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Has the relentless pace of modern existence left you burnt out and breathless? You’re not alone. Juggling long work days and family commitments while trying to fit in a social life can lead to exhaustion.
The best way to recharge and replenish your zest for life is with a relaxing holiday, so we’ve compiled this extensive list of destinations that cover a range of locations and budgets but all have one thing in common: they let you unplug, unwind and slow down for a while.
A beautiful sun-kissed beach, a balcony to sit on in the evening, a general store and maybe a pub. What else do you need? Spending a week in a small coastal town is the quintessential Aussie way to relax and wash away those big-city stresses.
If it’s peace and quiet in a coastal setting you’re after, few places can hold a candle to Woodgate Beach. There’s exactly one road in and out, and the town occupies a narrow strip between the Coral Sea and Burrum Coast National Park. Yet it has everything you want – pub, café, NRMA holiday park – and nothing you don’t.
The deserted beach at Woodgate.
Situated about 40 minutes south of Batemans Bay, Tuross Head huddles amongst some of the best waterways the NSW south coast has to offer. Whether you want to catch a wave, a fish, or just some rays, Tuross Head has it all, with immediate access to a beach, river and lake. And no matter where you venture around Tuross Head, there seems to be a visual richness that invokes a sense of inner peace.
Coila Lake at Tuross Head.
A short drive south of South West Rocks (where you’ll find an NRMA Holiday Park) along picturesque pastoral roads, Hat Head is a time warp back to the days when the average coastal town had a general store and not much else. Aside from the classic beach activities, Hat Head is home to Hat Head Gap (a worthwhile subject for shutterbugs), and the Korogoro Creek trail (a wonderful way to walk off that office job paunch).
The remarkable geography of Hat Head Gap.
There’s something special about spending a few nights in a treetop cabin. Maybe it’s the stunning views from on high, or maybe it’s our primate brains telling us we can relax because we’re safe from predators. Whatever the case, a luxury treetop house is an almost unparalleled way to escape the rigour and vigour of city life.
Tucked away in the wilds of a Blue Mountains gorge, the Secret Treehouse is a stunning combination of rustic luxury and seclusion. A wood stove and window-side spa with stunning bushland views ensure it’s cosy and relaxing all year round.
View from the lounge room in the Secret Treehouse.
The Daintree Rainforest is one of Australia’s most beautiful natural wonders and Silky Oaks Lodge takes full advantage of this location, overlooking the serene Mossman River. Its stylish and intimate cabins offer indulgence amongst the Queensland jungle.
Bedroom with a view at Silky Oaks.
Ananda Rainforest Retreat in the Currumbin Valley, just north of the NSW border, offers this treehouse retreat that’s enveloped in rainforest and wonderfully isolated. If it’s peace and tranquillity (and perhaps a spa treatment) you’re after, this is the place to go.
Breakfast on the deck at Ananda Rainforest Treehouse.
Nothing embodies ‘back to basics’ quite like a farmstay holiday. Living in a comfortable but rustic cabin on a working farm transports you back to a time before industrialisation, motorways and the treeless claustrophobia of ‘15-minute cities’. It’s the perfect option for families or anyone who loves animals.
Scientific studies have shown patting an animal reduces stress, and the sheep and goats at Old Minton Farmstay in Nimmitabel, south of Cooma, are the friendliest you’ll ever meet. Guests are invited to join afternoon feeding sessions and spend the night in a refurbished 1920s farmhouse that can sleep up to 11 people.
Getting to know the residents at Old Minton Farmstay.
Tucked away in the village of Lue outside Mudgee, Odd Frog Lodges is a working farm with bucolic cottages onsite. You have the run of the property, so collecting eggs in the morning and hiking up to the spectacular Sunset Lookout of an evening are a surefire way to alleviate those city-slicker stresses.
A serene and sunny afternoon at Odd Frog Lodges.
Think ‘NSW Central Coast’ and busy coastal townships usually come to mind. But the hinterland region remains quiet and largely untouched and that’s where you’ll find Karinya Farmstay. Set on seven picturesque acres, it combines the best farmstay activities (such as the feeding animals) with other family-friendly activities such a playground, swimming pool and fire pit.
Swimming pool at Karinya Farmstay.
Spacious, country-style cabins perched on expansive hillside lawns overlooking a working sheep farm and with enviable views across the ocean to Montague Island. The communal hut has table tennis, a yawning fireplace, cosy lounges and a barbecue and BYO bar area. Expect to make friends with horses and chickens during your stay.
Communal Barn at Oakleigh Farm in Mystery Bay.
If time and money are in short supply but you need to unplug and reset, consider camping somewhere in or around Sydney. Set up a tent in a national park and you’ll quickly forget the rat race is just beyond the tree line.
The Royal National Park, founded in 1879, was Australia’s first-ever national park and the second worldwide. Nudged up against suburbia in southern Sydney, it remains one of the prettiest places to pitch a tent, with beaches, rivers and countless bushwalks all on hand.
National Falls at the Royal National Park.
