Revealed: Top rural Australian getaways for a cosy autumn

Rachael ThompsonBy Rachael Thompson
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Airbnb has revealed that Aussies are seeking peaceful escapes this autumn.

As autumn has finally settled in across Australia, travellers are getting ready for cosy Easter trips, red wine and autumnal leaves. And according to recent reporting by Airbnb, more of us are escaping to rural Australia this season. 

Airbnb has reported a 65 per cent increase in searches for rural travel in Australia, indicating a growing preference for peace and tranquillity. The data behind this trend compares internal Airbnb searches for autumn 2025 to the previous year, highlighting a shift towards regional, nature-focused travel. The trend is particularly prominent among solo travellers and those aged 60-90 years.

Looking for somewhere to escape this autumn? Airbnb has compiled a list of some of the most sought-after rural destinations based on search growth since last autumn.

From coastal escapes to country getaways, these destinations should be on your radar. 

Moogerah, Queensland

Airbnb autumn destinations
This off-grid cabin offers breathtaking views of the mountains. (Image: Courtesy of Airbnb Community)

There are many hidden gems to find in the Scenic Rim, including the idyllic Moogerah, which offers picturesque landscapes, outdoor activities, and natural beauty. 

The cooler weather is the perfect time to go hiking, so make a beeline for Moogerah Peaks National Park where you can undertake the Mee-Bor-Rum Circuit and the Mount Edwards Summit Trail.

Base yourself at a cottage stay with breathtaking mountain views or an off-grid cabin to reconnect you with nature.

Huskisson, New South Wales

Huskisson. Airbnb autumn destinations-3
Spend relaxing days kayaking through clear waters.

Jervis Bay is no secret to those who live in NSW, but this picturesque haven on the south coast boasts beauty in spades that cannot be ignored. In autumn, Huskisson, nestled along the shores of Jervis Bay, experiences mild weather and refreshing sea breezes.

Spend relaxing days snorkelling through clear waters, enjoying white sand beaches, and watching whales migrating along the “humpback highway" before retreating to your own beachfront apartment with modern coastal interiors. 

Tanunda, South Australia

Penfolds. Airbnb autumn destinations
Tanunda puts you in easy access to iconic wineries like Penfolds. (Image: Nick Rains)

For many of us, autumn and drinking wine are synonymous, so a trip to a wine region like the Barossa Valley is the perfect getaway. Tanunda sits in the heart of the region, making it ideal for exploring the many wineries, including the iconic Penfolds or the unmissable Torbreck Vintners, and dining gems like Maggie Beer’s Farm.

For families or those travelling in large groups, position yourself overlooking the vines at the Barossa 1900 Vineyard Retreat , or for more intimate stays, get cosy in the Halletts Valley Hideaway .

Devonport, Tasmania

Airbnb autumn destinations
Enjoy a serene stay at the Forth River Cottage. (Image: Courtesy of Airbnb Community)

While most of us think of heading to Hobart, Devonport should be on your radar after being named the Top Tourism Town for 2024. This quaint port city in North West Tasmania offers a mix of coastal beauty, rich history and a laid-back atmosphere.

Visitors can discover the town’s maritime history at the Bass Strait Maritime Centre, embark on outdoor adventures in the nearby Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, or take a cold plunge at Coles Beach.

Stay a 10-minute drive from the city centre at the ultra-cosy Forth River Cottage Bed and Breakfast , where you’ll be treated to calming river and green pasture views. 

Ballarat, Victoria

Ballarat, Bishops Palace. Airbnb autumn destinations
The grand Bishops Palace is nestled in the heart of Ballarat. (Image: Courtesy of Airbnb Community)

A vibrant gold rush heritage, eclectic art, and a burgeoning dining scene make Ballarat a wonderful destination to visit, especially when the autumn leaves are on display. Just over an hour’s drive from Melbourne, you’ll find plenty to explore, from admiring the changing leaves at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens to a 90-minute walking tour with Ballarat Heritage Tours .

For dinner, underbar , an award-winning eatery where chef Derek Boath crafts a seasonal tasting menu showcasing the best local produce, is not to be missed.

