8 incredible city getaways around Australia

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With stylish new stays, vibrant creative scenes, world-class dining and fabulous festivals, our cities set the stage for a great escape.

1. A midwinter dalliance at Dark Mofo, Tas

Travelling with: Imogen Eveson

A staple of our cultural calendar for more than a decade, Dark Mofo returns to Hobart in full force this year. Gorge yourself on Tassie produce at the decadent Winter Feast. Have your mind and ears blown by its progressive live music and arts program. Celebrate winter solstice by plunging naked into the chilly River Derwent. Get in touch with your inner pagan at the burning of the Ogoh-Ogoh. Or all of the above. There’s no other festival like it in Australia.

the Winter Feast, Dark Mofo
Gorge yourself on Tassie produce at the decadent Winter Feast. (Image: Adam Gibson)

2. Choose your own cultural adventure in Canberra, ACT

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

Canberra has been thrust into the limelight over the past few decades due to the world-class exhibitions on show at landmark attractions such as the National Museum of Australia. You must visit the Australian War Memorial at least once, as the reimagined institution continues to evolve and expand to tell Australian stories of service and sacrifice. There’s also plenty to keep food-focused travellers in Canberra with its plethora of award-winning restaurants, cafes, bars and vineyards.

the National Museum of Australia, Canberra
The National Museum of Australia forms its own landscape of themes and colours. (Image: Visit Canberra/Lean Timms)

3. Hike a 100-km loop around Adelaide, SA

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

Take your visit to Adelaide one step further along the new Adelaide100. The trail loops around the SA capital for more than 100 kilometres, taking in its coastline, waterways and hills. Its founder Jim McLean took more than a decade to develop the trail, inspired by the 100 square-mile parcels of land that were marked out during the city’s founding in the 1800s. Tackle short sections or walk the entire Adelaide100 in about six days.

a crowded beach at Adelaide/Tarntanya
Glenelg is a popular metropolitan beach in Adelaide. (Image: South Australia Tourism Commission/Josie Withers)

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4. Experience the all-new Melbourne Place, Vic

Travelling with: Katie Carlin

Melbourne Place has become the new must-stay hotel since throwing open its doors at the end of 2024. Sandwiched between the urban delights of Bourke and Little Collins streets, the 14-storey hotel on Russell Street rivals the world-class dining on its doorstep with three onsite hospitality venues: Med-inspired terrace restaurant Mid Air, Portuguese diner Marmelo and late-night basement bar Mr Mills. Inside, rooms are drenched in soothing colour palettes of burnt orange, rose and moss, embellished with bouclé armchairs, brass fixtures and floor-to-ceiling wraparound windows.

the brass interior of Melbourne Place
Brass fixtures bring the luxe to Melbourne Place. (Image: Anson Smart)

5. Test your fitness in Brisbane, Qld

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

Fitness tourism is on the rise around Australia and the Queensland capital is streaking ahead with its packed sporting calendar. Running over the Gateway Bridge in Brisbane gives visitors the chance to view the city as they’ve never seen it before. Start training now for the annual Bridge to Brisbane fun run held in September, which has five-kilometre and 10-kilometre race options. Once you’ve crossed the finish line at Brisbane Showground, make your way to the King Street precinct to refuel with a Kuhl-Cher coffee or big-ass burger at Super Combo.

participants of a running event in Brisbane pose for a photo
Run in Brissie to see the city from a different perspective.

6. Find out why Perth is topping global must-visit lists, WA

Travelling with: Fleur Bainger

Singled out by TIME, BBC Travel and New York Times in their respective best places to travel in 2025 lists, Perth is sizzling – and not just with sunshine. The WA capital will soon welcome a host of new hotels, including Australia’s first Hyde Hotel, Garde Hotel in the UNESCO-listed Fremantle Prison Heritage Precinct and The Elizabeth Hotel and Residences, which will seriously up the luxury stakes at Elizabeth Quay. There’s also a new yoga experience at Perth Zoo, a kooky beachside cafe called Magic Apple doing bentonite clay and sea buckthorn-packed smoothies, and the first Light Years Asian Bar & Diner to open on the West Coast.

the Magic Apple beachside cafe, Perth
A kooky beachside cafe called Magic Apple. (Image: D-Max Photography)

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7. Embrace nocturnal tourism in Sydney, NSW

Travelling with: Imogen Eveson

Sydney is synonymous with summer but shines just as bright in winter. Sparkling days transition into colourful nights during Vivid Sydney, which illuminates Sydney Opera House and other landmark buildings around the city. This festival runs each year in autumn and includes talks, live music and foodie events designed to spark ideas and inspiration. Check into Park Hyatt Sydney on the edge of the harbour to stay in the heart of the action.

bright city lights at the Vivid Sydney
The city lights up during Vivid Sydney. (Image: Destination NSW/Henry Li)

8. Tick off Darwin’s coolest openings, NT

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

Darwin’s emergence as a cool urban getaway has been gradual. But as the gateway to the wonders of the Top End, it was only a matter of time before the city became a destination unto itself. Have a cocktail at The Trader Bar, shop at the House of Darwin flagship store, visit Laundry Gallery in hip hood Parap and time your visit to coincide with Darwin Festival in August. Return for the 2026 opening of the Northern Territory Art Gallery.

the Laundry Gallery, Darwin NT
Visit Laundry Gallery in the hip hood of Parap. (Image: Jeremy Simons)
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The best new accommodation along the Great Ocean Road

    Louis Costello Louis Costello
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    A new wave of retreats, hotels, glamping sites and more is encouraging visitors to savour their time spent along the Great Ocean Road.

