The Entertainment Guide
Weekend Getaways from Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane: How to Save on Your Next Escape
Discover affordable weekend getaways from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, plus ways to save on accommodation, dining, travel and activities.
You don't need weeks of annual leave or an elaborate itinerary to escape somewhere new. Sometimes, two nights away is all it takes.
Whether you're craving a coastal escape, a food and wine weekend, a country retreat or a few days exploring somewhere new, there are plenty of memorable weekend getaways within easy reach of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
And making your travel budget go further isn't necessarily about choosing the lowest-priced destination. It's about finding value across the whole weekend.
With an Entertainment Membership, you can access participating offers across travel, accommodation, dining, activities and more, helping you enjoy more of your getaway while keeping an eye on your overall spend. Here are some of our favourite weekend getaways from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, plus a few ways to make your travel budget stretch further. Offers, prices and availability vary and may change. Check the Entertainment App for current travel, accommodation, dining and experience offers before booking.
Weekend Getaways from Sydney
1. Blue Mountains, NSW
Best for: Nature, cosy stays and easy escapes Travel time: Around 1.5–2 hours from Sydney
When you want to feel like you've escaped the city without spending half the weekend getting there, the Blue Mountains are hard to beat.
Spend your days exploring scenic lookouts, walking trails and charming mountain towns before settling in for dinner or a relaxing night at your accommodation.
There's plenty to do without spending much at all, too. Pack your walking shoes and explore lookouts and bushwalks before using your budget for a great meal or somewhere special to stay.
Make your getaway go further with Entertainment
Before you go, check for participating offers around the Blue Mountains, such as:
Boiler House Restaurant at The Hydro Majestic
High and Wild Mountain Adventures
2. Hunter Valley, NSW
Best for: Wine, food and couples' weekends Travel time: Around 2–2.5 hours from Sydney
If your ideal weekend involves long lunches, cellar doors and switching off for a couple of days, head north to the Hunter Valley.
A wine-country escape can easily become a special occasion, but a little planning can help you enjoy the experiences that matter most while getting more value from your weekend. Explore local producers, visit cellar doors, book a memorable meal and look for participating accommodation and experiences before you arrive.
Make your getaway go further with Entertainment
Check the Entertainment App for participating accommodation, dining and experiences throughout the Hunter Valley.
3. Newcastle, NSW
Best for: Beaches, dining and a city-meets-coast escape Travel time: Around 2–2.5 hours from Sydney
Newcastle gives you the best parts of a city break and a beach holiday in one easy weekend.
Walk the coastline, spend time at the beach, explore the city's cafés and restaurants or simply find somewhere by the water and settle in for the afternoon.
With plenty of ways to enjoy the coastline without opening your wallet, you can put more of your weekend budget towards a great meal, experience or place to stay.
Make your getaway go further with Entertainment
Search for Newcastle dining, accommodation and activity offers before you leave home.
Noah's On The Beach Restaurant
4. Central Coast, NSW
Best for: Easy beach weekends and families Travel time: Around 1–1.5 hours from Sydney
Sometimes the best weekend getaway is the one that requires almost no planning.
The Central Coast is close enough for a spontaneous escape but far enough away to feel like you've actually gone somewhere.
Think beach walks, relaxed cafés, family attractions and plenty of opportunities to slow down.
Make your getaway go further with Entertainment
Explore Entertainment offers across the Central Coast, from places to stay and family-friendly activities to dining experiences.
Weekend Getaways from Melbourne
5. Daylesford, VIC
Best for: Relaxation, food and couples' escapes Travel time: Around 1.5 hours from Melbourne
Mineral springs, country scenery, excellent restaurants and plenty of places to switch off - Daylesford practically invented the relaxing weekend away.
And you don't need to fill your itinerary with premium experiences to make it memorable.
Explore the town, wander around Lake Daylesford, visit local producers and choose where you'd most like to indulge.
Make your getaway go further with Entertainment
Check for participating accommodation, dining and experiences in and around Daylesford.
6. Mornington Peninsula, VIC
Best for: Wineries, beaches and food Travel time: Around 1–1.5 hours from Melbourne
The Mornington Peninsula is one of those destinations that can feel like a proper holiday even when you're only away for two nights.
Spend the weekend visiting coastal towns, wineries, markets and local restaurants, or make the most of the region's beaches and walking trails before settling in for a long lunch. It's an easy destination to tailor to your travel style, whether that means filling your itinerary or doing very little at all.
Make your getaway go further with Entertainment
Choose your adventure in accommodation, dining, attractions and experiences across the Mornington Peninsula.
7. Ballarat, VIC
Best for: History, families and an easy city break Travel time: Around 1.5 hours from Melbourne
For something a little different, point the car towards Ballarat.
