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September 14, 2025 — 12:17am
From the Northern Rivers to Echuca, the Gold Coast to Tasmania, head to the far reaches of your state, or further beyond, if you have four nights to spare.
GOLD COAST, QLD
Good for beach lovers who seek much more
Stay Have it all at the Langham where old world glamour exists in concert with Gold Coast glitz in the beachfront hotel set within a prismatic tower. Afternoon tea, the century-old tradition from its London flagship, is served in Palm Court with pool and Pacific views. Or head to the more laid-back Burleigh Heads and the just-opened Mondrian crystallising the best of the area. That means local seafood, Mediterranean flavours and, from the rooftop pool area, breeze-block cabanas and views to the famous surf break.
See + do + eat Learn to surf at over 10 surf schools along the coast. The Gold Coast’s culinary offerings continue to grow: Kirra has become gourmet central, with delectable Asian offerings beside the beach at Kira Kira and Billy Chow; enjoy a fire-fuelled Latin American menu in new Nobby Beach eatery, Norte & Sueno, or ride the vibe at a brewery or distillery in one of Australia’s top craft beer brewery regions.
Don’t miss The Gold Coast is Australia’s unofficial day spa capital; check out Australia’s first floating bathhouse, SOL Elements, set within subtropical rainforest in the Coast’s hinterland, or Australia’s first bio wellness spa, CIEL Spa, in Burleigh Heads. For longer treatments, consider retreats like Gwinganna or Eden Health Retreat.
Essentials Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin fly numerous times per day to the Gold Coast from Sydney and Melbourne. See langhamhotels.com; mondrianhotels.com; solelements.com.au; gwinganna.com; eden.com.au
FAR EAST GIPPSLAND, VIC
Good for outdoorsy types; Lycra-lovers; food and wine lovers.
Stay Overnight at the likes of the Buchan Caves Hotel, a classic country pub with polished floorboards and fireside bistro on an Australian Cycle Tours’ Gippsland and Snowy River Cycle. Further north in Gelantipy, known for its alpine ash forests, sleep in rustic rooms beneath star-filled skies enjoying home cooking and country hospitality at select farm stays.
See + do + eat Rolling rivers, wine, rugged alpine scenery and character-filled towns like Orbost, Buchan and Goongerah feature on this four-night supported cycle tour. Meander along winding rivers, cross historic timber trestle bridges, spot native wildlife (koalas and joeys if you’re lucky) and wend your way through forested valleys filled with ferns and wildflowers. At McKillops Bridge plunge into the Snowy River, bask in remote bushland and enjoy picnic lunches prepped by the escort team utilising local produce.
Don’t miss Little River Falls, a hidden oasis with unsurpassed views over Victoria’s deepest gorge in Snowy River National Park and a guided tour of Fairy Cave or Royal Cave, a network of limestone formations formed millions of years ago.
Essentials Tours start and end on the river flats at Orbost, around 360 kilometres east of Melbourne. Drive or take the V/Line train to Bairnsdale (3.5 - 4 hours; transfers available). From $2400 a person twin share including hotels, meals, luggage transfers, bike hire (e-bike upgrade available) and more. See buchanpub.com.au; australiancycletours.com.au; parks.vic.gov.au; vline.com.au
CRADLE MOUNTAIN, TAS
Good for walkers; nature lovers; adventurous families.
Stay With access to Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park limited to shuttle transportation, proximity to the Visitor Centre makes the cluster of accommodation on the park’s edge the most convenient choice. Discovery Resorts-Cradle Mountain is the budget pick, with camping, RV facilities, family-style cabins and chic premium mountain cabins with freestanding tubs and floor-to-ceiling windows for couples looking for something a little more indulgent.
