The Getaway Expert: Two 'secret' words that will unlock the perfect weekend escape
Two hours. That's the secret. I will elaborate but if you forget everything else remember - two hours.
Weekends away are an essential component of a busy working year. Whatever form they take.
For couples they are a great way to freshen up a relationship, for families it's a chance for everyone to reconnect away from the stresses of school and the office.
Then there are girls' weekends away and boys' weekends away. An opportunity to let loose a bit and vent - maybe about the shortcomings of the dating pool.
Weekends away are an essential part of the year for many. Getty Images/iStockphoto
I think in many ways they have more value than an annual holiday because you can afford to do them more often. They require less prep time, less travel time and can have enormous mental health benefits.
You can do them on the cheap or you can indulge but either way a weekend away can refresh, regenerate, rehabilitate and reignite.
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So, what's with the two hours? If it's a driving holiday that's the furthest you should go from home.
Get out a map - paper or Google - draw a two hour radius from your house then pick a destination within that. Two hours is the sweet spot (three hours for a long weekend) and I know this having had more weekends away than you've had Uber Eats.
Two hours is a comfortable distance to drive. You won't get there too late and you'll really appreciate it on the way home on Sunday when three or four hours can be a huge chore.
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Two hours is the most comfortable distance to drive to make the most out of your time. Getty Images/iStockphoto
And not just two hours - two nights. If you're having a weekend away you HAVE to head off on Friday after work. If you arrive at your destination Friday night you can settle into your accommodation, toast some marshmallows and wake up in your holiday environment with a full weekend ahead.
Departing Saturday is a whole different story. Whether you're camping, glamping or 5-starring you won't be able to check in at least until 2pm, so most of the day is gone and if it's winter you've only got three hours of daylight left.
You may have saved money by only going for one night but you have defeated the value of the exercise.
It's best to start your weekend away on a Friday after work - or do a long weekend. Getty Images/iStockphoto
All that said, I've done the homework for you and here are some destinations that fit my two hour rule from a capital city near you.
One note, though. Obviously two hours can vary depending on where you live. I've taken all my measurements from the CBD in each city but you should do it from your home address.
MELBOURNE
Melbourne is blessed with great destinations two hours from the CBD. It just might be the king of weekends away.
Some of your options: You can go as far as Lorne at the start of the Great Ocean Rd, the whole of the Mornington Peninsula all the way to Sorrento with time to spare.
You've got all of the beautiful Yarra Valley, Daylesford the 'spa' capital of Victoria and current location for The Block, Phillip Island, and you'll just sneak into Bendigo.
Driving from Melbourne you can check out the location of The Block 2025 in Daylesford. Instagram @scottycamofficial
BRISBANE
You'll never run out of options from Brisbane. Here are my picks:
You will just make it to the Sunshine Coast as far as Caloundra but not Noosa.
I'm going to squeeze in Maleny and Montville in the Sunshine Coast hinterland even though they may be a touch over the two hours. Too pretty to leave out.
Then you've got the Glasshouse Mountains, Australia Zoo, Bribie Island, the garden city of Toowoomba, and the Gold Coast all the way down to Tweed Heads.
You can visit the garden city of Toowoomba. Getty
SYDNEY
Sydneysiders will joke that two hours won't get you to the city limits but don't be deterred. These places are within reach for a great weekend away:
Katoomba and The Blue Mountains are a classic Sydney escape. The Hunter Valley is a slight stretch from the CBD but very doable from the northern suburbs.
The Southern Highlands with their green rolling hills and the main town of Bowral are a beautiful break away.
Heading down the south coast you can do the Sea Cliff Bridge on the scenic route to Wollongong which includes the pretty hamlets of Thirroul, Coledale, and Austinmer. You can go as far as Kiama and with a good tailwind make it into the lovely town of Berry.
I spent some time golfing in the Blue Mountains on a weekend away. Supplied/John Walsh
ADELAIDE
I'm going to make an exception here. You don't need two hours for a weekend away out of Adelaide - 90 minutes or even an hour will do just fine.
An hour will get you to the Barossa Valley or Murray Bridge where you can hire a houseboat on the Murray. You can do pretty much the whole Fleurieu Peninsula including the popular holiday town of Victor Harbor, Goolwa, and at a stretch Cape Jervis.
The other popular wine region, the Clare Valley, will take the full two hours but then you can do the Adelaide Hills in an amazing 30 minutes highlighted by the quaint German town of Hahndorf.
Drive a little further and you can visit the Adelaide Hills and the quaint German town of Hahndorf. Getty
PERTH
Like Adelaide, you can get out of town pretty quickly from Perth. My picks inside two hours:
The Swan Valley wine region only about half an hour, Mandurah heading south for dolphin spotting, Lancelin heading north for its sand dunes and pristine beaches.
A little cheat from here. The eerie rock formations The Pinnacles are 2.5 hours from Perth but an hour from Lancelin. So base yourself in Lancelin and do a day trip to The Pinnacles.
If you base yourself in Lancelin you can do a day trip to The Pinnacles. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Finally, New Norcia, the only town in Australia owned and operated by Benedictine Monks, is about 90 minutes away and well worth the drive.
I'll finish by pointing out that you don't just have to do a weekend away from your own city either.
The two-hour rule applies if you're visiting from interstate with a bit more time and want to experience more than just the city itself.
A couple of nights in town and a two nights away is a nice little break if you can jag a good airfare and the time off.
John Walsh was Executive Producer of the TV travel series Getaway from 1999-2024. You can follow John on Instagram @thegetawayexpert.
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