9 restful weekend getaways around Australia

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Whether it’s a city staycation, a digital detox in the wild or a long weekend exploring new places, a short break can be all the reset you need.

1. The Limestone Coast, SA

Pristine beaches, lush vineyards and dazzling sinkholes, all just a 3.5-hour drive from Adelaide. It’s entirely possible to enjoy three separate holidays around South Australia’s 350-kilometre-long Limestone Coast over one long weekend. From a refreshing dip at Mount Gambier’s Kilsby Sinkhole to an exclusive wine tasting experience with Zema Estate in Coonawarra and a boutique stay at Church on the Hill in Robe, your easy, breezy itinerary awaits.

diving in Kilsby Sinkhole
Diving in Kilsby Sinkhole. (Image: Jessie Cripps)

2. Pumphouse Point, Tas

Travelling with: Imogen Eveson

If your idea of a perfect weekend means a digital detox in the wilderness, this unique, adults-only retreat in a historic hydro-electric station on a glacial lake might be just the ticket. Pumphouse Point is located on Lake St Clair in the central highlands of Tasmania Wilderness World Heritage Area, just 2.5 hours’ drive from Hobart and Launceston. Here, your boutique digs offer front-row seats to the drama of the landscape that envelops you.

the Pumphouse Point, Tasmania
Switch off in the Tassie wilderness. (Image: Adam Gibson)

3. The Hunter Valley, NSW

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

There are myriad ways to experience the Hunter Valley, just a two-hour drive from Sydney. While the region is best known for its award-winning restaurants and cellar doors, teetotallers aren’t completely left wanting. Float in the sun-blushed skies over the vineyard-laden landscape with Balloon Aloft, join an outdoor cooking class at Majors Lane in Lovedale or head to Hunter Valley Resort and Farm for a range of activities, from barrel rolling to horse riding. Squeeze every drop out of your visit with a pampered stay at Elysia Wellness Retreat.

Balloon Aloft in the Hunter Valley
Take it above and beyond in the Hunter Valley. (Image: Destination NSW/Chris Elfes)

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4. Trentham, Vic

Travelling with: Imogen Eveson

Like its nearby siblings Kyneton and Daylesford, the tiny gold rush town of Trentham in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges has been increasingly luring Melburnians away from the city for a weekend, if not a tree change, with its ever-expanding hit list of eateries, boutiques and galleries. The latest addition seals the deal: a luxuriously renovated two-bedroom weatherboard cottage has opened at The Cosmopolitan Hotel, a historic country pub and dining destination in and of itself.

a weatherboard cottage at The Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham, Victoria
A two-bedroom weatherboard cottage has opened at The Cosmopolitan Hotel.

5. The EVE Hotel in Sydney, NSW

Travelling with: Emily Murphy

The EVE Hotel Sydney is more than a stylish new stay – it’s a microcosm of Redfern’s creative energy and Sydney’s ever-evolving cultural landscape. Set within the heritage Wunderlich Lane precinct, The EVE blends biophilic design with thoughtful nods to the area’s past. Sip cocktails at Bar Julius or settle in for a long lunch at Lottie, where authentic Mexican flavours meet premium Australian produce. It’s a stay designed for lingering long after you’ve closed your suitcase.

the interior of The EVE Hotel, Sydney
The EVE blends biophilic design with thoughtful nods to the area’s past. (Image: Georg Roske)

6. A weekend cruise along Australia’s coastline

Travelling with: Imogen Eveson

The concept of a weekend cruise has gained popularity in recent years, as the world’s best cruise lines make their way Down Under for the summer season. A two-night weekender onboard Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas (January/February 2026) offers the chance to bliss out on a sea day between porting in Sydney, while a three-day sampler onboard Voyager of the Seas (December to March) offers the same opportunity from Brisbane. Princess Cruises offers similar two-day ‘seacations’ sailing between Sydney and Brisbane (November 2025). Or make an extra-long weekend of it, sailing five nights from Sydney on Celebrity Cruises’ award-winning Celebrity Edge, taking in Eden on NSW’s Sapphire Coast and Hobart (November 2025). It might just prove the ideal reset between busy working weeks.