See + do + eat Stock up on supplies en route from Launceston Airport, following Tasting Trail Tasmania and its extensive collection of local growers and providores. Take a tour of a working hazelnut farm, or learn about truffles from Australia’s first producer of the coveted fungi. Once at Cradle Mountain, adventure calls: lace up your hiking boots to tackle the infamous Overland Track, or soak up the views on the easy, six-kilometre Dove Lake Circuit. Meanwhile, The Enchanted Walk lives up to its name, a magical meander along the banks of the Pencil Pine River through a mossy forest, passing grazing wombats and pademelons. As dusk falls, visit Tasmania’s most iconic furry critters, the voracious Tasmanian Devils at the Devils@Cradle sanctuary.
Don’t miss Take advantage of calm morning conditions on Dove Lake, paddling a kayak handcrafted from reclaimed King Billy pine. Paddle to the lake’s most scenic viewpoints, stopping off for a stroll along the boardwalk to admire 1300-year-old King Billy’s in the wild.
Essentials Fly to Launceston, then it’s a two-hour drive via the Tasting Trail to Cradle Mountain. A Premium Mountain Cabin at Discovery Resorts – Cradle Mountain starts from $428 a couple. See discoveryholidayparks.com.au; tastingtrail.com.au; devilsatcradle.com; parks.tas.gov.au; cradlemountaincanyons.com.au; discovertasmania.com.au
SUNSHINE COAST HINTERLAND, QLD
Good for foodies; naturalists.
Stay Sleep in style at the adults only Maleny Lodge offering seven luxurious rooms, fire pit and swish magnesium pool. Sixty6 Acres in the Sunny Coast’s hinterland has expanded its luxe farm stay elevated camping, caravanning, plunge pools, farm tours and a restaurant and bar showcasing local producers and brewers.
See + do + eat Visit the dreamy Maleny Botanic Gardens or stroll through subtropical rainforest at Mary Caincross Scenic Reserve. After that, make your way to the historic Mapleton Public House where the pokies have made way for exceptional paddock to plate pub fare. Publicans Jessica Huddart and Ben Johnston own nearby Falls Farm, so expect whatever’s picked fresh that morning to star on the plate. Great food and good vibes are found in the bustling hinterland village of Maleny at Frank Food and Wine while Whit n Whimsy serves up fabulous coffee.
Don’t miss A dip in Gardners Falls’ freshwater pools hemmed by grassy banks and native bush.
Essentials Year-round sunny weather makes any time a good time to visit, although peak summer can mean peak humidity. Fly direct from Sydney, Melbourne and other major domestic hubs. See malenylodge.com.au; sixty6acres.com; malenybotanicgardens.com.au; mapleton.pub; frankmaleny.com.au; visitsunshinecoast.com
ECHUCA, VIC
Good for road trippers; river lovers.
Stay The Murray, Australia’s longest river, lies on the doorstep of Discovery Parks Echuca’s new two-bedroom cabins. Fresh from a multimillion-dollar upgrade, the park offers cabins (and traditional campsites) sleeping between two and seven, a stone’s throw from the Murray’s eucalyptus-lined banks. For the ultimate Murray experience, board the new PS Australian Star, which launches later this year, and wend your way along the mighty Murray from Echuca on a restored 1907 wood fired paddle steamer with wine tastings, riverside barbecues, wildlife spotting and more.
See + do + eat Sip coffee among heritage buildings, take a paddle steamer ride and explore wineries and food trails. Tuck into classic pub fare at the bustling American Hotel or dine on elevated modern Australian fare paired with creative cocktails at the Mill Echuca, housed in an historic brick flour mill. At Morrisons Riverview Winery, stroll the riverbank, vino in hand.
Essentials Echuca is a three-hour drive from Melbourne and six hours from Sydney. V/Line offers rail services between Echuca and Melbourne, via Bendigo. See discoveryholidayparks.com.au; aptouring.com; americanhotelechuca.com.au; themillechuca.com; morrisons.net.au; visitechucamoama.com.au
NORTHERN RIVERS, NSW
Good for nature buffs, wellness enthusiasts.
Stay Take in sweeping vistas over Bangalow Ridge from the new Amaroo Bangalow, tucked up in the lush Byron hinterland. Four studio style cabins – three one-bedders and a two-storey loft - sleeping up to eight adults and six kids, surround a central hub with a pizza oven, heated pool and fire pit.
