Revealed: Australia’s most relaxing holiday destination

Beat the burnout: a new analysis has discovered which Australian destinations are the best to unwind and refresh in.

The feeling of needing a holiday from a holiday is not uncommon. Especially if, like me, you’re a chronic itinerary over-stuffer. So there’s definitely something to be said for a getaway destination that encourages you to completely slow down and smell the roses. But what’s the secret ingredient for a relaxing holiday destination?

Tripadvisor might have just provided the answers we’re looking for.

Simply Nootropics did the hard yards of analysing Tripadvisor reviews for sentiments such as sleep quality, area peacefulness, comfort and amenities, service and hospitality, natural beauty, refreshing local activities and more factors that add to a relaxing, wellness getaway. The aim? To find the most relaxing destination based on genuine opinions.

a bay at Crescent Head new south wales — Australia’s most relaxing destination has been announced. (Image: DNSW)

But first, a doctor’s opinion. Dr Marny Lishman explains ways to maximise your recovery on a holiday, especially if you are experiencing burnout or high stress levels before you go.

“People have to stop at first completely, that means just sleep or do nothing. This could be days for some people and weeks for others. What we ideally want is for people to recover and get their energy back before changing their routines or schedules," she explains.

The next suggestion is to go screen-free, and to “plan some quiet time out in nature".

“Enjoy some green space to ensure you’re truly giving yourself a moment to reset in a space that is quiet and without overstimulation," she continues.

With that in mind, the top five results are probably of no surprise.

5. Palm Cove, Qld

The calm ocean waves and a long line of palm trees found at Cairns-adjacent Palm Cove rolled in at fifth place. From delicious, absolute beach-front restaurants to bright and breezy accommodation options, Palm Cove really does encourage visitors to switch off, slow down and get onto a beachside pace. Cute shops, monthly markets and water sports all await to keep things just interesting enough.

palm beach queensland — Stay close to Cairns but away from the crowds. (Image: TEQ)

4. Marcoola, Qld

Somehow, this little Sunshine Coast town has managed to fly somewhat under the radar, which makes it a perfect place to relax. With uncrowded beaches, grassy parklands and the Maroochy River at its back door, this little gem is the classic coastal escape. Here, it’s all about doing as little as possible, but a beachside walk with pretty coastal vistas to Maroochydore and Mt Coolum National Park is less than a 10-minute drive north. And the town has not slept on its food offerings. Plus the local weekly market is perfect for local goods, food trucks and live tunes with a family vibe.

Marcooola Twilight Markets queensland — Stop by the local markets. (Image: TEQ)

3. Hunter Valley, NSW

I mean, wine and cheese. Need I say more? But I will anyway. Take a winery tour and let someone else worry about the logistics. Find accommodation offerings from luxe resorts to quaint Airbnb stays. Eat at high-end restaurants or casual eateries – all completely delicious, especially for brunch. And take in the beautiful countryside, swapping big city sounds for bird calls and cicadas.

pokolbin winery in the hunter valley — Relax with wine and cheese. (Image: DNSW)

2. Noosa, Qld

It shouldn’t be surprising to find so many beachside towns on this list, especially in Queensland where the weather is (generally) reliably good for most of the year. Noosa scored particularly highly for its service and hospitality – makes sense considering its reputation as a foodie destination – and good value. It’s also a particularly good holiday for families, with plenty to keep the kids occupied.

“Being near the coast and in nature is a great way to wind down, and disconnect from the stresses of daily life, plus these areas are known for great hospitality towards visitors," explains Dr Brian Ramos, a neuroscientist and researcher at Simply Nootropics.

aerial view of noosa everglades — Explore beaches and the unique Noosa Everglades. (Image: TEQ)

1. Crescent Head, NSW

And rolling into first place, is New South Wales’ Crescent Head, located on the mid-north coast, about five hour’s drive from Sydney. Get completely off-grid with several campgrounds to choose from, and enjoy scenic hikes, a beachside lifestyle and ocean activities like surfing and fishing. Good sleep quality was one of the top-ranking criteria here, with full marks for both the quality and value of attractions in the area. What could be less stressful than that?

nobby's bay at Crescent Head new south wales — Get your best sleep at Crescent Head. (Image: DNSW)

Wind through fern tunnels, stop for a wine in a tram bar, or chase giant murals across the wheatbelt. These drives and rides prove Victoria’s best stories are found off the straight and narrow.

There’s something unmistakably Australian about a road trip: car packed, playlist on, landscapes shifting. Travelling down the highway toward Healesville, in Victoria’s Yarra Valley , the mountains rise, flanking me on both sides. I feel its embrace, a silent invitation to explore what lies beyond.

Moss-covered embankments rise on either side, and towering mountain ash trees form a green tunnel overhead. Road signs warn of wombats and cyclists but with giant ferns lining the roadside, the landscape feels prehistoric, as if a dinosaur might suddenly emerge. This, the Black Spur , is one of my favourite road trips.

The Black Spur

Location: Yarra Ranges
Duration: 30 kilometres / 30 minutes

The Black Spur is short compared to other Victorian road trips, just 30 kilometres, stretching from Healesville to Narbethong. But what it lacks in distance, it makes up for in scenery. Just outside Healesville, Maroondah Dam offers bushwalks and scenic views. However, if pressed for time, Selover’s Lookout is an easy roadside stop offering uninterrupted views of the dam.

