Top weekends away

The Seidler House in the Southern Highlands is a structure to marvel at.

Top Luxury getaway

THE SEIDLER HOUSE
SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS, NSW

Joadja
Sleeps: 1-10
Driving time from Sydney: 2 hours
Phone: [phone]
Web: contemporaryhotels.com.au

The Location Although The Seidler House is less than two hours' drive from Sydney, that easy proximity belies the remoteness of the setting. The Harry Seidler-designed building is perched dramatically on the edge of a sandstone escarpment on a 60-hectare property, where birdsong echoes through the gum-forest valley. There is literally no sign of human habitation.

The Place Better known for the stark 1960s apartment block at McMahons Point that is often described as Sydney's most hated building, Seidler sought to create something "poetic and beautiful" when he built this four-bedroom house for the publisher Peter Berman in the 1990s. With its striking white wave-like roof - and a "catwalk" deck that juts out alarmingly over the Wingecarribee River hundreds of metres below - it is no surprise that the house won the Royal Institute of Architects Blacket Award for regional architecture in 2001.

The Experience The front door opens to a glass-walled living room that seems suspended in the air. The interior is all rough sandstone, marble and granite offset by comfortable mid-century furniture. You might spend the weekend reading in the Eero Saarinen "Womb" chair - or inspecting the African art and antiquities that the current owners have collected on their travels. Alternatively, if the weather co-operates, there is a pool that seems to have been carved out of a rock face.

Don't Miss ... Be sure to trek down to the river in search of wildlife (there are said to be koalas, wombats and kangaroos on the property) or simply for an opportunity to look up and marvel at the structure jutting out far, far above.

Need to know

Cost: $1300 a night (two-night minimum stay).
Distance: 150km south of Sydney.
Children: yes.
Wheelchair access: limited.

- Lauren Quaintance

Top Romantic getaway

KETCHUP'S BANK GLAMPING
SCENIC RIM, QLD

726 Green Hills Road, Cannon Creek, Boonah
Sleeps: 1-2
Driving time from Brisbane: 1.5 hours
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Web: ketchupsbankglamping.com.au

The Location Drive 90 minutes from Brisbane and you'll reach not the Gold or Sunshine coasts but the postcard-perfect Scenic Rim. The Rim is the name given to an arc of mountain ranges, but the region includes the hills and valleys of rainforest and farmland at the foot of the range. At its heart is the tiny town of Boonah.

The Place Fifteen minutes from Boonah, drivers begin winding over a ridge towards Ketchup's Bank Glamping. Elevated among the hills with sweeping views, it's a stunning way to arrive at the 40-hectare property that's host to two plush tents. With wooden floors, ensuite bathrooms with fluffy robes, and a queen-size bed, the tents have all the comforts of a hotel with the intimacy of sleeping under canvas. Outside is a well-stocked bush kitchen, with a gas barbecue and campfire.

The Experience This is camping minus everything that puts people off camping. Even the wood in the Tom Roberts-worthy campfire has been expertly stacked, leaving guests with nothing to do but strike a match and settle back with a glass of wine. Guests can venture out to a local restaurant or hotel, or opt to have a barbecue dinner delivered, ready to cook - and leave the cleaning up for someone else. In the morning, take a walk around the picturesque property, followed by a billy-tea breakfast around the campfire.

Don't miss ... a drink and old-fashioned counter meal at a historic local pub. Try the circa-1886 Dugandan Hotel, recently bought by the winemaker Sirromet, just out of Boonah (124 Boonah-Rathdowney Road; 07 5463 1048) or head into town to the charming 107-year-old Commercial Hotel (39 High Street, Boonah; 07 5463 1024).

Need to know

Cost: from $249 a night (two-night minimum stay).
Distance: about 100km south-west of Brisbane.
Children: no.
Wheelchair access: no.

- Georgina Waters

Top Urban getaway

THE ROYCE HOTEL
MELBOURNE, VIC

379 St Kilda Road, City
Sleeps: 1-3
Driving time from Melbourne: 7 minutes
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Web: roycehotels.com.au

The Location The Royce flanks Melbourne's premier avenue, St Kilda Road, and most of the city's finer offerings are within easy reach via a short tram ride. These include the National Gallery of Victoria, the Arts Centre, St Kilda's Esplanade and South Yarra's shopping and dining precinct. The beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens lie between the hotel and the city.