See + do + eat Have coffee and brunch prepared from organic locally farmed produce with the locals at Woods Bangalow. In Byron, perch at the intimate Bar Heather for local wine and small plates or return to Bangalow for charming hatted Italian eatery, Ciao Mate! This cosy neighbourhood restaurant is headed up by one of Australia’s leading sustainable chefs Matt Stone. Come for the wood-fired pizza (salami served with runny stracciatella is a standout), stay for the pasta, small plates and knockout negronis. Do a 4.2 kilometre return loop to the magical Unicorn Falls through Mount Jerusalem National Park – part of the new 42 kilometre Gidjuum Gulganyi walk.
Stay The contemporary apartment-style Club Wyndham, Airlie Beach, offers expansive 180-degree vistas over the Port of Airlie and Whitsunday Passage. Choose from seven apartment types (Presidential Villas are the pick) set in tropical gardens with wide balconies and neutral interiors with pops of coral and blue hues. There’s also an infinity pool, gym and breezy restaurant and bar.
See + do + eat Watch the sun sink into the sea, Aperol spritz in hand, aboard classic timber yacht, Lady Enid. Local guides share Airlie’s hidden gems such as New Beach and local architecture on a progressive dinner by electric tuktuk to hot spots including the Coral Sea Pavilions and The Deck. From Airlie, take a day trip out to snorkel, dive and explore the Whitsundays 74 islands and beaches (including Whitehaven). Grab a coffee first at Rufus & Co situated along the waterfront overlooking gleaming yachts.
Don’t miss Stroll through dense tropical rainforest before soaking up expansive views of the Whitsunday Passage and islands from Beak Lookout on the 3.7 kilometre (return) Coral Beach Trail.
Essentials Fly direct from Sydney and Melbourne to Whitsunday Coast Airport. Shuttles and taxis operate between the airport at Proserpine and Airlie Beach (35 minutes). From $345 a night. See clubwyndhamairliebeach.com.au; iconicwhitsunday.com.au; coralsearesort.com; thedeckairliebeach.com.au; justtuknaround.com.au; tourismwhitsundays.com.au
PERTH TO PEMBERTON, WA
Good for epicureans; forest bathers.
Stay Luxurious seclusion awaits at Ampersand Estate in WA’s Pemberton wine region offering two, five-bedroom homesteads and a lovingly restored two-bedroom settlers’ cottage. This December, Ampersand will unveil a spectacular gin and vodka garden covering a hectare and adjacent to its existing cellar door, offering self-guided tours and cocktail-making classes. A spectacularly sited gym overlooking the vineyard and towering karri-filled national park will also open.
See + do + eat Foodie finds, cool climate wine and ancient karri forests abound in and around Pemberton, the backdrop for the film Jasper Jones. Climb Gloucester Tree (due to reopen in December), a 61 metres old fire lookout, retrace the route which once took timber to market aboard the Pemberton Tramway, see the Southern Hemisphere’s largest landlocked sand dunes and explore the Southern Forest’s freshwater lakes and waterfalls. Known as Australia’s black perigord truffle epicentre – producing up to 85 per cent of the annual harvest – try locally produced truffle oil, truffle infused honey, chocolate and salt, join a truffle hunt and enjoy dishes featuring black truffle products. WA’s first Nordic-style floating sauna opens at historic natural swimming spot, Pemberton Pool, this December.
Essentials Pemberton is a 3.5-hour drive from Perth. Stop at the Dolphin Discovery Centre at Bunbury enroute or fly direct from Sydney and Melbourne into Busselton-Margaret River Airport, a one-hour drive from Pemberton. See australiassouthwest.com; ampersandestates.com.au; pemtram.com.au; houndandhunter.com.au
Contributors: Justine Costigan, Jim Darby, Belinda Jackson, Julie Miller, Jane Reddy, Sheriden Rhodes, Jane Richards, Craig Tansley and Sue Williams.
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