You don’t always need a long holiday to feel refreshed; stealing away for a weekend of indulgence often provides enough of a circuit breaker from the everyday to leave you feeling renewed and reinvigorated. Whether you want to spend a few days eating, drinking and relaxing or you’re after a more intrepid escape, you’ll find this page is filled with weekend-away ideas to help you plan a stunning short break from country to coast. Here is your go-to guide to Australia’s best weekends away.
Weekends away in Australia
No matter where you live in Australia there is a short-break destination within reach. If you’re in need of a little inspiration read up on the best ways to spend your weekends away in each state, or if you are after a short break that is easy on the wallet, here are Australia’s best budget-friendly weekends away. Whether you’re planning a weekend away over winter or timing your escape to coincide with the next long weekend holiday, there is something to inspire your next short break below.
Best weekends away in NSW
A weekend away in NSW is full of possibilities: from views of rolling green hills, the taste of paddock-to-plate produce and the many wine trails of the countryside to the fresh seafood, sun, sand and chilled vibes of the coast to the cultural and culinary delights of Sydney and beyond.
Be inspired by our list of ultimate weekend breaks in NSW, discover the best short-break accommodation, or dig deeper into NSW’s many regions, towns and cities for weekend itineraries to help you plan – from Mudgee to Orange, Byron Bay to Newcastle, Blue Mountains to Gundagai and so much more.
Best weekends away in Victoria
Charming inland towns, relaxing coastal haunts, lively cities and wildlife-packed islands to encounter – a weekend away in Victoria is as varied and indulgent as you like.
From the Goldfields towns of Ballarat and Bendigo to the wineries and beaches of the Mornington Peninsula to the coastal allure of the Great Ocean Road and the romance of Daylesford and Hepburn Springs. Then there is Melbourne with its food, culture, events and so much more.
Best weekends away in Tasmania
A weekend away in Tasmania rewards with delightful discoveries, stays on secluded islands and stylish retreats, a bountiful supply of food and wine experiences and unforgettable nature and wildlife encounters.
Embrace a city stay in Launceston or Hobart (with a side trip to Bruny Island), go hiking in Cradle Mountain or on the Tasman Peninsula, soak up the natural beauty on offer in Freycinet or the Bay of Fires, or plan your weekends away around Tassie’s best short break stays.
Whether you’re crossing the Bass Strait by plane, on board the Spirit of Tasmania or you’re lucky enough to call Tassie home, we’ve got the ultimate weekend away for you.
Best weekends away in Queensland
Many of the best weekends away in Queensland deliver a hefty dose of vitamins D and sea – it’s the ultimate weekend restorative, and something the Sunshine State has in ample supply.
There is always an island to escape to for a weekend: from Magnetic Island, K’gari and Moreton Island to the Whitsunday Islands of Hamilton, Hayman and more – don’t miss its star attraction, the Great Barrier Reef. Then there’s the laid-back vibe of the Sunshine Coast to the city-break offerings of Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Set your sights on Tropical North Queensland to visit the Daintree Rainforest, or head inland from Cairns to marvel at the natural wonder of Cobbold Gorge. Plus, we have a long list of short-break stays around the state that will take your breath away.
Best weekends away in the NT
Epic adventures in the Northern Territory don’t have to be restricted to the bucket list. Some of its most stunning destinations are perfect short break material.
Weekends away in the NT can start in the Red Centre at Alice Springs or Darwin –the Top End city is the perfect jumping off point to a weekend away on Groote Eylandt, the Tiwi Islands, and exploring Litchfield National Park.
Exploring the NT’s wilderness on a weekend is easier than you think too: from Kakadu National Park and Corroboree Billabong to Katherine for Nitmiluk Gorge to the Red Centre for Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
Best weekends away in SA
With more than 200 cellar doors within an hour’s drive of Adelaide, a weekend away in South Australia is guaranteed to involve plenty of wine, great food and memorable conversations with the state’s passionate growers and winemakers. The Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Clare Valley are just a handful of the big-ticket wine regions within reach on a weekend.
You don’t need to travel far in South Australia to find a weekend full of blissful isolation: there is the ruggedly beautiful coastline of the Eyre Peninsula near Port Lincoln, a secluded retreat on the Fleurieu Peninsula, Kangaroo Island or Flinders Ranges, or a wild coastal escape to the Yorke Peninsula.
Then there is the year-round calendar of events and festivals to immerse yourself in over a weekend – paired with all of the best of the above of course! Start planning your ultimate weekend away in SA and find the best short break accommodation right here.
Best weekends away in WA
Western Australia boasts more than 20,000 kilometres of coastline, so a weekend away in WA is best spent on its sandy shores. It could be on the dreamy-white sand of Esperance, the coastal outback town of Broome, Exmouth to swim with whale sharks on Ningaloo Reef, or even a city-break in Perth offers plenty of coastline to enjoy. Don’t forget WA’s islands; a weekend on Christmas Island or Rottnest Island delivers sand, sea and wildlife encounters aplenty.
To experience WA’s world-class wineries, laid-back cafes and fine diners, spend a weekend away in the Margaret River region or Swan Valley. And for a nature-filled weekend away, head to Kalbarri National Park, Southern Forests and Valleys or even the picturesque Avon Valley for its patchwork of rolling hills and winding scenic roads that connect to historic country towns.
Find all the inspiration you need in our list of the best weekends away in WA and memorable short stays – think sustainable station and wilderness stays to the ultimate beach and glamping escapes.
Best weekends away in the ACT
A weekend away in the ACT will invariably involve an extended amount of time soaking up the best things to do and see in Canberra. From its hip hotels, host of galleries, museums and attractions to its cafe and restaurant offering – and it is also the perfect place to settle in for a wine weekend, with Canberra’s wine region only 35 minute’s drive from the city.
But the ACT boasts more than just Canberra. There is also the Namadgi National Park to attract the more intrepid weekend traveller. Set up camp for the night at a number of campsites in the park, tackle one of the many hikes and bask in its natural beauty – all 106,000 hectares of it!
