Five Aussie mini-breaks for a memorable long weekend
In partnership with Hilton
Laura Albulario
4 min read
April 30, 2026 - 12:30AM
Branded content
Don't miss out on the headlines from Branded content. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The best adventures don't always involve long-haul flights. Even if you only have a few days, these destinations will deliver the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.
Whether you're after a coastal getaway, an outback adventure or a chic city stay, some of the world's most beautiful, interesting and vibrant destinations are in our own backyard. Australia has everything you need to satisfy your wanderlust, and even if you only have a few days to spare, a shorter domestic journey will leave you with enough time to strike the perfect balance between exploration and relaxation. To maximise every moment, stay in a central location and choose a hotel that will enable you to relax and recharge. It's also worth seeking out a room with a view so your eyes can continue wandering when your feet are snuggled in hotel slippers.
Here are five ideas to get you started.
Urban escapade
Even if your last Melbourne getaway was fairly recent, there's always a new dining hotspot, bar or show to give your next trip a fresh edge. Staying at a different hotel can also do the trick, and DoubleTree by Hilton Melbourne - Flinders Street is a particularly stylish option. It's set in a prime location right across from Flinders Street Station. Blackened steel and raw concrete finishes convey a moody, 'very Melbourne' aesthetic, while premium rooms score amazing views over Flinders Street, Fed Square and the Yarra. You'll also be treated to a warm choc-chip cookie when you check in – a little cherry-on-top of a cosy winter escape.
Window-shop your way to laneway bars and restaurants, check out the street art in nearby Hosier Lane, explore the National Gallery, or jump on the first tram that comes along: Melbourne has something new around every corner.
Journey out west
With about 80 per cent of Australia's population based on the east coast, some people never make it across to Western Australia and miss out on the dazzling coastlines, character-rich towns and culinary delights of our nation's largest state. If you're among them, it's time to put Perth at the top of your list. Offering a city stay unlike any other in Australia, Perth's bustling breweries, museums and waterfront precincts are complemented by the natural beauty of the Swan River, Cottesloe Beach (one of many perfect white-sand beaches), and nearby Rottnest Island.
Stay at Parmelia Hilton Perth and you'll waste no time reaching the city's main attractions. Stroll down to Elizabeth Quay to embark on a Swan River cruise, catch a show at the historic His Majesty's Theatre and tour breweries in Fremantle – known as the birthplace of Australia's craft beer movement. Wherever the day takes you, make sure sunset is on your itinerary. Head to the beach or settle in at a rooftop bar and witness the soul-swelling moment when the Indian Ocean glows pink and magenta against a darkening sky.
Wine and turquoise water
It's worth adding a day or two to your Perth getaway to spend some time in Busselton. A little over two hours from the capital, this picturesque holiday town is the gateway to some of the world's top wineries in the Margaret River region, and is a hub for creatives, makers and growers. You can also make it a destination in its own right, with direct flights available from Sydney and Melbourne.
Hilton Garden Inn Busselton is close to all the main attractions, right across from the white sand of peaceful Geographe Bay, and a stroll from the town's heritage-listed jetty. Stretching more than 1.8km, it's the longest jetty in the southern hemisphere, complete with its own train, underwater observatory and sculpture park. Beautiful beaches, breweries, foreshore markets, scenic hikes and frequent whale sightings add to the appeal of this laid-back coastal city.
Desert discovery
People travel from across the globe to witness the majesty of Uluru and Kata Tjuta, but visiting Australia's Red Centre isn't just about the big-ticket attractions. The little moments can be equally special – whether it's the stillness of a desert sunrise, spotting a black-footed rock wallaby in Simpsons Gap, stories and bush tucker shared with the indigenous Anangu People, or a refreshing waterhole swim.
A stay at DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs comes with its own memorable moments, including gazing out to the Macdonnell Ranges from your balcony, meeting Andrew, the resident native peacock, tucking into a whole-baked baby barramundi at the onsite Saltbush restaurant and washing red dust off your skin in the resort's garden-fringed pool.
Scenic escape
Albany is the third WA hotspot to make it onto this list, and with a mix of historic coastal town charm – including the popular National ANZAC Centre – dramatic rocky coastline and cool-climate wineries, it's worth crossing the country for. Albany is about an hour's flight from Perth but if you have the time, hire a car in Perth or Busselton and drive there. The scenic journey will take you through a patchwork of rolling hills, canola fields and quaint country towns.
Hilton Garden Inn Albany overlooks scenic Princess Royal Harbour and is a stroll from Albany's town centre. From there, you can choose your own adventure, whether it's stepping out on the 670-metre high Granite Skywalk that hovers over Porongurup National Park, touring the nearby wineries and distilleries, or taking in the views (and possible whale sightings) along the spectacular Ellen Cove Boardwalk.
