Grand-scale nature that makes you feel wonderfully small. The spine-tingling zing of a new adventure. Cultural attractions that sing to your playful heart and inspired soul. And in between, all the glorious places and experiences that bring us together to connect, reset, and create new stories. You can discover them all and more on any given weekend across New South Wales. Here, 52 standout stays that’ll make you TGIF, all year round.

Where recharging is a shore thing

1). Il Delfino 2). The Surf

Hit refresh in Yamba, where these sundrenched stays bring easy luxe to the water’s edge and the Angourie Point National Surfing Reserve serves Vitamin Sea with a side of adrenaline. Soak up the year-round-summer vibe with surf lessons, kayaking, massages and wild walks, and sample just-caught seafood at Clarence River Fisherman's Co-Operative and Yamba's Fisho. Or, slip into the Main Beach ocean pool and feel your work-week stress instantly wash away.

Take your place among Sydney’s icons

3). W Sydney       

This striking new landmark shines on the Darling Harbour waterfront, offering plush stays and iconic experiences. Take your inspiration sky-high with BridgeClimb Sydney or Sydney Seaplanes. Ground yourself on the city’s picturesque shores, tuning into its 60,000-year-old heartbeat on an Aboriginal Dreaming excursion, and stepping into its creative epicentre behind the scenes at the Sydney Opera House. And feel every sense twinkle to life as you feast at Bennelong or Icebergs Dining Room and Bar Bondi, where the views are as enlivening as the seasonal flavours.

Find your glow where good things grow

4). Rooms of Renown

Multicultural festivals, lauded galleries and museums, distinguished wines and seasonal produce are blended to perfection in Griffith, the nation’s food bowl – and this charming Leeton stay offers a front-row seat to all the action, with a twist of art deco elegance. Taste the sunshine-infused local fare at Limone Dining and Zecca; reconnect with the land on a guided meander; munch fruit straight from the tree, and swirl a classic at De Bortoli Wines Bilbul Estate, Piccolo Family Farm and McWilliam's Wines Hanwood Estate.

Perk up your palette and palate

5). Willinga Park Pavilions 6). Jackson Ranch by Bannisters

Feel your shoulders sink back to where they belong as the spectacular views of Willinga Lake clear your mind at these Bawley Point stays – flanked by the Shoalhaven and Jervis Bay’s best beaches, towns and hinterland gems like Kangaroo Valley. And whether you’re kayaking through the deep green, diving the big blue, or strolling on the world’s whitest sand, life’s just brighter on the South Coast. The vividness continues as bold flavours dance on your tongue at  and Jim Wild’s Oysters, and in your wineglass at Crooked River Wines and Cupitt’s Estate.

Let nature’s grandeur boost your bond

7). Spicers Sangoma Retreat 8). Love Cabins 9). Sentosa     

 Whether you’re renewing your romance in a peaceful suite or a cabin for two, or filling Sentosa’s five bedrooms with your whole crew, the Blue Mountains spark a sense of awe that brings us closer. Catch up and connect as artisan chocolates, classic high tea and award-winning fine-dining awaken your tastebuds. Hold hands as you ride the world’s steepest passenger train through World Heritage-listed vistas; roar together at the Echo Point lookout, and feel in step with the wilderness, and each other, on a guided hike or horseback ride.

Befriend wildlife on land and sea

10). Sea Sea Hotel

When this stylish, 70s-inspired boutique hotel opens at Crescent Head in November, it’ll not only elevate your summer escape plans, it’ll put you in pole position for Port Macquarie’s saltwater highlights, including learning to surf, sophisticated seafood, and heart-filling cruises to see dolphins and whales. The warm and fuzzies continue at Port Macquarie Koala Hospital – the world's first care facility solely dedicated to the lovable marsupials – and as you amble through  birdsong-filled rainforest, where Aboriginal guided tours reveal a bushtucker bounty hidden in plain sight.

Renew your view where stars shine bright

11). Top Paddock Silo Stay

Ponder the universe’s mysteries as a blanket of stars drapes over this reinvented silo stay near Forbes – then solve them at the nearby CSIRO Parkes Observatory, where an historic radio telescope reveals the wonders of our galaxy. Glittery enigmas are found on land here too, with the annual Elvis Festival flinging its sequins across Parkes each summer and relics of the Gold Rush era on show at Peak Hill and the Forbes Heritage Trail, where bakery treats, coffee and modern pub classics await.