The Place The 100-odd rooms and suites at the Royce vary confusingly in size, decor, modernity and price. Some suites, for instance, have kitchenettes, others not. The website is less than helpful in pinpointing the differences in room quality and rates, but generally you get what you pay for. The views vary greatly, too, from a street-level look at Melbourne Grammar to a city skyline view across the Shrine of Remembrance.

The Experience The Royce's lobby is a former Rolls-Royce showroom. It is vast and lofty and lined with attentive staff. The hotel boasts a swank restaurant, Dish, as well as a warmly lit bar, the Amberoom, but the dining and entertainment options within a five-kilometre radius present very rich pickings indeed, and guests would do well to book their preferred venues in advance.

Don't Miss ... a leisurely amble through the Botanic Gardens. If you prefer a faster pace, join the hordes jogging laps around it, a course known as "the Tan".

Need to know

Cost: weekend room and buffet-breakfast packages range from $199 to $450 a night.
Distance: 3km from Melbourne CBD.
Children: yes.
Wheelchair access: yes.

- John Van Tiggelen

Top Nature getaway

SHACK 14
GOLDFIELDS, VIC

Hoopers Road, Chewton
Sleeps: 1-4
Driving time from Melbourne:1.5 hours
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Web: shack14.com.au

The Location Pretty Chewton is a short drive from the gold-rush township of Castlemaine and within half an hour of Maldon, Daylesford and Bendigo. The quaint Red Hill pub and the post office are the only real hints to the little town's existence, but beyond the main road the diggings-ravaged landscape gives way to peaceful bushy slopes traced by dirt roads and roo tracks.

The Place On four hectares of private bushland that's dotted with old mine shafts and borders Friars State Forest, Shack 14 is a secluded retreat surrounded by scenery in the soft bush colours of Frederick McCubbin's triptych The Pioneer. In keeping with a self-proclaimed ethos of "luxury camping", the shack - created by Glenn Murcutt-trained architect Ken Latona - is rustic yet stylish. It has two queen-size bedrooms, a bathroom, a comfortable open-plan living space and a fully equipped stainless-steel kitchen. There is no telephone or television connection, and mobile coverage is patchy at best.

The Experience Kangaroos munching in the fading light scatter as guests navigate the track to the house. The day begins with rainwater showers and bush exploration, but the evening is best whiled away with a platter of local produce, a glass of red and blues strains from the shack's CD collection. The night sky, unspoilt by the city's glow, reveals a spectacular arc of stars, and invites viewing from the deck. Eco accommodation isn't for everyone - take sharing the bedroom with a huntsman spider, or drinking the fresh, safe-but-slightly-murky water, for instance. Neither is Shack 14 within stumbling distance of restaurants and bars. Instead it offers a great opportunity to take time out from technology, enjoy each other's company and explore the landscape. A trip here will end, as it began, under the curious gaze of two dozen of the grazing locals.

Don't Miss ... The nearby Wesley Hill farmers' market (Pyrenees Highway, Castlemaine) draws a crowd of locals and weekenders every Saturday. People congregate over organic coffee and stroll among the eclectic stalls offering everything from home-made peanut butter to tarot-card readings. Historic Maldon is worth a visit, too, as are Castlemaine's Mulberry's Delicatessen (60 Lyttleton Street; 03 5472 1651) and The Good Table (233 Barker Street; 03 5472 4400), among other outlets.

Need to know

Cost: $420 for two people (two-night minimum stay); additional occupants, $60 a person a night.
Distance: About 120km north-west of Melbourne.
Children: By prior arrangement, although the property is not particularly child-friendly.
Wheelchair access: No.

- Effie Mann

Top Food&Wine getaway

THE KIRCHE @ CHARLES
BAROSSA VALLEY, SA

Krondorf Road, Tanunda
Sleeps: 1-5
Driving time from Adelaide: One hour
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Web: charlesmeltonwines.com.au

The Location Just over an hour's drive from Adelaide, the Barossa Valley is a must-visit destination for wine lovers. Tree-lined country roads wend their way through the hills of this historic area, first settled by Britons and Germans in the mid-1800s, and there are 70-plus cellar doors to knock on.

