Best Weekend Breaks in NSW | Australian Traveller

Weekends are made for soaking up the views. From the rolling green countryside to ocean blue views and many more besides, NSW offers them up in abundance. Here, the best weekends away in NSW for your hit list.

Albury

The border town of Albury is often mentioned as the starting point for road trip explorations of the mighty Murray River, but there are many reasons to visit that don’t involve leaving as soon as you get there.

Albury’s prosperous history is writ large along its main street where heritage buildings spanning the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco architectural eras sit proud.

The delightful boutique design hotel Circa 1928 fills a regal 1920s former bank building (complete with an original safe in one of the bathrooms), while a short walk away the modern outline of the Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA) dominates.

Visit Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA). (Image: DNSW)

And that’s Albury to a T; the joy of exploring here is in walking its streets, pausing in its parks and gardens, eating at its proudly local restaurants and cafes, and sitting at the edge of the Murray River instead of driving by it.

Broken Hill

Just over three hours’ flying time from Sydney and Melbourne, and a short-break-friendly 75 minutes from Adelaide, Broken Hill holds almost mythical status in many people’s minds as the embodiment of what an Australian outback town should be.

Maybe it has something to do with its starring roles in two of the most famous outback movies ever made: Mad Max 2 and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Whatever the reason, the town owns its reputation proudly.

The mining industry still thrives here but the offering for those visiting now includes local galleries, historic walking tours, weekend markets, great eats like those served up at the 1950s Bell’s Milk Bar, tastings at Broken Hill Distillery, the discovery of the area’s rich Indigenous history at Mutawintji National Park and sculptures at Living Desert Reserve.

Moonrise over Broken Hill. (Image: DNSW)

The ACT

While Canberra is the Australian Capital Territory’s favourite weekend retreat, filled with museums and attractions befitting a national capital, it’s easy to forget that the territory has other allures to divert visitors.

Namadgi National Park, just under an hour’s drive from the city, stretches over 106,000 hectares, covering nearly 50 per cent of the territory, and offers intrepid weekenders the chance to camp at any number of campsites including the delightfully named Honeysuckle Campground.

Oberon

The Central Tablelands town of Oberon has always provided visitors with lots of choices to fill their time, from exploring the nearby Jenolan Caves to fossicking for gold to strolling (and glamping) the delightful grounds of Mayfield Garden.

But it is also a burgeoning foodie hotspot where you can hunt for wild mushrooms, follow a winemakers and brewers trail, do a foraging tour during the annual Field to Forest Festival and unearth pungent black truffles at Lowes Mount Truffiere (June to August).

Embrace strolling (and glamping) the delightful grounds of Mayfield Garden.(Image: DNSW)

Bermagui

Located on the Sapphire Coast, Bermagui benefits from its sparkling waterfront position, with awe-inspiring scenery, aquatic pursuits and an abundance of fresh seafood on offer.

Qantas and Rex Airlines fly into nearby Merimbula Airport, so you can get straight down to the business of enjoying yourself without delay.

Wonder at Horse Head Rock, estimated to be 500 million years old, the Camel Rock formation (a youngster at 470 million years old) and the town’s most compelling sight: the mesmerising Blue Pool. Take to the water for game and reef fishing and eat your fill at Bermagui Fishermen’s Wharf.

Horse Head Rock, Bermagui (Image: Above Down Under by Kramer Photography)

Southern Highlands

It’s impossible to pick a favourite from the charming towns and villages of the Southern Highlands, so we haven’t.

For a weekend break here, choose to base yourself in Bowral, Berrima or Moss Vale (all have abundant rentals) or head for quieter villages such as Bundanoon or Exeter and then spend your time puttering along country roads and stopping for Devonshire tea (try the scones at Highlands Merchant in Moss Vale) or wine tastings (Joadja Estate and Centennial Vineyards both have cellar doors) whenever the opportunity arises.

Winter is the optimum time to visit, when the air is crisp and the smell of wood smoke hangs in the air.

cellar doors in southern highlands — Enjoy a wine tasting at one of the Southern Highland’s cellar doors. (Image: DNSW)

Milton and Mollymook

Affectionately known as Milly and Molly, the South Coast towns of Milton and Mollymook present a two-for-one treat for weekenders, close enough to easily flit between.

You can sample the chic shopping and cafes along the main thoroughfare of Milton, before heading through rolling green countryside to the beaches and whale watching spots of Mollymook.

Enjoy the waterfront glam of Bannisters Mollymook and fresh seafood at Rick Stein at Bannisters, the on-site restaurant co-owned by the celebrity chef.

Grafton

The city of Grafton, situated in the Clarence Valley, in the Northern Rivers region, has hit a purple patch in the last few years as its annual Jacaranda Festival has become an international Instagram sensation. Having been established in 1935, it’s the oldest floral festival in the country.

Come spring, the wide streets here are painted in a pretty palette of purples and lilacs, and the locals lure visitors with parades, markets, high teas and jacaranda ice-cream.

Book your accommodation well in advance and start practising your best Insta-ready smile now.

Walk the picture-perfect streetscapes of Grafton. (Image: My Clarence Valley)

Lismore

A weekend escape in Lismore offers a grab bag of delights that stretch far beyond the limits of the buzzing regional city itself.

Once you have sampled the local art scene here, strike out to the Richmond Valley’s other drawcards, like the alternative living, vivid murals and boho festivals of Nimbin, the laid-back charm of Kyogle and the rural charms of Casino.