The historic regional city offers plenty for a weekend away, from beautiful architecture and gardens to family attractions, cafés and restaurants. It's particularly appealing for families looking for an easy road trip without the cost or logistics of travelling too far from Melbourne. Make your getaway go further with Entertainment
Check the Entertainment App for participating accommodation, dining and family attraction offers.
Ballarat Indoor GoKarts and Laserforce
Weekend Getaways from Brisbane
8. Gold Coast, QLD
Best for: Beaches, dining, attractions and nightlife Travel time: Around 1 hour from Brisbane
The Gold Coast can be as action-packed or relaxed as you want it to be.
Spend the weekend at the beach, explore the dining scene, visit an attraction or simply check into a hotel and enjoy being somewhere different for a couple of days.
For families, couples and groups of friends, there's no shortage of ways to fill a weekend.
Make your getaway go further with Entertainment
This is where checking your Membership across the whole trip can really pay off. Look for participating accommodation, restaurants and attractions rather than focusing on just one saving.
9. Sunshine Coast, QLD
Best for: Beaches, food and laid-back weekends Travel time: Around 1.5–2 hours from Brisbane
If your idea of a weekend away involves swimming, beach walks, good coffee and nowhere you particularly need to be, the Sunshine Coast delivers.
Base yourself around Mooloolaba, Caloundra or Noosa, then spend the weekend exploring the coastline and hinterland.
With beaches and walks providing plenty of ways to fill your days, you can save more of your travel budget for the experiences you really want to enjoy.
Make your getaway go further with Entertainment
Check for participating accommodation, dining and experience offers across the Sunshine Coast.
Landmark Resort and Spa, Mooloolaba
Rolling Surf Resort, King’s Beach
Miss Moneypenny's, Noosa Heads
10. Tamborine Mountain, QLD
Best for: Couples, food and country charm Travel time: Around 1–1.5 hours from Brisbane
For a weekend that feels considerably further from Brisbane than it actually is, head for the hinterland.
Tamborine Mountain offers rainforest walks, local food and wine, galleries, cafés and boutique accommodation, making it a great alternative to another beach weekend.
Better still, some of the most memorable parts of the experience come from simply exploring.
Make your getaway go further with Entertainment
Search Entertainment for participating dining, accommodation and experiences around the Gold Coast hinterland.
Prefer to Fly Somewhere for the Weekend?
A weekend getaway doesn't have to mean driving.
If you've spotted a great airfare, flying can open up plenty more possibilities.
Sydney to the Gold Coast. Melbourne to Adelaide. Brisbane to Sydney. Melbourne to Hobart.
The trick is to look beyond the airfare when comparing the real value of your weekend.
Consider:
Flights + accommodation + transport + dining + activities = the real cost of your getaway.
A great flight deal is only one part of the equation. Finding value across your accommodation, meals and experiences can make an even bigger difference to the overall cost of your escape. That's why it's worth checking for savings across multiple parts of your trip.
Apollo Motorhome Holidays Australia
Ways to Enhance Your Weekend Getaway Planning
You don't have to compromise on the experience to spend more wisely.
A little planning can help you make room in the budget for the parts of the weekend that matter most.
Travel outside peak periods. Long weekends and major events can push accommodation prices up significantly.
Compare Friday–Sunday with Saturday–Monday. Shifting your trip by a day can sometimes uncover better value.
Drive when it makes sense. For destinations close to home, a road trip can be a practical alternative to flying.
Make the most of what's free. Beaches, walks, lookouts, markets, parks and galleries can fill plenty of a weekend.
Explore accommodation offers before booking. The money you save on your stay can go towards something else on your itinerary.
Plan a couple of meals in advance. Knowing where you can access a Member dining offer can help you get more from your dining budget.
Check Entertainment before you book. Look for participating offers across travel, accommodation, dining and activities.
Don't Just Save on the Hotel. Get More From the Whole Weekend.
Finding a great accommodation deal is a good start. But your hotel is only one part of the weekend.
There’s getting there.
Dinner on Friday.
Coffee on Saturday morning.
The activity you’ve been looking forward to.
Drinks that evening.
Lunch before heading home.
With an Entertainment Membership, you can explore participating offers across different parts of your trip, helping you find value from the moment you start planning until the journey home. One offer might help you save on accommodation.
Another could make that special dinner better value.
Another might help you experience an attraction you were already planning to visit.
Together, those savings can give you more room in the budget to enjoy the weekend your way.
Where Will You Go This Weekend?
You don't need a huge travel budget or an elaborate itinerary to take a break.
From the Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley to Daylesford, the Mornington Peninsula, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, some of Australia's best weekend escapes are only a few hours from home.
Pick your destination.
Plan the things you actually want to do.
Then see where Entertainment can help you get more from your getaway.
Ready for a weekend away?
Explore the latest Entertainment travel, accommodation, dining and experience offers and see where your Membership could take you next.
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