The best short break stays in Queensland

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Quick break in Queensland? Drop anchor in Airlie Beach, find luxury in the outback and nightfall in a national park.

Freedom Shores, Airlie Beach

At Freedom Shores, located in a lush tropical valley at the edge of Airlie Beach, a nautical theme plays out across the property, with island chic interiors and expansive water views out to the Whitsundays.

 

Its boat cabins are a collection of one-room bungalows gathered together at the resort’s ‘land marina’ and fashioned like boats complete with a ‘deck’ from which to take in the surroundings; the Denver is an actual historic boat reconditioned into a bright and comfortable queen room.

Freedom Shores, Airlie Beach
Freedom Shores, Airlie Beach.

Nightfall Camp, Lamington

The Queensland weather lends itself to camping or, in the case of Nightfall Camp, glamping with a rustic chic vibe.

 

Located within Lamington National Park, its custom-designed safari tents feature organic linens, rain-head showers, tin soaking tubs, fireplaces and endless pristine bushland to look out to.

 

Dinners are communal and organic, and activities on offer range from bushwalking to birdwatching to yoga classes to creek-side massages.

Nightfall Camp, Lamington
Nightfall Camp, Lamington. (Image: Tourism & Events Queensland)

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Mt Mulligan Lodge

With the soaring Mt Mulligan as a backdrop, this luxury outback lodge sits lightly on a 28,000-hectare working cattle station some 160 kilometres from Cairns.

Inside Mount Mulligan lodge.
Inside Mount Mulligan lodge.

With room for just 16 guests at a time (including children; it is proudly family friendly), accommodations range from rooms and suites to expansive pavilions.

The soaring Mt Mulligan is the backdrop to Mount Mulligan Lodge.
The soaring Mt Mulligan is the backdrop to Mount Mulligan Lodge.

Once in residence, everything is taken care of so all you have to do is choose from a roster of activities including everything from barramundi fishing to cattle mustering.

Sanctuary at Sirromet, Mt Cotton

Situated within the grounds of Sirromet Winery in Mt Cotton, 45 minutes’ drive from Brisbane, Sanctuary at Sirromet is made up of a collection of stylish tented pavilions looking out over the 226-hectare property, including a spacious family pavilion.

Sirromet Sanctuary
Situated within the grounds of Sirromet Winery in Mt Cotton. (Image: Andrew Thurtell/Thurtell Photography)

While in residence you can make the most of the two on-site restaurants and the cellar door, as well as the extensive grounds, which feature bushwalking tracks and a Supa Golf course.

Inside Sanctuary at Sirromet
Inside Sanctuary at Sirromet. (Image: Andrew Thurtell/Thurtell Photography)

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Adina Apartment Hotel, Brisbane

Originally opened in 1922 as the Queensland Government Savings Bank, Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane has made maximum use of its original Art Deco features of the banking chamber such as columns, carved wood panelling, ornate ceilings and endless marble to create a sophisticated hotel that offers all the features of an apartment.

Gilberton Outback Retreat

Sitting within a seventh generation working cattle station in goldfields country, the Gilberton Outback Retreat is fashioned from local stone and timber and finished with luxury inclusions like a pillow-topped king bed and soaking tub with views of the seemingly endless outback landscape. There’s no phones, television or internet so the escape from modern society here is complete.

The Gilberton Outback Retreat.
The Gilberton Outback Retreat.
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Tropical islands, good food & world-class shows: Your eventful guide to a holiday in Townsville

    Lee Mylne Lee Mylne
    Townsville is buzzing as the events capital of North Queensland, with a host of festivals, international sporting and arts events on offer.

    Perched between the Coral Sea, the towering pink monolith of Castle Hill, and fringed by ancient rainforest ranges, Townsville North Queensland is a genuine tropical playground.

    Here, find postcard-worthy landscapes all the way from nearby Magnetic Island to inland swimming holes and waterfalls – all dotted with an array of endemic wildlife. Get the heart racing with adrenaline water sports. Soak in a world-class arts scene. And take advantage of a culinary offering that punches well above its weight.

    And, then there’s the fact that Townsville has fast become the destination to an outstanding line-up of events – from live music to top-level sporting contests.

    Whether you have a weekend or weeks, there’s plenty here to fill your tropical getaway.

    Day 1: An eventful day

    Morning

    The Strand in townsville
    Explore The Strand.