the Celebrity Cruises’ award-winning Celebrity Edge villa
Sail five nights from Sydney on Celebrity Cruises’ award-winning Celebrity Edge. (Image: Michel Verdure)

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7. The Blue Mountains, NSW

Travelling with: Emily Murphy

Treat yourself to a luxury weekend in the tranquil surrounds of Spicers Sangoma Retreat, perched in the Bowen Mountain landscape of NSW’s Blue Mountains National Park. Lush bushland, sandstone cliffs and the sounds of native birdlife set the scene for deep relaxation. Indulge in spa treatments at Spa Anise, savour hatted dining at Restaurant Amara, float in the heated infinity pool or wander bush trails. It’s a secluded haven designed for restorative escapes.

relaxing in the tub at Spicers Sangoma Retreat
Lean into restorative R&R in the Blue Mountains. (Image: Destination NSW/Jem Cresswell)

8. Explore Fitzroy in Melbourne, Vic

Travelling with: Katie Carlin

Melbourne’s oldest neighbourhood is a hub of contrasts: designer boutiques and fine-dining restaurants sit alongside graffitied terrace houses, tattoo parlours and historic pubs. Now, the world’s first StandardX hotel is drawing travellers out of the CBD and into the heart of Fitzroy. Its location, tucked behind the main drag across from Rose Street Artists’ Market, is prime for exploring Melbourne’s hidden art scene. You can’t walk a block without spotting a building-sized mural or painted stencil underfoot. To truly appreciate it, join a Street Art Tour with Blender Studios. You’ll never look at a tag the same way again.

al fresco dining at StandardX hotel, Fitzroy, Melbourne, Victoria
Join the cool set at the world’s first StandardX hotel. (Image: Rhiannon Taylor)

9. The Lodge Wadjemup, Rottnest Island, WA

Travelling with: Fleur Bainger

the Salt Lake view at The Lodge Wadjemup
Cast away on Perth’s favourite island.

Grinning quokkas? Check. Sixty-three perfect-smile beaches? Yep. A flash new way to spend the night? Well actually, yes. The opening of The Lodge Wadjemup may just unlock the insatiable demand for sandy-footed weekend getaways on Rottnest Island. The $40 million redevelopment will add 102 rooms to Perth’s favourite dot on the horizon once works are finished mid-May. More than half are already open, earning the resort global kudos as the only Australian hotel included in TIME magazine’s 2025 World’s Greatest Places list.

the interior of The Lodge Wadjemup
Spend the night at The Lodge Wadjemup. (Image: Shot by Thom)

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This is Mornington Peninsula’s most indulgent itinerary

    Kellie Floyd Kellie Floyd
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    The Mornington Peninsula blends vineyards, galleries, golf and delicious finds for an unforgettable getaway that indulges all penchants. 

    Just over an hour from Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula blends coast and country in a way that feels effortlessly indulgent. It’s a region where vineyard views meet acclaimed dining, art and culture is never far from the sea, and where hot springs bubble alongside rolling fairways. Whether your escape is a long lunch, an immersive art trail or a round of golf, the Mornington Peninsula has an itinerary to match. And there’s always a glass of good local pinot waiting for you at the end of the day.  

    A creative trail through the Peninsula 

    The Mornington Peninsula is a haven for artists and creatives. Its coastal views and rolling landscapes have long been a source of inspiration. Stay at the historical InterContinental Sorrento, a grand hotel established in 1875, recently renovated to blend heritage charm with contemporary elegance. With curated art lining the hotel’s corridors and rooms, you could spend hours simply wandering the halls, studying the walls. 

    Pt Leo Estate outdoor gallery
    Wander around Pt. Leo Estate’s outdoor gallery. (Image: Visit Victoria/Jesse Hisco)

    If looking for an outdoor gallery with sea views, head to Pt. Leo Estate, a landscaped vineyard home to a sculpture park featuring more than 70 large-scale works by both local and international artists, all easily accessible by connecting paths. After strolling through the vineyards, there are three dining options: fine dining at Laura, a relaxed meal at Pt. Leo Restaurant or a vino at the Wine Terrace. For something more hands-on, sign up for the Sip & Sketch experience. And if you book directly into the elegant Lancemore at Lindenderry Red Hill, you’ll enjoy free access to the sculpture park.  

    food at Pt Estate
    Pt Leo Estate boasts three elegant dining venues. (Image: Visit Victoria/Two Palms/Arianna Harry)

    For those who like their art framed by rolling hills, vines and wetlands, Montalto is the place. More than 30 sculptures are dotted throughout the property. The vineyard offers a formal restaurant and casual tables among the seasonal produce in a setting that feels like Mr. McGregor’s Garden from Peter Rabbit. And there’s always the option to picnic on the lawn.  

