The Entertainment Guide
Cheap Weekend Getaways from Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane (Save on Flights, Hotels & Dining)
Discover affordable weekend getaways from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, plus ways to save on accommodation, dining, travel and activities.
You don't need a big holiday budget, or weeks of annual leave, 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 affordable weekend getaways within easy reach of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
And the secret to keeping the cost down isn't necessarily choosing the cheapest destination.
It's finding ways to save across the whole weekend.
With an Entertainment Membership, you can access participating offers across travel, accommodation, dining, activities and more, helping you spend less from the moment you start planning.
Here are some of our favourite cheap weekend getaways from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane—and a few ways to make your travel budget stretch even further.
Offers, prices and availability vary and may change. Check the Entertainment App for current travel, accommodation, dining and experience offers before booking.
Cheap 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.
While it's easy to turn a wine-country escape into a luxury weekend, it doesn't have to come with the luxury price tag.
Choose affordable accommodation, visit cellar doors, explore local producers and look for dining and experience offers 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 free coastal activities, you can keep more of the weekend budget for accommodation and dining.
Make your getaway go further with Entertainment
Look for participating 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.
Cheap 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.
You don't need to book a five-star spa package to enjoy it, either.
Explore the town, wander around Lake Daylesford, visit local producers and choose where to splurge and where to save.
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 without spending a cent.
Make your getaway go further with Entertainment
Look for participating accommodation, dining, attractions and experiences across the Mornington Peninsula.
7. Ballarat, VIC
Best for: History, families and an affordable 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 useful 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
Cheap 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 free entertainment, you can choose where the rest of your travel budget goes.
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 best things to do involve simply exploring.
Make your getaway go further with Entertainment
Search Entertainment for participating dining, accommodation and experiences around the Gold Coast hinterland.
What About a Cheap Weekend Away by Plane?
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 cost of the weekend.
Before booking, consider:
Flights + accommodation + transport + dining + activities = the real cost of your getaway.
A $79 flight doesn't necessarily make for a cheap weekend if everything else costs a fortune.
That's why it's worth checking for savings across multiple parts of your trip.
Apollo Motorhome Holidays Australia
How to Make a Weekend Getaway More Affordable
You don't have to compromise on the experience to spend less.
Start with a few simple strategies:
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, skipping flights and car hire can dramatically reduce the cost.
Look for free things to do. Beaches, walks, lookouts, markets and galleries can fill plenty of a weekend without filling your credit card statement.
Check accommodation offers before booking.
Plan a couple of meals in advance. Knowing where you can access a dining offer can help keep the weekend budget under control.
Check Entertainment before you pay. Look for participating offers across travel, accommodation, dining and activities.
Don't Just Save on the Hotel. Save on the Weekend.
Finding a cheap hotel is great.
But accommodation is only one part of what a weekend away actually costs.
There's getting there.
Dinner on Friday.
Coffee on Saturday morning.
The activity you booked for the afternoon.
Drinks that evening.
Lunch before heading home.
With an Entertainment Membership, you can check for participating offers across different parts of your trip, helping you find savings from the moment you start planning until the journey home.
One offer might save on accommodation.
Another might make dinner more affordable.
Another could help with an activity you were already planning.
Together, those savings can make getting away more achievable.
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 check Entertainment before you book.
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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