Local Australian getaways: The best places to visit

Updated April 2023 | 4 min read
Words by Katherine Chatfield

Holiday at home this year and enjoy Australia’s amazing natural environment.

Cost-of-living pressures might be affecting many Australians, but that doesn’t mean you need to rule out enjoying a holiday. Taking the time to explore locations in your own state can be a great way to relax and recharge. In fact, Aussies are now taking more domestic holidays and day trips than they were pre-pandemic according to research, and we spent a collective 103 million nights away from home on domestic trips last year.

Holidaying in Australia can be as good for your health as it is for your wallet. Spending time in nature reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and stress, studies show.

Explore our beautiful country with these Australian getaways. They’ll help you blend gentle exercise with spectacular scenery and are guaranteed to help you unwind and enjoy our natural environments.

Camping: From east to west coast

Australia’s climate makes camping an easy getaway option. NSW’s Kosciuszko National Park is encouraging people to visit and view the vegetation that’s come back to life following the devastating bushfires in 2019 and 2020. The scenery is dramatic, with stunning views, lakes, rivers and wildlife. 

On the opposite coast, Western Australia boasts Cape Le Grand National Park. Just 40 minutes from Esperance, which is a seven-and-a-half-hour drive from Perth, this spectacular location offers rugged coastline and idyllic white beaches. It’s regarded as one of Australia’s best places to camp; expect views of sunbaking kangaroos from your tent, as well as the chance to bushwalk, fish and see wildflowers during spring. Here are two campsites to consider: Le Grand Beach Campground and Lucky Bay Campground. Both have food prep areas, gas barbecues, tables and toilets.

On Victoria’s Great Ocean Walk you can go it alone with hike-in campsites, or opt to have a tour operator like Auswalk, which organises your whole trip, including accommodation, transfers and meals.

Hiking: A four-day trail in Tassie

There’s hiking and then there’s the Three Capes Track. When the trail opened in late 2015, it set the benchmark for bush walks, not only in Australia but the rest of the world.

The 48km, four-day trail gives ramblers unique access to Tasmania’s pristine environment, as well as some of the planet’s most amazing vistas. If you’re not up for jostling with other hikers for the best view, this is the walk for you, as only up to 48 people can start it on any given day.

The easy-to-moderate trail begins with a boat journey from the World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic Site and continues along well-maintained paths through woodland, rainforest and some of Australia’s tallest sea cliffs. The expedition reaches its literal high point with views of The Blade, a narrow dolerite rock that juts out from the water at Cape Pillar, popularly dubbed the jewel of the Tasman Peninsula.

There are some creature comforts to look forward to at the end of each day, too. Hikers stay in architect-designed cabins with memory-foam mattresses and USB charge docks, so there’s no need to carry heavy tents and cooking gear.

Horse riding: On the white sands of Queensland

Feel the wind in your hair during a beach-side horse ride on the white sands of Rainbow Beach in Queensland’s Gympie area of the Sunshine Coast. As well as enjoying the beautiful scenery and bonding with the horses, horseriding has the added bonus of improving your core stability and balance.

The well-trained horses and experienced guides lead you along an area of beach where no 4WD traffic is allowed. From full-moon beach rides and half-day country treks to multi-day rides, there’s a ride for all levels, including those more experienced riders who can ride bareback in the ocean.

Glamping: Australian ecotourism with home comforts

If you like the thought of camping, but still want a touch of comfort on your trip, NSW’s Paperbark Camp is at the forefront of ecotourism in Australia. Located near Jervis Bay, three hours south of Sydney, it offers 12 safari-style tents dotted among eucalypts and paperbarks. Each tent has wraparound decking, an open-air private ensuite and, the best part, hot showers. There’s also an excellent treetop restaurant that sources local and regional produce. Explore the property’s walking trails or head to the three nearby national parks for long tracks and deserted beaches.

On the picturesque Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, get the campsite to come to you. Simply choose the location you want and Happy Glamper will deliver and set it up for you before you arrive. They’ll bring everything from the tent, air mattresses and bed linen to chairs and LED lanterns, as well as board games and a bar fridge if you request it. Then, when you’re finished your holiday, they’ll come and pack everything up for you and take it away.

Swimming: Explore Darwin’s three-pool oasis

It’s hard to compete with Australia when it comes to beaches, and the same goes for our natural waterholes. Berry Springs in the Northern Territory is a 40-minute drive from Darwin. It’s a three-pool oasis fed by an underground spring that cascades over a rock shelf to create an aquatic ‘massage’. In parts it’s 20m wide – ideal for doing laps – and several metres deep. There’s even a rope swing, so you can drop into its restorative crystal-clear waters.

Between dips, explore World War II remnants and trek in the monsoon rainforest and woodland tracks. Pack a picnic and sit among blooming native flowers. Best of all, it’s free.

Before heading into the wild, make sure you stay safe with these three key rules:

• pack plenty of food and water
• always let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to return
• check the weather forecast, even during mild weather.

Complement your health cover

From a white-water rafting adventure to a few days on the slopes, or a quick surf after work, Flip^* is Australia’s first on-demand accidental injury insurance, offering quick, simple cover that fits your lifestyle, whether it’s for a week or just the weekend. At just $7 per day or $25 per week, Flip won’t break the bank. It's affordable, flexible protection from unexpected medical expenses if you injure yourself doing the things you love.