Pt. Leo Estate, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria © Visit Victoria
Pt. Leo Estate, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria © Visit Victoria
Australia’s best girls’ getaways
Whether you’re looking for an adventure or laidback quality time, Australia is the ultimate destination to reconnect, recharge and relax with your besties.
By Natasha Dragun and Leah Dobihal
A little bit of city, a little bit of country; Perth offers access to both. Discover Perth’s emerging food scene starring innovative chefs, waterfront dining and small bars hidden down laneways. The perfect day trip lies just 30 minutes from the heart of the city. In the Swan Valley wine region, you and your girls can enjoy wine tasting from some of Western Australia’s oldest vineyards with a backdrop of rolling hills. Work off your Swan Valley indulgences on a paddle with River Gods, gliding along the Swan River.
Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula has long been popular for its slow-paced vibe, and your group of girls will love the level of luxury here. Wine and wellness come hand in hand, with delicious drops on offer as well as steamy hot springs perfect for deep relaxation and even deeper conversations. For a full taste of the region, explore the Beer, Cider & Spirits Trail at your own pace.
Uluru is Australia’s spiritual heart, and time spent here is as eye-opening as it is inspiring. Take time to reconnect with each other through the cultural offering, like joining a dot painting class with Maruku Arts. A tour with SEIT Outback Australia will have you accompanying an Indigenous guide who will share special water holes, rock art and stories. As night falls, the outback comes to life in epic light shows including Wintjiri Wiru, which sees more than 10,000 drones take to the sky to tell the Mala creation story of this sacred land.
From opera on the harbour to atmospheric neighbourhoods, Sydney is a great city getaway for a group of friends. Start off in the inner-city suburb of Paddington, a retail mecca dotted with boutiques showcasing Australian designers. Get your dose of culture at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, where the new Sydney Modern gallery cuts a dramatic form over the city. From here you’re within easy reach of some of Sydney’s hottest restaurants, including Nour and Arthur.
Kangaroo Island is a place where fur seals and dolphins frolic in the waves and sea lions tumble down sand dunes into the sea (and you can even swim with them). True to its name, it’s also a mecca for ’roos, and boasts one of the highest concentrations of koalas in the country. Choose from single or multi-day tours that get you and your friends up close to the island’s cutest locals. If you’ve worked up an appetite, then you’ve come to the right place. Begin your foodie experience with local oysters and crayfish, then try Ligurian honey before sipping award-winning gins at Kangaroo Island Spirits.
There’s nothing like the white sands and crystal blue water of Western Australia's Esperance to remind you just how humbling (and healing) nature really is. When you’re not taking a dip in blue lagoons, check in to one of the Insta-worthy A-frames at Esperance Chalet Village. Take your wellbeing journey to the next level on a four-day Yoga & Wellness Adventure with Untamed Escapes, dedicated to inspiring through photography workshops, daily meditation, healthful meals and tours offering insights into Indigenous culture.
You only need to travel an hour from Sydney to discover the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains wilderness, where you and your mates can hike between waterfalls and trek through ferny groves. Boost the happy endorphins further on a twilight wildlife tour with Wolgan Valley Eco Tours, revealing the ecology and geology of this special part of Australia. Luckily, it’s not all rugged here. Enjoy a relaxed dinner at Blaq, the signature restaurant within The Kyah hotel, known for its menu featuring hyper-local produce.
