Lucky Hills Collection
Scenic regions, viewpoints and countryside escapes across five Australian states and territories — researched, visited and written by an independent team.
Lucky Hills Destinations
Every destination in the Lucky Hills Collection is close enough to a capital city for a weekend and distinct enough to be worth the drive. Filter by state or search for a travel style.
The collection focuses on six core regions. Selected trails, viewpoints and experiences from nearby hill country are included where they complement the wider guide, so a few places sit just outside the six.
Wine & villages
Rolling vineyards, charming villages, cool-climate wineries and scenic countryside just outside Adelaide.
Forest & trails
Forest trails, viewpoints, orchards and peaceful escapes within easy reach of Perth.
Gardens & villages
Mountain roads, historic towns, gardens and cool-climate landscapes north-west of Melbourne.
Wine & produce
Rolling vineyards, forested hills, local produce and scenic countryside.
Lookouts & walks
Dramatic sandstone landscapes, walking trails, lookouts and mountain villages.
Countryside & views
Open countryside, elevated viewpoints, nature trails and peaceful weekend escapes surrounding Canberra.
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Lucky Hills · South Australia
Twenty minutes from the centre of Adelaide the road starts to climb, and the city gives way to ridgelines, orchards and cool-climate vineyards. The Adelaide Hills is a region of small villages — Hahndorf, Stirling, Lobethal, Woodside — strung along winding roads, with cellar doors, produce stores and lookouts filling the space between them.
Explore this region: Weekend escapeTrailsPlaces to stayDining
Lucky Hills · Western Australia
The Darling Scarp rises quietly behind Perth, and with it comes jarrah forest, granite outcrops and a string of small hill towns. Kalamunda, Mundaring and Bickley anchor a region built around walking tracks, orchards, weekend markets and long views back across the coastal plain.
Explore this region: Weekend escapePlaces to stayDining
Lucky Hills · Victoria
North-west of Melbourne the land lifts into the Macedon Ranges, where mountain ash and towering pines line roads that connect Woodend, Kyneton, Trentham and Mount Macedon. The region is known for cool-climate gardens, quiet country roads and a landscape that changes character completely between seasons.
Explore this region: Weekend escapePlaces to stayDining
Lucky Hills · Victoria
The Yarra Valley sits in a wide green basin an hour east of Melbourne, hemmed in by forested ridges. Vineyards dominate the flats, while the roads toward Healesville, Yarra Glen and the Dandenongs climb into fern gullies and tall forest. It is one of the easiest regions in Australia to spend a slow weekend eating and driving.
Explore this region: Weekend escapeTrailsPlaces to stayDining
Lucky Hills · New South Wales
West of Sydney the sandstone plateau splits open into valleys that run for kilometres beneath a blue haze of eucalypt oil. Katoomba, Leura, Blackheath and Wentworth Falls sit along the ridge, each with its own lookouts, escarpment walks and long-standing cafes. It is one of Australia's best-known mountain walking destinations.
Explore this region: TrailsViewpointsPlaces to stay
Lucky Hills · Australian Capital Territory
Canberra is ringed by hills, and most of them are walkable. Mount Ainslie, Black Mountain and Red Hill give the city its shape, while beyond the suburbs the country opens into grazing land, cool-climate vineyards around Murrumbateman and the long approach to the Brindabellas.
Explore this region: TrailsViewpointsPlaces to stay
Elevated Places
Scenic viewpoints and elevated destinations across the collection and the hill country immediately around it.
The high point above Adelaide, with a long view back across the city to the gulf. Reachable by road or on foot from Waterfall Gully.
Related: Adelaide Hills guideNearby stays
Cool, often misty, and surrounded by mountain ash. The summit area includes the Memorial Cross and several picnic grounds.
Related: Macedon Ranges guideNearby stays
An elevated outlook over Melbourne and the plains beyond, with gardens and walking paths around the summit.
Related: Yarra Valley guideNearby stays
The classic Canberra view, looking straight down the land axis. Drive up or take the summit trail from the base.
Related: Canberra Region guideSummit trail
Summit roads, car parks and lookout facilities can close at short notice. Check current local access conditions and opening hours before travelling.
