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.

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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)

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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)

Makers, bakers, artists, chefs, crafters – Ballarat and its surrounds are overflowing with creative spirits. All dedicated to keeping traditional skills alive for a city that is humming with artful energy.

Modern makers: a new generation of artists and artisans

“Keeping craft alive is a noble cause,” says Jess Cameron-Wootten, a charming and passionate master leathercrafter and cordwainer, who handmakes traditional leather boots and shoes in Ballarat’s old Gun Cotton Goods Store.

Ballarat was recognised in 2019 as a UNESCO Creative City of Craft and Folk Art, and today it’s a place where craft traditions converge with contemporary needs. Nothing quite captures this convergence as a visit to Wootten, the workshop and store of Jess Cameron-Wootten and his partner Krystina Menegazzo.

heritage buildings in Ballarat — Ballarat’s streets are lined with heritage buildings. (Image: Matt Dunne)

Jess’s father was an artisan bootmaker, or cordwainer. Now Jess and Krys and their small team of artisans continue the tradition, but with a modern spin. The company’s boots and shoes, made completely from scratch, are renowned for their quality and longevity. Wootten also craft shoes, bags, belts, leather aprons, wallets and more.

Cosy beanies, gloves, alpaca socks, “unbreakable” shoelaces and various other goods – many from local craftspeople and small-scale makers – fill the shop’s shelves. “We’re always happy to support a mate,” says Jess. “People love to see the workshop and where things are made. Our clients care about quality and sustainability,” Krys comments. The company slogan ‘Made for generations’ says it all.

Ruby Pilven’s ceramics at Ross Creek Gallery. (Image: Tara Moore)

For Ruby Pilven, craft is also in the DNA – both her parents were potters and with her latest porcelain ceramics, Ruby’s young daughter has been helping add colour to the glazes. “I grew up watching my parents in the workshop – I’ve always been doing ceramics,” she says, although her Visual Arts degree was in printmaking. That printmaking training comes through particularly in the rich layering of pattern. Her audacious colour, unexpected shapes and sudden pops of 12-carat gold are contemporary, quirky – and joyful.

You can see Ruby’s handcrafted ceramics, and work by other local and regional artists, at Ross Creek Gallery, a light-filled space surrounded by serene bushland, across from the mudbrick house her parents built in the 1980s. A 10-minute drive from Ballarat, it’s a tangible link to the region’s well-established craft traditions.

How Ballarat is preserving the past

artisans making crafts at the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades, Ballarat — The Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades holds workshops to preserve crafts and skills.

While tradition is ongoing, there’s a danger that many of these specific type of skills and knowledge are fading as an older generation passes on. Step forward the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades.

The seven purpose-built studios occupy a fabulous modern building adjacent to Sovereign Hill, with state-of-the-art facilities, enormous windows and landscape views across to Warrenheip and Wadawurrung Country.

artisanal works at the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades, Ballarat — Check out artisanal works at the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades.

Practising artisans run hands-on workshops. Fancy making your own medieval armour? Or trying your hand at blacksmithing, spinning wool, plaiting leather, weaving cane or craft a knife? Book a class and learn how. “It’s about creating awareness and also sharing knowledge and skills before they are lost,” explains Deborah Klein, the centre manager.

A city steeped in food and flavours

Chef José Fernandez preparing American streetfood at Pancho — Chef José Fernandez creates vibrant South American street food at Pancho. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

One skill that hasn’t been lost is that of cooking. Ballarat’s burgeoning gastronomy scene runs the gamut from an artisan bakery (the atmospheric 1816 Bakehouse) to cool coffee shops, speakeasy cocktail bars and distilleries to fine-dining venues. But I’m still surprised to find Pancho, José Fernandez’s South American street food restaurant, serving fried cheese tequeños, fiery fish tacos, Argentinian grilled chicken.

The room is as lively as the food – a whirl of colour filled with gifted and thrifted paintings, photos, tchotchkes (trinkets), plants. There’s a Mexican abuela aesthetic going on here. Even before the music and mezcal kick in, it’s fun. Heads up on the drinks menu – an authentic selection of mezcal, tequila, South American wines and Mexican cerveza.

a cocktail at Itinerant Spirits, Ballarat — Enjoy a cocktail at Itinerant Spirits. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

The spirit is willing, so after lunch we head towards the gold rush-era Ballarat train station and across the line to the old 1860s Goods Shed for Itinerant Spirits. At one end, a massive German copper still looms behind a wall of glass. The fit-out embraces deep olive-green tones, original bluestone walls, steamer trunks as coffee tables, heritage timber floors, oversized lamp shades and cognac-hued modernist leather seating.

