8 Incredible City Getaways To Experience Around Australia

With stylish new stays, vibrant creative scenes, world-class dining and fabulous festivals, our cities set the stage for a great escape.

1. A midwinter dalliance at Dark Mofo, Tas

Travelling with: Imogen Eveson

A staple of our cultural calendar for more than a decade, Dark Mofo returns to Hobart in full force this year. Gorge yourself on Tassie produce at the decadent Winter Feast. Have your mind and ears blown by its progressive live music and arts program. Celebrate winter solstice by plunging naked into the chilly River Derwent. Get in touch with your inner pagan at the burning of the Ogoh-Ogoh. Or all of the above. There’s no other festival like it in Australia.

the Winter Feast, Dark Mofo — Gorge yourself on Tassie produce at the decadent Winter Feast. (Image: Adam Gibson)

2. Choose your own cultural adventure in Canberra, ACT

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

Canberra has been thrust into the limelight over the past few decades due to the world-class exhibitions on show at landmark attractions such as the National Museum of Australia. You must visit the Australian War Memorial at least once, as the reimagined institution continues to evolve and expand to tell Australian stories of service and sacrifice. There’s also plenty to keep food-focused travellers in Canberra with its plethora of award-winning restaurants, cafes, bars and vineyards.

the National Museum of Australia, Canberra — The National Museum of Australia forms its own landscape of themes and colours. (Image: Visit Canberra/Lean Timms)

3. Hike a 100-km loop around Adelaide, SA

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

Take your visit to Adelaide one step further along the new Adelaide100. The trail loops around the SA capital for more than 100 kilometres, taking in its coastline, waterways and hills. Its founder Jim McLean took more than a decade to develop the trail, inspired by the 100 square-mile parcels of land that were marked out during the city’s founding in the 1800s. Tackle short sections or walk the entire Adelaide100 in about six days.

a crowded beach at Adelaide/Tarntanya — Glenelg is a popular metropolitan beach in Adelaide. (Image: South Australia Tourism Commission/Josie Withers)

4. Experience the all-new Melbourne Place, Vic

Travelling with: Katie Carlin

Melbourne Place has become the new must-stay hotel since throwing open its doors at the end of 2024. Sandwiched between the urban delights of Bourke and Little Collins streets, the 14-storey hotel on Russell Street rivals the world-class dining on its doorstep with three onsite hospitality venues: Med-inspired terrace restaurant Mid Air, Portuguese diner Marmelo and late-night basement bar Mr Mills. Inside, rooms are drenched in soothing colour palettes of burnt orange, rose and moss, embellished with bouclé armchairs, brass fixtures and floor-to-ceiling wraparound windows.

the brass interior of Melbourne Place — Brass fixtures bring the luxe to Melbourne Place. (Image: Anson Smart)

5. Test your fitness in Brisbane, Qld

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

Fitness tourism is on the rise around Australia and the Queensland capital is streaking ahead with its packed sporting calendar. Running over the Gateway Bridge in Brisbane gives visitors the chance to view the city as they’ve never seen it before. Start training now for the annual Bridge to Brisbane fun run held in September, which has five-kilometre and 10-kilometre race options. Once you’ve crossed the finish line at Brisbane Showground, make your way to the King Street precinct to refuel with a Kuhl-Cher coffee or big-ass burger at Super Combo.

participants of a running event in Brisbane pose for a photo — Run in Brissie to see the city from a different perspective.

6. Find out why Perth is topping global must-visit lists, WA

Travelling with: Fleur Bainger

Singled out by TIME, BBC Travel and New York Times in their respective best places to travel in 2025 lists, Perth is sizzling – and not just with sunshine. The WA capital will soon welcome a host of new hotels, including Australia’s first Hyde Hotel, Garde Hotel in the UNESCO-listed Fremantle Prison Heritage Precinct and The Elizabeth Hotel and Residences, which will seriously up the luxury stakes at Elizabeth Quay. There’s also a new yoga experience at Perth Zoo, a kooky beachside cafe called Magic Apple doing bentonite clay and sea buckthorn-packed smoothies, and the first Light Years Asian Bar & Diner to open on the West Coast.

