5 Australian holidays under $500

You don’t have to spend a mini fortune to enjoy a getaway close to Australia’s capital cities. In fact, for less than $500 you can holiday in a Kombi van, retro hotel, revamped motel or bush-shrouded cabin. From regional Victoria to Western Australia’s wine country, here’s how.

Driving distance: 110km (2hrs) northwest of Sydney

Blackheath’s newest hotel is actually a funky refit of a retro motel. Today, Kyah Boutique Hotel is all voluptuous bohemian curves and pastel hues, with rooms revolving around a fragrant cherry blossom tree, making it a perfect romantic getaway in the Blue Mountains. It’s tempting to book a table at the on-site restaurant Blaq, but there are plenty of other standout dining rooms within easy reach, including Cinnabar and Ates. The whole of the Blue Mountains is webbed with hiking trails – the closest to your base is the Cliff Top walking track between Govetts Leap and Evans lookout. Be prepared for end-of-Earth drama over rust-coloured escarpments covered in silvery eucalypts.

Driving distance: 40km (30mins) southwest of Hobart

Pack your flares and turn up Jimmy Hendrix on the car stereo – the Huon Valley’s Kombi Kamp beckons. The turquoise Kombi, refitted with a plush double bed and dream catchers, sits creekside on a private 30-hectare farm. Meals can be prepared in the kitchen hut, which also comes with an alfresco shower. But when it comes to washing the day away, there’s nothing quite like a dip in one of the creek’s swimming holes. This is the ideal base to explore Huon Valley cideries – this is Tasmania’s apple country, after all – breweries and distilleries, perhaps pausing for a leisurely lunch at Fat Pig Farm. Here, Matthew Evans and Sadie Chrestman serve up a multi-course feast using produce straight from the gardens and paddocks that surround. Then by night, cosy around the firepit and get set for some epic Southern Hemisphere stargazing.

Driving distance: 260km (3hrs) south of Perth

Spend your day driving between the award-winning wineries and restaurants of the Margaret River, perhaps pausing for a swim at one of the beaches along the way. Then check in to one of the dreamy-sounding cottages and studios – think Honeybee, Dragonfly and Blue Wren – on the Wildwood Valley Estate. Each is fully furnished with an open-plan kitchen, lounge and patio with ocean views. Kangaroos are a common sight. While there are plenty of delis around the region to stock up on provisions, if you want to indulge in a Thai or Tuscan feast, sign up for one of Wildwood’s popular cooking classes.

Driving distance: 80km (1hr 15mins) southeast of Brisbane

The Pink Hotel Coolangatta is a bit of a Gold Coast legend, the mid-century architecture a beacon for surfers and sun-seekers since 1963. Following a complete makeover, it now comes with rockstar-meets-retro rooms, with bright pops of colour complemented by velvet sofas, fur throws and neon-lit poetry on the walls. Head to the guests-only rooftop for cocktails and views over Coolangatta Beach while contemplating where to explore next. Perhaps a drive into the hinterland to hike through Lamington National Park and visit wineries and distilleries? Or set your GPS for Burleigh Heads where you can join an Aboriginal guide from Jellurgal Tours to discover the Coast’s Indigenous history. With 70 kilometres of beaches and four point breaks at your disposal, we wouldn’t blame you for simply chilling on the sand.

Driving distance: 130km (1.5hrs) north of Melbourne

Avenel’s claim to fame is its one-time outlaw resident: Ned Kelly lived here when he was a child. Today, the sleepy town is less bushranger and more bliss, with historic sites to explore such as the 1859 six-arch stone Hughes Creek Bridge, and the 1850s Royal Mail Hotel, a former pit-stop for Cobb & Co coaches. Modern-day options to refuel and rejuvenate are much more luxurious. Case in point French provincial inn Harvest Home, replete with six character-filled rooms set in a grand 19th-century building. Breakfast is included in your rate, and after a day touring wineries like nearby Plunkett’s and Fowles, you can return and retire for dinner by the open fire.

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^{Viva Energy Australia Pty Ltd (“Viva Energy”) has compiled the above article for your general information and to use as a general reference. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken by Viva Energy in compiling this article, Viva Energy does not warrant or represent that the information in the article is free from errors or omissions or is suitable for your intended use.}