The best weekender bags to style up your travel plans

Best for: Luxe weekend escapes with a personalised touch

For those who appreciate sleek, minimalist design, The Weekender by Maison de Sabre is a standout. Crafted from premium full-grain leather, this bag is not only durable but also exudes a refined sophistication. The spacious interior is perfect for packing everything you need for a weekend away, while dedicated compartments keep your items neatly organised. What truly sets this bag apart is the option to personalise it with your initials.

Size: 34cm H x 40cm W x 21.5cm D

Colours: Pecan brown, black caviar, Manhattan orange, emerald green, pomegranate red and pacific blue

Material: Premium full-grain leather

Key features:

• Sleek, minimalist design
• Premium full-grain leather construction
• Customisable with initials
• Spacious interior with dedicated compartments
• Reinforced base for added durability

Also available at:

• $549 from David Jones
• $579 from The Iconic

Best for: The versatile traveller

July’s Carry All Weekender is the ultimate in versatile travel gear. This bag is designed for the modern traveller who values both style and functionality. This bag is as durable as it is fashionable, perfect for everything from spontaneous road trips to planned weekends away.

“This weekend bag is absolutely gorgeous,” wrote a five-star July reviewer. “I bought it for my granddaughter and she loves it! Fantastic service too. Highly recommend July. I tell everyone to look at their shopping site. So many wonderful products.”

Size: 29cm H x 46cm W x 21cm D

Colours: French navy and midnight black

Material: Twill nylon fabric

Key features:

• Sleek, stylish design
• Durable and lightweight for easy travel
• Versatile design suitable for various travel needs
• Spacious interior with smart organisation

Best for: Seamless, fuss-free travel

Want to travel light but still need space? This bag has all the room you need without the bulk. It’s a carry-on dream with an adaptable long strap for hands-free convenience, plus a back strap that slides right over your suitcase handle. Toss in some quick-access pockets for your passport and valuables, and you’re good to go!

It boasts a 4.9 star rating from over 200 reviews on the Antler site, with one customer writing: “It’s been rained on and had things spilt on it, and it’s proven to be durable and water-resistant.” Many also appreciate its thoughtful design and ample space, with one reviewer calling it “perfect for overnight stays and carry-on flight luggage.”

Size: 28cm H x 46cm W x 20cm D

Colours: Taupe, green and black

Material: 100 per cent recycled polyester  

Key features:

• Back sleeve slides easily over suitcase handle
• Hidden pocket under magnetic flap for quick-access essentials
• Long shoulder strap
• Zipped internal compartments
• Compact size that fits under seat on airlines
• Lifetime warranty and free delivery

Also available at:

• $159 from David Jones
• $169 from Strand

Best for: Effortlessly chic weekend getaways

A true classic that never goes out of style. Country Road’s Heritage tote is roomy enough for all your essentials, with a zip closure to keep things secure and reinforced handles for easy carrying. Made using Australian cotton canvas, it’s durable yet stylish, and the removable crossbody strap means you can switch up how you wear it.

“Fantastic bag,” wrote one five-star reviewer at Country Road. “Excellent for those few nights away from home trips. Sturdy bag and very easy to carry around. The dark pistachio is such a lovely colour too. My favourite bag hands down.”

Another said: “Great bag for weekend getaways. I was looking for something to replace my small suitcase for one to two night stays and this was perfect. It also folds up so small and stores so well in between uses. A staple I can’t believe I went without for so long.”

Size: 33cm H x 57cm W x 27.5cm D

Colours: Black, navy, chambray, pebble, dark pistachio and pink meringue

Material: 100 per cent Australian cotton

Key features:

• Zip closure for security
• Cotton webbing straps and reinforced handles
• External slip pocket for easy access
• Removable crossbody strap

Also available at:

• $79.95 from Country Road
• $79.95 from David Jones
• $79.95 from The Iconic

Best for: Extra style and room

This travel bag from Longchamp might be a bit of a splurge, but it’s here to make packing easier (and way more aesthetic). Need extra space for those “just in case” items? No problem – this bag expands to fit your entire weekend (or week’s) worth of belongings. What more could you possibly want?