the Magic Apple beachside cafe, Perth — A kooky beachside cafe called Magic Apple. (Image: D-Max Photography)

7. Embrace nocturnal tourism in Sydney, NSW

Travelling with: Imogen Eveson

Sydney is synonymous with summer but shines just as bright in winter. Sparkling days transition into colourful nights during Vivid Sydney, which illuminates Sydney Opera House and other landmark buildings around the city. This festival runs each year in autumn and includes talks, live music and foodie events designed to spark ideas and inspiration. Check into Park Hyatt Sydney on the edge of the harbour to stay in the heart of the action.

bright city lights at the Vivid Sydney — The city lights up during Vivid Sydney. (Image: Destination NSW/Henry Li)

8. Tick off Darwin’s coolest openings, NT

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

Darwin’s emergence as a cool urban getaway has been gradual. But as the gateway to the wonders of the Top End, it was only a matter of time before the city became a destination unto itself. Have a cocktail at The Trader Bar , shop at the House of Darwin flagship store , visit Laundry Gallery in hip hood Parap and time your visit to coincide with Darwin Festival in August. Return for the 2026 opening of the Northern Territory Art Gallery.

the Laundry Gallery, Darwin NT — Visit Laundry Gallery in the hip hood of Parap. (Image: Jeremy Simons)

Time your visit to Margaret River just right, and you can spend the ultimate weekend wining, dining and exploring the region with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

Wine, world-class produce, surf, sun and beaches: it’s an alluring combination. And the reason so many pin the Margaret River region high on their travel hit-lists. There’s drawcard after drawcard to the southwestern corner of Western Australia, and the Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover food and wine festival showcases the best of it over the course of one weekend in November. It’s never been easier to sip, see and savour the Margaret River region.

In partnership with Pair’d Margaret River Region, Range Rover invites you on a seven-day itinerary of refined adventure, where luxury and exploration go hand in hand. It’s the perfect WA road trip, and there’s no better way to do it than in a Range Rover.

Day 1

the pool at Pullman Bunker Bay — Check into Pullman Bunker Bay.

There’s no more popular West Australian road trip route than that between Perth and the Margaret River Region. It’s an easily digestible, three-hour drive, with worthy pit stops along the way.

Make the first of them one hour and 15 minutes in, at Lake Clifton. Here, find a 2000-year-old living thrombolite reef. Drive for a further 40 minutes and chance meeting some of Bunbury’s dolphin population at Koombana Bay.

Pullman Bunker Bay is the final stop, just over three hours south of Perth. This beachfront, five-star resort is the ultimate base for exploring the Margaret River Wine region.

Day 2

After a leisurely morning breakfast with an ocean view, start your Range Rover and head towards the Dunsborough town centre. Browsing the decidedly coastal-themed goods of the town’s many independent boutiques is a great way to while away the hours, breaking up the sartorial with an artisan gelato snack stop, or some good old-fashioned Australian bakery fare.

Leave room; you’ll need it for the Good Natured Gathering dinner at Wayfinder. Indulge in a four-course feast by chef Felipe Montiel, which uses produce from the winery’s market garden to enhance a selection of sustainably sourced seafood and meat. But food is just the support act. It’s organic wine that’s the star of the show, generously poured and expertly paired to each dish.

Day 3

Settle in for cabernet at Cape Mentelle Winery.

With a grand total of 20 wines from vintage 2022 to try, it’s a good thing Cape Mentelle’s International Cabernet Tasting kicks off early. Make your way to the estate for a 10:00 AM start, where a global selection of wines will be poured blind, before a long lunch by Tiller Dining is served.

Given that the Margaret River is responsible for more than 20 per cent of Australia’s fine wine production, it’s only right to delve into it while in the area.

Continue exploring the region via taste and terroir aboard Alison Maree, a whale-watching catamaran, as you cruise Geographe Bay . Admire the rolling green hills and crisp white beaches of Quindalup in sunset’s golden light, all the while sipping through the Clairault Streicker catalogue and dining on canapes.

