Distance from Hobart: 100 kilometres

Off Tasmania’s rugged east coast, Maria Island is accessible by ferry from Triabunna, just over an hour’s drive from Hobart. The national park is home to the swirling Painted Cliffs, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed convict site and wildlife such as wombats and kangaroos. Finish the day back on Triabunna Wharf with locally caught fish and chips.

Distance from Hobart: 95 kilometres

Don’t have time for the full 48-kilometre Three Capes Lodge Walk? Worry not; the spectacular Cape Hauy leg can be completed in about four hours. It’s a 90-minute drive from Hobart and a 10-kilometre return hike from Fortescue Bay, so head off early and stop for a hearty breakfast at Port Arthur Lavender Farm en route.

Distance from Hobart: 90 kilometres

Orchards, pristine pastures and charming farmgate stalls await in the Huon Valley, 30 minutes south of Hobart. Stop for a cider at Willie Smith’s Apple Shed, book in at The Farmhouse Kitchen, a popular cooking school focusing on Puglian cuisine, and spend the afternoon cruising the sleepy Huon River.  

Distance from Adelaide: 86 kilometres

Bring your swimmers and your appetite on a day trip to the Fleurieu Peninsula, 40 minutes south of Adelaide. First stop is Second Valley Beach, with its turquoise waters and fabulous snorkelling, followed by an afternoon exploring McLaren Vale’s wineries. Go all in with an eight-course degustation at d'Arry's Verandah Restaurant.

Distance from Adelaide: 30 kilometres

Wander through Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, go antiquing in the heritage village of Hahndorf and call into the plentiful cellar doors nestled in the Adelaide Hills, just 30 minutes from the CBD. Highlights include the chardonnay flight at The Lane Vineyard and Ngeringa’s small batch biodynamic drops. 

Distance from Adelaide: 75 kilometres

Sipping shiraz at pioneering vineyards like Penfolds is a must-do when visiting Australia’s most famous wine region, around an hour north of Adelaide. Also on the menu: slow-ferment sourdough at Apex Bakery, top-notch Vietnamese at fermentAsian and learning about the region’s devout German settlers at the Barossa Museum.

Distance from Sydney: 110 kilometres

Located at the midpoint between Sydney and the state’s second city Newcastle, The Entrance is easily reached by road or rail. With water on three sides of the town, aquatic pursuits rank high on the most popular activities, be that a dip in one of the three heritage-listed ocean baths, surfing off Tuggerah Beach or kayaking on Tuggerah Lake. No trip to The Entrance would be complete without meeting the local pod of pelicans who flock here hoping for a few stray chippies or even the occasional ice-cream cone from generous visitors.

Distance from Sydney: 38 kilometres

Occupying nearly 15,000 hectares of dense bushland where the Hawkesbury River meets the sea and fringed by hidden coves and sheltered beaches, it’s hard to believe that this seemingly untouched landscape is less than an hour’s drive from the Sydney CBD. One highlight not to be missed is the West Head lookout, with its views over the mouth of the Hawkesbury, the beginning of the Central Coast, Pittwater, Barrenjoey Lighthouse and Palm Beach. From there you can explore walking trails that lead to significant examples of Aboriginal rock art, including the 2000-year-old paintings at Red Hands Cave.

Distance from Sydney: 70 kilometres

Driving across the Sea Cliff Bridge, hovering 40 metres above the rugged coastline on the Grand Pacific Drive, is worth the trip alone. But upon arriving in laid-back Thirroul, 80 minutes from Sydney’s CBD, you’ll also find gorgeous beaches, top-notch Italian at Franco Pizza Bar and hip homewares stores like Luca Luna. 

Distance from Sydney: 100 kilometres

An hour west of Sydney, this World Heritage-listed national park is a must-visit for any nature lover, especially the 6.3-kilometre Grand Canyon loop through mossy valleys, waterfalls and staggering expanses of bushland. Recuperate with an alfresco burger and schooner of Cult IPA at Katoomba’s Mountain Culture Beer Co.

Distance from Sydney: 45 kilometres

Just over an hour from the city, “Palmy” on Sydney’s Northern Beaches is a picture-perfect spot for a dip and picturesque walk up to historic Barrenjoey Lighthouse. Stop for a leisurely lunch at Barrenjoey House overlooking Pittwater – save room for the citrus pavlova – before perusing Bassike and Lee Mathews in Avalon.