    Daily flights offer easy connectivity from all capital cities to Townsville Airport, and within 10 minutes’ drive, you’re in the city centre. Start your stay by recharging with breakfast or coffee at the city’s newest spot, Botaniq Cafe, on the ground floor of the award-winning Bridgewater restaurant on the banks of Ross Creek.

    Start exploring on a breezy walk along the 2.5-kilometre foreshore of The Strand. Here, a waterfront path stretches all the way to the headland of Jezzine Barracks parklands. Admire more than 35 sculptures and artworks, as well as stunning views from the top of the park. Further along, Queens Gardens, established in 1870, offers a cool retreat and is Townsville’s oldest botanic garden.

    Stroll Gregory Street, off The Strand, for boutiques, homeware stores, cafes and restaurants, or follow a self-guided street art walking trail through the city centre, stopping to admire colourful works by big-name artists including Queenslander Fintan Magee.

    Afternoon

    concert in front of castle hill townsville events
    Time your trip for one of many Townsville events.

    For a casual lunch, stop in at Balabite for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired street food. Build your own pita with a choice of fillings, before enjoying a relaxing afternoon in preparation for one of Townsville’s big events.

    Whether it’s a concert from a big-name international band – think Foo Fighters or Guns ‘n’ Roses – or a night cheering on the Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup, there’s plenty to entertain you.

    Time your visit for events like the Townsville Folk Festival (June 12-14), Supercars Townsville 500 (July 10-12), Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week (August 27-September 2), North Australian Festival of Arts (September 25 – October 11) or see the Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup (coming in 2027).

    Day 2: Island dreaming

    Morning

    Pilgrim Sailing magnetic island
    Take a lunchtime sailing trip with Pilgrim Sailing.

    Fuel up with breakfast at Cbar on The Strand, looking out to your destination for the day: Magnetic Island (or ‘Maggie’ to the locals). Catch a quick ferry to spend the day exploring walking trails through national park, choosing from 23 beaches and trying a hand at the island’s water sports.

    The Forts Walk is the best place to see wild koalas in Australia, and you’re likely to find friendly wallabies at the Nelly or Geoffrey Bay headlands. Try guided snorkelling with Aquascene Magnetic Island or Pleasure Divers, or take a land-based tour with MI Ride Discovery Tours to the secluded west coast of the island.

    Pilgrim Magnetic Island offers four-hour lunchtime sailing trips aboard a 58-foot luxury yacht, dropping in to some of Magnetic Island’s remote bays for snorkelling or swimming and including gourmet grazing platters, drinks and ocean views.

    Afternoon

    picnic bay on magnetic island
    Head to Picnic Bay for delicious dining.

    Refuel after a morning of adventure. Seasalt Arcade at Picnic Bay has several good options. Savour craft brews and Latin tapas at Maggie Island Brewery, opt for bagels and light bites at Lava Lava cafe or fine dining at Restaurant Elsie.

    Now, it’s time to choose your own adventure. Stay the whole day on Maggie, or return to Townsville, where there’s plenty more to discover.

    Head to The Docks at Flinders Street Wharves for lunch. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the beach or join Poseidon Adventures for water sport adventures.

    Evening

    Ardo's Rooftop townsville
    End your day watching the sunset from Ardo’s Rooftop.

    However your day looked, end it with cocktails and canapes at Townsville’s Ardo Rooftop. Find something more substantial at the hotel’s elegant but casual Chef-hatted Japanese restaurant Terasu, where each dish is a work of art.

    Day 3: Natural delights

    Morning

    couple holiding hands at the top of castle hill in townsville
    Join the locals for an early walk to the peak of Castle Hill. (Credit: My Colourful World)

    Join the local early morning pilgrimage to hike up Castle Hill for the best 360-degree views in town, before heading to breakfast at Spirited Goat for gourmet treats and locally brewed coffee.

    A trip to Townsville wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the outer Great Barrier Reef. For those with time, Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive runs full-day trips to the Museum of Underwater Art for snorkellers and divers to admire the reef’s stunning collection of submerged sculptures on John Brewer Reef, about two hours by boat from Townsville.

    Afternoon

    Shorehouse restaurant townsville
    Stop into the award-winning Shorehouse.

    Round off your Townsville getaway with lunch at Shorehouse, awarded Best Restaurant in the North Queensland People’s Choice Awards every year since 2023. Dine on the deck to catch the breeze and sample modern Asian cuisine as you watch the world go.

    Keen for something more to extend your stay? There are always more adventures –new, familiar and with a twist – in the events capital of the North.

    Plan your eventful visit to Townsville North Queensland at townsvillenorthqueensland.com.au.