What to pack, where to go and, most importantly, what to drink.

The long weekend over Easter is prime for a getaway – longer than a regular long weekend, full of public holidays (so you don’t use up your annual leave AND no one will be sending you emails), and at exactly the time of year that you feel like a bit of an adventure. The one thing about short vacays is that, if not planned well, they can quickly become stressful rather than relaxing. So, like a perfect picnic, we’re giving you our top tips and tricks for a mini break full of great pit stops, a completely-accounted-for packing list, and the bottles that just taste their best when you’re away. We don’t know how, but it’s true.

What to pack

No matter where you are in Australia, the weather is unpredictable at Easter. To avoid being caught out without your jacket when the cool change comes, or without your swimmers when the sun comes out, pack one of everything. Jackets, swimmers, raincoats, umbrellas, boots and thongs, shorts and jeans.

Your own welcome basket

Whether you're headed to a friend’s property, campground, Airbnb or even a hotel, making a little welcome basket of substantial snacks means you don’t have to find an eatery or supermarket as soon as you arrive, instead you can enjoy your new surroundings. Here’s what we suggest packing:

Cheeses (one hard, one soft)
A fresh baguette
Ham
Quince paste
Chocolate
Longlife milk
Tea bags
Instant coffee (or pods, if the accommodation has a machine).

Something to drink! Lanson Champagne is the perfect way to kick-off a weekend away. It has a delicate flavour, just the right amount of bubbles and is great value. A true if-you-know-you-know find. If you’re alcohol-free, pop a bottle of Monday Distillery Classic Gin & Tonic. It’s super refreshing and distilled with botanicals for a true gin taste.

Where to go

Here are five destinations worthy of vacations, no matter where you’re based.

Swan Valley, WA

Just a 30-minute drive from Perth, Swan Valley is a picturesque region full of makers, restaurants, wineries and views to fill your weekend. There are lots of farmstays, which are great for families but if it’s adults only, The Colony at Mandoon Estate is a top pick. One of the best ways to see Swan Valley is by bike, which you can rent from Spinway WA. After your ride, enjoy a Better Beer Ginger Beer, which has 50 percent less sugar and all the taste.

Pearl Beach, NSW

A beloved destination for a fast getaway from the city, this Central Coast beach is just 90 minutes from Sydney and full of pretty and unique beach houses ready for the renting. If camping is more your vibe, Umina Beach, just past the rocks, has a plentiful and well facilitated campground. No matter where you stay, this getaway could be the perfect opportunity to try out Cupio wine pouches. Our pick is the Cupio Pinot Noir Pouch – or Cupio Pinot Rose Pouch, if you prefer pink to red. Now, these are not wine pouches of old (don’t say the G word!). Yes, their large size and unsmashable packaging makes them uber convenient (long drives with glass onboard don’t always work out well), but, best of all, the wine inside is delish. Juicy, crisp and dry, complex but highly drinkable, and stays fresh for 30 days. So much longer than its bottled counterparts.

Daylesford, VIC

Eighty minutes from Melbourne, in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, Daylesford is known for being a wonderful spa town with great wine, exceptional accommodation and food to write home about. To treat yourself, stay at Lake House and book treatments at Mineral Spa. Walk the Great Dividing Trail and picnic, if you dare, at Hanging Rock with a glass of Knight Granite Hills Riesling. Estate-grown, -made and -bottled in the nearby Macedon Ranges, this award-winning wine is one for the acidity lovers – and drinks well above its price bracket.

Noosa, QLD

There’s plenty of swimming to do in Noosa, in the pool or the ocean. But it’s not all about aquatic recreation. Noosa is a bustling foodie scene full of cafes, restaurants and vibey accommodation. There are plenty of resorts (the Sofitel is one of the most luxe) but also lots of Stayz homes that will have you feeling like a local. For dinner, hit up Light Years, a happening little Asian bar and diner with great staff. When you stay in, crack a can of BentSpoke Brewing Co. Crankshaft IPA. It’s similar to a West Coast IPA, and feels like it should be drunk in a coastal town, but the punch of hops and solid malt finish will satisfy no matter where you are.

Hobart, Tasmania

It’s never a bad idea to go to Hobart. MONA will never stop being a major drawcard, even if you’ve been before, but there’s also just so much to see and eat and feel in Hobart. It has an incredible small town atmosphere with big city gloss. MONA’s in-house restaurant, The Source, is a bucket-list meal, and the bushwalks around Mount Wellington a bucket-list hike. When you need to find a bed, Lenna is iconic. Take a bottle of Little Giant Little Batch Shiraz Mataro for when you arrive and want to take in the sparkling city from your room.