    Long holding a place as one of Australia’s most rewarding drives, cliffs, curves and shifting coastal light continue to draw travellers to Victoria’s coastline year after year. What has evolved more quietly is the range of new accommodation along the Great Ocean Road to add new dimensions to the drive.

    Rather than competing for attention, these stays are shaped by their settings. They sit beside rivers, among vines, on the edge of lakes and close to town centres where local life unfolds at an unhurried pace. Together, they point to a way of travelling the Great Ocean Road that values time spent in place, as much as distance covered.

    1. The Monty, Anglesea

    Nina Cantina at the monty great ocean road
    Pop into Nina Cantina for tacos and views.

    Anglesea has always appealed to travellers drawn to a quieter stretch of coast, where surf culture, bushland and river scenery blend into one. The Monty complements that character with a recent rebrand and refresh with traditional beach road trip nostalgia in mind. Mid-century retro decor means rooms are contemporary and funky, without being over-styled.

    A highlight of the stay is Nina Cantina, the on-site Mexican restaurant overlooking the Anglesea River. Opening in 2026, it will undoubtedly become a popular gathering point, bringing together locals, day trippers and overnight guests. Watch the river flow while tucking into plates of tacos, before enjoying a digestion swim in The Monty’s pool.

    Mornings in Anglesea often begin quietly. Kangaroos are a familiar sight on the nearby golf course, and walking tracks wind through heathland that reflects the natural landscape of the Surf Coast. From here, the road south feels like a continuation rather than a departure, easing travellers into the next stretch of the journey.

    2. Basalt Retreats, Port Fairy

    Basalt Retreat Private Villa interior
    Discover this new adults-only retreat.

    Near Port Fairy, Basalt Retreats is an adults-only delight set among a 24-year-old vineyard at Basalt Wines. The accommodation is a mixture of luxury and linens (and ultra comfy beds), allowing the long stretches of grapes to take centre stage. As the sun sets, Basalt Retreats settles into stillness. With minimal light pollution, the night sky becomes part of the experience, and star-searchers will delight in the uninterrupted views of our vast universe.

    Poombeeyt Koontapool lookout
    See Poombeeyt Koontapool from the lookout.

    Staying along the Great Ocean Road western region gives you en route access to coastal landmarks. A visit to Poombeeyt Koontapool at Loch Ard Gorge is a must for those fascinated by natural blowholes, with enough walking trails to tucker out the most seasoned hiker.

    The Poorpa Yanyeen Meereeng Trail between Timboon and Port Campbell reveals how wetlands, farmland and coastline connect across the region, best appreciated on foot or by bike.

    3. Lake Colac Holiday Park, Colac

    cabin at Lake Colac Holiday Park
    Book into a cabin at Lake Colac Holiday Park.

    Lake Colac Holiday Park introduces new cabin accommodation set along the edge of a broad volcanic lake. The cabins are modern and light-filled, designed to make the most of the water views and open skies.

    Lake Colac plays an important role in local life, hosting community events and everyday rituals alike. Staying here offers insight into the agricultural heart of the Great Ocean Road region, where the pace is shaped by seasons rather than sightseeing schedules.

    Brae Restaurant great ocean road victoria
    Have a delicious lunch, then join a farm tour at Brae Restaurant. (Image: Visit Vic)

    Colac’s central location places visitors within reach of standout regional experiences. Otways Distillery’s Birregurra cellar door reflects the surrounding forest in its approach to spirits. While Brae Restaurant’s guided farm and kitchen garden tours offer a closer look at the land that underpins its acclaimed dining. Together, they highlight the strong connection between produce, place and people.

    4. Glamping tents, Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve

    Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve Glamping
    Take a breather in Apollo Bay with brand new glamping tents.

    Back on the coast, Apollo Bay has always been known to be a natural place to take a breather, sitting roughly at the Great Ocean Road’s midway point. The brand-spanking new glamping tents at the Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve offer comfortable accommodation that remains closely connected to the outdoors. With ensuite bathrooms and thoughtfully designed interiors, the cabin-tent hybrids offer enough privacy and luxuries to make the trip feel more luxurious than your standard camping affair.

    Set near the river and within walking distance of the town centre, the location allows guests to move easily between beach walks, forest drives and relaxed meals.

    A session at The Corner Sauna fits naturally into a stay here. The wood-fired sauna has become part of Apollo Bay’s way of life, offering warmth and restoration after time spent in the elements (also known as a frolic at the beach).

    Apollo Bay Fishermens Co-op
    Enjoy fresh seafood at Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-op.

    Apollo Bay has enough to entertain and dazzle travellers more than your average town. Graze on fresh seafood at local cafes – like Graze or Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-op – before venturing to nearby waterfalls. Spend hours kayaking among real-life seals, try your hand at surf lessons taught by understanding and patient guides, or simply spend your days reading a book while the surf crashes in front of you.

    Together, these new accommodation openings highlight the Great Ocean Road’s continued evolution. With more places that invite travellers to slow down and stay a little longer, the journey becomes less about rushing between landmarks and more about engaging with the unique towns along the way.

    Start planning your next trip along the Great Ocean Road at visitgreatoceanroad.org.au.