There’s something simple, nostalgic and almost ‘wholesome’ about hitting the great open road with a car boot loaded up with beach towels and toys, no airport scramble or set schedule, and nothing but charming country towns, the great outdoors, hidden treasures and old-school bakeries, local dining spots, and fish and chips on the sand to look forward to.
With the rising cost of living, short breaks and local getaways are becoming the go-to choice for many. The upside? The retro road trip is making a major comeback—and the team at Oaks Hotels, Resorts and Suites are all in for the ride!
Renowned for providing the perfect setting for a carefree getaway, Oaks Hotels has properties in holiday hotspots across NSW and Queensland, all easily accessible by car from Sydney, Brisbane, and the Sunshine Coast. Most properties offer fully-equipped kitchens, laundries, separate living and dining areas, and various bedroom configurations—giving you plenty of space to settle in, spread out, and prepare meals with ease.
Plus, to sweeten the deal, there is plenty of added value to enjoy during your stay and stretch your travel dollar further, including grocery hampers you can order when booking for delivery to your room – perfect for easy breakfasts and late-night movie snacks – as well as a curated menu of recommended local bites from Menulog and in-room Foxtel. Every room also boasts a coffee machine and pods from The Coffee Club for that all-important caffeine boost before you hit the road.
Oaks Hotels’ spokesperson said additional tips to help spend less on your stay, and have more in your pocket to play, include checking local council and destination websites for free festivals and events, booking early, indulging in a mid-week break, avoiding peak periods and signing up to the Oaks Discovery loyalty program to instantly save 10% and receive intel about seasonal and upgrade offers.
Check out these three road trip itineraries for your travel planning inspiration to get the best bang for your hard-earned holiday buck. After all, our need to take a break doesn’t fall just because the cost of living is rising…
ROADTRIP 1: COAST + COUNTRY – Kingscliff – Gold Coast – Toowoomba – Brisbane
Starting on the NSW far north coast at Kingscliff this idyllic drive towards the Gold Coast provides no shortage of beaches to explore along the way before heading through Tweed Heads towards the glitz and glamour of the Gold Coast, Toowoomba and ending this fun filled road trip in Brisbane.
START: Kingscliff
· Enjoy wide, sandy beaches, cycle the path from Kingscliff village to Casuarina
· Kayak or stand-up paddleboard at Cudgen Creek, swim with turtles at Fingal Head
· Visit Kingscliff Beachside Markets, discover juicy produce at Tropical Fruit World
Stay: Oaks Casuarina Santai Resort – a lush Balinese-inspired resort situated on the trending Tweed Coast with easy access to one of Australia’s best beaches.
DESTINATION 1: Tweed Heads
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· Hire a BBQ boat to cruise and fish along the Tweed River
· Join a Catch-a-Crab cruise and devour your catch for lunch (if you’re lucky)
· Enjoy lunch or a glam high tea at Tweed River House
DESTINATION 2: Gold Coast
· Enjoy theme parks and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
· Visit Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads for beach activities and surf club snacks
· Boost your adrenaline with a jetboat ride, or take a surf lesson
Stay: Oaks Gold Coast Calypso Plaza Suites – enjoy a prime Coolangatta Beach location within walking distance to TimeZone, cinema, restaurants and bars.
DESTINATION 4: Tamborine Mountain
· SkyWalk rainforest canopy, TreeTop Challenge rope course or zipline above the forest
· Visit glow worm caves, fossick for eggs at Thunderbird Park
· Stroll galleries, boutiques, fudge stores and ice-creameries along Main St & Gallery Walk
DESTINATION 5: Toowoomba
· Discover carriages and buggiest at Cobb & Co Museum, take in a flick at the Empire Theatre
· Dine in grandeur at Clifford House, shop fresh produce at Toowoomba Farmer’s Market
· Get spooked at The Royal Bull’s Head Inn ghost tour, take a night tour at Darling Downs Zoo
Stay: Oaks Toowoomba Hotel – located in the heart of Toowoomba’s heritage centre close to restaurants, bars, cafes and local parks.
DESTINATION 6: Brisbane
· Explore riverside dining at Howard Smith Wharves or Eat Street Northshore
· Brave the Story Bridge Adventure Climb or take a twilight river kayak tour
· Chic shopping and cafes in Fortitude Valley, explore the arts at South Bank’s QAGOMA
Stay: Oaks Brisbane Aurora Suites – spacious suites in the heart of Brisbane CBD with river and city views.