    Montalto Vineyard
    Montalto Vineyard is an idyllic setting for afternoon wining and dining. (Image: Visit Victoria/Robyn Lea)

    The Sorrento-Portsea Artists Trail offers a self-guided walk along bush paths and sea cliffs to see the same landscapes that once inspired brushstrokes of some of Australia’s most famous artists. Along the way, interpretive signs share insights into the area’s artistic past. And, if the peninsula’s weather turns a little wild, the region is brimming with galleries, particularly around Flinders, Sorrento and Red Hill. Artisan studios are open by appointment.  

    A feast for food and wine lovers 

    With more than 200 vineyards, around 60 wineries and cellar doors, plus an abundance of breweries, distilleries, orchards and family-run farms spanning generations, the Mornington Peninsula is a playground for food and wine enthusiasts.  

    Cassis Red Hill
    Luxurious stay, Cassis Red Hill.

    The perfect base for a culinary inclined trip is Cassis Red Hill, where luxury accommodation is tucked between grape vines and olive trees. A quiet nod to the fishing village of Cassis in the south of France, this retreat is all about contemporary elegance – crisp linen, sunlit interiors and a private mineral plunge pool. 

    Then, for a stand-out lunch, Green Olive at Red Hill offers a delicious way to enjoy the region. Graze on generous tasting plates with house-made relishes, lamb sausages, local cheese and just-picked garden produce. Pair it with a wine flight or order a picnic hamper to enjoy among the olive grove; there’s a picnic option for your dog, too. And for a playful twist, Green Olive is home to what is believed to be Australia’s only pickleball court set within a vineyard or orchard.  

    Amid the many wineries with open cellar doors, Main Ridge Dairy offers a delicious detour – a goat dairy where you can sample handcrafted cheeses and even meet the resident goats. For a more refined experience, Paringa Estate is one of the peninsula’s most awarded wineries, offering fine dining with sweeping vineyard views and a menu crafted from seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.   

    If you’re looking to step outdoors before a lingering lunch, during winter Flinders Truffles offer the chance to join their clever dogs and search for the black gold under oak trees. For an authentic taste of the region, time your visit with one of the Peninsula’s vibrant farmers’ markets.

    From golf days to spa stays 

    Kingswood CountryGolf Club
    Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    With its champion courses, the Peninsula is a dream destination not only for those who love to tee off but for those who enjoy the post-golf wind down. Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club draws keen golfers from around the world, while Peppers Moonah Links Resort is a course that has hosted both a PGA tournament and two Australian Opens. For a true test of skill, The Dunes Golf Links is one of Australia’s top public courses. Each golf course offers accommodation, and staying onsite means maximum convenience, especially at The Dunes, where premium rooms have you sleeping right next to the fairway. Off-course indulgence is close at hand, too.  

    Alba Thermal Springs& Spa
    Soaking at Alba Thermal Springs & Spa. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Peninsula Hot Springs and Alba Thermal Springs are just next door, where thermal waters drawn from geothermal mineral springs deep underground provide the ultimate recovery after a day of perfecting your swing. These award-winning wellness sanctuaries offer everything from bathing pools to private plunges and spa treatments. 

    Jetty Road Brewery
    Jetty Road Brewery.

    After sinking the last ball, and the 19th hole beckons, the Peninsula serves up just as many dining options as it does golf courses. Just minutes away and right on the beach, Jetty Road Brewery is a laid-back spot perfect for a round of beers and typical pub fare. For something a little elevated, book a table at Epicurean. Here, a glass of local red pairs beautifully with handmade pastas and woodfired pizza, all served in a historical coolstore and packing shed dating back more than a century.   

    9 rejuvenating weekend getaways around Australia