Three Australian City Breaks That'll Help You Make the Most of a Long Weekend
From rooftop cocktails and hidden laneway bars to standout dining and waterfront strolls, these long-weekend-ready stays prove you don't need to leave the city limits to switch into holiday mode.
In partnership with 
Not every getaway needs to involve a road trip or a regional postcode. Sometimes, a few nights in the right part of the city — preferably with good food and cocktails within a short stroll, and nowhere in particular you need to be — can feel just as restorative as heading off-grid.
Whether you're planning a long weekend in Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane, these city stays from Oaks Hotels, Resorts & Suites place you close to some of the country's best dining, cultural attractions and after-dark spots, making it very tempting to stretch your stay a little longer.
MELBOURNE
Eat
Start the day with a still-warm — and seriously loaded — bagel from It's Bagel before wandering through the Hoddle Grid, or settle in for an old-school Italian sugar hit at Brunetti Oro on Flinders Lane. Later on, Lexy Restaurant and Bar (pictured below) pairs sleek interiors with contemporary pan-Asian fare and cocktails in a dramatic setting, while Oak & Vine keeps things relaxed with crowd-pleasing seasonal plates at your hotel base.
Drink
For cocktails, Melbourne rewards a little wandering. Bar Jayda brings moody late-night atmosphere and Middle Eastern-inspired flavours to Bond Street, while Lui Bar (pictured below) remains one of the city's best spots for drinks with a view, perched 55 storeys above Collins Street in the Rialto. If your ideal night out is a little more nostalgic, Bartronica mixes arcade games with cocktails, if a late-night round of Mario Kart is on the cards.
Do
Your stay on Market Street puts you right in the heart of the action. Raining? Spend an afternoon exploring Australia's multicultural stories at the nearby Immigration Museum, or take a short stroll to Fed Square to see what's screening at ACMI. Otherwise, take your time wandering along the Yarra River as the city shifts from day into night.
Stay
Set on historic Market Street in the heart of the CBD, Oaks Melbourne on Market Hotel makes a smart base for a few days of eating, drinking and exploring the city. Spacious apartment-style rooms, plus an indoor pool, sauna and onsite dining, mean there's plenty waiting back at the hotel once your feet finally need a break.
Quick Brown Fox - Supplied
SYDNEY
Eat
There are plenty of ways to enjoy Sydney's inner city — especially on an empty stomach. Pick up handmade pastries and fresh-from-the-oven breads from Pioik Bakery's heritage terrace house, settle in for brunch and excellent coffee at Quick Brown Fox, or pair Malaysian-inspired surf and turf with sweeping views of Blackwattle Bay at Tam Jiak, one of the flagship restaurants at the new Sydney Fish Market.
Drink
For drinks, Pyrmont offers plenty of options within a few blocks of one another. Head to Peg Leg for cold beer, tiki-style cocktails and a friendly neighbourhood feel in a cosy nautical-themed setting, or take a seat in the leafy courtyard at Gallon for local wines and small plates inside a former horse stable. Meanwhile, Quarrymans Hotel remains a reliable stop for rooftop drinks — including a rotating lineup of more than 30 craft beers on tap — and relaxed pub energy after a long day exploring.
Do
There's no shortage of ways to experience Pyrmont and the surrounding inner city. Spend the afternoon exploring the newly redeveloped Sydney Fish Market, take a waterfront stroll through Pirrama Park or head to the Sydney Lyric Theatre for a night of musicals, live performances and big-stage productions.
Stay
Set inside one of Pyrmont's historic wool store buildings, Oaks Sydney Goldsbrough Suites combines heritage character with contemporary apartment-style comfort just moments from Darling Harbour. Spacious suites, an indoor pool, spa, sauna and gym make it an appealing base for a few days of exploring the inner city, while nearby light-rail connections put the rest of Sydney within easy reach.
BRISBANE
Eat
Brisbane mornings are best started slowly — ideally with breakfast and coffee at Felix For Goodness, where the laneway setting is almost as appealing as the menu itself. For dinner, Golden Avenue (pictured below) delivers fire-kissed Levantine fare in a brutalist, light-filled Edward Street space, while Lúc Lắc remains a go-to for fragrant Vietnamese and Thai dishes in a lively Queen's Wharf setting.
Drink
A good city break tends to leave room for a few spontaneous pitstops along the way. Start with a coffee or midday drink at John Mills Himself, the laneway favourite tucked beneath a heritage-listed former warehouse on Charlotte Street. Later on, Death & Taxes brings moody lighting and an enormous backbar to after-dark drinks, while Before + After is a cosy underground spot serving sharp cocktails and plenty of amaro. Kicking on? Head down to Alice, the late-night 80s-inspired dive bar hidden in plain sight on Elizabeth Street.
Do
A Brisbane CBD staycation offers plenty of opportunities to explore. Spend the afternoon wandering through the City Botanic Gardens — Queensland's oldest heritage garden — or head across the river to see what's showing at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre or explore the latest exhibitions at the Gallery of Modern Art.
Stay
Right in the middle of the action at Queen's Wharf, Avani Living Queen's Wharf Residences offers a stylish city base within walking distance of many of Brisbane's best restaurants, bars and cultural attractions. Spacious apartment-style stays, river views and resort-style facilities make it especially well-suited to long weekends when plans stay loose and nobody's in much of a rush.
Ready for your next city break? Head to the Oaks Hotels, Resorts & Suites website to start planning.
