Getaways & Short Stays
Overnight short stays and getaways of two to seven nights — Byron Bay, Kingscliff, Brisbane, Australia Zoo, Sydney for the footy. Small crews of four to eight, or a solo respite weekend if that suits better. Familiar support workers, around the clock.
Our getaways double as NDIS short-term accommodation (STA) and respite — a real break for parents and carers, and a real adventure for your Mate.
More than a holiday
A getaway is one of the biggest confidence boosts there is. Packing a bag, trying new things, navigating somewhere new — all with familiar faces close by and support whenever it's needed.
Every trip is carefully planned around the group, with experienced staff there 24/7. Families get peace of mind, and Mates come home with new skills, new stories and a real sense of independence.
Most travel crews first meet at our weekly group activities — familiar faces long before the bags are packed.
How the Mates Way works →
Every trip starts from the Gold Coast, with pick-ups from Upper Coomera down to Tweed Heads — and destinations from Byron Bay weekends to city adventures.
A few of our favourites — see one you like? Tap it to register your interest and we'll be in touch with what's coming up.
Not a brochure list — trips our Mates have done, and the shape they usually take.
Coastal weekends close to home — beaches, good food, a change of scene without a long drive.
A big day out stretched into a proper trip — the drive up, the animals, somewhere to stay, the stories after.
City trips and footy weekends — Magic Round is a highlight of the year for the crew.
The bigger adventure: flights or the long drive, a game, the harbour, a few nights away with people you know.
Two or three nights in supported accommodation — a genuine break for families and a relaxed step towards independence for the Mate.
Dolphin feeding at Tangalooma is on the list. Tell us you're keen and we'll let you know when it's locked in.
Most trips are two to seven nights — a weekend is the usual starting point, longer for the bigger destinations. Crews are usually four to eight Mates with experienced support workers there 24/7, and if a group isn't right for someone, a solo respite weekend, 1:1, is absolutely an option. We organise the transport, the accommodation and the itinerary. To be precise about money: the support itself — support worker hours, including overnight — and the accommodation are what Support Mates provides and bills for. Food, tickets, entry fees and spending money are the Mate's own costs and are paid separately. We set this out in writing before anything is booked, so there are no surprises on the trip or after it.
Most travel crews first meet at our weekly group activities, so the faces on the trip are already familiar. First-timers usually start with a short stay close to home.
Every getaway is planned with care, so Mates and families can relax and enjoy it.
Experienced staff there around the clock — the same familiar faces Mates already trust.
Tight-knit crews so everyone gets attention, and no one ever feels lost in the crowd.
Transport, accommodation and the itinerary organised by us — with what's included and what's paid separately set out in writing before you book.
Trips are tailored to each group, so everyone can join in and make memories.
Between trips, our everyday daily-living support keeps that independence growing at home — and if you'd like getaways built into a bigger picture, get your Mate's free 12-week support plan.
Supporting a participant as a coordinator? Refer them here — we reply within one business day.
Respite & short stays
Searching for disability respite on the Gold Coast? Here's how we do it differently.
Respite with Support Mates isn't just accommodation — it's a supported experience. Your Mate heads away with support workers they already know and a small crew of familiar faces, with days built around the activities they love. You get a genuine break, knowing exactly who they're with and hearing how it's going along the way — and they come home proud, with stories to tell.
Short stays and getaways are often aligned with NDIS short-term accommodation (STA) or respite supports, depending on your Mate's plan, goals and how it's managed — we'll help you work out what fits before anything is booked. The easiest way to start is your Mate's free 12-week support plan, or call us on 1300 190 382.
Usually two to seven nights. A short stay or coastal weekend is two or three nights; the bigger trips — Sydney for the footy, Magic Round — run longer. For a first trip we'd normally suggest short and close to home.
Crews are typically four to eight Mates with support workers around the clock. And yes — if a group isn't the right fit, a solo respite weekend with a familiar 1:1 support worker is something we do. It's often how families take their first proper break.
Short stays and getaways are often aligned with NDIS short-term accommodation (STA) or respite supports — but whether and how it fits depends on your Mate's plan, goals and how it's managed. A support coordinator, plan manager or your my NDIS contact can confirm what applies, and we'll talk it through with you before anything is booked. We never assume a trip is funded.
Support Mates provides and bills for the support — support worker hours, including overnight support — and the accommodation. Food, tickets, entry fees and spending money are not included; they're the Mate's own costs and are paid separately. We organise the transport and the itinerary, and we set out the full picture in writing before you confirm, so there are no surprises.
Support workers your Mate already knows — most crews first meet at our weekly group activities. Staff are there 24/7, and you'll hear how it's going along the way. We match the crew to the trip and the people, not the other way round.
Hit "Express your interest" on this page and tell us roughly what you're after — a short stay, a weekend away, or one of the bigger trips. We'll come back with what's coming up and work through the fit, the funding question and the details with you. Or just call 1300 190 382.
Postcards from our latest trips away.
Tell us you're keen and we'll share what's coming up, answer your questions, and help work it into your NDIS plan. No pressure — just a chat about the possibilities.
