5 spectacular day trips to take this long weekend
Savour the season with a last-minute drive to see the leaves change, go apple picking, listen to live music and more.
There’s something magical about the changing of the seasons. All along the southern end of the country — to our beloved Queenslanders and Territorians, we’re sorry, but you may need to book a flight — there are incredible sights to behold. The leaves ignite in striking shades of ochre and golden brown, fireplaces roar, the barbie is closed in favour of oven roasts, and if you seek out certain cold-climate regions, it’s possible to pretend we live in the Cotswolds or Connecticut on a crisp day.
As interest in instate and rural travel has surged, it isn’t always easy to secure a hotel booking for a long weekend away. With that in mind, we’ve curated the best last-minute day trips to take from the southern capitals to embrace the season and see the changing of the leaves. Consider your long weekend plans sorted.
From Sydney or Canberra: The Southern Highlands
While Canberra’s cold climate lends itself to a lovely autumn, Sydney is not so lucky — there’s a downside to daytime temps that never really plummet. But, regardless of whether the leaves on your street are falling or not, there are few better times to visit the Southern Highlands than in April and May. The 600-odd metre elevation and strong yearly rainfall make the towns of Bowral, Moss Vale, Berrima and Bundanoon an incredible autumnal experience.
Visit: Hillview Sculpture Park
After a leisurely drive along the quaint streets of Bowral and Moss Vale, you’ll come across Hillview Sculpture Park. There, you’ll find a host of incredible and ethereal sculptures among the trees. Expect paddocks full of freshly fallen leaves and art, and hopefully, a low mist as you look out across the countryside.
Dine: Briars Inn
Almost exactly halfway between Bowral and Moss Vale sits Briars Inn, a lovingly restored bistro with an adjoining lodge that delivers the ultimate autumn afternoon. Think: crackling fires in private dining rooms, local prime cuts on display and a rich assortment of wines to choose from. What more could you want?
Extend the trip: Osborn House
A little further out in Bundanoon, you’ll find the newly opened Osborn House which is the perfect place to extend your day trip into a weekender. With luxury accommodation in a heritage setting, there’s nowhere better to spend a crisp evening.
Just 90 minutes outside of Melbourne, nestled in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, you’ll find Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges. With a burgeoning reputation as a rural gastro-hub, plan a little sortie to take in an explosion of tastes and colours.
Visit: The Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival
As it says on the tin, the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival is a must-see for lovers of falling leaves. Running from now until 25 April, the festival has something for everyone, but our pick is Live Music at Hedge Farm on this Saturday 16 April.
Dine: Bar Merenda
Daylesford is a foodie’s dream so there is an abundance of choice — but our pick is Bar Merenda. With 10 William Street alumni Andy Ainsworth running the kitchen, the food is phenomenal and the intimate 22-cover dining area makes for a cosy and delectable atmosphere.
Extend the trip: Dairy Flat Lodge & Farm
Dairy Flat Lodge & Farm from the Daylesford Lake House team offers a little slice of rural heaven. With private accommodation situated on the fully functioning farm that supplies the produce to Lake House, the Daylesford Flat Lodge is a true retreat.
Just thirty minutes from Adelaide’s CBD, this region offers one of the most incredible autumn viewing experiences in the country. As the weather cools, green gives away to bright reds, oranges and yellows with nary a drab brown in sight. It’s truly a vision that will inspire.
Visit: Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens and surrounds
Perhaps one of the most iconic autumn sites is the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens which gives visitors access to 97 hectares of autumn heaven to explore. But beyond the transcendent Crafers spot, there are tonnes of vineyards and orchards that can offer a similarly magical experience. Hahndorf Hill Winery and Berenberg Farm are two of many you should visit.
Dine: The Lane Vineyard
Right in the heart of a vineyard near Hahndorf, you’ll find The Lane — a modern restaurant in a uniquely Australian setting. With a focus on locally grown produce cooked in a delectable rustic manner, you’ll be hard pushed to find somewhere as soul-enriching to eat as here.
Extend the trip: Mount Lofty House
At Mount Lofty House you can stay right in the thick of the autumnal action. This boutique residence mixes heritage with innovation to create a luxurious, wholesome atmosphere.
From Hobart: Mount Field National Park
90 minutes from Hobart, you’ll find the gemstone of cold-climate sightseeing. Home to the only native autumnal deciduous trees in Australia, Mount Field National Park provides a riot of colour that is something to behold, and well worth a pilgrimage if you live out of state.
Visit: The Three Falls Circuit
Bring your hiking boots for this one. This family-friendly trail will take you along the Lady Baron creek beneath the shedding canopies for an immersive journey into this autumn wonderland.
Dine: Bring a picnic
The beauty of Mount Field National Park is the isolation, and as such, there aren’t many eateries around. So, it’s the perfect place to pack a picnic and spread out among the fallen leaves.
Extend the trip: Henry Jones Art Hotel
Unless you are prepared to camp, the accommodation near Mount Field National Park is sparse. But, you can still make a weekend out of it with a stay at Hobart’s Henry Jones Art Hotel — one of our favourite destinations in Hobart, and a perfect place to end any autumn trek.
Just 40 minutes southeast of Perth’s centre, the suburb of Roleystone offers the best autumn experiences that the West Australian capital has to offer. With beautiful botanic gardens and orchards interspersed among the streets, there is more than enough to satiate autumn lovers.
Visit: Raeburn Orchards
As we roll into May, Raeburn Orchard’s persimmon and apple trees reach their most majestic stage giving visitors the chance to walk among the trees, have a picnic and maybe even pick some fresh apples right off the tree.
Dine: La Fattoria
Located in the hills just north of Roleystone, La Fattoria gives patrons a taste of life in Nonna’s vineyard. Over looking the grapevines, you can dine on charcuterie and cheese, slow cooked beef, masala baked pears among other delicacies. Heavenly.
Extend the trip: COMO The Treasury
Rolestone’s proximity to the city makes it perfect for a day trip, but if you want to make it a weekend away from home, we recommend one of the best boutique hotels in Perth, COMO The Treasury. With a combination of heritage foundations and a decor defined by ash wood, travertine and vintage furniture, there’s no better place to end a cosy weekend among the leaves.