Australia’s best (and easiest) short breaks under three days

The key to short-break success is not returning more exhausted than before you left, and these two- and three-day trips do just that. Spanning multiple Australian states, these excellent escapes offer adventure and relaxation in equal measure. Be sure to keep them front of mind when planning your next mini-break or extended weekender.

THREE DAYS

Bellarine Peninsula, Vic

Good for beach and wine devotees.

Taking a leap at Geelong’s Eastern Beach.

Stay Watch ships sail through the heads from sky view pods at The Nest overlooking Point Lonsdale. In Geelong, the Vue Apartments sit prettier than ever along Eastern Beach following a $1.7 million dollar refresh.

See + do + eat Two Noble by chef Mario Tambajong (ex-MoVida, Coda) serves up superb South-East Asia fare in the rejuvenated Sawyers Arms Tavern or enjoy bay views, handmade seafood pasta and dry-aged meats at Maestro in Geelong’s new Holiday Inn complex. Sample the region’s best wines at the Geelong Cellar Door before catching a show at the Geelong Arts Centre. Take a dip in the enclosed sea baths, a spin on the Giant Sky Wheel and head for the rooftop Sailors’ Rest bar for sundowners and sweeping Corio Bay vistas.

Don’t miss The spectacular Moorabool Valley, a little-known wine region quietly cultivating some of Australia’s finest cool-climate wines.

Essentials Fly direct from Sydney to Avalon Airport, a 20-minute drive from Geelong. Geelong is one hour’s drive west of Melbourne. V/Line trains run regularly from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station or cruise from Melbourne’s Docklands with Port Phillip Ferries or fast cat (foot passengers only) to Portarlington. See visitgeelongbellarine.com.au

Launceston, Tas

Good for sustainably minded folk.

First Basin at Launceston’s Cataract Gorge – all this minutes from the city centre.Credit: Getty Images

Stay Check in to an historic flour mill on the edge of Cataract Gorge in one of seven luxurious rooms at Stillwater (above the city’s most awarded restaurant), or sleep between linen sheets at The Store House, an 1880s heritage-listed townhouse above homewares store Ecoco in the heart of Launceston’s cafe precinct.

See + do + eat Take a carbon-neutral foodie journey to Launceston, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Build up an appetite with a hike through the rugged beauty of Cataract Gorge or stroll the Seaport boardwalk stopping for Bruny Island oysters at Bar Urbane. Cellar-door hop your way through the picturesque Tamar Valley and stop for a charcuterie board at Fork It Farm.

Don’t miss Exceptional food and wine and attentive service is on the menu at Stillwater, overlooking the confluence of the South Esk and Tamar Rivers.

Essentials Fly direct from Sydney and Melbourne, or it’s a 2.5-hour drive along the Midland Highway from Hobart. See stillwater.com.au; forkitfarm.com.au; ecoco.com.au; visitnortherntasmania.com.au

Southern Gold Coast, Qld

Good for retro buffs

The Gold Coast’s new Cheshire Cat Motel.

Stay The new Cheshire Cat Motel offers an eclectic mix of ’70s Australiana and Palm Springs with seven rooms, plunge pool and a roomy two-bedroom bungalow.

See + do + eat Swap the crowds and high rises for renowned surf breaks and a burgeoning food scene. Authentic Mexican and incredible margaritas are on the menu at the buzzing Frida Sol. Cross the Gold Coast Highway for classic Italian dishes at the chef’s hatted Balboa or head north to Rick Shores for its cult bug rolls.

Don’t miss Superlative ocean vistas at every turn along the Burleigh Heads to Tallebudgera Creek track (or vice versa). Pack swimmers for a dip in turquoise-coloured waters.

Essentials Fly direct from Sydney and Melbourne to Gold Coast Airport. Avoid schoolies and Christmas school holidays when prices skyrocket. See cheshirecatmotel.com; experiencegoldcoast.com

Port Stephens, NSW

Port Stephens’ scenic 27-kilometre Tomaree Coastal Walk.

Good for Group getaways.

Stay The ocean is on the doorstep of dreamy all-white beach house Talm, a luxurious stay for 10 people. Manicured lawns roll down to the sea while floor to ceiling windows put viewers in front-row seats for the passing parade of whales, dolphins and F-35 jet aircraft.

See + do + eat Explore rock pools, tackle part (or all) of the new 27-kilometre Tomaree Coastal Walk (the track passes directly in front of Talm), enjoy Greek fare at Atmos at Shoal Bay and a post swim coffee at Boardstore Lab. You can take a camel ride through the southern hemisphere’s largest shifting sand dunes at nearby Birubi Beach. Can’t drag yourself away from those phenomenal views? The Wilderness Chef can cater in-house at Talm.

Don’t miss Known as Australia’s dolphin capital, Port Stephens is one of the few places in Australia where you can swim with wild dolphins.

Essentials Port Stephens is roughly three hours’ drive north of Sydney. Fly direct from Sydney (FlyPelican) and Melbourne (Jetstar and Virgin) to nearby Newcastle Airport. See talm.com; portstephens.org.au

Townsville, Qld

Ardo’s rooftop pool and bar look across to the Coral Sea and Magnetic Island.

