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Need ideas for your next short break?

Good Weekends Away 2009 - The Age and Sydney Morning Herald

Kerry Scambler

Pavilion and golf course at Peppers Moonah Links Resort, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria [©Peppers Moonah Links Resort]

Spending your weekend indoors with a good book? With the 'No Leave No Life' campaign rolling out, make that book Good Weekends Away and you’ll quickly find somewhere to do your bit for the economy and your stress levels.

The Good Weekend Guide features over 100 short breaks as reviewed by journalists from The Age, Sydney Morning Herald and Good Weekend.  The greater majority of the places reviewed are in NSW and Victoria so for those of us residing in the other states, it might be a good, but slightly longer weekend journey to enjoy a break. Or perhaps, a good excuse to take that extended holiday. There are however some “best of” picks from the other states to inspire the weekend traveller.

After quickly determining how the rating worked, I flicked through to find which places rated 19-20 “Outstanding. Can we move in?” and there were a few surprises – the Canberra Hyatt, Pericoe Retreat in Dubbo and Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast.  Vastly different in style and offerings but all rating 19 and perhaps prompting a re-think of the weekend away options. But that’s just 3 out of 100…

So, back to the beginning of the book and it’s not long – NSW and B in fact – before a very appealing venue is spotted, the website quickly found and emailed off to friends for future reference.  Sifting through NSW with a vast range of styles and prices covered – from art deco city hotels to country B&Bs, beachside barns and luxury hotels – and onto Victoria.

Now Victoria’s a little closer to my home state so the interest ramps up even more. Again the range of accommodation reviewed is great and covers options for couples, families and even groups of friends. George’s Boutique B&B on the fabulous Mornington Peninsula rates highly as does Peppers Moonah Links Resort – both are VisitVineyards.com Partners and provide special offers for our Members (see Related Offers below).

There are only three recommendations in each of the other states and whilst the Faraway Bay Bush Camp in The Kimberley would take more than a weekend for this Tasmanian to travel to and enjoy, it might just go on the holiday wishlist now.  However if you are planning short breaks in NSW or Victoria, this is a useful guide and at minimum handy armchair dreaming material. None of the properties have paid to be listed.

Vineyard and winery accommodations are a bit thin on the ground, too - for these you are better off reading our own recommendations.

We are spolit for quality accommodation choices around Australia which can often make deciding difficult, but whether you are looking for a romantic weekend indoors, a base for touring, straight or gay, golf or pampering, this guide will certainly give you a short (or in my case, long) wishlist to start working on.  Remember - No Leave, No Life!

Good Weekends Away is published by Murdoch Books (May 2009). RRP $29.95 and is available from our book partners Seekbooks at 12.5% discount (postage extra).

Publishers note: Unfortunately Amberview Cottages in Marysville, one of the properties featured in this new edition of Good Weekends Away, was destroyed by the Victorian bushfires in February 2009. Good Weekends Away had already gone to print at that time. Alternative accommodation in the area is available.

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