And where to rest your head or unwind during the day? Opt for a grand stay at the Heritage-listed Gothic mansion Bishop’s Palace , or retreat into a charming artist’s cottage . 

Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and a self-proclaimed cheese and Chablis connoisseur. In her role, she creates and manages online content that remains relevant and valuable over time. With a background in publishing and e-commerce in both interior design and travel, Rachael is dedicated to curating engaging content that informs and inspires. She began her career at Belle magazine, then went on to become Senior Content Producer at Homes to Love focusing on Australian House & Garden and Belle, followed by Editor at Bed Threads. Her work has also appeared in Qantas Travel Insider. When she's not writing, editing, or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars, and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list are Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and Lord Howe Island.
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How a $1 deal saved Bendigo’s historic tramways

    Megan ArkinstallBy Megan Arkinstall
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    The passionate community that saved Bendigo Tramways has kept the story of this city alive for generations.

    It was an absolute steal: a fleet of 23 trams for just $1. But such a fortunate purchase didn’t happen easily. It was 1972 when the Bendigo Trust handed over a single buck for the city’s historic collection of battery, steam and electric trams, which had transported locals since 1890.

    inside the historic Bendigo Tram
    Bendigo Tramways is a historic transport line turned tourist service. (Image: Bendigo Heritage)

    The city’s tram network had been declared defunct since 1970 due to post-war shortages in materials to upkeep the trams and declining passenger numbers as motor vehicles were increasing. However, determined locals would not hear of their beloved trams being sold off around the world.

    The Bendigo Trust was enlisted to preserve this heritage, by converting the trams into a tourist service. The Victorian government approved a trial, however news spread that the Australian Electric Tramways Museum in Adelaide had acquired one of the streetcars for its collection.

    a tram heading to Quarry Hill in 1957
    A tram on its way to Quarry Hill in 1957. (Image: Bendigo Heritage)

    An impassioned group rallied together to make this physically impossible. Breaking into the tram sheds, they welded iron pipes to the rails, removed carbon brushes from the motors, and formed a blockade at the depot. The community response was extraordinary, and a $1 deal was sealed.

    A new chapter for the city’s fleet

    the old Tramways Depot and Workshop
    The old Tramways Depot and Workshop is one of the stops on the hop-on, hop-off service. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Today, Bendigo Tramways welcomes some 40,000 passengers annually, operating as a hop-on, hop-off touring service aboard the restored trams. Fifteen of the now 45-strong fleet are dubbed ‘Talking Trams’ because of the taped commentary that is played along the route. The trams loop between Central Deborah Gold Mine and the Bendigo Joss House Temple, which has been a place of Chinese worship since 1871, via other sites including the old Tramways Depot and Workshop.

    a Gold Mine Bendigo Tram
    The fleet comprises 45 trams that have been restored. (Image: Visit Victoria/Robert Blackburn)

    Keeping things interesting, throughout the year visitors can step aboard different themed trams. Tram No. 302 becomes the Yarn Bomb Tram, decorated both inside and out with colourful crochet by an anonymous group of locals.

    During the festive season, Tram No. 15 operates as a tinsel-festooned Santa Tram, and the big man himself hides out somewhere along the route for excited children to find. And on selected dates, the adults-only Groove Tram runs nighttime tours of the city, accompanied by local musicians playing live tunes and a pop-up bar.

    the historic post office turned visitor centre in Bendigo
    Visitors can hop on and off to see the city’s sites such as the historic post office turned visitor centre. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    As well as preserving the city’s history, however, the continuation of the tram service has kept the skills of tram building and craftsmanship alive in a practical sense. Bendigo’s Heritage Rail Workshop is world-renowned for restoring heritage trams and repurposing vehicles in creative ways.

    Locally, for example, Tram No. 918 was transformed into the Dja Dja Wurrung Tram with original Aboriginal artworks by emerging artist Natasha Carter, with special commentary and music that shares the stories and traditions of Bendigo’s first people. You can’t put a price on preserving history. Nonetheless, it was a dollar very well spent.