Unwind between the vines

12). The Lane Retreat 13). Wallaringa Farmstay 14). Unyoked Cabins                              

Seeking a deeper connection? You’ll find it in the Hunter Valley. Relax with your other half in a serene studio; savour the simple pleasures of farm life or unplug in a cabin where your only neighbours have fur or feathers. Then let the region’s colours work their magic, with quality time on the green; Segway rides under blue skies, award-winning reds and whites at 150 cellar doors, and bright, bold flavours at Restaurant Cuvee and Muse.

Bejewel your memories on the Sapphire Coast

15). Hillcrest Motel 16). Currajong Retreat 17). The River Kiah  18). Coast Resort

Merimbula is the Sapphire Coast’s shiniest gem, offering a hitlist of thrills, ways to chill and unforgettable meals. You can slurp your way along the Oyster Trail and dine in elegant and laidback restaurants, but these sparkling waters nourish the soul, too. Feel the exhilaration of catching dinner, paddle in peace, surf your way to stress-free, and breathe in the energising views on a guided e-bike adventure. Along the way, take your pick of these inviting weekend stays, or plan a longer summer break and hop between them, creating new memories on land and sea.

Refresh your zest in Orange

19). Sona Molong 20). The Horned Cow

Go west for an indulgent get-together in Orange’s colourful countryside – these extraordinary homes offer secluded exclusivity for your whole clan, along with access to regional must-sees (like the Orange Heritage Trail, Mount Canobolas and Molong Village Markets). Free your inner gourmand at more than 60 vineyards, the annual Orange FOOD Week, and in popular eateries like Printhie Dining and Lime & Stone. Round off your weekend with a visit to the Farmers Market and The Agrestic Grocer for takeaway treats you’ll enjoy long after you’ve returned to reality.

Get your groove back in Tamworth

21). Goonoo Goonoo Station

Tamworth moves you, whether you’re throwing shapes at its legendary Country Music Festival; trotting on horseback; touring a trout farm, or making a beeline for acclaimed cellar doors and notable nosh spots. To get you into a more relaxed rhythm, this working cattle station stay offers a blend of seclusion, giant skies and luxurious touches, along with a restaurant serving New England’s finest produce such as the station’s premium beef.

Sun-kiss your soul in Byron Bay

22). BASQ House 23). Sun Ranch 24). Lo Scoglio 25). Copperstone by Range Estates 26). The Cabin at Arcadia Nimbin

This North Coast icon and its surrounds are prized for their golden beaches, alternative lifestyle, creativity and rich hinterlands – and these noteworthy stays offer everything from laidback cabins to estates as ornate as their wilderness surrounds. Make like a local and nurture your wellbeing in nature: swim at Australia’s easternmost beach, learn to surf; kayak with dolphins, dive Julian Rocks and cruise for whales. The highlights continue on land with paddock-to-plate fare and the Cape Byron walking track affording energising panoramas, while yoga, ice baths and massages upgrade your natural high.

Revitalise in river country

27). Perricoota Station 28). Lost and Found Retreat

Settle into dreamy Moama, where the watercolour scenes of the might Murray have long captured the imagination of painters, poets and peace seekers. Feel its inspiration rinse away the work week as you roll with it on historic paddle-steamers or canoes, and meander beside it on mountain-bike tracks, boardwalks and sculpture trails. Along the way, you’ll find bites and sips as nourishing as the views, with a Food and Wine Trail, tasting tours and exciting eateries to enjoy.

Renew your inspiration in Newcastle

29). Punthill Maitland 30). QT Newcastle 31). Little National Hotel Newcastle

These design-led, contemporary stays are all a shell’s throw from Newcastle’s must-sees. Remix its vistas your own way with a stellar range of active experiences, including cruises, bike tours, surfing, whale-watching, guided walks, and dramatic ocean pools. Around town, relish the lively creative vibe at the Newcastle Art Gallery, in hyped eateries, and along the Honeysuckle Foreshore. Nearby, let nature’s handiwork stoke your wonder at the Glenrock State Conservation Area, Worimi Aboriginal Conservation Lands and glimmering Lake Macquarie.