The Place The Kirche, at the entrance to the Charles Melton winery, was a place of worship for Lutheran settlers from 1864 until the 1950s, but now the prayer books have been put away and replaced with every contemporary comfort for guests. There is a loft master bedroom with king-size bed and an enclosed queen bedroom below. Fully self-contained, The Kirche is ideal for a weekend, or indeed a week. Its full-size kitchen, an extension of the church's original vestry, looks straight onto rows of grapevines reaching out with delicate tendrils for steely guidance. The living area is large and tastefully appointed with a six-seater dining table and a mix of modern and antique furniture, and there's a wood heater ready to stoke on chilly Barossa evenings. The bathroom is large and luxurious and there's a laundry, too.

The Experience From home base at the Kirche, there's a plethora of food and wine delights dotted about this picturesque valley. Jump in the car and explore the spider's web of gravel country roads, trailing plumes of pale dust behind (whatever you do, don't forget the map). Once the reconnoitring is complete, return to the Kirche, safe in the knowledge that you can throw the car keys inside and wander on foot up the driveway to sample some rich and elegant Barossa shirazes from the Charles Melton selection. (Lunch is also available at the cellar door daily from noon to 3.30pm.)

Don't Miss ... the fresh flavours of FermentAsian restaurant in Tanunda (fermentasian.com.au); Barossa Valley Farmers' Market, held every Saturday morning in Angaston (barossafarmersmarket.com); Turkey Flat Winery - which helped return crisp and lively rosés to Australian tables - in nearby Bethany (turkeyflat.com.au); Jacobs Creek, both the winery visitors' centre (jacobscreek.com) and the waterway it's named after; Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park; and Maggie Beer's Farm Shop, for eating, shopping and cooking demonstrations (maggiebeer.com.au/farmshop). cindy macdonald

Need to know

Cost: $435 a night for one bedroom (two people) or $555 a night for two bedrooms (four people); two-night minimum stay.
Distance: 70km north-east of Adelaide.
Children: eight years and over welcome. The Kirche can accommodate two adults and three children as a group.
Wheelchair access: limited.

- Cindy Macdonald

Top Coast getaway

WHISPERS

GREAT OCEAN ROAD, VIC

Address: 4 Ocean Drive, Port Fairy
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Web: www.whispersportfairy.com.au

The location: Who doesn't love a good road trip? The Minties, the music, the maps. And when the destination is as lovely as Port Fairy, a great weekend away is to be had. This charming village, at the end of the Great Ocean Road, is home to one of the busiest fishing ports in Victoria as well as numerous events throughout the year (there's a folk festival in March, the Winter Weekends series and the Spring Music Festival in September, to name a few). There is plenty of opportunity for stunning nature walks, and wildlife is in abundance (koalas, emus, kangaroos and waterbirds roam freely in Tower Hill State Game Reserve, while Australian fur seals waddle, lumber and tumble off rocks and into the sea on a Lady Julia Percy Island or Cape Bridgewater cruise).

The place: Whispers is a beautifully designed and appointed four-bedroom luxury beachfront house, perfect for family or group getaways. It sleeps up to 10 people; the king-size master suite with ensuite includes a sunken spa, and there are two king rooms and a bunk room with four singles. There are two large living areas, views of the Southern Ocean, five outdoor decks, an outdoor shower, gas barbecue, sound system, DVD player and large-screen TV and gas log fire. All this with the soothing sounds of the ocean across the road.

The experience: The historic seaside town of Port Fairy, a 10-minute stroll from Whispers, has charming appeal and great eateries (the coffee at Rebecca's Café on Sackville Street – 03 5568 2555 – is A-grade). If you don't feel like cooking up a storm, Big Chill-style, in the fabulously well-equipped kitchen, try dinner at The Stag (1 Campbell Street, Port Fairy; 03 5568 2324; thestagportfairy.com.au).

