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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9 of the best Sydney hotel bars for a local adventure during Vivid

(Credit: Nikki To)

    Lucy Cousins Lucy Cousins
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    A great night out doesn’t need a road trip, just the right bar. Swap the long drive for an evening at these standout Sydney venues.

    If you’re thinking of a staycation or a long weekend (with foodie benefits), you can’t get much better than the bright lights and beautiful vistas of Sydney. From tucked-away bars to late-night hidden hangs, Australia’s (unofficial) favourite city is packed full of venues that make staying local feel like an adventure.

    And with Vivid lighting up the sky this winter, there’s no better time to find the perfect cosy spot to enjoy the views or escape the crowds.

    1. El Vista, Circular Quay

    bar tender at El Vista, Circular Quay sydney hotel bars
    Enjoy tasty cocktails and gorgeous Sydney views. (Credit: Mario Francisco)

    This welcoming bar by the Maybe Sammy team offers a fun buzz and jaw-dropping harbour views. Part of the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, this lounge bar sits above Circular Quay with the harbour on one side and the Botanical Gardens on the other. You may start here for pre-dinner drinks, but you won’t want to leave before the early hours. If the 1960s Acapulco vibe isn’t enough, the views will be – the Sydney Harbour Bridge is so close it hardly fits in the window, while ferries glide by all night.

    2. Bar Allora, CBD

    Bar Allora, CBD Sydney hotel bars
    Settle in for a taste of Italy.

    Inspired by Milan in the 1980s, Bar Allora brings Italian style and culture to the CBD. Although it’s officially part of the Mantra 2 Bond Street hotel, it’s designed to look and feel like you’ve travelled to Italy for all-day dining. Think espresso in the morning, aperitivo in the afternoon and Negronis late into the night. Accompany your liquid diet with Italian-style small plates and pastas with a modern twist.

    3. Percy, Pyrmont

    Percy Sydney hotel bars
    Spanish-style tapas and wine is the name of the game. (Credit: Steven Woodburn)

    Taking centre stage in the luxe foyer of the Woolstore 1888 Hotel in Pyrmont, Percy is a popular Spanish-style tapas and wine bar serving food that makes you want to linger. The restored 138-year-old wool store creates an atmospheric backdrop to your glass of merlot with exposed timber beams, brick and the echoes of Sydney’s past. With an air of Barcelona, expect low conversations, creative dining and the city moments away.

    4. The Crudo Bar at Flaminia, CBD

    The Crudo Bar at Flaminia, CBD Sydney hotel bars
    Seafood lovers should head to The Crudo Bar. (Credit: Nikki To)

    Grab a seat at the beautifully designed crudo bar, taking centre stage of Giovanni Pilu’s latest CBD restaurant, Flaminia. Enjoy a glass of chilled Vermentino from Sardinia or prosecco from the hills of Treviso, matched with freshly shucked oysters. Complement your seafood with a range of special dressings, influenced by iconic Italian port cities. It’s the perfect spot for a pre- or post- glass of wine before visiting the Sydney Opera House.

    5. Mee So, Sydney Central

    Mee So sydney
    Enjoy Japanese-influenced food and drinks.

    For something a little different, Mee So is a modern, neon-lit Japanese-influenced bar in the Ibis Sydney Central. Serving bold flavours and umami-heavy dishes alongside sake and yuzu-infused cocktails, this Tokyo-esque venue offers an escape from the busy streets outside. Order steaming ramen, a Japanese whisky and make a corner of Mee So yours for the night.

    6. Bar Morris, Haymarket

    Bar Morris sydney
    Settle into old-world European glamour.

    Housed in a 1929 heritage-listed building, Bar Morris brings old-world European glamour to the Hotel Morris Sydney, part of Accor’s Handwritten Collection. More of a destination than a pitstop, this bar leans into its Art Deco past with velvet features, intimate lighting and bold brass finishes. Here you can order smaller plates like burrata, cured meats, and seasonal seafood to match your martini.

    7. Pumphouse, Darling Harbour

    Pumphouse sydney
    Enjoy a tipple inside a building from the 1880s.

    When you first walk into Pumphouse, you’ll quickly notice the high ceilings, exposed brick and industrial style decor. Officially part of the busy Novotel Darling Square, this busy local hang doesn’t feel like it; it’s housed inside a former hydraulic pumping station from the 1880s – hence the name – and a local institution. Grab a seat if you can and order off the classic modern Australian menu, before trying one of the many craft beers on tap to wash it down.

    8. Wentworth Bar, CBD

    Wentworth Bar sydney hotel bars
    Drink where the celebrities once did.

    Designed for big groups and late-night cocktails, this open-air terrace bar is part of the Sydney Sofitel Wentworth – one of Sydney’s most iconic hotels. Once the watering hole of royals and celebrities, this mid-century building has recently been refurbished to be sleek, modern and inviting. The stunning rooftop bar attracts Sydneysiders who love to watch the sunset with a table full of Vietnamese and French-inspired dishes.

    9. Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington

    Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington sydney
    See the city skyline, drink in hand.

    Sitting pretty on top of a restored 110-year-old theatre, Monica is a Hollywood-style rooftop bar with views across Paddington and the city skyline. Part of the 25hrs The Olympia hotel, this isn’t a quick drink kind of place, it’s a ‘let’s stay all night’ kind of venue. Weekend DJs will take you from sunset to late-night conversations, while you graze on ceviche, grilled meats or sharing plates.

    For more information on how to enjoy Sydney for a long weekend, visit ALL.com.