Best places in Australia for a weekend away: Eight places for a two day break

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 7 years ago

Best places in Australia for a weekend away: Eight places for a two day break

The Brae restaurant in Birregurra. Victoria.

The Brae restaurant in Birregurra. Victoria.Credit: Eddie Jim

Have a couple of days off and want to do something special? Our specialist writers have sampled and reported back on the perfect places to relax and recharge in just a few days.

1. THE PLACE The Cullen, South Yarra, Melbourne, VIC

GOOD FOR … Culture

Parsnip dessert, Brae Restaurant, Birregurra, Victoria.

Parsnip dessert, Brae Restaurant, Birregurra, Victoria.

WHY WE LOVE IT Edgy and in-your-face, The Cullen deserves its moniker of "art hotel": grunge artist Adam Cullen's Ned Kelly obsession is on show throughout the 118-room hotel, with Ned portraits above the beds and vivid canvases of judges, police and the Kelly Gang strewn throughout. Book a walk with a hotel curator for the backstory on Cullen and Kelly.

STEPPING OUT Hop on a tram and make for the National Gallery of Victoria, where the iconic Whistler's Mother is on loan from Paris' Musee D'Orsay until June 19. Continue the Ned theme and ogle his battle armour, permanently on show in the beautiful State Library of Victoria. Close to home, gelato is so hot on Chapel Street right now: lick your lips and flick the racks, then turn the corner into little Greville Street for even cooler art, craft and coffee haunts.

MAKE IT HAPPEN Doubles from $229 a night. See artserieshotels.com.au.

A bathroom with a view, Brae.

A bathroom with a view, Brae.

2.THE PLACE Coco's Cottage in the Byron Bay Hinterland, Possum Creek, NSW

Advertisement

GOOD FOR … A romantic getaway, nature, food and wine

WHY WE LOVE IT The owners of this 1890s cottage had it transported to the site and have lovingly restored it. Think polished floorboards, white walls, shuttered windows and a wraparound timber deck with an inviting hammock where you can take in views of the lush garden and rolling countryside. Be sure to have dinner at least once cooked by hosts Kevin and Janice Pickles. Coco's has recently added a second bedroom to accommodate a small family or extra adult.

Fresh produce from the garden at The Loch, Berrima.

Fresh produce from the garden at The Loch, Berrima.

STEPPING OUT The charming hinterland town of Bangalow is a short drive away. Visit the Bangalow Markets (fourth Sunday of the month), have a squiz through Island Luxe, grab a latte from Sparrow Coffee and take a stroll in the surrounding countryside.

MAKE IT HAPPEN From $180 a night (meals extra), $25 a extra guest a night. See byron-bay.com.

3.THE PLACE Hockey's Accommodation at the Old Chemist, Millthorpe, NSW

The Loch in Berrima.

The Loch in Berrima.

GOOD FOR … A country escape, food and wine, heritage

WHY WE LOVE IT This intimate one-bedroom, self-contained cottage is set in an old pharmacy at the heart of historic Millthorpe just outside Orange. The freestanding house is packed with character. There's a fully equipped kitchen, lounge area with retro pharmacy cabinet, cosy bedroom, and large bathroom with spa bath. To the back is a cute garden with barbecue, but my favourite spot is the front verandah looking over the charming township.

STEPPING OUT Take a stroll around Millthorpe's picturesque streets, mosey around lifestyle store Tomolly, enjoy a tipple at the Slow Wine Company, and have dinner at the renowned Tonic owned by affable chef Tony Worland.

Accommodation at the Old Chemist, Millthorpe.

Accommodation at the Old Chemist, Millthorpe.

MAKE IT HAPPEN From $260 a night (minimum two-night stay) including complimentary bottle of wine or local boutique beer and a cheese platter. See hockeysaccommodation.com.au.

4.THE PLACE Adina, St Kilda, VIC

GOOD FOR … Urban escape, food and wine, outdoors

WHY WE LOVE IT In the heart of happening St Kilda, the recently refurbished Adina offers self-contained apartments with fantastic city skyline views across Albert Park. The studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with balconies are equipped with all the mod cons. It's the super friendly staff, however, who make the Adina a brilliant bolthole for exploring St Kilda.

STEPPING OUT St Kilda's famous bayside strip, Fitzroy Street, looks fresh after a $1.4 million facelift. On your doorstep is a plethora of bars, restaurants and cafes, including Miss Jackson and Dr Jekyll (both in Grey Street), iconic Italian eatery Di Stasio, The George and Lau's Family Kitchen. Cross the road and take a stroll around Albert Park Lake, or head down to Port Phillip Bay for a swim.

MAKE IT HAPPEN Doubles $116 a night. See tfehotels.com.