Wind down on higher ground

32). Osborn House 33). Burrawang House

Whether you prefer the ambience of a boutique hotel or the exclusivity of a country home, these refined Southern Highlands stays offer a slice of the English countryside amid the inimitable Australian wilderness. Relax and enjoy life’s finer things, feasting on seasonal produce, fine-dining at Eschalot, treasure-hunting in Bowral, golfing and horse-riding. Quaff your way along wine trails, visit grand estates and explore extravagant gardens bursting with colour – especially during Tulip Time, when the highlands bloom into a living kaleidoscope.

Check in and bliss out in Mudgee

34). Budgalong Spicers Creek 35). Mudgee Retreats 36).  37). Sierra Escape 38). Zensi Retreat

Nature’s rejuvenating prowess meets luxury at these Mudgee glamping and wellness retreats, so you can declutter your mind and feel new. Around the region, light adventures lead to enriching surprises: elevate your perspective on a hot air balloon, step back in time on the Heritage Walk, shop like a local, and ignite your imagination at Australia’s newest regional gallery. Plus, along with spring’s Wine & Food Month festival, there’s a host of wineries and dining highlights like Pipeclay Pumphouse and The Zin House to indulge your senses.  

Be awed by a force of nature

39). Uma on Werri 40). Dovecote

Retreat by the sea with your nearest and dearest, connecting in lavish beach-houses flanked by the South Coast’s natural wonders. Feel your jaw drop as the ocean reveals its true power, exploding through the mighty Kiama Blowhole, and shaping the land along the Kiama Coast Walk. Bring in the experts to curate bespoke experiences, or let your curiosity guide you to invigorating discoveries like ziplining, theme parks, and tastebud tingles at Buena Vista Farm, Diggies Kiama and Silica.

Wander to tasty wonders in Wagga Wagga

41). St Hugh Hotel 42). Three Ponds Estate 43). Kimo Estate 44). Nimbo Fork Lodge 45). The Houston Wagga

Wherever you base yourself in the state’s largest inland city, all country roads lead to enticing nibbles and tipples. Follow your thirst to prized vineyards like Borambola and Cottontail, handpick your own strawberries, choc til you drop, and loosen your belt for delectable diners and cooking classes. Wagga’s cultural attractions are equally alluring, headlined by a host of events, an expansive museum, and Bundyi Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge tours, which unveil the First Nations heritage embedded in these Wiradjuri heartlands.

Walk in fields of gold

46). Gilay Estate

Breathe in the big-sky magnificence of the Liverpool Plains from this architectural masterpiece near Quirindi, in Country NSW. When you can tear yourself away from the daydreamy views and wood-fired outdoor tub, follow scenic roads to the Silo Art Trail, and foodie hotspots like Graze Restaurant and the Plains Pantry. Meet the farmers and their produce at the Quirindi Spring Show, and return in summer to bask in the golden glow of blooming sunflower fields.

Take it easy sea-breezy on the Central Coast

47). Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel 

Feel like you have the magnificent Bouddi Peninsula all to yourself: this world-class resort’s sumptuous eco lodges are embraced by lush coastal bushland and boast their own private pools. The exclusive vibes continue as you explore your surrounds, amping up the romance on private sailings, sloughing away the everyday with spa treatments, and relishing regional delicacies with oyster farm tours, craft breweries, distillery experiences and waterfront dining.

Embrace a change of pace

48). Wilga Station 49). Oakhill Estate Glasshouse Cabins

While Bathurst is Australia’s loud-and-proud home of motorsport, these tranquil stays are an immersion in its bucolic beauty. So, revel in the best of both worlds: make the pilgrimage to the Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit, go full throttle at adrenaline-charged events all year round, and salute racing’s greats at the National Motor Racing Museum. Then, switch gears for enriching journeys through the town’s rich Aboriginal culture, Gold Rush heritage, impressive cellar doors and vibrant flavour havens such as the Harvest Café and Church Bar.

Feel free where the bush meets the sea

50). The Isla 51). The Oaks Ranch Mossy Point 52). Mona Farm

In the Eurobodalla, laidback coastal living meets Gold Rush towns, natural playgrounds and delicious food – and these inviting stays put the region’s attractions right on your doorstep. Treat yourself to a seafood spread on the Batemans Bay waterfront at Starfish Deli or JJ's at the Marina, and taste the Clyde River’s moreish molluscs at the Pearly Oyster Bar. Feel your mind open up to the possibilities as you scuba dive pristine seas, find a beach to call your own, catch a wave and meet Mogo’s friendly animals. Or, just go with the flow on a scenic walking track, snorkelling trail or cycleway, and see what highlights find you.