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Roadtrip

City Explorer, Vic/ACT/NSW

This Melbourne-to-Sydney road trip, with a stop at the cultural capital of Canberra in between, is for fans of bright lights and big cities.
In Melbourne, zero in on Collingwood, one of the region’s most creative suburbs, famous for live music venues, excellent op-shopping and fantastic food.
Canberra offers top-notch fine-dining, iconic landmarks and even Australia’s Best Flat White.
And in Sydney, the harbour foreshore and newly revitalised food precinct of North Sydney await.
Be sure to explore beyond the main highways throughout your journey, and discover the heartland of Victoria, NSW and the ACT: rolling farmlands, national parks and plenty of friendly towns along the way to refuel – for both you and your vehicle.



Explore our local picks


 


Collingwood

With its restaurants and bars, edgy galleries, op shops and thriving nightlife, Collingwood might be Melbourne’s hippest suburb. There are plenty of things to do, and Quest Collingwood is right in the middle of the action. The property is accessible-accredited and pet-friendly – once you’ve checked in, you’re just a few blocks from a refreshing ale at The Builders Arms Hotel before you head to Victoria Park to catch the Collingwood Pies take on a rival AFL team.

South of Johnston
It’s one of the hidden gems in Melbourne and the space alone is good enough reason to visit this sustainability-conscious Collingwood cafe: from the soaring ceilings and the convivial courtyard, to the cosy indoor fireplace. But the food comes a close second, with almost all meals prepared with ethically grown ingredients. The turmeric latte is excellent, and goes perfectly with the indulgent oat porridge, topped with caramelised pecans and bananas.
Above Board
Recognised as one of the top 100 cocktail bars in the world, the tiny Above Board is one of Melbourne’s best places to get a drink. Hidden down a graffiti-scrawled alleyway, it looks moody but the welcome is always friendly and the bartenders love a chat. The team here excels at the classics: fans of a perfect sazerac or an extra-dirty martini won’t be disappointed.
Goodbyes Collingwood
The best shopping spots in Melbourne might be debatable but one thing is undeniable: locals know how to hunt down a good vintage bargain. Goodbyes has several locations across the city including this outpost on Johnston Street, and is the place to shop for high-quality, second-hand clothes from local and international designers. Once you’ve found the perfect ‘fit, hop across the road to Black Finch Jewellery to find something sparkly to go with it.
Maha North
Rich wooden panelling, plush leather banquettes and a warm welcome are the things that greet you when you step inside this Middle Eastern-leaning restaurant on buzzy Smith Street. The next thing that hits you is the aroma: the scent of savoury spices that evoke Lebanon, Turkey, and Greece – and even a bit of India and Mexico in there to mix things up. Finish your meal with the baklava tiramisu.
Backwoods Gallery
While Melbourne street art is one of the city’s prime attractions, don’t overlook the local galleries. The original premise of the compact Backwoods Gallery was to promote upcoming local artists, but over time it has grown to represent talent from all over the world. It has never lost touch with its roots, giving a platform to contemporary local creators, from fine artists to street artists.

Canberra

Quest Canberra, a stone’s throw from Canberra Theatre Centre and a short drive from the National Gallery of Australia, boasts 37 light-filled apartments and is perfect for centring yourself in the heart of the city. Quest Canberra City Walk, which is home to another 84 serviced apartments, is accessible-accredited and just a few blocks from City Hill and some of the capital’s best eateries and bars.