For a more substantial dinner, venture into Busselton for a seven-course British x Australian mash-up , courtesy of Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion) and Oliver Kent (Updown Farmhouse, UK). They’ll be putting their rustic yet refined spin on the likes of local marron, wagyu and abalone – championing the simple beauty of the world-class ingredients.

Day 4

Wrap your fingers around a wine glass and wiggle your toes into the sand at Pair’d Beach Club x Range Rover on Meelup Beach. Sit down to an intimate wine session with sommelier Cyndal Petty – or a four-course feast by Aaron Carr of Yarri – and revel in the open-air beach club, bar and restaurant’s laidback coastal vibe. It’s a whole new way to experience one of the region’s most renowned beaches.

Follow up a day in the sun with a casual Italian party at Mr Barvel Wines . Purchase wines –including the elusive, sold-out Nebbia – by the glass and enjoy canapes with the towering Karri forest as a backdrop.

If you’d prefer to keep it local, head to Skigh Wines for the New Wave Gathering , where the region’s independent wine makers and their boundary-pushing wines will be on show. Street-style eats, a DJ and complimentary wine masterclasses complete the experience.

Day 5

pair'd Grand Tasting — Taste your way through Howard Park Wines. (Image: C J Maddock)

Spend the morning at your leisure, driving the winding roads through the Boranup Karri forest in your Range Rover. Soak in the views at Contos Beach, and call into the small cheese, chocolate and preserve producers along the way.

Make your next stop Howard Park Wines for The Grand Tasting presented by Singapore Airlines . Numerous wine labels will be pouring their catalogues over four hours, accompanied by food from chefs Matt Moran and Silvia Colloca, with live opera providing the soundtrack.

Cap off a big weekend with one last hurrah at Busselton Pavilion. Six ‘local legends’ – chefs Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion), Mal Chow (Chow’s Table), Aaron Carr (Yarri), Ben Jacob (Lagoon Yallingup), Corey Rozario (Dahl Daddies) and Laura Koentjoro (Banksia Tavern) – will be preparing a dish each. Dance the night away as vinyl spins and the sun sets on another day.

Day 6

Ngilgi Cave western australia — Head underground. (Image: Tourism WA)

After a busy few days of wining and dining, it’s wise to observe a rest day. There’s no easier task than unwinding in the Margaret River Region, also famous for its high concentration of world-class beaches.

Relax on the grassy knoll as you watch the region’s most experienced surfers braving the World Surf League break at Surfer’s Point, or don your own wetsuit and try out one of Gracetown’s more beginner-friendly waves. Swimmers will find their Eden at Meelup Beach, Eagle Bay, or Point Piquet, where the sand is brilliantly white and the water as still as a backyard swimming pool.

Not into sun, sand, and surf? Head underground at Mammoth Cave, just one of the region’s many stalactite-filled caves.

Day 7

Burnt Ends event at Pair'd — Farewell the Margaret River.

Pack up your Range Rover with new favourite wines and newfound memories, ready for the three-hour journey back to Perth.

Prebook your discovery journey through the south-west corner of Western Australia with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

8 incredible city getaways around Australia

With stylish new stays, vibrant creative scenes, world-class dining and fabulous festivals, our cities set the stage for a great escape.

1. A midwinter dalliance at Dark Mofo, Tas

2. Choose your own cultural adventure in Canberra, ACT

3. Hike a 100-km loop around Adelaide, SA

4. Experience the all-new Melbourne Place, Vic

5. Test your fitness in Brisbane, Qld

6. Find out why Perth is topping global must-visit lists, WA

7. Embrace nocturnal tourism in Sydney, NSW

8. Tick off Darwin’s coolest openings, NT

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The ultimate Margaret River road trip itinerary for food & wine lovers

Time your visit to Margaret River just right, and you can spend the ultimate weekend wining, dining and exploring the region with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Pair’d Margaret River Region is proudly owned by the Western Australian Government, through Tourism WA.