Australians are lucky enough to enjoy several long weekends throughout the year, and they’re the perfect chance for a quick getaway.
If you need a quick change of scene, these long weekend getaway options selected by The Weekly’s Travel Editor will have you refreshed and raring to go come weekend’s end.
For sheer variety
Innisfail, Qld
Halfway between Cairns and Townsville, on the Johnstone River estuary, the ‘Art Deco Capital of Australia’ makes a great base for enjoying the Cassowary Coast and hinterland. Just 15 minutes to the west, the Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway offers stunning panoramic views of World Heritage rainforest landscapes and the North Johnstone River gorge. Waterfalls abound nearby: Tchupala Wallicher, Nandroya, and Serendipity, to name a few. For cute and quirky, don’t miss the Spanish-style manor and gardens at Paronella Park, next to Mena Creek Falls. Popular beaches south of Innisfail include Etty Bay, Cowley and Kurrimine. However, your real mission is to stake out world-famous Mission Beach and take the ferry to Dunk Island.
For a romantic long weekend getaway
Lake Keepit, NSW
Reflections Holidays, a NSW Crown Land Manager and registered social enterprise, takes glamping to a new level with Wilderluxe Lake Keepit, a lakeside retreat on the Great Dividing Range between Tamworth and Gunnedah. Opened last Easter, it features a shared lounge and eight spacious Star Tents, each insulated for year-round comfort. Facilities include a king-sized bed, skylight, a kitchenette, en-suite bathroom and balconies. Experiences available include Farmhouse Cooking and Cheese-Making at the Carroll Gap Farmhouse next door, and lakeside picnics. More Wilderluxe destinations are expected later this year in Lennox Head, Eden, Brunswick Heads and Lake Glenbawn.
For exotic indulgence
Lord Howe Island, NSW
Australia’s far-flung destinations deserve some love, perhaps none more so than “grandiose” Lord Howe Island, to borrow the UNESCO World Heritage description. It’s less than two hours’ flying time from Brisbane and Sydney, where Skytrans is taking over the services from Qantas for the next five years, and you can even get there from Port Macquarie, Newcastle and the Gold Coast with Eastern Air Services. Home to the world’s most southerly coral reef, it’s renowned for its white beaches, lagoon, abundant fish life, lush greenery, and picturesque twin peaks, Mount Lidgbird and Mount Gower.
For gourmet extravaganzas
Canberra, ACT
Winter is truffle time in Canberra. Truffle specialist Beltana Farm in Pialligo hosts activities throughout the season, including weekend Hunt and Lunches, and Saturday Hunt and Cooking Classes. The Truffle Farm in the Majura Valley holds three events every Saturday and Sunday during the season: A Truffle Hunt; Truffle Hunt & Brunch, and Truffle Hunt & Lunch. Meet the region’s growers at the Southern Harvest Winter Market at Dairy Road in Fyshwick on July 28. In between hunts, sample the National Gallery’s Cézanne to Giacometti exhibition on loan from Berlin to September 21.
For the winter long weekend
Ballarat, Vic
This elegant city in the Central Victorian highlands comes alive in the cooler months with all sorts of activities. The Winter Festival from July 5-27 includes a hot chocolate trail where local cafes and restaurants compete for the title of top chocolatey creation. Not to be missed is the Winter Wonderlights nighttime festival (July 4-27) at Sovereign Hill, where the historically recreated gold-rush-era buildings are dazzled with colour.
Also well worth a visit are the Ballarat Botanical Gardens alongside Lake Wendouree, Ballarat Wildlife Park, the Eureka Centre, and Kryal Castle for all things medieval. Enjoy fine dining at restaurants such as Underbar, Mr Jones and Babae.
Try also: Illuminate Adelaide, from July 2-20; landscape artist Bruce Munro’s Trails of Light in Mildura, till August 31.
Top holiday houses around Australia
Stayz has more than 50,000 properties across Australia for holiday leasing. Here are a few of their 2025 Homes of the Year, which would make perfect weekend getaway homebases.
- Abercorn in Buckaroo
- Mountain Lodge in Sassafras
- Carpe Mykonos in Margaret River
- Cape House in Dover
- Hamptons Hinterland Retreat, Gold Coast
- Frogwell Hollow in Stirling
