The last-minute long weekend staycations you didn’t know you needed

The only thing we love more than a long weekend is a spontaneous mini getaway!

You don’t need to go overseas to make the most of your time off when you’ve got SO MANY great destinations to explore in your own backyard.

AAT Kings have compiled a fabulous list of the perfect day trip options to pop on your weekend agenda so you can grab some me-time, or score major brownie points with your mother, lover or significant other.

Blue Mountains and Australian Wildlife

Take a moment to sit back and relax this long weekend as you travel into the spectacular blue mountains.

The views of Jamison Valley will take your breath away as you wind along Cliff Drive before arriving at the Three Sisters vantage point for a chance at some unbelievable pictures.

Ride on the famous skyway with 360 views around the valley before exploring the gorgeously quaint town of Leura. We really recommend using this stop for a sugar hit at the Candy Store, stocked with more than 1000 unusual sweet treats or stop by the famous Whisk and Pin for a rocky road or two.

You’ll even get a stop at Featherdale Wildlife Park to visit the koalas and to hand feed the kangaroos.

Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles

This one’s for the Melbournians with departures out of the city straight to Australia’s famous Great Ocean Road. It’s the perfect mini getaway for the family looking to explore.

If you’ve not experienced its natural wonder before, now is the perfect time to admire the rugged splendour of the coastline between Torquay and Warrnambool before spotting the Twelve Apostles towering majestically out of the water.

These incredible rock formations are the result of erosion that began up to 20 million years ago – a truly amazing piece of geological history.

Barossa Food & Wine Experience

There’s nothing better than a winter weekend filled with food and wine right? It’s really a no-brainer to head to the Barossa this long weekend and drink up (pun intended!) everything our most famous wine region has on offer.

With the finest wines to taste and a gourmet lunch to enjoy it’s impossible not to have an amazing time.

There’s even a stop at the famous Maggie Beer’s Farm to taste her delicious seasonal produce before heading back to the city after stopping at bakeries and cellar doors galore!

Think you’ve left it a bit late for a proper getaway this weekend?

No worries, we’ve got future Staycay inspo in honour of the Queen’s birthday Long weekend. Lock in your staycay for the October long weekend now, it’s basically right around the corner!

Kings Canyon & Uluru Explorer (3 Day Adventure)

Travelling to the Northern Territory truly is one of the most important experiences you can have as an Australian. Stop leaving it until you retire and get out there now!

You’ll instantly transform into an amateur photographer any time you point your camera towards the natural beauty!

An Uluru base tour at sunset will make you feel the magic of our lucky country and the awe will only grow as you climb the rim of King’s Canyon with views over Watarrka National Park.

Round off this magnificent adventure with a sunrise at Uluru then explore Walpa Gorge exploring the ancient rock formations.

Kangaroo Island Discovery (2 Day Adventure)

If wildlife is your thing, then Kangaroo Island is for you. You’ll see rare Australian sea-lions in the wild as well as soaring birds and raptors, and you guessed it, kangaroos.

The second day you’ll explore the rugged southern coastline with the Remarkable Rocks providing the perfect photo backdrop.

The seals are out again at Admirals Arch where you’ll take a boardwalk down a rugged cliff face to reveal a spectacular arch, a natural nursery and safe haven for the seals playing and swimming in the waves or chilling on the rocks.