The House of Wellness

Craving a break from your responsibilities?

There’s not much better than a weekend away to relax, recharge and have fun with your girlfriends by your side.

We’ve selected the top spots to escape to with your besties – all you need to do is take your pick and pack your bags!

Weekend of wellness, Mornington Peninsula

Now Australia’s premier wellness mecca, Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula is the perfect place to let busyness fall by the wayside.

Here you can unwind and rejuvenate your body and mind while reconnecting with your girlfriends; any of the chic spas, thermal springs and bathhouses peppered throughout the region will fit the bill.

But if you’re partial to modish design and a natural setting, Alba Thermal Springs and Spa is your haven for relaxation.

Nestled within 15-hectares of native bushland, there are over 30 thermal spring pools to choose from – book one all to yourselves for a luxurious, private soak.

Gastronomic delights, Granite Belt

Brimming with unique varietals and life’s finest delicacies (think truffles and artisan chocolate), the Granite Belt in Queensland’s Darling Downs region is quickly making a name for itself as the next best food and wine destination.

Explore a smattering of vineyards nestled in the foothills of Girraween National Park, from refined wineries handed down through generations to chic cellar doors, where you can spread a blanket among the vines and sip vino as the sun sets behind the hills.

Intersperse your gastronomic journey with moments in the National Park where you can get your heart pumping, traipsing the boulder-laden landscape while admiring spectacular views.

Urban playground, James Street Precinct

Once deemed Brisbane’s slightly ruffled suburb, Fortitude Valley has shed its rowdy persona, resurfacing as a fashionable pocket of the city with James Street Precinct at the helm of its swanky revamp.

Trendy boutiques are mingled with upscale emporiums beneath a canopy of ancient fig trees, with a collection of hip bars, vibrant eateries and ritzy hotels, including The Calile Hotel, filling in the gaps.

Shop til you drop as you amble through the back alleys for unique finds, pausing at the celebrated bakeries to enjoy a pastry or two.

Feet weary, gather the girls and retire to a cosy bistro for an evening of flowing wine, live music, and good times.

Adventure trek, Murramarang South Coast Walk

Stretching between Ulladulla and Batemans Bay, New South Wales, the newly opened Murramarang South Coast Walk is a 34km multi-day hike designed to immerse adventurous souls in a pristine wilderness.

The walk hugs the coastline, passing through lush forests, alongside dramatic cliffs and across deserted arcs of powder-soft sand.

It’s the kind of walk where you can revel in the quietness, and where flora and fauna take centre stage. Hikers can camp for a rustic, back-to-nature experience; or rest your weary bones in the comfortable cabins dotted along the trail.

Island in the sun, Magnetic Island

Queensland isn’t short on islands, and Magnetic Island is a brilliant mix of seclusion and mainland bustle.

It’s the kind of getaway where you can soak up nature in the morning – more than two-thirds of the island is national park, brimming with native wildlife and threaded with 25km of walking trails – then hit up an outdoor bar in the evening, sipping sundowners as the sky turns candy pink and brilliant orange.

If bushwhacking isn’t your idea of fun, head to one of the 23 crescents of golden sand, rimmed by cerulean water.

Don your mask and snorkel, and dive beneath the waves for a look at the kaleidoscope of fish and coral.

This article originally appeared on The House of Wellness.