Size: 35cm H x 23cm W x 45cm L

Colours: Black, paper and navy

Material: Main: polyamide canvas with inside coating; trim: leather

Key features:

• Expands to hold up to 50L
• Smooth exterior with a coated inner for easy cleaning
• Gold-toned hardware
• Folds down to a compact size for easy storage
• Leather snap closure flap
• Detachable, adjustable shoulder strap
• One zip pocket and one inside flat pocket

Also available at:

• $530 from The Iconic
• $530 from David Jones

Best for: Sleek, spacious and eco-friendly travel

Sleek, spacious and made to keep up with your busy lifestyle, the Mimco Mulholland duffle is a travel essential. Designed using recycled materials, it’s lightweight but built to last, with a roomy interior that easily fits your go-to travel gear.

“I ordered this through click and collect without seeing it first,” posted a reviewer who left five stars on the Mimco website. “I was so happily surprised when I picked it up. The bag is a great size and fits all the necessities in it. It is so versatile and could be used for any reason (work bag, baby bag, overnighter!) so happy and can’t wait to use it.”

Size: 35cm H x 50.5cm W x 20cm D

Colour: Black light gold

Material: 100 per cent recycled post-consumer polyester

Key features:

• Gold-toned hardware for a polished look
• Top zip closure
• Comfortable top handles with a 29cm drop
• Roomy interior with internal slip and zip pockets
• External front flap pocket with magnetic closure
• Fits most smartphones, tablets and laptops

Also available at:

• $299.95 from Myer
• $299.95 from Mimco
• $299.95 from The Iconic

Best for: Space, style and easy access to everything

With over 14,460 five-star reviews, this weekender bag is clearly doing something right. It has a super-accessible top opening and a bottom compartment for all your shoes, toiletries and whatever else you need to keep separate. Bonus: it fits perfectly on your luggage handle, thanks to the clever trolley pass-through. Pair it with the matching carry-on, check-in, or mini version of this bag for the ultimate set.

The Beis earns rave reviews for its roomy design and “gorgeous” look. Customers love the separate bottom compartment and say it’s perfect for road trips (especially for over-packers!). The maple colour is a standout and many compliment the bag’s quality. A few reviews also highlight the excellent customer service, with quick resolutions for issues like broken zippers.

Size: 40cm H x 48.3cm W x 25.4cm D

Colours: Maple, black, beige, navy, olive, atlas pink and grey

Materials: Poly canvas body with vegan leather trim, polyester lining, nylon zipper and zinc alloy hardware

Key features:

• Fits 13″ and 15″ laptops in a padded pocket
• Trolley pass-through doubles as a zip pocket
• Built-in key leash to keep track of your keys
• Removable shoulder strap
• Easy-access wire frame opening
• Bottom compartment for shoes and toiletries
• Multiple organisational pockets

Best for: Busy travellers constantly on the move

The Samsonite Boulevard Classic is great for women always on the go. With its modern look and smart features, it makes both business and travel easier than ever. It also stacks onto your suitcase, and the thoughtful organisation — from the zipped main compartment to the extra pockets — keeps everything in place, so you’ll never have to dig for your keys again!

“This bag is great for a weekend away,” wrote a happy reviewer on the Samsonite site. “It is sleek and stylish and of high quality.”

“I love that it’s lightweight and durable,” added another. “It’s built well and carries a good amount of travel essentials.”

Size: 61.5cm H x 38cm W x 21cm D

Colour: Black

Materials: 90 per cent nylon, 10 per cent PU (polyurethane)

Key features:

• Zipped main compartment
• Zipped front pocket
• Adjustable and removable shoulder strap
• Side extension clips for extra packing space
• Interior zippered pocket to keep smaller items secure
• SmartSleeve to easily stack on your suitcase

Also available at:

• $119.40 (usually $199) from Myer
• $199 from Samsonite

Best for: Fashion-forward travellers

This effortlessly cool bag brings all the luxe vibes with soft vegan leather and a sporty stripe webbing strap. Spacious, practical and fun, it’s perfect for light travellers who want to pack smart, stay organised and look trendy while doing it.

Size: 38cm H x 56cm W x 29cm D

Colours: Camel stripe, black stripe and blush stripe

Materials: 100 per cent polyurethane vegan leather

Key features:

• Soft vegan leather that’s easy to clean
• Fun stripe webbing extension strap
• Wide opening to fit all essentials
• Detachable and adjustable extension strap
• Handy back zip pocket
• Internal zip pocket and slip pockets
• Protective feet on the base
• Light gold hardware