Add ancient rainforests and untouched beaches and there is enough to fill short breaks aplenty.

Spot the street art in Lismore. (Image: DNSW)

Lord Howe Island

It’s only a two-hour flight to Lord Howe Island from Sydney, but it is a world away from the everyday of the mainland.

Ringed by impossibly clear waters and covered with subtropical vegetation, life here moves at a languid pace. Take up residence at one of its lovely resorts and reset your clock to island time.

Fill your days with swimming off pristine beaches like Lovers and Blinky, feed the fish at Ned’s Beach and spot wildlife from your bike, the preferred mode of transport here.

If you are on the island during the official Bird Week, take the opportunity to do some twitching, and definitely to do a boat tour to see Ball’s Pyramid, the remnants of a long extinct shield volcano, spotting dolphins and whales along the way.

The heavens take centre stage at this Outback NSW glamping lodge.

Crane your neck. Look up. If it’s nighttime in a major Australian city, you might see a faint dusting of stars. Now imagine yourself out in the bush. Here, those stars aren’t just scattered dots – instead, they’re smudged across the sky in endless, glittering streaks. Welcome to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit , a new glamping lodge in one of the most picturesque corners of outback NSW.

Between its eight stargazing tents, Gilay Guest Lounge, and shared tales of the Dreamtime night sky, this retreat is designed to exist in harmony with the breathtaking lake and surrounding landscape. Intrigued? Here’s everything you need to know.

Bathed in warm light, a couple watches the sun dip beyond the horizon. — Watch the sky melt into magic at Wilderluxe.

Getting to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit is in the NSW Northern Tablelands, bordered by the Great Dividing Range. The lake itself is hard to miss: this mammoth body of water is two-thirds the size of Sydney Harbour.

Just 40 minutes from Tamworth and close to Gunnedah, it’s on the inland route between Sydney and Byron Bay. Drive or take one of the daily flights to Tamworth’s airport.

Aerial view of Wilderluxe. — Let vast waters and towering ranges set the scene for your escape.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit rooms

Don’t settle for a paltry room when you can sleep directly under the cosmos. Wilderluxe offers eight domed ‘Star Tents’ , all named after Aboriginal sky stories – like Djirri Djirri, the sacred messenger bird, Baiame, the Sky Father and great creator, and Dhinawan, the Emu in the Sky constellation.

On a clear night, use your tent’s retractable roof for gazing above or wander to the outdoor bathtub on your private deck to soak under the night sky. No need to go anywhere. You can stay put come evening with a kitchenette inside and a gas barbecue on the deck.

A couple gazes up at a sky ablaze with stars at Wilderluxe. — Sleep beneath the stars.

Style and character

When it comes to aesthetics, Wilderluxe Lake Keepit stays on trend. The encampment blends with its surroundings, building up layers of minimalist visuals that mirror the ever-changing curves of the water.

Earthy tones, natural materials and timber finishes also anchor the retreat in its bushland surrounds. It’s enough to deepen the sense of calm you’ll experience as you drive off-grid, and this is only heightened as you spot kangaroos grazing at dawn or hear the chatter of native birds by the lake.

The dreamy sunset at Wilderluxe. — Go off-grid in style at Wilderluxe Lake Keepit.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit dining

‘Dinner and a show’ hits differently with the property’s Big Sky dinner experience . Hosted in the Gilay Lounge, enjoy complimentary drinks and a grazing table with the host, followed by a screening of Big Sky Dreaming, a film produced exclusively for Wilderluxe guests in which Kamilaroi storyteller Uncle Len Waters narrates tales of the Dreaming above.

Once your imagination has been fed, it’s time to take a seat fireside for a glass of Australian port and a serving of s’mores.

Keen to explore the wider area? Staff can provide barbecue and picnic hampers, stuffed with regional meats, cheeses and organic local fare.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit facilities

While you could very well spend all your time in your tent, sometimes it’s time to hit pause on the celestial show. Instead, make your way up to the Gilay Guest Lounge, where you can relax on the deck overlooking the lake or the outdoor fire pits. It’s a great way to unwind and clink glasses with other stargazers.

The Gilay Lounge with the view of the lake. — Unwind by the fire and raise a glass at Gilay Lounge.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit experiences

No need to turn nocturnal; when the sun rises, there are still plenty of ways to touch the sky.

Lake Keepit hosted the 2020 Women’s World Gliding Championships, and it’s one of the best places in Australia to stretch your wings. The local Soaring Club operates year-round, meaning you can book a gliding experience any day of the year – or opt for a scenic flight to take in the vast beauty from above.

Prefer to keep your feet on solid ground? There are plenty of walking and cycling trails in and around the area. Luckily, bikes are part of the Wilderluxe package. All you have to do is ask a staff member for their favourite route, throw a picnic onto the back and cycle off into the great beyond.

Alternatively, nab a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or kayak and head out onto the lake. Or, if you’re feeling lucky, borrow a fishing rod and try your chances.

A person kayaking through serene waters. — Paddle into peace.

The details

A two-night minimum twin-share accommodation package includes Big Sky dinner and drinks experience, plus daily continental breakfast. As well as access to leisure equipment including mountain bikes, kayaks, SUPs and fishing gear.

The interiors of the glamping tent. — Let nature restore you, while luxury takes care of the rest.

Start planning your outback glamping adventure at wilderluxe.com.au.

Ultimate weekends away in NSW & ACT