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. 

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.

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 Continental Sorrento for a bite and a soak at Aurora Spa & Bathhouse

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.

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).

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Centre, discover vintage treasures at Dirty Janes and grab a wholesome bite at The Press Shop, a chic corner café in the town’s heart.

In Western Australia’s oldest winemaking region, located half an hour north-east of Perth, sip world-class chenin blanc and verdelho at picturesque vineyards like Sittella and Sandalford. Creative types will also appreciate the 4.5-hectare Gomboc Gallery Sculpture Park and First Nations-owned and operated Maalinup Aboriginal Gallery.

An hour east of Melbourne lies a 3500-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. 

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.  

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.  

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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 Saddle Camp.