Don't miss: Local produce is abundant in Port Fairy and sampling the day's catch from Fisherman's Wharf is a highlight (alternatively, you can catch your own bream and flathead, using prawns as bait). Take a walk along the beach just across the road, or simply relax as you enjoy the local arts and crafts and fine food and wine on offer in the area.

NEED TO KNOW
Cost: from $550 a weekend night.
Distance: 290km west of Melbourne (four hours' drive).
Sleeps: 1-10.
Children: yes.
Wheelchair access: no.

- Kate Simons

Top Family getaway

THE SUMMERHOUSE @CURRARONG
SOUTH COAST, NSW

Sleeps: 1-9
Driving time from Sydney: 3 hours
Mobile: [phone]
Web: stayz.com.au/11737

The Location Currarong is on the northern headland above Jervis Bay, about three hours' drive south of Sydney. With its quiet streets and loping 'roos at dawn and dusk, it's very much your typical sleepy Aussie country town by the sea, where every second house looks like a Reg Mombassa painting.

The Place You'll find The Summerhouse a short walk up the hill from the corner store and about 500 metres from several idyllic beaches, mostly without surf. The main house has a relaxed, eclectic feel, two bedrooms and a wide, sunny, protected deck. Behind the house is a light-filled two-room studio that sleeps four.

The Experience A day at The Summerhouse generally pans out as follows: wake up very early if you have small children, take them out to see the kangaroos, walk them to the shops for the papers, then back to start on breakfast. If you have older kids, you'll be sleeping in and taking breakfast, coffee and papers a bit later. Head to any number of beautiful, child-friendly beaches for a paddle and then back for lunch. The afternoon may involve dozing on the deck, Scrabble and a ride if you take your bikes. Then delight in a blast of glorious late sun while you check out rockpools and enjoy a glass of wine on one of the state's few north-facing beaches, before heading home to prepare dinner in the well-appointed kitchen. If all goes to plan, the children will be utterly exhausted and go to bed without complaint, leaving the grown-ups to sit and while away the night.

Don't Miss ... the lovely bushwalks, including the beach at Honeysuckle Point - one of the prettiest beaches on the entire NSW coast.

Need to know

Cost: from $200 a night during summer (two-night minimum stay).
Distance: 200km south of Sydney.
Children: yes.
Pets: yes, sleeping outside.
Wheelchair access: no.

- Tegan Sadlier

Top Country getaway

TRELAWNEY FARM
CENTRAL WEST, NSW

428 Henry Lawson Drive, Mudgee
Sleeps: 8-12
Driving time from Sydney: 4 hours
Phone: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Web: trelawneyfarm.com

The Location Mudgee is all about the wine - with a little Henry Lawson thrown in. The region has a long wine history and a reputation for big-bodied reds. With 40 cellar doors, there's plenty to discover, and if you're not keen to imbibe, check out the historic town centre and the nearby villages of Gulgong and Rylstone.

The Place At Trelawney Farm's heart is an 1880s brick cottage in the middle of a paddock. The original house has been extended and renovated with bucket-loads of style. There are two self-contained cottage apartments that all together sleep 12. There is also a dedicated room for the kids, two lounge rooms, kitchens, a library and bathrooms with claw-footed baths, plus another bath out in the paddock.

The Experience There is a strong incentive to stay indoors. Snug, feather-light doonas and crisp white sheets are as fine an excuse as any to lie in, with the morning sun filtering in through timber shutters. It's also tempting, with all this country air, to unleash your inner baker and make batches of scones for the hordes sunning themselves on the deck. Later in the day, open fires keep things cosy (there's a stack of chopped wood outside) and offer the perfect setting to relax in a deep armchair and crack the top off a nice red or white.

Don't Miss ... a visit to Lowe Family Wines (Tinja Lane; 02 6372 0800; lowewine.com.au). Their great wines and lovely views are only a short drive (or long walk) from Trelawney Farm. barbara sweeney

Need to know

Cost: $990 a night for 12 people; (two-night minimum stay); additional cleaning fee and $500 deposit.
Distance: 270km north-west of Sydney.
Children: yes.
Wheelchair access: limited.

- Barbara Sweeney