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From eco-glamping on Rottnest Island to gourmet getaways in the Hunter Valley, Australia’s best long 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. 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.
Best Long Weekend Stays in Victoria
Mantra Lorne
Experience the seaside charm of Lorne’s only beachfront resort, ideally positioned along the iconic Great Ocean Road. Set within a heritage-listed property, Mantra Lorne offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. Wake to ocean breezes, wander through 12 acres of manicured gardens or refine your serve on the tennis court. For those seeking adventure, explore Erskine Falls and scenic bushwalking trails. After a day of discovery, unwind with a soothing dip in the heated mineral pool before indulging in a hearty meal at The Larder.
The Sands Torquay
Hop into the car for a long weekend escape on the Great Ocean Road, just a one-hour 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.
Balgownie Estate Yarra Valley
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.
InterContinental Sorrento Mornington Peninsula, an IHG Hotel
Nestled along Victoria’s stunning coastline, InterContinental Sorrento Mornington Peninsula blends heritage charm with modern luxury. A 1.5-hour drive from Melbourne, this iconic hotel houses the Aurora Spa & Bathhouse, where guests can unwind in magnesium reflexology pools and halo salt healing rooms. Spend your days exploring nearby wineries, soaking in the famed Peninsula Hot Springs or lounging by the infinity pool. Dining here is a highlight, with seven exceptional venues, including Audrey’s for fine dining, Coppin’s for casual bites and The Atrium for relaxed sun-drenched elegance.
Best Long Weekend Stays in New South Wales
Château Élan at The Vintage
Within two hours of Sydney, Château Élan at The Vintage offers a taste of European luxury in the heart of the Hunter Valley – perfect for a weekend retreat. Nestled amid 70 acres of picturesque countryside, this elegant estate is a haven for wine enthusiasts and leisure seekers alike. Tee off on the Greg Norman-designed 18-hole championship golf course, indulge in a rejuvenating treatment at the award-winning spa or explore world-class wineries just moments away. Whether unwinding in a private villa or soaking in sweeping vineyard views, this indulgent escape promises relaxation and refinement at every turn.
The Hydro Majestic Hotel
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.
Rydges Resort Hunter Valley
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, 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, however, for those inclined, there are numerous cellar doors and farm-to-fork diners nearby.
Sun Ranch
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 an 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. 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.
Peppers Salt Resort & Spa Kingscliff
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 streets of Byron Bay and the glittering Gold Coast.
Best Long Weekend Stays in Queensland
InterContinental Hayman Island Resort
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.
Tranquil Getaways on Obi Maleny
Tranquil Getaways on Obi Maleny is a boutique hinterland retreat that blends luxe accommodation with rural serenity. Located 45 minutes from the 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 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.
Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort
Just over an hour from Brisbane, Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort is a tropical oasis nestled between a private lagoon and the pristine shores of Mudjimba Beach. Ideal for families and couples alike, this expansive retreat offers endless opportunities for adventure and relaxation. Glide across the lagoon on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard, lounge by the resort-style pool or explore scenic coastal trails by bike. Venture into the nearby hinterland, catch waves on world-class beaches or savour fresh local seafood at the resort’s restaurant.
Best Long Weekend Stays in Tasmania
Freycinet Lodge
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.
Ratho Farm
Nestled in Tasmania’s lush central highlands, Ratho Farm is a beautifully restored heritage retreat, featuring charming farm cottages, barns, stables and a historic homestead. Just a scenic hour’s drive from Hobart, it’s the perfect base for exploring Tasmania’s vibrant winter festivals. Home to Australia’s oldest Scottish-style golf course, it invites golf enthusiasts to tee off against a stunning rural backdrop. Meanwhile, cultural walks through Bothwell village and fly-fishing adventures in the Clyde River offer a taste of the region’s rich heritage and natural beauty.
Best Long Weekend Stays in South Australia
Sea Dragon Kangaroo Island
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.
The Frames
Retreat to The Frames, an exclusive adults-only haven perched above the Murray River, just three hours from Adelaide. Designed for couples, each luxurious villa features a heated infinity pool, sauna and outdoor bath – creating the perfect setting for relaxation and connection. Drift along the river on a sunset cruise, explore the serene wetlands or indulge in a private chef-prepared dinner under the stars.
Best Long Weekend Stays in Western Australia
Discovery Rottnest Island
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 or just a 25-minute ferry from Fremantle. 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.
Feature image: Sun Ranch
