Bendigo<\/h2>\n
Ninety minutes\u2019 drive North West on the Calder Highway and you\u2019re out of Melbourne and into gold mining country. Bendigo had its boom back in the 1870s when the Sandhurst mines were pumping, and after a lull, the town is making a comeback. The Colonial buildings give the town an old worlde feel but there\u2019s plenty of new activity around the place. The Brewhouse Coffee Roasters take their coffee seriously \u2013 with a graffiti art, exposed brick walls and roasting on site, you could be in a Melbourne caf\u00e9. The high ceilings and dramatic arches of the Wine Bank on View\u2019s original building (as the name suggests, it was originally a bank when built in 1876) alone are worth a visit \u2013 a glass of wine from one of the local Victorian wineries is the cherry on top. Take the kids to Bendigo Pottery, Australia\u2019s oldest working pottery, where they can get their hands dirty in clay sculpting classes. Then check into The Schaller Studio<\/a>, the brand new Art Series hotel in town. As the name suggests, this boutique hotel takes its design theme from artist Mark Schaller, with 240 original works on display throughout the public spaces and rooms. Emerging from the devastation of the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009, Marysville is somewhere to put back on your bucket list. Base yourself at the Vibe Marysville for a few days exploring the Yarra Valley or head up into the Lake Mountain ski region. The brand new\u00a0Vibe Marysville<\/a>\u00a0opened early this year, with more than 20 million dollars spent on producing a state of the art conference centre, gym, tennis court, pool and spa. It\u2019s a commitment to a community who was ravaged but not defeated by the raging inferno of bushfires. You\u2019ll find friendly locals, a mean Banoffee pie at Fraga\u2019s Caf\u00e9 and plenty of nearby hiking trails to help work off the cake.<\/p>\n Just south east of Melbourne, Dandenong is far enough from the big smoke to be blissful but close enough that you don\u2019t spend a lot of your long weekend in the car. And it\u2019s not all twee cottages and motels. The brand new\u00a0Atura Dandenong<\/a>\u00a0is bringing cutting edge design to the Dandenongs \u2013 Atura is the cool little sister of the QT hotels around the country. With a more industrial vibe and a lower price point, the Atura is a fun spot for a few days away. The Roadhouse Bar & Grill\u2019s wine list has a few regional gems and the burgers have a big reputation. Just down the road is the Sandown Raceway Motor Racing Circuit, where you can head out on the track for a spin or watch the professionals at work. Slow down your pace by heading further into the mountain ranges for a day trip on the Puffing Billy. This steam train runs along a scenic track through the mountains \u2013 sit down the back in the open air carriages or ride up front and treat yourself to high tea or a champagne lunch. The rivers of Hawkesberry, Wisemans Ferry and Brooklyn are some of Sydney\u2019s best-kept secrets and they\u2019re just 90 minutes\u2019 drive north west of the CBD. Picnics, kayaking, water skiing, fishing and spas await. Whether you\u2019re a family after an action-packed weekend, a couple looking for a few nights by the fireside at a hotel or an adrenalin junkie wanting to get out on the water for a few hours, the region has options for everyone spread out over five rivers.\u00a0The Sebel Hawkesbury Resort & Spa<\/a>\u00a0is tucked into Windsor, a quaint township with a main street that\u2019s worth perusing. Fireplaces, antique furniture, blue and white pinstripe awnings \u2013 it\u2019s small town chic.<\/p>\n Winter might not be the best time to hit the beach but letting a little bit of the beach lifestyle rub off on you can\u2019t hurt. And there must be some reason those Northern Beaches people are so chilled out all year round. Head north of Sydney for ninety minutes and you\u2019re transported to these beachside suburbs where a morning surf, a hearty, healthy breakfast and a walk on the beach are the best ways to start the day. Head over to Smalltown early \u2013 the Avalon caf\u00e9 is gaining a foodie following for baker Katrina Smith\u2019s rose petal glazed doughnuts. Beware, they sell out fast. Spend the night in\u00a0Barrenjoey House<\/a>, Palm Beach\u2019s famous restaurant and guesthouse. The historic property has a beautiful two bedroom guesthouse, Frangipani Cottage, is designed to be a home away from home, or the home you wish you had. Beach chic, with big cosy couches.<\/p>\n Haven\u2019t you heard? The gong is the new cool kid on the south coast. This university town gets a new influx of fresh hipsters each time term starts but the difference is these cool kids are staying on. And bringing their cold drip, filtered coffee with them. Emerging designers, budding chefs and boutique cafes are cutting their teeth in this friendly seaside satellite city. Swing by Lee & Me for a killer burger and a Snickers milkshake or a quinoa salad and an espresso. They play both sides of the fence. Three Chimneys has Veuve Clicquot Fridays \u2013 a $15 glass of French bubbles is a great way to start the long weekend \u2013 and is housed in a converted warehouse on its own laneway. Like we said, the gong has street cred. Make sure you save time during your long weekend to visit the Foragers Market \u2013 held every Sunday at the Bulli Showground. You\u2019ll find everything from terrariums and vegan pancakes to vintage Tupperware and gelato carts. Check into the\u00a0Novotel<\/a>\u00a0and look straight out at Northbeach and the harbor.<\/p>\n
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Marysville<\/h2>\n
Dandenong<\/h2>\n
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Sydney<\/h2>\n
Hawkesbury River region<\/h2>\n
The Northern Beaches<\/h2>\n
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Wollongong<\/h2>\n
Mount Tomah, Blue Mountains<\/h2>\n