5.THE PLACE The Loch, Berrima, NSW

GOOD FOR … A country escape, food and wine, nature, heritage

WHY WE LOVE IT Since it opened last year, The Loch has been quite the breath of fresh Ayr in the sometimes stuffy Southern Highlands. Brigid Kennedy, a noted Sydney caterer, and partner Kevin Nott, have transformed a set of stables into the bonniest of accommodations (with each of the elegantly decorated four rooms named after a Scottish city) on a hilltop above Berrima. Each Sunday, the couple welcome visitors and house guests alike to their own ambitious farm-gate, a mini-festival of fine food and the best local produce with the stables' now-vacated stalls festooned by antiques and bric-a-brac sourced by Nott.

STEPPING OUT Settled in the 1830s, Berrima, with its wealth of historic sandstone buildings, is regarded as one of the best-preserved Georgian villages on the Australian mainland. The main street (the Old Hume Highway) is home to Good Food Guide-rated restaurants such as Eschalot, Josh's Cafe and Bendooley Estate. Just over 20 kilometres from The Loch is the ghost town of Joadja, now home to a whiskey distillery.

MAKE IT HAPPEN Doubles from $210, two nights minimum stay. See theloch.net.au.

6. THE PLACE Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains, Leura, NSW

GOOD FOR ... Families, nature, outdoors

WHY WE LOVE IT A multi-million-dollar refurbishment, management by Accor and a repositioning under the chic, slightly edgy MGallery brand, have given this resort a newfound buzz. Tennis, squash, billiards, outdoor and heated indoor pools, and a KidsZone are among distractions. Adults can escape to the spa or indulge in scrumptious high teas in the Sublime Lounge. Many rooms have views over the Jamieson Valley.

STEPPING OUT The resort is adjacent to Leura Golf Club, where views from the 14th hole are especially magnificent. Segway Blue Mountains operates through the resort's bushland. The shops and cafes of Leura and Katoomba are a few minutes' drive, as is Blue Mountains National Park; the National Pass trail at Wentworth Falls might be top of the scenic walk list.

MAKE IT HAPPEN Doubles from $209. See fairmontresort.com.au.

7.THE PLACE Biota Rooms, Bowral, NSW

GOOD FOR … A country escape, food and wine, nature

WHY WE LOVE IT In France, there are plenty of destination restaurants that also offer guests rooms to stay. That inspired chef James Viles to open Biota Rooms next to his acclaimed restaurant, Biota. The rooms are simple but the benefits are considerable: you get to explore the grounds where much of the produce is grown – and perhaps see the chefs picking the vegies for dinner – and after your meal, you can simply stroll home.

STEPPING OUT Biota may be the Southern Highlands' most acclaimed restaurant, but a clutch of other great outlets are shaking up the area's once-stuffy reputation. Dine at Onesta Cucina and Bendooley Estate and enjoy some wine tasting at Centennial Vineyards, Tertini Wines and Artemis Wines.

MAKE IT HAPPEN Stay and Dine package from $160 a person a night twin share (midweek), including a five-course meal. See biotadining.com.

8. THE PLACE Brae, Birregurra, VIC

GOOD FOR … Luxury, food and wine, nature

WHY WE LOVE IT The delights of chef Dan Hunter's farmhouse kitchen at Brae, in the Otway region of Victoria, are well-known to serious foodies. So too was the commitment required to sample them – a 90-minute drive down the Princes Highway from Melbourne. Now Hunter and his wife and co-collaborator, Julianne Bagnato, have created even more of an enticement: six stunning luxury suites. While there was always plenty of good B&B support for Brae in the nearby village, the on-site digs are an exquisite extension of Hunter's attention to detail, welcoming guests with bespoke textiles and artworks, fridges and bars stocked with rare wines and spirits and a breakfast of baked goods from the kitchen.

STEPPING OUT The Great Ocean Road is not too far away, but loitering awhile in the Otways is a pleasure in itself. The rainforest rises are home to sweet villages, including Forrest, where the Forrest Brewing Company continues to grow in reputation for its fine frothies. The drive between Geelong and Birregurra offers some interesting wineries around Waurn Ponds, including the great cellar door and restaurant at Mount Duneed.

MAKE IT HAPPEN Accommodation, including breakfast, from $425 a night (Monday) to $565 a night (Friday, Saturday, public holidays). See braerestaurant.com.

Contributors: Lee Atkinson, Anthony Dennis, Belinda Jackson, Julietta Jameson, Brian Johnston, Ute Junker, Sally Macmillan, Sheriden Rhodes, Craig Tansley and Sally Webb.

See also: The 10 best hotels in Australia named

See also: Australia's best short breaks for families

Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter

Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now.

Most viewed on Traveller

Loading