Good for R&R, island hoppers.

Stay With a rooftop infinity pool and bar overlooking the Coral Sea, a luxe day spa and swish fine dining options, Townsville’s newest luxury digs, the 132-room Ardo, has put North Queensland’s largest city squarely on the map.

See + do + eat Enjoy sundowners with epic views of Magnetic Island at palm fringed Quarterdeck, tuck into Chinese dishes with a contemporary twist at Miss Song’s Asian Kitchen while elevated Japanese fare (like the beef tataki) is on the menu at the waterfront Terasu at Ardo. Meanwhile, Magnetic Island (aka Maggie) is a 20-minute ferry ride away for secluded beaches and Northern Australia’s largest koala colony.

Don’t miss Designed in collaboration with the Wulgurukaba people, the Museum of Underwater Art offers a one-of-a-kind Great Barrier Reef experience and a chance to learn about the challenges it faces.

Essentials Fly direct from Sydney and Melbourne. May to September offers sunny days and low humidity. Rooms at the Ardo from $225 a night. See townsvillenorthqueensland.com.au; ardohotel.au; moua.com.au

Byron Bay, NSW

Good for wellness junkies, beach lovers.

The Cape Byron lighthouse, the easternmost point of the Australian mainland.Credit: iStock

Stay Elements of Byron somehow manages to cater to families (hello infinity lagoon, parkour- inspired playground and fairy trail), couples and groups of friends. Its 203 freestanding rooms and villas – some with inbuilt fireplaces and verandah bathhouses – are hemmed by bush, rainforest or beach. There’s also an adults-only pool with swing seats and swim-up tequila bar, beach club, sunrise yoga and more.

See + do + eat Join a wild harvest feast, including a foraging tour, led by in-house naturalist Alistair Oakman. Find native ingredients including warrigal greens, lemon myrtle and pepperberry on a guided walk through Element’s 20 lush hectares. Afterwards, dine on dishes such as tempura zucchini flowers or venison backstrap crafted by executive chef Ebony Baker.

Nearby, pop in for Mediterranean-inspired slow cooked dishes and salads at the new Commune Canteen. At Three Blue Ducks at The Farm opt for locally sourced steak, mussels with hash brown and whipped garlic or hand decision-making over by opting for the chef’s selection.

Don’t miss A walk to Cape Byron Lighthouse followed by lunch at Raes on Wategos. Order a Brookies G&T and watch humpback whales and surfers frolic in Byron’s most exclusive set of waves.

Essentials Fly to Ballina Byron Gateway Airport from Sydney and Melbourne. The drive from Sydney is eight-plus hours. See visitbyronbay.com; elementsofbyron.com.au

TWO DAYS

Southern Highlands, NSW

Good for Chionophiles (cold weather lovers), cottage-core enthusiasts.

Inside Moss Manor in the NSW Southern Highlands.

Stay Best described as a small art hotel, Moss Manor offers classic interiors, manicured gardens (including a 150-year-old weeping cherry) and attentive service in a restored Georgian-style manor in the village of Moss Vale. Artfully presented two-course breakfasts and afternoon teas are the icing on the cake.

See + do + eat Head to the historic village of Berrima for elevated Modern Australian fare at Eschalot, housed in a stone cottage with roaring fireplaces. Afterwards search for platypus in the Wingecarribe River (best chance is dawn or dusk). Explore the outstanding Ngununggula Regional Gallery at Bowral, have coffee at The What if Society and enjoy a vino at Flour, which morphs from a cafe to a wine bar with substantial small plates come sundown.

Don’t miss A guided tour of the contemporary artwork collection (for sale) that adorns Moss Manor’s rooms and spaces curated by Campbell Robertson-Swann of Sydney’s Defiance Gallery.

Essentials Moss Vale is a 90-minute drive south of Sydney or catch the XPLORER from Central to Moss Vale Station. From Melbourne, fly to Sydney or Canberra, less than two hours’ drive away. See mossmanor.au

Bendigo, Vic

Good for Culture lovers.

In 2025 Bendigo Art Gallery will host the exhibition Frida Kahlo: In her own image.Credit: Rob Blackburn

Stay Playing to the strength of the town’s incredible architecture and gold rush era heritage, Hotel Ernest inhabits Bendigo’s oldest bank building and the opening of its restaurant Terrae is imminent.

See + do + eat Quaff shiraz and cabernet sauvignon at wineries and wine bars, explore Chancery Lane and meet passionate producers at the Bendigo Farmer’s Market. At the Woodhouse, locally reared meat cooked over redgum stars while a farm-to-plate ethos underpins Masons of Bendigo. Catch live music at local watering hole Handle Bar.

Don’t miss In March 2025 Bendigo Art Gallery will host the never before seen in Australia Frida Kahlo: In her own image exhibition on loan from Mexico City’s Museo Frida Kahlo.

Essentials Bendigo is a 90-minute drive or just under two-hour train journey from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station. Qantas flies direct between Bendigo and Sydney. See hotelbendigo.com.au; bendigoregion.com.au