The 8 best weekend getaways across Australia

Located just 1.5 hours from Canberra (and just two hours from Sydney, so quite perfect if you want to meet a mate from a different state halfway), the Southern Highlands are one of our favourite weekend getaways, ever. Cosy in the winter and dreamy in warmer months, the Southern Highlands are peppered with stunning coastal views, nostalgic antique shops, and a vast array of very memorable pies and country pubs. Tuck yourself away in a country B&B, do little walks and breathe in the fresh, cold air of the high country. This one's pretty perfect. 

Get there: If you don't have a car, take a NSW TrainLink regional train from Canberra to Goulburn. From there, change to the Southern Highlands Line for stops like Moss Vale, Bowral and Mittagong. The full trip takes around 3.5 hours, but it will fly by with the help of a good book or podcast.

Good for: Couples, friends, families and purveyors of cosy times, good pies and classic Aussie country hits.

Litchfield National Park is a lush and verdant corner of the Northern Territory that often gets forgotten. Located just 60 minutes from Darwin, this national park is overflowing with thundering waterfalls, crystal pools and vivid greenery that has to be seen to be believed. In a part of the world where pretty much all bodies of water are to be heavily avoided at all costs (read: saltwater crocs), Litchfield is a special oasis for swimmers and weary travellers alike. Whether you like hiking, swimming or (if you're feeling bougie) chartering a private helicopter to a waterhole on top of a remote waterfall, there's something pretty life-changing in Litchfield for everyone. 

Get there: You'll need a 4WD for this one. It's around a 1.5 to 2-hour drive to Litchfield from Darwin city, navigating a mix of paved and dirt roads. You can also leave the driving to a pro by joining a day tour from Darwin.

Good for: Adventure junkies, anyone who wants to swim safely in the croc-infested NT, and getting off grid.

Wine, wine and more wine. Adelaide has a lot of incredible stuff to offer, but there's no denying that wine is sort of the one we like the most. Located just 45 minutes from Adelaide's CBD, McLaren Vale is kind of like Tuscany, but without the international airfare ticket bit getting involved. Scoring high for proximity and accessibility, McLaren Vale is also stunningly beautiful, lush and studded with numerous gorgeous vineyards and wineries that you can hop between, all weekend long. 

Get there: It's worth renting a car for the 45-minute drive, or joining a wine shuttle or guided tour from Adelaide. If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s even a bike trail – the Shiraz Trail – between McLaren Vale and Willunga, with vineyard stops along the way.

Good for: Couples, adult mates and those who love efficiency, short drives and very, very good wine. 

Just a zippy 30-minute ferry ride from Fremantle (or 90 minutes from the Perth CBD), Rottnest Island is one of Western Australia's greatest gems. Also known by its local Aboriginal name, Wadjemup, and ‘Rotto’ by locals, it’s an essential addition to any WA weekender itinerary. Out-of-towners may know Rottnest for its friendly population of quokkas, but the island is also home to the most incredible azure blue waters you’ll come across, and nowadays, it has a selection of top-notch eateries and luxe accommodation, as well as camping grounds, cafés and low-key restaurants for the budget-conscious. 

Get there: Both SeaLink and Rottnest Express operate frequent ferries from Fremantle and Barrack Street Jetty in Perth CBD. Rottnest Fast Ferries also runs trips from Hillarys Boat Harbour.

Good for: Families, leisure-lovers, nature-fans and anyone who likes looking at eye-wateringly blue water. 

If you're in Hobart and are medically craving the freshest air in the world, succulent oysters, savvy B and eating handmade cheese in the bush – you're going to need to put Bruny on your weekend list. Located just under two hours from Hobart's CBD, Bruny is the crispest jewel in the Apple Isle's crown. Dance on wild and secluded beaches, go on staggeringly beautiful bushwalks, eat and drink some of the best local food and wine you'll get in your life, and just generally immerse yourself in a place that feels perfectly placed in a simple, faraway time where emails don't exist. You'll probably see a dolphin too – and a whale if you're lucky. 

Get there: Take a scenic drive to Kettering, a 40-minute drive south of Hobart and jump on the car ferry, operating from 7am to 7pm. The 20-minute journey will treat you to gorgeous views of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and back towards kunanyi / Mt Wellington.

Good for: People who like their rugged nature with a side of artisan cheese, kids and those looking for a little slice of serenity. 

It's hard to pick where to speed away to for a short weekender from Sydney, but one place that we reckon ticks a huge number of boxes is the Central Coast. First of all, it's around a 1.5-hour drive from the CBD, meaning you can hit the road straight after work and get home on Sunday arvo with time to spare (there's also a nifty train that'll get you there quick too). Second, it's got incredible pristine beaches, easy access to tonnes of incredible wineries and rolling green hills, an epic array of world-class restaurants and cafés, and hikes galore. Basically, it's a crowd pleaser. 

Get there: If you don't have a car, hop on the Newcastle and Central Coast Train Line at Central Station. The journey takes 1.5 to 2 hours, boasting gorgeous views of the Hawkesbury River.

Good for: Everyone. Truly, everyone. 

The Grampians region is perhaps best known as one of Victoria's best nature escapes, particularly for its collection of grand mountains and high sandstone peaks that seemingly split the horizon in two. A three-hour drive from Melbourne's CBD, this dazzling national park also houses one of the biggest collections of Indigenous rock art sites in southeastern Australia, is home to the epic Pinnacle walk, and becomes speckled by gorgeous wildflowers during springtime. It's also home to some of Victoria's best wineries and eateries, which means you can be outdoorsy, but stay well-fed at the same time. 

Get there: Those without a car can take a V/Line Train from Southern Cross Station to Ararat. From there, board a connecting V/Line coach to Halls Gap – with the full trip taking 4.5 to 5 hours.

Good for: Adrenaline junkies, waterfall-seekers and nature lovers who also like microbreweries and cheese. 

With its convenient proximity to Brisbane (just an hour's ferry ride away), Moreton Island is an ideal getaway for unwinding in both luxury and nature over a weekend. Whether you opt to camp behind the sandy dunes, rent one of the island's numerous holiday houses or stay at Tangalooma Island Resort, you'll have plenty of opportunities to indulge in swimming, snorkelling, and for 4WD owners, cruising the island's beach highways. The hand-feeding wild dolphin experience is a must, as is donning your finest snorkel and exploring the breathtaking Tangalooma Wrecks. Bonus: you don't have to wear a stinger suit in Southeast Queensland because there are no Box jellyfish or Irukandji.

Get there: Book a seat or drive your 4WD onto the 90-minute Micat ferry from the Port of Brisbane, which runs up to five times daily. During Easter and Christmas, the most popular ferries book out around five months in advance, so get on it ASAP. 

Good for:  Fans of paradise and tropical islands, snorkellers, resort-goers' and families.