It’s hard to believe a peaceful national park could be sandwiched between the high-rise density of Ryde and Chatswood, yet Lane Cove National Park offers everything from bushwalks to canoeing, fishing and birdwatching.
Kayaking through Lane Cove National Park.
Surrounded by Sydney’s northernmost suburbs and serviced by a proper road, yet as densely wooded and unspoiled as any bushland you’ll find in Australia, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is renowned for its Aboriginal artefacts and epic walking tracks.
One of many spectacular bushwalks in Ku-ring-gai National Park.
If you have young children, the notion of ‘downtime’ can seem like a fond memory. A holiday park or resort helps take the stress out of parenting – the kids are in a safe environment and they’re surrounded by things to do and potential new friends. Sometimes you can even hand them off for an hour or two while they enjoy a supervised activity.
The NRMA, of course, owns more than 50 parks across Australia. Here are some family favourites.
This resort’s biggest drawcard is its water park, which boasts a waterfall, grotto, pool, pirate ship and waterslides to suit everybody from toddlers up to adults. Its games room is equipped with electronic games, air hockey and table tennis, while across from there is an ‘elevated’ tennis court. The park also backs onto bushland teeming with native wildlife.
Getting to know the neighbours at South West Rocks.
As if direct access to Umina Beach weren’t enough, this holiday park has a pool area, games room, The Barn (a hub for kids’ activities), and a café/takeaway shop on site. In the high season it’s an endless procession of bikes, scooters, prams, cars and pedestrians – proof this park is something special for families.
Access onto the lovely Umina Beach.
Pocket-sized as it may be, this regional holiday park punches above its weight for family entertainment with a pool, jumping pillow, play equipment and a games room.
Waterslide and swimming pool at NRMA Bathurst Panorama Holiday Park.
One of the OGs in the NRMA holiday park portfolio, Treasure Island remains an awesome place for a family holiday. There’s Shipwreck Shores Waterpark for the littlies and two resort pools for the adults (all heated), plus mini-golf, go-karts, jumping pillows and much more.
One of many play areas at NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Resort.
If you spend 10 hours each week lurching through Sydney’s stop-start traffic to get to work, you’ll find the Australian outback’s empty highways and wide streets almost otherworldly. Life really does happen at a slower pace west of Dubbo, too, so if you want to leave the city bustle behind, head inland towards Australia’s red centre.
Older readers might remember Menindee as the place colonial explorers Burke and Wills met their demise, but in 2025 it’s renowned for its stunning chain of lakes and attendant wildlife. Just over an hour’s drive from Broken Hill, Menindee is also a perfect option for campers seeking a remote yet scenic place to escape for a few days.
Sunset on the tranquil lakes at Menindee.
While it’s famed for its annual ute muster, for the rest of the year Deniliquin is a serene and picturesque riverside country town. Floating on an airbed between Willoughby’s Beach and Maclean’s Beach on the Edward River is relaxing way to cool off in summer, while in the cooler months a walk through the four-hectare Island Sanctuary puts you in touch with the region’s abundant birdlife.
Fishing at dawn on the Edward River in Deniliquin.
About as remote as you can go in NSW while retaining proximity to life’s little luxuries, Bourke was founded on the shores of the Darling River and is famous for its rich colonial and indigenous history. Welcoming locals put visitors immediately at ease and there’s no better way to take in Bourke’s heritage than with a cruise on the Jandra paddleboat.
Cruising the Darling River in Bourke.
This charming little town is the gateway to the best that outback Queensland has to offer, including the Qantas Museum in Longreach and the world-famous dinosaur fossils scattered around the Winton region. But ‘Barcy’ itself has plenty to offer, not least five pubs, numerous eateries, natural wonders such as Lagoon Creek, and a surprising amount of history (including the birthplace of the Labor party at the Tree of Knowledge).
Take in the Tree of Knowledge at Barcaldine.
What better way to relax and unwind than letting someone else worry about the arrangements? On a cruise, it’s all taken care of – food, drinks, entertainment, travel, sleeping quarters. Just turn up and enjoy the experience.
The NRMA offers a wide range of cruises with Coral Expeditions and NRMA members get special benefits and discounts. Destinations include Tasmania, the Kimberley, Western Australia and the Great Barrier Reef. Expect modern vessels with a small number of guests and a knowledgeable crew to answer all your questions.
The Coral Adventurer lives up to its name.
A cruise needn’t be a week-long adventure on the high seas. The Ocean Dream cruise boat explores the historic Hawkesbury River over three days, stopping in at tiny riverside communities, picking out this waterway’s scenic spots, and serving fresh-caught produce prepared by an onboard chef.
The Ocean Dream explores every nook of the Hawkesbury River.
Tired? Stressed? Forget multi-vitamins, prescribe yourself a few nights on the Murray Princess paddle steamer. A broad and majestic boat full of old-world charm, its spiral staircase, mezzanine library and cathedral ceiling will transport you to a simpler time as you and your fellow guests explore the mighty Murray River between Mannum and Swan Reach.
The Murray Princess drifting along the bends of its namesake river.
