From Vineyards to Desert Skies: Short Breaks in WA, TAS & NT

A few days is all you need to reset — think vineyard lunches, coastal drives, art and film festivals, or desert sunsets. Spring is one of the best times to slip away: wildflowers are blooming in WA, Tasmania’s crisp mornings make for cosy nights, and the NT’s dry season lingers with balmy evenings. These parks make perfect bases for a short but memorable break.

Western Australia 

Spring in WA means longer days for road trips and crisp evenings to pair with a local shiraz. Down south in Margaret River wine country, Discovery Parks—Margaret River offers a rustic farm vibe with daily animal feeding, while cellar doors, boutique breweries and gourmet dining are only minutes away. Spend the day tasting award-winning wines, then retreat to your cabin under the stars. 

On the south coast, Esperance Bay Holiday Park puts you close to the sugar-white beaches the region is famous for. A few minutes and you’re on the Great Ocean Drive, where you’ll find the turquoise waters of Twilight Bay and panoramic lookouts perfect for a sunset picnic. 

If you want to pair your escape with a big event, Perth is buzzing in early October — from the fun of the Perth Royal Show (27 Sept–4 Oct) to international sport at the Bledisloe Cup (4 Oct), and even the spectacle of WWE Crown Jewel (11 Oct) at RAC Arena. Beyond the city, regional WA comes alive too: the Bloom Festival celebrates wildflowers and open gardens right across the Great Southern, mountain bikers hit the trails for the epic Cape to Cape MTB (16–19 Oct) through the Margaret River region, and the classic agricultural show season brings crowds to Esperance (17–18 Oct), Busselton (31 Oct–1 Nov) and Albany (7–8 Nov).

Tasmania 

Tasmania’s spring air is crisp and refreshing, perfect for cosy getaways. In the north, BIG4 Launceston Holiday Park is just minutes from Cataract Gorge — ideal for a morning walk — and close to the Tamar Valley wine region where you can spend an afternoon sampling cool-climate pinot and sparkling. 

For something more atmospheric, NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park offers safari-style glamping tents tucked among bushland with ocean views. You’ll be surrounded by natural beauty and history — wander the UNESCO World Heritage Port Arthur site, or drop into local distilleries for a warming nip of Tasmanian whisky. 

If you love culture, line up your trip with one of Tasmania’s traditional show days, celebrated around the state with agricultural displays, competitions and a festive country atmosphere. The Royal Hobart Show (23–25 Oct 2025) is a standout, and events like the Brighton Show (9 Nov 2025) or the Huon Show (15 Nov 2025) offer a more regional flavour.

Or, linger a little longer for the Tasmanian Chamber Music Festival (30 Oct–3 Nov 2025), where intimate concerts and dinners are staged in historic venues across the Midlands.

Northern Territory 

The NT is made for short breaks that feel a world away. In Alice Springs, Discovery Parks – Alice Springs combines comfort with outback adventure: cabins, safari tents and pools set against the backdrop of the MacDonnell Ranges. Spend your days exploring Simpsons Gap or browsing local galleries, then return for a relaxed barbecue under desert skies. 

In Darwin, BIG4 Hidden Valley Holiday Park offers deluxe villas and lush tropical gardens, with a pool that’s perfect for cooling off before heading out. Just 10 minutes away are the famous Mindil Beach Sunset Markets and harbourfront bars where you can toast the day with a cocktail as the sky glows red and gold. 

Add a cultural twist to your trip: the Desert Mob exhibition (11 Sept–26 Oct, Alice Springs) showcases contemporary Aboriginal art, while the MASIFF Alice Springs International Film Festival (9–19 Oct) brings global cinema to the desert. In Darwin, dance into the night at the Electric Storm Halloween Music Festival (1 Nov), or experience something quirky at the Noonamah Frog Races & Melbourne Cup Day (4 Nov). 

Wine trails in Tassie, outback art in Alice Springs, stadium-sized sport in Perth or balmy Darwin nights — these short breaks prove you don’t need weeks away to make a getaway unforgettable. 

Did you know that if you take a camping holiday between October 1st and February 28th, you could win a shot at one million dollars? Find out more!