The 10 best weekend getaways across Australia

Best for: Artisanal food crawls (oysters, cheese, whisky), dramatic coastal walks, stargazing

Distance: 35-minute drive south of Hobart CBD, then a 20-minute vehicle ferry

Best time to visit: December to March (warmer days for exploring the coastal trails)

If you're in Hobart and are medically craving the freshest air in the world, succulent oysters, savvy B and eating handmade cheese in the bush – you're going to need to put Bruny on your weekend list. Located just under two hours from Hobart's CBD, Bruny is the crispest jewel in the Apple Isle's crown. Dance on wild and secluded beaches, go on staggeringly beautiful bushwalks, eat and drink some of the best local food and wine you'll get in your life, and just generally immerse yourself in a place that feels perfectly placed in a simple, faraway time where emails don't exist. You'll probably see a dolphin too – and a whale if you're lucky.

Best for: World-class wine, ancient limestone caves, big-wave surfing

Distance: 3-hour drive south of Perth CBD

Best time to visit: September to April (ideal for beach days and autumn wine tours)

Margaret River is easily one of the most charming little pockets of Western Australia and a popular roadie from Perth. ‘Margs’, as she’s known to locals, has a reputation for producing some of Australia’s finest wines, with more than 90 cellar doors ready to fill your cup. However, she has a whole lot more up her sleeve than just a good pour. On a weekend getaway, you can wander through the region’s fairytale forests, along stunning coastal trails, or into the depths of sparkling crystal caves. 

Best for: Quokka selfies, car-free cycling, secluded turquoise bays

Distance: 25-minute ferry ride from Fremantle (or 90 minutes from Perth CBD)

Best time to visit: October to April (warm water and ideal beach weather)

Just a zippy ferry ride from Perth, Rottnest Island is one of Western Australia's greatest gems. Also known by its local Aboriginal name, Wadjemup, and ‘Rotto’ by locals, it’s an essential addition to any WA weekender itinerary. Out-of-towners may know Rottnest for its friendly population of quokkas, but the island is also home to the most incredible azure blue waters you’ll come across, and nowadays, it has a selection of top-notch eateries and luxe accommodation, as well as camping grounds, cafés and low-key restaurants for the budget-conscious. 

Best for: Rugged mountain hikes, native wildlife, wineries

Distance: 3-hour drive west of Melbourne CBD

Best time to visit: September to November (spring wildflowers and flowing waterfalls)

The Grampians region is best known as one of Victoria's best nature escapes, particularly for its collection of grand mountains and high sandstone peaks that seemingly split the horizon in two. A three-hour drive from Melbourne's CBD, this dazzling national park also houses one of the biggest collections of Indigenous rock art sites in southeastern Australia. Plus, it's home to the epic Pinnacle Walk, becomes speckled with gorgeous wildflowers during springtime, and boasts some of Victoria's best wineries and eateries – which means you can be outdoorsy, but stay well-fed at the same time.

Best for: Adventure junkies, anyone who wants to swim safely in the croc-infested NT, getting off-grid

Distance: 1.5 to 2 hours by car from Darwin CBD (4WD only)

Best time to visit: May to September (Dry season – waterfalls are safe and roads are fully open)

Litchfield National Park is a lush and verdant corner of the Northern Territory that's often forgotten. Just over one hour from Darwin, the national park overflows with thundering waterfalls, crystal pools and vivid greenery that has to be seen to be believed. In a part of the world where pretty much all bodies of water are to be heavily avoided at all costs (read: saltwater crocs), Litchfield is a special oasis for swimmers and weary travellers alike. Whether you like hiking, swimming or (if you're feeling bougie) chartering a private helicopter to a waterhole on top of a remote waterfall, Litchfield has something pretty life-changing for everyone. 

Best for: World-class shiraz, vineyard dining, coastline views

Distance: 45-minute drive south of Adelaide CBD

Best time to visit: February to April (grape harvest season and mild weather)

Wine, wine and more wine. Adelaide has a lot of incredible stuff to offer, but there's no denying that wine is sort of the one we like the most. Less than an hour's drive from Adelaide CBD, McLaren Vale is kind of like Tuscany, but without the international airfare ticket bit getting involved. Scoring high for proximity and accessibility, this wine region is also stunningly beautiful, lush and studded with gorgeous vineyards and wineries you can hop between, all weekend long.  If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s a bike trail – the Shiraz Trail – between McLaren Vale and Willunga, with vineyard stops along the way.

Best for: White sand beaches, whale watching, fresh seafood 

Distance: 2- to 3-hour drive south of Sydney CBD

Best time to visit: September to November (whale migration)

It's rare for a place to be as equally charming in summer and winter, but NSW's south coast really does do both. Resplendent in summer and deeply cosy in winter, this wild and woolly nook of the world is always green, lush and rolling with wholesome weekend vibes, regardless of what day of the week it actually is. From Kiama through to Jervis Bay, you'll be delighted by rugged coastal walks, exceptional artisan bakeries and local produce and breweries galore, all set amongst soft emerald hills and ocean water so clear you could read a book in it. 

Best for: Coastal road trips, ocean lookouts, regional bakeries

Distance: 1.5-hour drive from Melbourne CBD to Torquay (start of the drive)

Best time to visit: October to April (longer daylight hours and drier driving conditions)

It's not exactly an unknown destination, but Victoria's Great Ocean Road comes with so much delight that it's worth the hype. Perfect for a short (or long) weekend getaway from Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road snakes all along the southwest coast of the state, starting in Torquay (1.5 hours from the CBD) and finishing up just before Warrnambool. With stunning beaches, hikes, stays and delicious things to eat peppered along the way, you may want to take Monday off too. 

Best for: Wild dolphins, shipwreck snorkelling, resort living

Distance: 75-minute ferry from Brisbane CBD

Best time to visit: May to November (cooler weather for sand sports and whale spotting)

With its convenient proximity to Brisbane, Moreton Island is an ideal getaway for unwinding in both luxury and nature over a weekend. Whether you opt to camp behind the sandy dunes, rent one of the island's numerous holiday houses or stay at Tangalooma Island Resort, you'll have plenty of opportunities to indulge in swimming, snorkelling, and, for 4WD owners, cruising the island's beach highways. The hand-feeding wild dolphin experience is a must, as is donning your finest snorkel and exploring the breathtaking Tangalooma Wrecks. Bonus: you don't have to wear a stinger suit in Southeast Queensland because there are no Box jellyfish or Irukandji.

Best for: Nature stays, boutique shopping, cool-climate wineries, good pies

Distance: 1.5-hour drive northeast of Canberra or southwest of Sydney CBD

Best time to visit: March to May (stunning autumn foliage) or June to August (cosy winter getaways)

Located just 1.5 hours from Canberra and Sydney – so quite perfect if you want to meet a mate from a different state halfway – the Southern Highlands are one of our favourite weekend getaways, ever. Cosy in the winter and dreamy in warmer months, this charming region is peppered with stunning coastal views, nostalgic antique shops and a vast array of very memorable pies and country pubs. Tuck yourself away in a country B&B, do little walks and breathe in the fresh, cold air of the high country. This one's pretty perfect.