9 charming regional getaways to plot your escape to this year

Australia

07 May 2025

From rail trails connecting the dots between town and country to hinterland gems and headlining art, travelling regional Australia is the ultimate choose-your-own adventure.

1. Port Stephens, NSW

Travelling with: Lara Picone

The topography of Port Stephens spoils visitors with a veritable buffet of natural beauty, offering everything from shifting sand dunes to holiday-brochure beaches and lushly forested hikes. Being just two-and-a-half hours from Sydney also makes this Pacific-facing town a win. In fact, so bequeathed with enchantments is Port Stephens that it recently won Wotif’s 2025 Aussie Town of the Year. Check into the marina-edged Anchorage to check out the allure of this coastal hamlet.

The Anchorage Port Stephens — Escape to the luxe bayside retreat at The Anchorage Port Stephens. (Image: Destination NSW/Dallas Kilponen)

2. Southern Highlands, NSW

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

Food, wine, art and outdoor adventures seem to be melded into the heart of the Southern Highlands in NSW. While the region attracts visitors year-round, the scene changes during winter, when cool-to-freezing temperatures inspire activities such as fireside dining and truffle hunting. Enjoy a curated picnic at Cuttaway Creek. Taste cool-climate wines at Dawning Day Farms . Congregate with friends at Ngununggula, Southern Highlands Regional Gallery before settling in for an intimate dining experience at Eschalot. Then, bunker down at The Pill Factory in Bundanoon.

Sarah Drinan and Dionisia Salas Installation View Tender at Ngununggula — Sarah Drinan and Dionisia Salas Installation View Tender at Ngununggula. (Image: Mim Stirling)

3. Coal River Valley, Tas

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

Tasting Tasmania’s terroir is a gentle way to explore the Coal River Valley. While you can enjoy a river-sledding adventure or hire bikes to see the valley on two wheels, a cellar-door experience at Tolpuddle Vineyard is the ultimate celebration of the landscape. Visit the sleek, new tasting room on the Traditional Lands of the Mumirimina people to taste award-winning vintages of chardonnay and pinot noir with the vintners themselves.

a close-up of food at Tolpuddle Vineyard — Dine on local produce at Tolpuddle Vineyard. (Image: Adam Gibson)

4. Namadgi National Park, ACT

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

Namadgi National Park makes up a whopping 46 per cent of the ACT’s total land area. Join Dhawura Tours to see Indigenous rock art, look for wildlife such as wombats and lyrebirds and walk the Mt Tennent Trail to really immerse yourself in the landscape. Pitch a tent in the national park near a squiggle of the Gudgenby River at the northern end of the Australian Alps.

hiking at Namadgi National Park, Canberra — Immerse yourself in nature at Namadgi National Park. (Image: We Are Explorers For Visit Canberra)

5. The Cairns Hinterland, Qld

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

Head inland from Cairns to discover a Queensland region rich in heritage charm, outstanding natural beauty, and foodie and cultural attractions. The local farmers at the weekly Yungaburra Market sell produce grown in and around the Atherton Tablelands . Follow the crowds after the market, just 50 metres down the street, to Yungaburra Hotel . Take the pretty Peterson Creek walking track and try your luck at spotting the elusive platypus. North of Cairns, the vintage Kuranda Scenic Railway journeys through World Heritage-listed rainforest and past waterfalls to the hippie-chic village of Kuranda.

the lush greenery at Atherton Tablelands — The fertile fields make Atherton Tablelands the food bowl of the region. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland/Tourism Tropical North Queensland/James Vodicka)

6. The Tweed, NSW

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

The Tweed is the hip new regional getaway worth knowing about. The true heart of the Tweed in NSW lies in the fact it’s got the trifecta of coast, valley and river. And while it’s known for its landmark cultural attractions such as the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre and Minjungbal Museum and Cultural Centre, you could also tack together an itinerary based around culinary offerings or stopping points along the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.

the scenic Tweed Valley — Coast, valley and river in the Tweed. (Image: Destination NSW/Trevor Worden)

7. Mandurah, WA

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

Mandurah is having a moment. Originally known as Mandjoogoordap, meaning ‘meeting place of the heart’, the WA town was recently named third-best destination in Australia in the 2025 Wotif Aussie Town of the Year Awards. From above, the coastal city is all rippled cobalt and aquamarine. Stroll along its wide sandy beaches, soak up those big skies, then set off to discover the Giants of Mandurah sculptures, followed with fish and chips by the sea.

the Giants of Mandurah sculptures by Thomas Dumbo — Discover the Giants of Mandurah sculptures. (Image: Duncan Wright)

8. High Country, Vic

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

A sprawling $5-million trail network has opened in Rutherglen on Yorta Yorta Country. The Rutherglen Loops connect 14 cellar doors around the world-class wine region, making Victoria’s High Country even more accessible for visitors. The four trails are like Venn diagrams with distinct loops that overlap everything from cellar doors and winery restaurants to the mighty Murray River and Lake Moodemere.

bicycles in Victoria High Country — Cycle Victoria’s High Country.

