Six weekend road trips from Canberra
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Brunching in heritage-listed buildings, exploring cool-climate cellar doors and watching whales breach sparkling blue waters. These destinations prove that some of the best holidays are only a short drive away.
While Canberra offers plenty to do, see and eat, if you roam a little further, you’ll discover some easy-to-reach destinations that are well worth visiting.
From country escapes to charming seaside towns and alpine adventures, all these diverse destinations are less than four hours from Canberra and prove that venturing beyond the city limits offers so much more than a simple weekend escape.
Bungendore
Best for: An easy getaway
How far: 40 minutes via the Kings Highway
A country escape that’s not too far from Canberra; Bungendore was named Australia’s Small Tourism Town in 2025. Recognised for its unique charm, the town combines country hospitality with beautiful, preserved colonial buildings and artistic craftsmanship, making it the ideal destination to slow down.
Home to renowned cool-climate wineries, galleries, antique stores and paddock to plate dining, the short drive will transport you away.
Braidwood
Best for: Country charm
How far: An hour via the Kings Highway
Ideal for everyone – including families and solo travellers – Braidwood is known as one of the prettiest regional towns in New South Wales (who can resist charming colonial buildings?). Long known as the halfway point between Canberra and the New South Wales South Coast, it offers so much more than a rest stop destination.
A creative hub for artists, designers and craftspeople, it’s home to many boutiques and galleries as well as plentiful country pubs, cafés, and bakeries. Make the most of the rural beauty and plan a bushwalk to see the pinkwood rainforest, limestone caves, and gushing waterfalls.
Bowral
Best for: Lush living
How far: Just under two hours via the Federal Highway and Hume Highway
Quaint, romantic and perfect to explore across a weekend, Bowral offers country roaming at its finest. From exploring the vintage and antique retailers at the original Dirty Janes to eating your way through their curated cafes, classic country pubs and award-winning bakeries, it’s the perfect place to help you reset and refresh.
Jindabyne
Best for: Outdoor adventures
How far: Just over two hours via Kosciuszko Road and the Monaro Highway
A destination that has something to do year-round, Jindabyne is an alpine town where some of the best adventures aren’t just found in the mountains – they’re also on a plate. Known for amazing skiing and snowboarding in winter as well as hiking, mountain biking, fishing and water sports in summer, be sure to try the fare at the region’s many eateries and brewpubs.
Jervis Bay
Best for: A coastal paradise
How far: Two hours and 40 minutes via Braidwood Road
Home to charming seaside towns and villages and surrounded by unspoilt natural beauty, Jervis Bay is a coastal escape that goes way beyond the beach. Make the most of the breathtaking walks and wildlife watching – dolphins and whales – and balance it out by visiting the coastal cafés, microbreweries, fine dining restaurants, and seaside bistros.
Bathurst
Best for: Something unexpected
How far: Three hours and 18 minutes via Trunkey Road
With a reputation for high-octane thrills, Bathurst also offers an escape for those looking for a destination that fuses heritage with art, culture and food. A hotspot for motorsport enthusiasts, not only is it home to one of the world’s most famous racing circuits, but also to experiences that are equal parts sophisticated and surprising. This town is worth a weekend.