the Itinerant Spirits Distillery & Cocktail Bar, Ballarat — The distillery operates from an old goods shed. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

Gallivanter Gin, Vansetter Vodka and Wayfarer Whiskey – the key spirits distilled – star at the bar. The spirits are crafted using grains from the Wimmera Mallee region, and native botanicals foraged in the Grampians. Seasonal cocktails are inspired by local people and places (I loved The Headland, inspired by Sovereign Hill and flavoured with old-fashioned raspberry drops). Sample the spirits, and join a cocktail masterclass or a distillery tour. It’s a seductive setting – you’ll likely find yourself ordering a charcuterie platter or pizza as the evening progresses.

The Ballarat stay combining history and luxury

one of the rooms at Hotel Vera, Ballarat — The rooms at Hotel Vera have a contemporary style. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

New lives for old buildings keeps history alive. Vera, Ballarat’s boutique five-star hotel, has taken it to the next level: it’s a palimpsest, a subtle layering of early 1900s and 1930s Art Deco architecture with a sleek new wing. There are seven spacious suites, each a dramatically different colour, with designer chairs, blissful bathrooms. High-end pottery and hand-picked artworks imbue the spaces with personality.

Vera’s intimate, award-winning restaurant, Babae, is subtly theatrical with sheer drapes and gallery lighting, its bespoke timber furniture and brass-edged marble bench setting the stage for food with a sharp regional focus. “We have goat’s cheese from a local supplier, handmade granola from local Vegas & Rose, truffles from nearby Black Cat Truffles, fresh food from our garden, and regional wines,” says joint owner David Cook-Doulton.

Celebrating the local makers, bakers, growers and producers, and the master chefs who work their magic is all part of the rich tapestry that links Ballarat’s history to its vibrant present.

A traveller’s checklist

Getting there

It’s 90 minutes from Melbourne, either on the Western Freeway, or hop on a V/Line train from Southern Cross Station.

Staying there

Hotel Vera is a centrally located Art Deco boutique hotel. Consider Hotel Provincial, which feels like a sleek country house, but with its own restaurant, Lola.

a contemporary room at Hotel Provincial, Ballarat — Hotel Provincial has country house vibes.

Eating there

dining at Mr Jones, Ballarat — The table is set at Mr Jones. (Image: Tony Evans/ Visit Victoria)

Culinary whiz Damien Jones helms Chef’s Hat winner Mr Jones Dining with quiet assurance. His modern Asian food is deceptively simple with deep, intense flavours. Low-key, laid-back ambience, lovely staff, thoughtful wine list.

Cocktails are definitely a thing in Ballarat. Reynard (fox in French) is foxy indeed, a clubby space with top-notch cocktails and small bites. Grainery Lane is extravagantly OTT with its massive 1880s bar, myriad chandeliers, brass gin still, Asian-inspired food and lavish cocktails.

dining at Grainery Lane, Ballarat — Dining at Grainery Lane.

Playing there

a laneway filled with artworks in Ballarat — An artful laneway in the city. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

Check out local design legend Travis Price’s wall murals in Hop Lane with its colourful canopy of brollies, or in Main Street. The Art Gallery of Ballarat’s off-site Backspace Gallery showcases early-career artists in a stylish, contemporary space. First Nations-owned and run Perridak Arts connects people to place, bringing together art and crafts in this gallery/shop.

a woman admiring artworks at Perridak Arts Gallery — Perridak Arts is a First Nations-run gallery. (Image: Tony Evans)

The wineries of the Pyrenees are close at hand with their welcoming cellar doors and robust reds. Join a behind-the-scenes tour at the Centre for Gold Rush Collections.

Don’t forget the giant bluestone Kryal Castle, ‘the land of adventure’, for a little medieval magic, and not just for the kids: get ready for Highland-style feasting, jousting, even overnight stays.

Revealed: Australia’s most relaxing holiday destinations

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

5. Palm Cove, Qld

4. Marcoola, Qld

3. Hunter Valley, NSW

2. Noosa, Qld

1. Crescent Head, NSW

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Meet the makers shaping Ballarat’s new era of creativity

Makers, bakers, artists, chefs, crafters – Ballarat and its surrounds are overflowing with creative spirits. All dedicated to keeping traditional skills alive for a city that is humming with artful energy.

Modern makers: a new generation of artists and artisans

How Ballarat is preserving the past

A city steeped in food and flavours

The Ballarat stay combining history and luxury