It may be winter, but it’s the long weekend (6-8 June) we’ve all been waiting for.
Three luxurious days to soak up the responsible relaxing of restrictions and reclaim all those moments which we didn’t get to celebrate as we normally would. Whether it was a birthday spent in isolation, a romantic anniversary which didn’t feel so special, or mother’s day spent without the whole family; this long weekend is the perfect moment to make the most of some of our renewed freedom, and celebrate all over again.
If these all sound great on paper, but when it comes to putting together a plan you still feel a little lost, then don’t worry! We’ve got a bunch of great ideas for where you can go and what you can do this weekend to make sure this one is extra special.
Australian Capital Territory
Travel between (and throughout) the ACT and NSW is now permitted (as of 1 June) so whichever your state, you can head out into the territory to make the most of the weekend,
If you’re after time with the family, head to the Blue Range Hut recreation area, located in the Uriarra Forest area. The Blue Range camp is popular for families and history buffs alike, centred around the heritage-listed remains of a World War II Italian internment camp. It is also a great base for accessing some of the glorious alpine walking trails of northern Namadgi National Park. Bring your own drinking water and firewood. Bookings are essential.
Image purchased.Family Fun: A sleepover with history
New South Wales
Intrastate travel restrictions have been lifted from Monday 1 June 2020, so head out there and reconnect with nature and your loved ones.
For foodies and wine lovers, enjoy a weekend in the Hunter Valley – it’s a perfect NSW holiday destination, especially if you’re looking for a quick and easy escape from the hustle and bustle of Sydney. Forget about your anticlimactic birthday and indulge in something over-the-top to break those isolation blues. Book a winery tour by horseback, or soar gently over the vineyards in a hot air balloon (trips available from the 6 June alongside a comprehensive COVID Safe Plan).
Image supplied by Destination NSWReclaim Romance: Head to the Hunter
Image purchased.
Meet with Mates: Get back to Bilpin
If a breath of fresh air is what you’re after, take a quick 90-minute drive from Sydney and soak up all that space. Bilpin, known as ‘Land of the Mountain Apple’ is a haven for cosy B&Bs, apple orchards, open gardens and organic produce. The area suffered from the summer bushfires however local residents and businesses are excited to welcome back tourists now. Pack the car with nothing but warm clothes and discover all the delightful gems to stock your fridge and pantry!
South Australia
There are no current restrictions on intrastate travel within South Australia, so pack up the car and head out to discover something new for the first time in months.
Image purchased.
Reclaim Romance: Travel for your tastebuds
If you don’t know it already, let us introduce The Epicurean Way which seamlessly links together the four iconic wine regions of McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Barossa and Clare Valley in a journey not available anywhere else in Australia. Local produce together with a superb array of wines and spectacular scenery all come together on this four day food and wine drive, perfect for foodie friends. Some of the wineries you can visit along the way are listed as among the ultimate winery experiences in Australia and include d’Arenberg, Seppeltsfield, Penfolds, Jacob’s Creek, St Hugo, The Lane Vineyard and Wirra Wirra. Take your significant other for time to reignite the passion, or reunite with friends over an epic and indulgent trip.
Tasmania
Tasmanians are permitted to take day trips within the state and overnight trips are now allowed (from 3:00pm Friday 5 June), so get ready to stretch your legs and your mind within the beautiful outdoors.
Spend a day leisurely driving through the seaside towns along Tasmania’s east coast. Enjoy a coffee or fishing stop in the seaside town of Orford, just a one-hour drive north of Hobart, or stretch your legs on a bush walk through the wild beauty of Freycinet National Park to take in unforgettable coastal views. Alternatively, if you’re feeling adventurous, the east coast has several impressive waterfalls found via quick detours inland. Our pick? Head just 30 kilometres west of St. Helens via the A3 Highway and you’ll find yourself looking at St Columba Falls — one of Tasmania’s tallest waterfalls, with a drop of over 90 metres! It’s the kind of wonder you’ve been missing at home.
Photographed by Lisa Kuilenburg. Image supplied.Family Fun: Day trip along the east coast
Frosty mornings and cosy fires can be just as romantic as the tropics, and there’s plenty of cool-climate luxury to be found in Tasmania. If you missed out on special plans with your loved one, spend a day visiting the forest-fringed Lake St Clair, a 2.5-hour drive north-west from Hobart. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, it is a stunning place to grab a canoe and a thermos of hot chocolate and drift along without a care.
Photographed by Jason Charles Hill. Image supplied.Reclaim Romance: Travel to the end of the world together
Victoria
There are no current restrictions on the distance you can travel within Victoria. From Monday 1 June, restrictions on travel within Victoria have been eased further and travellers are now able to stay in a holiday home or private residence, as well as some tourist accommodation. Now’s the time to look at heading a little further afield than you have in recent months, and indulge in a breath of fresh air.
If you weren’t able to treat mum to the mother’s day you had in mind, take this weekend to spoil her rotten. Spend quality time winding through the charismatic villages that are dotted throughout Macedon Ranges in Victoria. When you reach the quiet leafy town of Macedon, stop in at The Wine Collective for panoramic views and a glass of Chardonnay, which the region is known for. Drive another 15 minutes and reach Kyneton – a shopaholics paradise. Stroll along the historic Piper Street and treat mum to a new outfit from a vintage shop or a piece from one of the nearby art galleries. 
Image via Visit VictoriaFamily Fun: Take mum out on a country escape
If you’re looking for more long weekend ideas, why not discover more about Adelaide’s best wine regions with this guide, or visit 10 stunning natural wonders in NSW? If you’re more adventurous, you can also check out these snowy retreats in Australia.
