No trick – Virgin Airlines is serving up Halloween treats in the form of sweet deals.
Set your timers! This Halloween, Virgin Australia will slash over 500,000 fares, with prices starting at $45. The sale will be live for one day only, from midnight to midnight AEDT on All Hallows’ Eve (Thursday 31 October). The discounted fares will apply to select travel dates between 15 January and 31 May next year. It’s the perfect time to take a getaway and extend your summer, whether that means chasing waterfalls in the NT’s Top End or sipping bubbly in a Tassie Vineyard.
The stand-out fare is a $45 deal between Sydney and Byron Bay, two of NSW’s ultimate summer destinations. We’ve put together a 60-second flash-guide to having the perfect summer in Sydney, as well as a round-up of Byron Bay’s prettiest waterfalls to get your summer wanderlust simmering.
Byron Bay still manages to retain just enough of the free-spirited hippy roots that made it famous. (Image: Destination NSW)
Melbourne regularly tops lists for its cultural cachet. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Be at the ready! The sale will last until the end of the 31st, or until sold out. Shop here.
Other domestic sale fare highlights (one-way Economy Lite fares, valid in both directions)
Sydney to Gold Coast from $69
Sydney to Sunshine Coast from $69
Brisbane to Proserpine (Whitsundays) from $79
Melbourne to Hobart from $79
Brisbane to Sydney from $89
Melbourne to Sydney from $89
Adelaide to Hobart from $99
Melbourne to Canberra from $99
Brisbane to Hamilton Island from $115
Brisbane to Townsville from $149
Brisbane to Darwin from $189
Perth to Launceston from $219
Elizabeth Whitehead is a writer obsessed with all things culture; doesn't matter if it's pop culture or cultures of the world. She graduated with a degree in History from the University of Sydney (after dropping out from Maths). Her bylines span AFAR, Lonely Planet, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Refinery 29. Her work for Australian Traveller was shortlisted for single article of the year at the Mumbrella Publishing Awards 2024. She is very lucky in thrifting, very unlucky in UNO.
A true hidden gem, the picturesque Moorabool Valley makes for a relaxing and rewarding long weekend escape.
With its undulating hills and vineyards, the Moorabool Valley is both a beautiful sight and a generous mix of things to do and discover. Expect boutique wineries, farm-to-table eateries, charming accommodation and stunning natural scenery.
The best part? Despite its many drawcards, the region is peaceful and uncrowded, allowing you to truly switch off. It’s also only 90 minutes from Melbourne and just west of Geelong, making it an easy and accessible getaway when you’ve only got a few days to spare.
If you’re after a ready-made long weekend itinerary, the Moorabool Valley and Geelong make an ideal pairing.
Day 1
Morning
Create your own signature scent. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Start your day in central Geelong, in one of the city’s most cosmopolitan locales. The inner suburb of Newtown is leafy and vibrant, with a host of cafes, boutiques, galleries and specialty stores.
Aysha Hansen Fine Fragrances is a must-visit if you’re a fragrance enthusiast. The artisan perfumer hosts hands-on workshops on weekends, when you can create your own signature scent from a selection of botanical and exotic essences. Beyond being a unique experience, the perfume is a personalised memento of your escape.
Afternoon
Head to Austin’s Wines for a relaxed, seasonal lunch.
Now it’s time to head to the Moorabool Valley for a weekend of tasting, wandering and unwinding.
Stop into Austin’s Wines for a light and seasonal lunch. The family-run winery offers a casual menu filled with locally sourced foods for snacking and pairing with their cool-climate wines – think grazing and cheese boards, flatbreads and small plates. Make sure to pick up a bottle of Austin’s signature pinot noir to take home.
While boutique accommodation abounds, Blame Mabel is a favourite – and for good reason. Check in after lunch for sweeping views over the surrounding hills, a collection of thoughtfully designed accommodation and a distinctly rustic charm. It offers a genuine country stay that allows you to really slow down. If you’re not sampling at the onsite cellar door, you’ll be spending your downtime exploring the property and your evenings warming up around a crackling open fire.
Night
Settle in for a memorable dinner. (Image: Batesford Hotel)
Dinner at the historic Batesford Hotel is a must. This welcoming venue offers country character and refined elegance in equal measure, and the food is a standout.
Order a round of share plates or pizzas with creative toppings, or go for hearty mains like slow-cooked lamb rump with ancient grains and ricotta gnocchi that melts in your mouth. If you’re travelling with little ones, the kids’ menu is surprisingly considered, with options to suit even the pickiest eaters.
Day 2
Morning
Dig into a homestyle feast. (Image: Meredith Farm Store)
It’s almost guaranteed that you’ll wake up at Blame Mabel feeling rested and recharged – and very ready for a proper breakfast.
The Meredith Farm Store is a go-to for a homestyle feast. The morning menu is simple but seriously delicious, with classics like smashed avo, Turkish eggs and breakfast muffins given a Meredith twist. Many of the dishes incorporate the farm’s famed dairy products (including the iconic goat cheese) and seasonal produce.
Pick up some sweet and savoury treats and a few drinks from the shop to fuel the rest of your day – you’re about to explore on foot.
Afternoon
Hit the trails and explore rugged beauty.
Your afternoon is best spent in the rugged Brisbane Ranges National Park, a sprawling bushland reserve with Victoria’s most significant habitat for wildflowers. Choose from a network of walks and hikes that range from relatively flat trails to more challenging terrain.
You can expect plenty of gorgeous scenery whichever path you opt for, with eucalypt forests, rocky outcrops and panoramic lookouts throughout the park. There are also several scenic picnic spots where you can savour your Meredith Farm bounty.
Night
Cosy up by the fireplace with a charcuterie board. (Image: Sarah Miles)
A busy day of exploring calls for a relaxed evening in, and Blame Mabel delivers. Whether you’re staying in the restored farmhouse, the cosy self-contained cabin or the communal lodge, you’ll have access to ample cooking facilities and plenty of cosy corners to unwind in after dark.
Finish the evening with a round of board games, cosying up with a good book from the well-stocked bookshelf or a soak in the outdoor tub under a sky thick with stars.
Day 3
Morning
On your third and final day, you’ll want to soak up the quiet beauty of your surrounds. After being woken by the soft glow of morning sunlight, enjoy a lazy breakfast of freshly collected and cooked eggs or build-your-own muesli and creamy yoghurt, paired with seasonal produce from the garden.
Once you’ve packed, ease back towards Geelong for a relaxed afternoon.
Afternoon
Take home freshly baked treats. (Image: Paddock Bakery)
Pop by the Geelong Vintage Market to wander rows upon rows of collectable retro treasures, from furniture and home decor to books and vinyl.
To wrap up your long weekend adventure, wander through the surrounding Federal Mills precinct, which houses a mix of businesses, retailers and eateries. The precinct itself is a historic and character-filled space with large-scale hand-painted murals, making it a great spot for a leisurely stroll. Grab some freshly baked pastries from Paddock Bakery for the drive home.