Distance from Sydney: 115 kilometres

Beloved for its quaint country charm, this Southern Highlands town is only 90 minutes from Sydney. Learn about Australia’s most famous cricketer at the Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame, discover vintage treasures at Dirty Janes and grab a wholesome bite at The Press Shop, a chic corner café in the town’s heart.

Distance from Sydney: 40 kilometres

The Royal National Park has 15,000 hectares of wild bushland to explore – and it’s only an hour’s drive south of Sydney’s CBD. Fuel up on ricotta pancakes at Audley Dance Hall before tackling the Uloola track past Karloo Pools (a picturesque natural swimming spot) or paddling Port Hacking with Bundeena Kayaks. 

Distance from Melbourne: 90 kilometres

The lesser-known western cousin of the ever-popular Mornington Peninsula is no less worthy of a visit. In fact, Bellarine sports some advantages to a jaunt out east, most notably its accessibility by ferry – a pleasant 70-minute cruise from Melbourne’s docklands to Portarlington, a sleepy seaside town on the tip of the Peninsula. If it’s an epicurean escape you seek, there’s plenty here to sate your appetite. The maritime conditions are surprisingly ideal for winemaking and fertile soils have fostered a rich agricultural history here since the 1830s. The surrounding waters of Swan Bay and the Bass Strait are a bountiful source of seafood – the area is particularly well known for its succulent mussels and the evergreen coastal crowd pleaser, fish and chips.

Distance from Melbourne: 75 kilometres

Pristine national parks and quiet beaches pop into view during the drive to Melbourne’s favourite playground, just an hour from the CBD. Indulge in a day sampling from top wineries like Montalto, then beeline to the recently refurbished The Continental Sorrento for a bite and a soak at Aurora Spa & Bathhouse

Distance from Melbourne: 140 kilometres

Just a short (and very scenic) 90-minute drive from Melbourne, Phillip Island is most famous for its 32,000-strong colony of Little Penguins. Find a seat on the beachfront grandstand to watch them waddle home at dusk, then have an early dinner at the Italian institution Isola Di Capri before the drive home.

Distance from Melbourne: 50 kilometres

An hour east of Melbourne lies a 3,500-hectare swathe of towering Mountain Ash trees and lush gullies. On the way up to SkyHigh Mount Dandenong overlooking the city and Port Phillip Bay, ride a 100-year-old steam train known as Puffing Billy or swing by Proserpina Bakehouse for a smoked ham sandwich. 

Distance from Melbourne: 75 kilometres

Once an industrial outpost, Victoria’s second city is fast becoming a food and drink hotspot. Think: Little Creatures and sister brewery White Rabbit, craft distillery Anther and the excellent pan-Asian barbecue at Sumi, all a little over an hour’s drive from Melbourne. Also on the hit list: a turn around the latest exhibition at Geelong Gallery. 

Distance from Melbourne: 115 kilometres

Ninety minutes’ drive from Melbourne, Ballarat is three towns in one – a historic gold mining village, a UNESCO Creative City and home to a burgeoning food scene. Get a taste at Sovereign Hill, a family-friendly open-air museum, the Art Gallery of Ballarat and Underbar, a buzzy fine diner with just 14 seats. 

Distance from Brisbane: 75 kilometres

Venture into the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and discover the rugged heights of this volcanic mountain range. These towering monoliths, rising up from a patchwork of eucalypt forests, macadamia orchards, pineapple farms and pine plantations, are surrounded by scenic walks including the Yul-yan-man track, winding through flowering heathlands and fragrant forests. The otherworldly basalt summits are a place of spiritual significance for the local Jinibara and Kabi Kabi peoples, whose dreaming stories are set among these peaks. You can take in the full splendour of the area from the Glass House Mountains Lookout, where there are also outdoor displays about the landscape, the plant communities and the wildlife living here, such as the yellow-tailed black cockatoos you may hear screeching overhead.

Distance from Brisbane: 100 kilometres

Hop on the 75-minute ferry from Brisbane for an action-packed adventure. Snorkel the partially-submerged Tangalooma Wrecks just offshore, toboggan down a sand dune, feed wild dolphins by hand, go whale watching and sip a sundowner cruising Moreton Bay with Tangalooma Island Resort.

