All 100 Greatest Getaways

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Discover all the top 100 Greatest Getaways.

Ancient rainforests, dramatic waterways, craggy coastlines and glittering cityscapes. Epic road trips, food festivals and outback gatherings under star-strewn skies. These diverse landscapes and experiences set the scene for our ultimate rundown of Australia’s 100 Greatest Getaways.

Here is the complete list to inspire your travels this year and beyond. Follow the links to read the stories that inspired each experience on the list.

Weekend Getaways

Read about each of Australia’s greatest weekend getaways

1. The Limestone Coast, SA
2. Pumphouse Point, Tas
3. The Hunter Valley, NSW
4. Trentham, Vic
5. The EVE Hotel in Sydney, NSW
6. A weekend cruise along Australia’s coastline
7. The Blue Mountains, NSW
8. Explore Fitzroy in Melbourne, Vic
9. The Lodge Wadjemup, Rottnest Island, WA

City Getaways

Read about each of Australia’s greatest city getaways

10. A midwinter dalliance at Dark Mofo, Tas
11. Choose your own cultural adventure in Canberra, ACT
12. Hike a 100-km loop around Adelaide, SA
13. Experience the all-new Melbourne Place, Vic
14. Test your fitness in Brisbane, Qld
15. Find out why Perth is topping global must-visit lists, WA
16. Embrace nocturnal tourism in Sydney, NSW
17. Tick off Darwin’s coolest openings, NT

Food & Wine Getaways

Read about each of Australia’s greatest food & wine getaways

18. Treat yourself at Pair’d in the Margaret River, WA
19. Hop between two of SA’s top wine regions
20. Wild feasts in Kakadu National Park, NT
21. Dive into the Sunshine Coast’s Curated Plate, Qld
22. Silversea’s S.A.L.T. program
23. National Wine Festival of Australia, ACT
24. Newcastle is NSW’s newest dining destination
25. Visit the highest wine-growing region in the country, Qld
26. Mark your calendar for Orange F.O.O.D Week, NSW

Regional Getaways

Read about each of Australia’s greatest regional getaways

27. Port Stephens, NSW
28. Southern Highlands, NSW
29. Coal River Valley, Tas
30. Namadgi National Park, ACT
31. The Cairns Hinterland, Qld
32. The Tweed, NSW
33. Mandurah, WA
34. High Country, Vic
35. Mildura, Vic

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Luxury Getaways

Read about each of Australia’s greatest luxury getaways

36. Two Central Coast luxe stays, NSW
37. Lord Howe Island, NSW
38. Arkaba Homestead, SA
39. Saffire Freycinet, Tas
40. The Lake House, Daylesford, Vic
41. Two of Hamilton Island’s luxe stays, Qld
42. The Mondrian Gold Coast, Qld
43. Luxe stays come in threes in The Kimberley, WA

Coastal Getaways

Read about each of Australia’s greatest coastal getaways

44. Tasmania’s islands
45. Kangaroo Island, SA
46. Sleep by Ningaloo Reef at Sal Salis, WA
47. Noosa, Qld
48. Bellarine Peninsula, Vic
49. Norfolk Island
50. Gold Coast, Qld
51. Chill at Elements of Byron, NSW

Epic Getaways

Read about each of Australia’s epic getaways

52. Board The Indian Pacific
53. Aussie station stays
54. Fly Australia with Captain’s Choice
55. The Larapinta Trail, NT
56. Arnhem Land, NT
57. The tip of Australia, Qld
58. Aussie safari parks
59. Cruise the Murray River

Cultural Getaways

Read about each of Australia’s greatest cultural getaways

60. Camping with Custodians, WA
61. Garma Festival, NT
62. Festival of Outback Opera, Qld
63. Illumina, K’gari, Qld
64. Adelaide’s festivals, SA
65. Townsville’s art scene, Qld
66. Big Red Bash, Qld
67. Bendigo Art Gallery, Vic

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

Outback Getaways

Read about each of Australia’s greatest outback getaways

68. Wellness Way, Qld
69. Ikara-Flinders Ranges, SA
70. Board The Ghan, SA & NT
71. The Kimberley, WA
72. Uluṟu, NT
73. Mungo National Park, NSW
74. Australia by camelback, WA & SA
75. Kakadu National Park, NT

Unexpected Getaways

Read about each of Australia’s greatest unexpected getaways

76. Snowies Alpine Walk, NSW
77. Heyscape tiny cabins, WA
78. Rumi on Louth, SA
79. The Overland Track, Tas
80. An eco lodge stay in Capertee Valley, NSW
81. Tiwi Islands, NT
82. The Tarkine, Tasmania
83. Island-hopping in WA

Once-in-a-lifetime Getaways

Read about each of Australia’s once-in-a-lifetime getaways

84. Stay in Queensland’s Luxury Lodges of Australia
85. Cruise the Kimberley, WA
86. The Big Lap of Australia
87. Sail to Antarctica from Hobart, Tas
88. A heli-tour of SA’s best wine regions
89. Dinner with the founder of Mona, Tas
90. Circumnavigate Australia
91. Hire Makepeace Island, Qld

Road Trip Getaways

Read about each of Australia’s greatest road trip getaways

92. Pacific Coast Way, Qld
93. Victoria’s silo art trail
94. Great Ocean Road, Vic
95. The Red Centre, NT
96. Grand Pacific Drive, NSW
97. The EV Network, WA
98. Tasmania by coach
99. Waterfall Way, NSW
100. Gibb River Road, WA

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Your guide to what’s new and exciting this summer on the Central Coast

    Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
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    From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

    Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

    Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

    1. Gosford’s glow up

    room at voco gosford
    Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

    Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

    Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

    Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG). Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery, the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

    Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

    2. Newcomers to the dining scene

    table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal
    Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

    The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

    Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

    Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

    Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

    3. New Central Coast experiences

    winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery
    Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

    It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

    Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

    Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast, which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

    For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

    4. Central Coast accommodation

    view from a cottage at Noonaweena
    Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

    There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

    Allawah, a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

    In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

    To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort. This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

    5. Shopping on the Central Coast

    Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast
    Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

    For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

    Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets, where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

    Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

    Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics, or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

    For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co. This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

    Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com.