ROADTRIP 2: SUNSHINE COAST + BEYOND – Caloundra – Hervey Bay – Noosa – Maroochydore
Famed for its glorious coastline, lush hinterland, and top-notch coastline, the Sunshine Coast is the perfect playground all year round. Whether you settle in for a few nights at the start or the end of your round-trip, you can’t go wrong in Caloundra, an easy, breezy location with great beaches, beautiful weather and the perfect casual coastal town vibe.
START: Caloundra
· Enjoy easy, breezy beach days with the perfect casual coastal town vibe
· Day trip to Australia Zoo in Beerwah, explore indigenous culture in Glass House Mountains
· Visit Miles Historical Village, Montville galleries and Eumundi Markets for food and fashion
Stay: Oaks Sunshine Coast Oasis Resort – a Top 10 Family Resort with an on-site waterpark, mini-golf course, Kangaroo Jumper, climbing frame and poolside restaurant.
DESTINATION 1: Gympie region
· Walk the Carlo Sandblow Walk ‘moonscape’ in the Great Sandy National Park
· Swim in Mothar Mountain Rock Pools or stroll colourful Rainbow Beach on horseback
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Picnic in Memorial Park and wander along Gympie’s historic Mary Street
DESTINATION 2: Hervey Bay
· Visit between July and November to catch all the offshore whale watching action
· Enjoy 14km of beautiful beaches, fish at Urangan Pier or go bird spotting at Arkarra Lagoon
· Discover World Heritage-listed K’gari (Fraser)Island, visit Wetside Water Park or Reefworld
Stay: Oaks Hervey Bay Resort and Spa – enjoy a convenient Esplanade location with two pools, easy beach access and an on-site day spa.
DESTINATION 3: Noosa
· Swim or surf at Sunshine Beach or Noosa Main Beach, take a sunset cruise
· Kayak with dolphins, cycle to Coolum Beach, paddle the Noosa Everglades
Wander Hastings St boutiques, eat at North Shore Seafoods and Noosa Farmer’s Market
DESTINATION 4: Maroochydore
· Hire a stand-up paddleboard on the Maroochy River
· Enjoy family-friendly fare and live music at the Alexandra Headland Surf Club
· Challenge yourself to find your way out of Amaze World’s traditional hedge mazes
Stay: Oaks Sunshine Coast Seaforth Resort – located along Alexandra Headland’s famed ‘Sunshine Strip’, facilities include a pool and jacuzzi.
ROAD TRIP 3: SIP, SAND & SURF – Sydney – Hunter Valley – Port Stephens – The Entrance – Sydney
After a few days exploring the beaches, hidden harbour bays, jaw-dropping coastal walks, dining precincts and shopping of Sydney, head north to swap bright lights for rolling hills, wine tasting, whale watching and beaches galore.
START: Sydney
· Walk from Coogee to Bondi Beach or Spit Bridge to Manly Beach, take a harbour cruise
· Join a Sydney Harbor BridgeClimb for panoramic views, dine at Barangaroo waterfront
· Visit Taronga Zoo, SeaLife Aquarium or Wild Life Sydney Zoo
Stay: Oaks Sydney Goldsbrough Suites – just steps from vibrant Darling Harbour and Sydney’s Fish Market, the hotel is housed in a heritage building with an indoor pool. .
DESTINATION 1: Hunter Valley
· Visit wineries (Thomas Wines, Bimbadgen Winery & Pepper Tree are top picks)
· Sip a craft brew, taste local cheeses or visit Hunter Valley Chocolate Company
· Explore Hunter Valley Gardens, Hunter Valley Wildlife Park, HV Adventure Centre
Stay: Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort or Elysia Wellness Retreat – set amongst 300 scenic acres, the resort features tennis courts, pools, a country club and championship golf course.
DESTINATION 2: Port Stephens
· Hop between 26 sandy beaches in NSW’s premier whale watching destination
· Go sandboarding on the dunes, ride a camel on the beach, go quad biking
· Do a dolphin cruise, surf One Mile Beach, snorkel Pt Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Reserve
Stay: Oaks Port Stephens Pacific Blue Resort – situated in Salamander Bay this resort-style property includes swim-up accommodation and one of the largest pools in Australia.
DESTINATION 3: The Entrance
· Check out the famous pelican pods, swim in Grant McBride Baths with ocean views
· Ride a paddleboat or hop aboard the heritage carousel
· Indulge in fish and chips on the sand, treat yourself at the Great Australian Ice Creamery
Stay: Oaks The Entrance Waterfront Suites – located on the water’s edge with resort facilities and views of Tuggerah Lake and the ocean.