Distance from Brisbane: 100 kilometres

If exploring an ancient rainforest is more your style, head to the Scenic Rim, a 90-minute drive south-west of Brisbane. Hike part of the four-day, 47-kilometre Scenic Rim Trail (or float above it in a hot-air balloon) then head to Spicers Peak Lodge for a lunch of rock lobster.

Distance from Brisbane: 90 kilometres

An easy 90-minute drive up the Bruce Highway from Brisbane, Maleny is a bucolic village in the Blackall Range. Stroll the Botanic Gardens and 6.7-kilometre trail through town (keep your eyes peeled for platypi in Obi Obi Creek), feed the calves at Maleny Dairies and pick up a picnic box at Maleny Food Co. 

Distance from Brisbane: 75km

Home to theme parks such as Wet ‘n’ Wild, this sunny holiday strip an hour south of Brisbane is a hit with kids. From surfing (try Get Wet Surf School) and brunch at Bam Bam Bakehouse to the six-storey art gallery HOTA, there’s tons of incredible options for filling your day. 

Distance from Perth: 60 kilometres

No visit to Rottnest, a 90-minute ferry from Perth, would be complete without snapping some photos of the island’s cutest residents, quokkas. Late afternoon is the best time to see them foraging; join a guided walk or hire a bike then swing by alfresco eatery Lontara for Rottnest Island scallops and fragrant duck curry.

Distance from Perth: 100 kilometres

Less than 90 minutes’ drive from Perth, a trip to York is like stepping back in time. Marvel at the well-preserved Federation buildings and grab a meal at the Imperial Homestead, built in 1886, before trekking to the top of Mount Brown for knockout views across unspoilt Avon Valley. 

Distance from Perth: 20 kilometres

A 30-minute drive from the city centre, “Freo” is Perth’s classic beachside getaway. Take a dip, check out one of Australia’s premier Indigenous galleries, Japingka Aboriginal Art, and sample one of 40 craft beers on tap at the Sail and Anchor. If you’re visiting Friday to Sunday, don’t miss the street food at Fremantle Markets.

Distance from Darwin: 100 kilometres

Take a refreshing dip in a natural swimming hole and marvel at two-metre-tall Magnetic Termite mounds during a day in Litchfield National Park, 90 minutes’ drive from Darwin. Head to the shallow rock pools at the Upper Cascades – one of the park’s quieter swimming spots – before grabbing a bite at the Wangi Falls Cafe (open from 1 May).

Distance from Darwin: 50 kilometres

Berry Springs Nature Park is a 40-minute drive from Darwin and perfect for families, with a spring-fed creek for paddling, tons of shade and a lovely walking track through monsoon rainforest and woodlands. Spend the rest of the morning at Barramundi Adventures, a land-based recreational fishing farm where kids can catch their own lunch. 

Distance from Darwin: 100 kilometres

Pack sunscreen, lunch and plenty of water and set out early to explore the Mary River region of Kakadu, famous for its vast wetlands and saltwater crocodiles. Get safely up close during a cruise of Corroboree Billabong, stopping for a crisp lager at The Purple Mango Café & Brewery on the way back to town. 

Distance from Canberra: 60 kilometres

Located on Ngunnawal Country, about an hour south-west of Canberra, Namadgi National Park makes up almost half of the ACT. Swing by Under bakery in Mawson for buttery cinnamon buns, then make your way to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve to see koalas and emus and take the hour-long Birrigai Time Trail. 

Distance from Canberra: 35 kilometres

Natural beauty meets colonial history in this pint-sized village 30-minutes north of Canberra. Take the Heritage Walk through town, pausing at Grazing inside the elegantly restored 1865 Royal Hotel, where lunch might include local pork belly with baked apple. Next it’s on to Poachers’ verdant vineyard to stock up on rosé.  

Distance from Canberra: 85 kilometres

Braidwood’s high street – a pretty stretch with heritage-listed buildings, cafes and boutique shops – is just over an hour from Canberra in NSW’s Southern Tablelands. Order the classic galette at Provisions Deli & Creperie (cheese, bacon and egg with Braidwood black garlic aioli) before joining a beginner's trail ride at The Saddle Camp.

The Ultimate Way to Experience the Kimberley