9. Mildura, Vic

Travelling with: Imogen Eveson

Mildura was rebranded last year as Tropical North Victoria in a wink-wink campaign that nods to the abundance of sunny days in this regional city on the Murray River. New boutique hotel Kar-Rama sprinkles more Palm Springs vibes, with its modern interpretation of mid-century design making it the ideal oasis to retreat to after days spent visiting wineries, cruising the Murray and venturing into nearby Mungo National Park. And now, Trail of Lights, the latest large-scale experiential installation by British-Australian artist Bruce Munro, is providing another shining example of reasons to visit.

Fireflies by Bruce Munro — Tropical North Victoria gets a glow-up. (Image: Serena Munro)

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The iconic Victorian beach where true Aussie surf culture was born

By Craig Tansley

31 Oct 2025

Torquay’s Bells Beach is considered one of the best surf beaches in the world.

It’d be easy to think Australian surf culture was born around the right-hand point breaks of the Gold Coast and Byron Bay. These regions seem the epitome of how the world views Aussie surfers – bronzed (or burnt), languishing in warm water and sunshine. The reality is a lot different.

The rise of surf culture along Victoria’s coastline

surfers at Bells Beach in Australia — Surfers stand on the shore at Bells Beach, where the country’s biggest surfing competition is held each year. (Image: Getty/Filed Image)

True Aussie surf culture was born on the chilly waves of Victoria’s winters, when huge swells from the Great Southern Ocean hit cliff-lined beaches along the Great Ocean Road . These beaches were the ultimate proving ground – surfers from all over Australia arrived in panel vans and VWs to do battle with the biggest waves they could find.

huge swells from the Great Southern Ocean at Bells Beach — Surfers take advantage of the huge swells from the Great Southern Ocean at Bells Beach. (Image: Tourism Australia/Cameron Murray)

There are surf breaks all along this very picturesque coast – but those around Torquay were most revered. The ultimate test of a surfer’s ability – and durability – however, was Bells Beach: Australia’s answer to Hawai‘i’s Pipeline. Just beyond, the breaks at Jan Juc and Winkipop beckoned.

an aerial view of surfers at Bells Beach — Hit the waves along the picturesque coast. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Torquay became surfing’s Silicon Valley: HQ for the entire Australian surf culture revolution. Four young locals worked out of their backyards in Torquay to create two of the world’s biggest surf labels – Rip Curl and Quiksilver , which soon became the region’s biggest employers.

surfers out at Bells Beach — Surfers out at Bells Beach, Victoria’s most famous beach. (Image: Tourism Australia/Cameron Murray)

Rip Curl started sponsoring the Bells Beach Pro in 1973 – and have done ever since. It’s been going since 1962 – making it the world’s longest continually run surfing contest. Held every Easter, it’s part of the world surfing tour. Spectators line its 30-metre-high cliffs to watch the world’s best take on enormous waves – it’s the ultimate coliseum for the sport and has inspired generations of Aussie surfers to join the list of heroes whose names are on its iconic bell.

Follow the waves through Victoria’s surfing heartland

Australian National Surfing Museum, Torquay — The Australian National Surfing Museum in Torquay. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Just behind Torquay’s main drag, you can see all that history on display at the world’s best surf museum – the Australian National Surfing Museum . Here you can take your time absorbing the 100-year-or-so history of Australian surfing and check out the 150-strong surfboard collection.

surfboards on display at Australian National Surfing Museum — The museum holds surfing memorabilia, including a room dedicated to the history of boards. (Image: Tourism Australia)

But classic Aussie surf culture can be observed in everyday life all over the Great Ocean Road and Torquay. Surfing dictates life here; no work is done until the big swells have come and gone. Just being here provides a window into 60-odd years of rebellion against convention; for no-one likes nine-to-five living on the Great Ocean Road.

surfing memorabilia at Australian National Surfing Museum — The varied displays celebrate the Bells Beach competition, surfing legends and Aussie surf culture. (Image: Tourism Australia)

There’s less panel vans and VW Beetles these days, but surf culture still rules life. Surfers run this coast; you’re better off keeping out of their way when they’re running down past you to face the biggest swells – then hear them swap stories at cafes, restaurants and bars all around you.

surfing at Bells Beach — The beach near Torquay is Australia’s answer to Hawai‘i’s Pipeline. (Image: Visit Victoria/William Watt)