peninsula combines seaside charm with gastronomic delights and inviting cellar doors, making it a wonderful place to spend a few indulgent days.

City buzz, gourmet trails, surf breaks and art scenes are all at your fingertips.

When it comes to planning a trip, picking a holiday destination is the easy part. The real dilemma is where to set yourself up for the night. Do you go coastal, city, or countryside? Somewhere remote and rugged, or right in the action? Luckily, the Sunshine Coast, and huge number of amazing Sunshine Coast day trips, have kindly made the choice for you.

Ditch the hotel-hopping and suitcase-lugging. Instead, base yourself at Novotel Sunshine Coast or Mantra Mooloolaba , where big-city culture, vine-covered valleys, and theme parks are all within a two-hour drive.

1. Sunshine Coast to Brisbane

Drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes (105km)

Shake off the sand from your sandals and swap the beach for the throb of the Queensland capital. Ease in gently with a bougainvillea-filled stroll through South Bank, iced latte in hand, before cooling off at Streets Beach lagoon – Brisbane’s answer to the coast (but without the waves).

Once firmly in big-city mode, hit up the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) , home to Australia’s largest collection of modern and contemporary artworks. Dive into the past at the Queensland Museum, where prehistoric fossils of Australian dinosaurs and megafauna collide with First Nations cultural collections and interactive science exhibits.

All this learning got you hungry? Howard Smith Wharves calls. Here, riverside dining delivers breweries with meat-forward menus, Japanese fine dining and overwater bars. If you’ve got room for more, Fortitude Valley’s shopping boutiques await you and your wallet.

woman walking around Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) — Wander the Gallery of Modern Art. (Image: TEQ)

2. Sunshine Coast to the Scenic Rim

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (170km)

Make your way inland to the Scenic Rim for the state’s best vineyards and age-old volcanic slopes. Start your day early (like, sparrow’s breakfast early) at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park . Here, take a treetop walk through the canopy and hand-feed the wild birds who flock here.

Next, it’s your turn to eat. Here, the food scene operates where locally sourced produce is an expectation, not an exception. Order a picnic basket crammed with regional wine and cheese to devour next to the creek at Canungra Valley Vineyards . Or perhaps a grazing platter of vegan and non-vegan cheeses at Witches Falls Winery .

Feeling bold? Tackle the Twin Falls circuit in Springbrook National Park. Or keep the gourmet life going with a Scenic Rim Brewery tasting paddle, best enjoyed while taking in the rise of the Great Dividing Range.

woman with cheese and wine at Witches Falls Winery — Enjoy a cheese platter at Witches Falls Winery. (Image: TEQ)

3. Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast

Drive time: 2 hours (180km)

Surf, sand and sparkling skylines might be the Gold Coast’s MO, but there’s more to Surfers Paradise and beyond. Kick things off with a beachfront coffee at Burleigh Heads, then hike through Burleigh Head National Park to look over the ocean and whale sightings (dependent on the season, of course).

Cool off in the calm waters of Tallebudgera Creek before chowing down on the famously buttery Moreton Bay bug rolls at Rick Shores . Travelling with the kids? Then you can’t miss Australia’s theme park capital, with Dreamworld ’s big rides and Warner Bros. Movie World ’s Hollywood treatment at hand to keep the family entertained.

aerial view of Tallebudgera Creek — Dive into Tallebudgera Creek. (Image: TEQ)

4. Sunshine Coast to Tweed Heads

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (200km)

Dare to cross enemy lines? Then welcome to New South Wales. Tweed Heads blends the laid-back attitude of the Northern Rivers with high-quality dining, experimental art, and farm-fresh indulgence – a combo worth the drive.

Start strong with a long, lazy brunch at Tweed River House , then swing by Tropical Fruit World for exotic finds like red dragon fruit, handfuls of lychees and black sapote. Next, hit M|Arts Precinct – an art deco hub of micro galleries, artist workshops and one-off boutiques.

Round off the day with sunset drinks at Husk Distillers among the glowing cane fields, and order one with their famous Ink Gin. You’ll thank us later.

exterior of Husk Distillers — Taste the famous Ink Gin at Husk Distillers. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Drive time: 1 hour (70km)

Strap on those hiking boots and make tracks inland, where volcanic peaks, misty rainforest and hinterland townships beckon. Ease in with the Glass House Mountains Lookout Walk, or, if you have energy to burn, tackle the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk for a 360-degree sight of the surrounding summits.

Next: Montville. This township delivers European-style architecture and old-world appeal. Nearby, settle in at Flame Hill Vineyard, where a large pour of estate-grown wine comes with encompassing views of the countryside.

Not ready to leave the hinterland villages just yet? Of course not. Meander past art galleries and indie shops at Maleny. Nab some fudge from Sweets on Maple for a sweet fix. Or go salty at Maleny Dairies with a farm tour and a chunky wedge of their deliciously creamy cheese.

End the day among the eucalypts and rainforests of Kondalilla National Park. Here, the Kondalilla Falls Circuit winds down through trees humming with life to a rock pool beneath a waterfall – as if designed for soaking tired feet before heading back to the coast.

view of Mount Ngungun on the scenic rim queensland — Take on the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk (Image: TEQ)

Start planning your Sunshine home base at all.com.

The best October long weekend escapes