In partnership with Hilton, Laura Albulario presents five Australian mini-breaks that promise a memorable long weekend. The best adventures don't always require long-haul flights. With just a few days to spare, these destinations offer the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.
Urban Escapade in Melbourne
Even if your last Melbourne getaway was recent, new dining hotspots, bars, and shows ensure a fresh experience. Staying at a different hotel can also reinvent your trip. DoubleTree by Hilton Melbourne - Flinders Street is a stylish option, located opposite Flinders Street Station. Its blackened steel and raw concrete finishes evoke a moody, 'very Melbourne' aesthetic. Premium rooms offer stunning views over Flinders Street, Federation Square, and the Yarra River. Upon check-in, you'll receive a warm choc-chip cookie, a delightful touch for a cosy winter escape. Explore laneway bars, street art in Hosier Lane, the National Gallery, or simply hop on a tram to discover Melbourne's ever-changing landscape.
Journey Out West to Perth
With about 80 per cent of Australia's population on the east coast, many miss out on Western Australia's dazzling coastlines, character-rich towns, and culinary delights. Perth offers a city stay unlike any other, with bustling breweries, museums, and waterfront precincts complemented by the Swan River, Cottesloe Beach, and nearby Rottnest Island. Stay at Parmelia Hilton Perth to be steps from main attractions. Stroll to Elizabeth Quay for a Swan River cruise, catch a show at His Majesty's Theatre, or tour breweries in Fremantle, the birthplace of Australia's craft beer movement. Ensure sunset is on your itinerary—head to the beach or a rooftop bar to witness the Indian Ocean glow pink and magenta against the darkening sky.
Wine and Turquoise Water in Busselton
Add a day or two to your Perth getaway to explore Busselton, just over two hours from the capital. This picturesque holiday town is the gateway to Margaret River's world-class wineries and a hub for creatives, makers, and growers. Direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne make it a destination in its own right. Hilton Garden Inn Busselton is close to all attractions, opposite the white sands of Geographe Bay and a stroll from the heritage-listed jetty. Stretching over 1.8 kilometres, it's the longest jetty in the southern hemisphere, complete with a train, underwater observatory, and sculpture park. Beautiful beaches, breweries, foreshore markets, scenic hikes, and frequent whale sightings add to the appeal.
Desert Discovery in Alice Springs
People travel globally to witness Uluru and Kata Tjuta, but visiting Australia's Red Centre offers equally special little moments: the stillness of a desert sunrise, spotting a black-footed rock wallaby in Simpsons Gap, stories and bush tucker shared with the Anangu people, or a refreshing waterhole swim. A stay at DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs includes memorable moments like gazing at the Macdonnell Ranges from your balcony, meeting Andrew, the resident native peacock, enjoying whole-baked baby barramundi at Saltbush restaurant, and washing off red dust in the resort's garden-fringed pool.
Scenic Escape to Albany
Albany, the third WA hotspot on this list, combines historic coastal town charm, including the popular National ANZAC Centre, dramatic rocky coastline, and cool-climate wineries. It's about an hour's flight from Perth, but hiring a car from Perth or Busselton allows a scenic drive through rolling hills, canola fields, and quaint country towns. Hilton Garden Inn Albany overlooks Princess Royal Harbour and is a stroll from the town centre. Choose your adventure: step out on the 670-metre-high Granite Skywalk over Porongurup National Park, tour nearby wineries and distilleries, or take in views and possible whale sightings along the Ellen Cove Boardwalk.
