International travel can be glamorous and brag-worthy, but it also requires a decent chunk of time and pretty penny! Australia is so spoiled with unparalleled escapes that it makes sense to take advantage of what is hidden in our own backyard. Here are our top ideas for weekend getaways that will give international destinations a run for their money!
WA: Out of this World
Largely untouched, Western Australia has some of the most spectacular scenery in Australia that transports visitors to a different time and place. The pristine Martian beaches of Broome, the corrugated monoliths of the Bungle Bungle range and the cotton candy pink water of Spencer Lake are just some of the other-worldly landscapes that our largest state has to offer.
Meet the locals: Take a trip to Exmouth and swim with the largest sharks in the world, whale sharks, at World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef.
VIC: Get Cultured
Arguably the most culture-rich and diverse city in Australia, Melbourne is the ideal destination for those wanting to expand their minds and soak up the arts. Explore muraled laneways, gape at gravity-defying architecture and treat your senses to symphonies. Bulging with museums, theatres, galleries and libraries, a visit to Melbourne will be a workout for your mind and a feast for your soul. Check schedules for shows and exhibitions before you go as this city never sits still for long!
QLD: Fit for a Queen
Kilometres of idyllic coastline, tropical rainforests and hinterland mountains, a mini-escape to Queensland can almost feel like you’ve gone overseas! Charter a boat from Port Douglas and sail above the Great Barrier Reef stopping at secluded sand cays, hike around the towering volcanic plugs of the Glass House Mountains or snorkel with whales, dugongs and turtles off of Fraser Island’s Woodgate Beach.
ACT: Festival Fever
As well as being the nation’s capital, Canberra and the rest of the ACT have some wonderfully unique festivals that really make this territory stand out from the crowd. Every winter, over 250 events are held to celebrate truffle foraging season; embark on a truffle hunt, learn delicious recipes and stroll around the markets that showcase the Black Winter Truffle!
Other festival faves: Canberra Balloon Spectacular – hot air balloons that can be viewed from the ground or enjoyed in the air, Floriade – a menagerie of botanic wonder, and Canberra Comedy Festival – giggle up some good vibes!
SA: Wine Down
World-famous for its wine, South Australia is a must-go destination for dedicated oenophiles (and for those who just enjoy a glass with a view!). The Barossa Valley is SA’s most recognised, but extend your stay and stop through the McLaren Vale, Clare Valley, Adelaide Hills, Eden Valley and Coonawarra regions too.
NT: Older than History
Travel back in time and take a glimpse into the dreamtime at Kakadu’s Nourlangie Rock. Aboriginal rock paintings here in the Ubirr region date back 50,000 years, which makes them more than ten times older than the pyramids in Egypt! Bush walk along the rims of canyons and down into gorges, swim in billabongs and camp under night skies carpeted with millions of stars.
NSW: Change of Scenery
Get away from the big smoke and unwind in NSW’s rustic hideaways. The Blue Mountains is just a hop, skip and a jump from Sydney – rent a cottage and spend the weekend walking through mossy forests and trawling through antique shops. Berry is also an unsung hero of the South Coast; take a walk along Seven Mile Beach, wander through markets and enjoy locally-sourced nibbles.
Sea Change: If sandy beaches are more your style, head to Byron Bay. Take a yoga workshop, visit some adorable farm animals at Three Blue Duck’s venture, The Farm, or stay in your cozzie all day and soak up the sun at Wategos Beach (keep an eye out for bottlenose dolphins!).
TAS: Mini-Mix
It might be small, but this island state packs a punch when it comes to things to do. Get close to nature with a bushwalk around Wineglass Bay by soaking up the panoramic view and then relaxing on the beach, white water raft down the Franklin River, or see what all the commotion is about at Australia’s largest private museum, MONA (unrestricted in its exhibitions, MONA is infamous for its boundary-pushing pieces and thought-provoking art).
Time your trip right and you might be lucky enough to view the Aurora Australis (also known as the Southern Lights). Just like its famous northern counterpart, this psychedelic night sky phenomenon is a bucket list essential!
Where are your favourite weekend getaway hotspots in Australia? Let us know by leaving a comment, or jump over to the Members Facebook page and share your top tips with the Super Squad.