Where can we go for a weekend away?
Every big city has mountains, wine regions, beaches and national parks within a few hours’ drive. Distances are bigger than in the UK, so pick somewhere within about three hours for a two-night trip, and book ahead for long weekends and school holidays.
In 30 seconds
- Each city has classic short breaks within 1 to 3 hours: the Blue Mountains from Sydney, the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne, the Barossa from Adelaide
- Park fees differ by state: NSW and WA charge per car at many parks, while most Queensland and Victorian parks are free to enter but charge for camping
- Take a break every 2 hours on long drives, and slow down at dawn and dusk, when kangaroos and other animals are on the roads
Ideas from each city
| From | Short breaks people go for |
|---|---|
| Sydney | The Blue Mountains (walks, lookouts and villages, reachable by train); the Hunter Valley for wine; the South Coast for beaches and quiet towns |
| Melbourne | The Great Ocean Road, starting at Torquay about 100km away; the Mornington Peninsula; the Yarra Valley for wine; the Dandenongs; Phillip Island |
| Brisbane | The Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast beaches; the hinterland rainforest and villages behind both; Moreton Bay islands |
| Perth | Margaret River and the south-west for wine, beaches and forests; Rottnest Island by ferry from Fremantle or Perth |
| Adelaide | The Barossa Valley, about an hour’s drive; McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills; Kangaroo Island, a 45-minute car ferry from Cape Jervis |
| Canberra and Hobart | The Snowy Mountains from Canberra; the Tasman Peninsula, Bruny Island and the east coast from Hobart |
National park passes and fees
Each state runs its own parks, with its own fees.
- NSW: about 45 parks charge a vehicle entry fee, usually A$4 to A$12 a day. Kosciuszko costs more: A$29 in winter and A$17 the rest of the year. An annual All Parks Pass is A$190 and covers them all; cheaper passes cover fewer parks
- Victoria: most national parks, including Wilsons Promontory, are free to enter. Camping is booked through Parks Victoria, and popular sites fill months ahead for summer, Easter and long weekends
- Queensland: entry to national parks is free, but you must book and pay for a camping permit online before you arrive. Driving on beaches on K’gari, Mulgumpin (Moreton Island), Minjerribah and Bribie Island needs a vehicle access permit
- Western Australia: many parks charge a vehicle entry fee. Day passes, holiday passes and annual passes are sold online by Parks and Wildlife
- Rottnest Island: an island admission fee is added to your ferry ticket
Prices change. Check the state parks website before you go. Fees change
Long drives
Places look close on a map but often aren’t. Mobile signal can disappear between towns, so download maps and tell someone your route on remote trips.
- Stop every 2 hours for at least 15 minutes, and share the driving
- On long weekends and holidays, Driver Reviver stops on major highways offer a free hot drink and a break
- Fatigue is a big cause of country crashes. If you feel sleepy, stop: a 20-minute nap helps
- Fuel up before long empty stretches, and check road and fire conditions before you set off
For licence and insurance rules, see Can I drive on my UK licence?
Wildlife on the roads
Kangaroos, wallabies and wombats are most active around dawn and dusk, and at night on country roads. Slow down at those times, watch the verges, and look further ahead than you normally would. If you hit an animal, don’t approach a live adult kangaroo or wombat: call a wildlife rescue group. In NSW that’s WIRES on 1300 094 737, 24 hours a day. Other states have their own groups. If it’s safe, check the pouch of a dead marsupial for a joey.
Camping and holiday rentals
Campsites in national parks are booked online through each state’s parks service, and caravan parks take bookings directly. For summer, Easter and long weekends, book months ahead. Many parks don’t allow dogs, fires or generators, so check the rules for your site.
Taking the car to Tasmania
The Spirit of Tasmania car ferry sails between Geelong, near Melbourne, and Devonport in northern Tasmania. The crossing takes about 9 to 11 hours, usually overnight, with extra day sailings in the warmer months. Two new, larger ships are due to start service from 31 October 2026. Book early for the summer holidays. For a short trip, many people fly to Hobart or Launceston and hire a car instead.
What to do next
- Pick one break within 3 hours for your next long weekend and book now
- Check your state’s park pass options if you’ll visit several times a year
- Save your local wildlife rescue number in your phone
Keep going
- NSW National Parks: annual passes
- NSW National Parks: annual pass FAQs
- NSW National Parks: Kosciuszko visitor information
- Parks Victoria: visiting Wilsons Prom this summer
- Queensland Government: permits for parks and forests
- WA Parks and Wildlife: park entry fees
- Rottnest Island Authority: fees and charges
- Great Ocean Road: getting to Torquay
- SeaLink: Kangaroo Island timetable
- Road Safety Advisory Council Tasmania: driving tired
- Transport for NSW: fatigue
- Transport for NSW: watch for animals
- WIRES: emergency rescue advice
- Cumberland City Council: driver fatigue
- Sydney Uncovered: how to get to the Blue Mountains
- Vroom Vroom Vroom: Perth to Margaret River road trip
- Australia.com: guide to the Barossa Valley
- Spirit of Tasmania: about the ships
- Tasmanian Premier: Spirit of Tasmania IV arrives in Devonport (Aug 2026)