In Narbethong, close to the Marysville’s snowfield, is the Black Spur Inn , a charming double-storey brick hotel that’s been welcoming travellers since 1863. Here, diners cosy up by the roaring fire or gaze through the floor-to-ceiling windows, imagining horse-drawn coaches carrying hopeful gold seekers to the eastern goldfields.

Victoria’s Silo Art Trail

Location: Various towns across the Wimmera Mallee region
Duration: More than 200 kilometres / 4–5 hours but best over a minimum of three days

What began as a way to draw travellers back into town bypassed by highways – places such as Nullawil, Sea Lake and Patchewollock – has grown into a celebrated outdoor art movement. The Silo Art Trail now includes 23 silos, each transformed with large-scale mural portraits sharing local stories, celebrating community heroes, Indigenous history, farming life, or regional identity.

The Nullawil silo, for example, is a portrait of a local farmer in a chequered flannelette shirt alongside his loyal kelpie, painted by artist Sam Bates (AKA Smug). And the silos at Albacutya in the Grampians, painted by artist Kitt Bennett, depict her joyful memories of growing up in the countryside. Many of the murals sit right in the heart of small towns, such as Rochester and St Arnaud , making them perfect spots to pause for a country pub meal or something sweet from a local bakery.

Metung to Mallacoota

Location: Gippsland
Duration: Approximately 220 kilometres / 4 hours

The Gippsland Lakes are a much-loved holiday spot in Victoria, but road-tripping further east reveals much more. Begin in Metung and time your visit with the monthly farmers’ market, or simply linger over lunch on the lawn of the Metung Hotel. Twenty minutes away is Lakes Entrance , where you can watch the fishing boats return with their catch.

Lakes Entrance. (Image: Visit Victoria/Iluminaire Pictures)

Continue to Marlo, where the Snowy River spills into the sea, and Cape Conran for its many beaches and walks. If needing to stretch your legs, Croajingolong National Park is home to the historic Point Hicks Lighthouse and the Wilderness Coast Walk. Birdwatching and rainforest trails near Bemm River are worth a pit stop before arriving in Mallacoota, where the forest meets the sea.

Great Ocean Road

Location: South-west Victoria, from Torquay to Allansford
Duration: Approximately 250 kilometres / 4–5 hours but best over a minimum of three days

Victoria’s most famous road trip delivers it all: world-class surf breaks, rainforest walks, clifftop lookouts and wildlife encounters. The journey begins in Torquay, the state’s surf capital, then hugs the coast past Anglesea and Lorne to Apollo Bay, before curving inland through the lush rainforest of the Otways. Stop at Cape Otway Lightstation or take to the treetops at Otway Fly.

Between Cape Otway and Port Campbell lies the most photographed stretch – seven of the Twelve Apostles still standing, alongside the golden cliffs of Loch Ard Gorge. Further west, Warrnambool is a winter whale-watching hotspot, before the road winds to Port Fairy, a charming fishing village of whalers’ cottages, walking trails and offshore seal colonies further along the coast.

Bellarine Taste Trail

Terindah Estate. (Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Godfrey)

Location: Bellarine Peninsula
Duration: Approximately 80 kilometres / 2–3 hours

The Bellarine Taste Trail is a feast for the senses, winding through coastal towns, past boutique wineries and artisan producers. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure style trail – simply grab a map and build your own delicious journey.

You might wander historic, seafront Queenscliff, sip wine in a converted tram bar at Terindah Estate , sample a locally distilled whisky at The Whiskery in Drydale or pick up a jar of honey at Wattle Grove in Wallington. Seafood lovers can head to Portarlington, famous for its mussels. Eat them fresh at local restaurants or head out on the water with Portarlington Mussel Tours.

O’Keefe Rail Trail – Bendigo to Heathcote

Pink Cliffs Reserve in Heathcote can be seen on the O’Keefe Rail Trail. (Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Godfrey)

Location: Central Victoria
Duration: Approximately 50 kilometres / 4 hours cycling

Travellers first journeyed between Heathcote and Bendigo in 1888, when the railway line was built to link the towns. Trains stopped running in 1956, but today the route has a new life as the O’Keefe Rail Trail . The path is mostly level for easy riding, and along the way you’ll cycle past bushland, waterways and reserves. There are plenty of places to picnic, birdwatch, and if you’re lucky, spot a platypus.

The trail is well supported with water stations, bike repair points, shelters, and signage. Axedale makes a great halfway stop, with the pretty Campaspe River Reserve for a rest and local cafes for refuelling. Begin in Heathcote, known for its wineries and cafes, or in Bendigo, which is easily reached by train from Melbourne/Naarm. Shorter sections, such as Heathcote to Axedale, are also popular.

Goldfields Track – Ballarat to Bendigo

Location: Central Victoria
Duration: Approximately 210 kilometres / 2–3 days cycling

The Goldfields Track traces a route once so rich in gold it made Melbourne one of the wealthiest cities in the world. Starting at Mt Buninyong, south of Ballarat, the trail leads mountain cyclists and walkers north through Creswick, Daylesford and Castlemaine before finishing in Bendigo. Along the way, you’ll encounter granite outcrops, eucalypt forests, rolling farmland and remnants of the region’s mining past.

As it passes through the lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung and Wadawurrung people, the track shares gold rush history and Indigenous stories brought to life by interpretive signs. Walk or ride the full trail or choose from one of its three distinct sections. With cosy stays, cafes and pubs, it’s easy to mix wilderness with comfort.

Revealed: Australia’s most relaxing holiday destinations