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Australia’s Best Long Weekend Escapes
Written by luxuryescapes
From eco-glamping on Rottnest Island to gourmet getaways in the Hunter Valley, Australia’s best weekend escapes are just a road trip away.
There’s no better way to escape the everyday than by packing your bags, saying farewell to your schedule and hitting the road for a weekend adventure. For some, the ideal getaway features stunning natural vistas, from golden coastlines to rolling emerald hills. Others dream of epicurean escapes, discovering award-winning cellar doors and gastronomic greatness. Then there are those who prefer gilded glamping or luxe cabins, seeking refined relaxation.
Whether you’re looking for family-friendly fun in the sun or a secluded romantic retreat, satisfy your wanderlust with one of Australia’s best weekend escapes. Read on to discover our pick of the best.
Tee off on the Great Ocean Road: The Sands Torquay, VIC
Hop into the car for a long weekend escape on the Great Ocean Road, just one hours’ drive from Melbourne. Torquay is your destination and The Sands Torquay is your home away from home. This coastal resort has an 18-hole championship golf course designed by former Australian pro Stuart Appleby, and there is also a driving range for those not wanting to work on their par. Away from the green, make use of the heated indoor pool and well-equipped fitness centre. The heart of Torquay is a short drive away, with great cafes and restaurants.
Blue Mountains heritage: The Hydro Majestic Hotel, NSW
Experience one of Australia’s most iconic heritage stays at The Hydro Majestic Hotel in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. Once visited by the likes of Sir Edmund Barton and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the hotel has seen plenty of famous faces through its door and lovers of old world elegance continue to flock to this grand getaway.
Private island paradise: InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, QLD
A jewel on the shores of the sun-drenched Whitsundays, InterContinental Hayman Island Resort dazzles guests with one of Australia’s largest swimming pools and direct access to the Great Barrier Reef. This lavish, palm-fringed hideaway is made for those who appreciate the finer things, from private pool cabanas overlooking the Pacific Ocean’s perfect blue water to the world-class Hayman Spa & Salon.
Gourmet wine region getaway: Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, NSW
Get a taste of one of Australia’s most iconic wine regions at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, the largest resort in the famed area and your gateway for a delicious long weekend. Set on a sprawling 100-acre estate, the resort is surrounded by undulating hills and vineyards for which the Hunter Valley is so well known; within its borders is an adults-only swimming pool, 24/7 gym, tennis and basketball courts, a day spa, golf club and even a family-friendly water park. It would be all too easy not to venture beyond the resort’s grounds on your long weekend here however, for those inclined, there are numerous cellar doors and farm-to-fork diners nearby.
Award-winning wineries: Balgownie Estate Yarra Valley, VIC
Amid Yarra Valley’s award-winning wineries, Balgownie Estate fuses resort-style luxury with refined accommodation, less than a 45-minute drive from Melbourne. Ditch city streets for locally sourced eats as you explore the region, hopping between cellar doors and boutique distilleries. The Estate is fresh from a grand refurbishment and makes a perfect long weekend destination for those wanting to be among the first to experience all that’s new and shiny, including a luxe endota spa.
Retro-style escape: Sun Ranch, Byron Bay, NSW
Give your weekend away a Western spin at Sun Ranch in the Byron Bay Hinterland, a gorgeous 1970s-inspired stay that melds impeccably styled accommodation with emphasis on wellness and laidback luxury. The ranch has 55 acres of verdant hinterland to call its own, and guests are encouraged to embrace a slower pace of life to really find their Zen. Daily complimentary yoga classes are the perfect way to start, and dips in the cold plunge pool are certain to make you feel alive. A woodfired floating sauna is also available for guests with an aversion to cold.
Waterfront nature retreat: Freycinet Lodge, Tasmania
Savour the best of both worlds at this lush coast-meets-bush retreat on Tasmania’s east coast, all cosied up within Freycinet National Park’s lush forest. Offering direct access to Richardson’s Beach and spectacular views over The Hazards mountain range and Great Oyster Bay, Freycinet Lodge offers the ultimate tranquil escape.
If you’re getting away with some others in tow, look to The Picker’s Hut in Broadmarah – just a 40 minutes’ drive from Hobart – as your next destination. The historic hut sits on a working Merino sheep farm and vineyard, Invercarron, and still retains the original foundations and floorboards to honour the building’s storied past.
Blissful beach strolls: Peppers Salt Resort & Spa, Kingscliff, NSW
Want a blissful beachside escape without the crowds? Peppers Salt Resort & Spa Kingscliff delivers you to the Tweed Coast, seconds from the surf and ideal for family-friendly coastal capers. Framed by lush subtropical gardens, this relaxing resort boasts exceptional dining at Season Restaurant and a lagoon-style swimming pool complete with a sandy shore. It’s just steps from upscale boutiques, beachfront bars and walking trails, and a 45-minute trip from the Bohemian streets of Byron Bay and the glittering Gold Coast.
Authentic country escape: Tranquil Getaways on Obi Maleny, Sunshine Coast Hinterland, QLD
Tranquil Getaways on Obi Maleny is a boutique hinterland retreat that blends luxe accommodation with rural serenity. Located 45 minutes’ drive from Sunshine Coast Airport, this family-run getaway farm offers a tranquil countryside escape from the everyday. Whether bushwalking through lush rainforest, rejuvenating with immersive spa treatments, exploring the charms of the Maleny township or perfecting your downward dog with a yoga session, this hideaway is perfect for a long weekend escape focused on all things rest and relaxation.
Rugged coastal landscapes: Sea Dragon Kangaroo Island, SA
For dramatic rugged coastlines and untouched natural beauty, look no further than the boutique oceanfront retreat Sea Dragon Kangaroo Island, only a 40-minute flight from Adelaide. Swim, snorkel or simply observe the sapphire sea in safety and seclusion with private access to Pink Bay’s pristine shores. Embark on bespoke tours to get up close with treasured native fauna and incredible wildlife, sample the spoils of award-winning cellar doors and partake in the gourmet paddock-to-plate gems of this epicurean Eden.
Luxury eco-glamping: Discovery Rottnest Island, WA
Reconnect with nature without sacrificing modern luxury with an eco-glamping beachside escape to Discovery Rottnest Island, easily reached from Perth’s Barrack Street Jetty via a 90-minute ferry ride, or just a 25-minute ferry ride from Fremantle. Snug in the dunes of Pinky Beach, your private eco-tent sanctuary awaits. Enjoy alfresco dining sheltered by a verdant canopy of native trees, or snap a selfie with the world’s happiest animal, the smiling quokka. Snorkel over coral reefs and encounter passing dolphins in pristine waters before sipping a chilled chardonnay at sunset by the pool.
Looking for more inspiration? Read Australia’s Ultimate Road Trips.
Feature image: Beechmont Estate, QLD