The Cupping Room
Just four minutes' drive from Quest Canberra, The Cupping Room holds special bragging rights: it’s been named the home of Australia’s Best Flat White (although if that’s not your thing, they also do a Biscoff latte). And while you might come for the coffee, you’ll stay for the seasonal French toast, with cinnamon-soaked brioche topped with rhubarb, berries, sorbet and more.
Pop Canberra
Canberra has a beating heart of creativity, and nowhere is this more vibrantly on display than at POP Canberra in Braddon, a retail hub where 300 local makers showcase their wares. Homewares, gifts and artisanal treats are waiting at this bustling creative hub in Braddon’s cultural precinct, the perfect hyper-local way to support the ACT arts scene.
Koto Dining
A five-minute drive from either of our Canberra properties, Koto Dining is a sleek celebration of the Japanese dining custom of Kaiseki – a sequence of small, artfully-arranged dishes that traditionally represent the area surrounding you. Here, that means SA kingfish sashimi with black truffle soy and saltbush, Angus Gyu steak with lemon myrtle butter and cocktails marrying flavours like lychee, strawberry gumleaf and gin.
Ngala Tours Walk on Country at the National Arboretum
Situated on the lands of the Ngunnawal people, Canberra’s sacred history goes well beyond its establishment as the nation’s capital. Ngala Tours runs a fascinating Walk on Country experience at the National Arboretum, where a First Nations-led stroll around the forests will show you native plants that are used for cultural, medicinal and culinary purposes. Finish the day with a walk to the top of Dairy Farmers Hill, the perfect spot to capture that golden hour snapshot of the greenery of the bush capital laid out before you.
Wine Room
In the mood for a nightcap? An easy 10-minute stroll from Quest Canberra (or just 15 minutes from Quest Canberra City Walk) lies laneway bar Wine Room, with its impressive array of local wines and a hard-to-resist cheeseboard to top off an evening in this burgeoning foodie haven.
The Gathering Cafe
As you head out of town, on your way to Sydney, make a stop at The Gathering Cafe in the charming town of Bungendore, around 40 minutes' drive from Canberra. The mission here is “to be genuine, authentic, and have fun whilst doing it.” That translates to delicious food like housemade potato cake and quiche, lamb cutlets from the local butcher, and choccie milkshakes that the kids won’t let you leave without ordering.

North Sydney

The new metro link from Sydney’s CBD is quickly turning North Sydney into one of the city’s freshest new culinary and entertainment hubs. And with easy access to all of Sydney’s best attractions – including the spectacular Sydney Harbour foreshore parks – the accessible-accredited Quest North Sydney is the ideal place to base your north-of-the-bridge city break.

Rafi North Sydney
Stepping through the doors at Rafi feels like entering a leafy nursery: it’s all garlands of greenery, huge windows to let in the light and colourful art. Regulars know that the first thing you order when you sit down is the hummus with green chilli, followed by the South Coast tuna with tahini, tomato and chilli oil. And you make it into a party with one of their minimal-waste cocktails, which incorporate salvaged, ‘imperfect’ produce.
Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden
A 20-minute downhill stroll will get you to this shady, foliage-filled oasis right on the Sydney Harbour foreshore, a public garden designed by the wife of the late artist Brett Whiteley. If the water views have caught your attention, head left along the shoreline and you’ll be on one of the world’s great scenic harbour walks, which continues as far as Taronga Zoo and beyond.
Bar Lettera
One of the newest, coolest places to get a drink this side of the bridge, Bar Lettera is an award winner for its chic interiors, and blends friendly, laidback Australian vibes with Italian flair. You can pop in for a full meal or just a glass of prosecco and a few pick-and-mix plates of antipasti.
Luna Park
The heritage-listed smiling face of Luna Park is almost as emblematic of the harbour city as the Sydney Opera House or the Harbour Bridge. There may be slicker family-friendly activities these days but with its thrilling roller coasters and high-energy atmosphere, Luna Park is still somewhere that digital-age kids will love. Even if you don’t plan to go inside, getting a picture with that iconic entryway is a must-do Sydney souvenir moment.
Kirribilli Markets
First opened in 1976, Kirribilli Markets are not only one of the oldest markets in Sydney but also one of the friendliest and most community-minded (proceeds go towards the local community centre). Held three times per month on weekends, the markets are home to more than 200 stalls selling local arts, crafts, recycled and new fashion and food.