8 incredible city getaways around Australia

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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)
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8 Northern Territory secrets the locals don’t want you to know

    Lee MylneBy Lee Mylne
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    Summer transforms the Northern Territory into a lush paradise of colour and life, as a visit during the ‘low-season’ reveals secrets the locals willingly share.

    Waterlilies bloom, floodplains are alive with birdlife, waterfalls are gushing, and everywhere the green is dazzling. Summer in the Top End and the Red Centre is a kaleidoscope of unexpected wonders that delight and surprise visitors. Of course, the locals know only too well that the Northern Territory low season is often the best time to see and experience this amazing part of Australia.

    Here are some of the reasons why savvy travellers – avoiding the crowds – are discovering a new dimension to the Territory. Remember that you’ll need a Parks Pass to visit national parks.

    1. Take a dip in the Florence Falls waterhole

    Wander through savanna woodland and monsoon forest to discover the perfect place to cool off – the waterhole at the base of spectacular Florence Falls in the magnificent Litchfield National Park , just 90 minutes’ drive from Darwin. The falls flow year-round but are most spectacular during the summer. Camping is available nearby but bookings are essential and must be made online before you visit.

    Surrounded by lush forest, a woman cools off in Florence Falls, just one of many incredible things to do in the Northern Territory.
    Cool off beneath the cascading waters of Florence Falls. (Image: Joshua Griffin)

    2. Wind down at Buley Rock Hole

    Another popular local swimming spot in Litchfield National Park is Buley Rock Hole , open year-round. This is a great place to wind down after exploring everything the park has to offer, including towering termite mounds. Wade through the rock pools, soak up the scenic bush or just lie back and relax as the cool water rolls over you.

    Buley Rockhole, Litchfield National Park
    Let the cool water wash over you. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    3. Tour the Tiwi Islands

    The Tiwi Islands , a scenic 80km flight from Darwin across the narrow Clarence and Dundas Straits, reveal a different side to the Territory, with their own distinctive culture. Take a day tour with Tiwi by Design to visit Bathurst Island and learn about creation stories, the Mission days, World War II history and the islanders’ obsession with AFL!

    Take a ‘behind-the-scenes’ tour of Tiwi Design’s screen-printing workshop and pick up a great souvenir in the form of art. Choose from contemporary or traditional Tiwi designs and a wide range of work including carvings, paintings, pottery, printmaking, bark paintings and tunga (bark baskets).

    A creative moment shared inside Tiwi Design’s screen-printing space.
    Take a peek inside Tiwi Design’s screen-printing studio. (Image: Tourism NT)

    4. Dine in Darwin

    Foodies are spoilt for choice in multi-cultural Darwin. Try Sri Lankan flavours at Ella by Minoli, where Masterchef contestant Minoli De Silva creates delectable dishes, or head to Charlie’s of Darwin for gin-tasting, cocktails and more. Bowls of fragrant laksa, excellent coffee, fresh vegetables and authentic crafts are all part of a weekend visit to Darwin’s Parap Markets , Rapid Creek Markets and the Nightcliff Markets .

    Prefer to catch your own dinner? Book a Top End fishing charter to bag a barramundi – and from October register for the annual Million Dollar Fish competition. Hooking one of the tagged barra released each year in waterways across the Territory could win you up to $1 million.

    A bowl of Laksa.
    Eat your way through multicultural Darwin. (Image: Tourism NT)

    5. Up close with Uluṟu

    The magnificent monolith Uluṟu is even more magical when the summer rains fall. When it rains on The Rock, the locals come out to watch – consider yourself lucky if that happens when you visit. Waterfalls cascading off the sides of Uluṟu is a sight that relatively few tourists see.

    There’s so much to do at Uluṟu, from guided walks to learn the stories of the Aṉangu people and the ancient landscape they live in to scenic flights for a bird’s-eye view or a leisurely walk around the base of Uluṟu. Book ahead to spend the evening wandering through the Field of Light installation by Bruce Munro.

    A closer look at Uluru and uncover its ancient stories, sacred sites, and striking natural beauty – one of the most iconic things to do in the Northern Territory.
    Discover the details that make Uluṟu truly sacred. (Image: Tourism NT)

    6. Drive the Red Centre Way

    From Alice Springs, take an epic road trip along the Red Centre Way, taking in Uluru and Watarrka National Park, home to the magnificent Kings Canyon. Allow at least a week to drive through the red heart of Australia by 4WD, a little longer on the sealed road by 2WD vehicle, travelling through ochre deserts, palm-lined valleys and dramatic gorges. Stop off at waterholes for a refreshing dip along the way.

    Kings Canyon offers hiking options for all levels of fitness, from the three-hour Rim Walk atop soaring sandstone walls to the gentler Kings Creek Walk. Either way, you’ll have breathtaking views.

    SEIT Outback Australia is a small group touring specialist offering exciting, adventurous, exclusive and specialised iconic, pioneering and cultural touring in the Red Centre of Australia, giving you the time to learn, absorb and relax in the heart of Australia.<br /><br />This innovative tour company focuses on providing clients with the ultimate interpretive touring experiences with a range of products and customised touring itineraries for small groups and bespoke private charters.<br /><br />The company bases its philosophies from the key words of Spirit, Emotion, Intellect and Task (SEIT).
    Drive through Australia’s heart. (Image: Outback Australia Tours)

    7. Take a walk at Kata Tjuṯa

    Head out early to tackle the Valley of the Winds Walk at Kata Tjuṯa . This natural wonder, also known as The Olgas, is a labyrinth of soaring ochre domes that glow golden at sunrise and sunset (the walk may be closed during the middle of the day as temperatures rise).

    Walking trails range from easy to longer, more difficult tracks. At the Kata Tjuṯa dune viewing area, take in the panoramic view of the domes. The longest of the trails is the Valley of the Winds Walk, a 7.4km circuit that winds between the domes and through creek beds. It’s moderately difficult and steep in places, but offers stunning views – and occasional encounters with kangaroos.

    The Valley of the Winds Walk at Kata Tjuta is one of the most awe-inspiring things to do in the Northern Territory, especially at sunrise when the domes glow golden.
    Step into the golden light of Kata Tjuṯa. (Image: Tourism NT)

    8. Explore Tjoritja/West MacDonnell Ranges

    Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park lies 135km west of Alice Springs, with many fascinating natural features to beguile visitors. The ‘West Macs’ formations include chasms, gorges and waterholes – take your swimsuit for a dip at Ormiston Gorge waterhole, open year-round. The Ormiston Pound Walk is a three to four-hour circuit that leaves from the visitor centre and loops back along the gorge via the main waterhole. Other places of interest in the park include Simpsons Gap , Standley Chasm , Ellery Creek Big Hole and Glen Helen .

    Soaking in the serenity of Ormiston Gorge, these two travellers enjoy one of the most scenic things to do in the Northern Territory.
    Take the plunge at Ormiston Gorge waterhole. (Image: Joshua Griffin Litchfield)

    Start planning the NT road trip of a lifetime at northernterritory.com