Weekend Escapes
Sometimes a weekend is all you need to unwind if you pick the right place. These are some of our favourite coastal and country destinations, all within a few hours of Canberra.
Weekend Escapes From Canberra
These destinations are all within a few hours of Canberra so you can leave Friday afternoon, slow down and enjoy your break and then head back to Canberra on Sunday evening.
For couples: Kangaroo Valley is a quiet, romantic base with wombat spotting and river views. Berrima, Bowral and Milton all have boutique cottage-style stays with upscale dining close by.
For families: Culburra Beach has calm water and a relaxed, low-key beach feel. Huskisson and Kiama are both great choices with a good range of accommodation and plenty of places to swim, shop and dine.
For groups: Berry, Bowral and Gerringong all have excellent holiday houses, nearby wineries and great cafés and restaurants.
Next Escape is your guide to real places and real experiences, with practical, independent travel advice based on first-hand visits: the places we’ve explored, the restaurants we’ve eaten at and the walks we’ve done. This page may contain affiliate links; if you book or buy through them, Next Escape may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Pick your destination by activity
If you want to:
- Go wine tasting: the Bowral and Berrima area has a small but well-regarded cool-climate wine region, with pinot noir, chardonnay and riesling.
- Go on a coastal walk: the Kiama Coastal Walk is accessible from either Kiama or Gerringong. Seven Mile Beach is also a short drive from Gerringong for a long beach walk.
- Learn to surf: Mollymook and Huskisson both have surf schools nearby.
- Go boutique shopping: Berry and Bowral both have an excellent range of boutiques, specialising in homewares.
- Have a classic Aussie pub meal: the Surveyor General Inn in Berrima is one of Australia’s oldest continuously licensed hotels.
- Spot a wombat: the Bendeela Recreation Area near Kangaroo Valley has a large, relaxed wombat population, best seen around dusk.
- See a whale: whale watching is huge all along the coast from late May to November. Peak viewing times are June to July (northern migration) and September to November (southern migration with calves). Kiama has some of the best shore-based whale watching on the South Coast, including from the Blowhole and Minnamurra headland.
- Visit a farmers’ market: Bowral and Berry both have great ones, although they are only on specific days so check the dates based on your planned visit.
South Coast
Our favourite South Coast destinations within an easy drive from Canberra.
Southern Highlands
Cool-climate country towns, an easy drive from Canberra.
NSW South Coast
Coastal towns, great food, scenic walks and fantastic beaches. Most are within 2 to 3 hours of Canberra.
Country Escapes
Country air, great coffee, weekend markets, wine tasting and boutiques. Close enough to be spontaneous.
Weekend escape tips
Before you go:
- Book key restaurants early. The better regional restaurants (like Lucette in Bowral) book out in advance, especially on weekends. Check the individual destination pages for specific restaurant recommendations.
- Book accommodation early, especially on school holidays and long weekends. Some destinations (like Bowral and Kiama) have several accommodation options and can usually cater for spontaneous weekends away. Others (like Gerringong and Culburra Beach) are mainly holiday homes rather than hotels and motels and require more forward planning.