5 hours ago
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September 14, 2025 — 12:00am
Five nights lets you have a decent break with one of our near neighbours – Fiji, New Zealand or the Cook Islands. Or head for the warmth of Australia’s north.
SAMOA
Good for water babies; culture lovers.
Stay The iconic, newly renovated Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Hotel and Bungalows offers 175 rooms, bungalows and suites along with a lagoon pool, poolside restaurant, tea house and lobby bar. Opening early next year, Moanalei Villas’ seven, two-and three-bedroom ocean view villas will come with private pools, personal concierge, complimentary mini-bar, car and driver. Expect fine dining and a fitness centre and spa set on a lush hillside with Samoan inspired treatments.
See + do + eat This unsung Pacific paradise – some say Fiji decades ago – offers palm fringed beaches, languid waters, waterfalls and friendly locals. Visit a local village where the Samoan people still observe traditional ways or join Manoa Tours to see a giant clam sanctuary, go turtle spotting or swim at Piula Cave Pool. Try Samoan raw fish dishes at Amanaki Restaurant or dine on Italian Pacific fusion at Paddles Restaurant.
Don’t miss Siva afi (fire knife dancing), an ancient Samoan ceremonial dance held nightly at various resorts.
Essentials Virgin Australia and Qantas fly direct from Brisbane to Samoa, with connections from Sydney and Melbourne. See virginaustralia.com; qantas.com; samoa.travel; manoatours.com; amanakihotel.com; paddlesrestaurantsamoa.com; moanaleivillas.com
WAIKATO, NEW ZEALAND
Good for Middle Earth fans; boho surf types.
Stay Cambridge, a town in the Waikato region of the upper North Island, is home to the new Clements Hotel, with 29 luxurious rooms and suites following a multi-million-dollar transformation of Cambridge’s original 1866 Masonic hotel. Inspired by London’s prestigious Claridge’s no less, the boutique digs bring refined luxury and soulful charm to Waikato’s burgeoning region, from $NZ415 ($370) a night.
See + do + eat Farmers’ markets, movie sets, rolling green hills and black sand beaches await in the little known Waikato region. Hire an e-bike and skirt the Te Awa River with Riverside Adventures, join a Maori Art Walking Tour and explore Raglan which has a bohemian, artsy feel and is home to one of the world’s longest left-hand surf breaks.
Don’t miss The Hobbiton Movie Set’s latest tour takes fans behind the scenes to see how the art department created the magic.
Essentials Fly from Sydney (four times weekly) or the Gold Coast (three times) on Jetstar’s new direct services into Waikato’s Hamilton Airport. See hobbitontours.com; clements.co.nz; waikatonz.com; jetstar.com
DAINTREE, QLD
Good for tranquillity-seekers, environmentalists.
Stay Fringing the world’s oldest rainforest on the banks of the pellucid Mossman River (Jinkalmu), Silky Oaks Lodges’ commitment to preserving its environmental legacy – from its use of organic, garden-fresh produce to a transport partnership with EV company Polestar – heralds a stay akin to an oxygen infusion, with total immersion into one of the purest environments in the country.
See + do + eat Open both senses and airways with a sunrise walk along the river, a dip in the freshwater billabong or yoga in an open-air pavilion, before delving deeper into the forest on a river cruise to spot Far North Queensland’s enigmatic saltwater crocs. Learn about the First Nations Kuku Yalanji’s connection to the rainforest on a Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk at Mossman Gorge; or join a painting workshop at Janbal Gallery in the town of Mossman. A full day should be spent snorkelling the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef, or head further north to where rainforest meets the sea at Cape Tribulation. Alternatively, do nothing at all from the comfort of a hammock, allowing the birdsong and serenity to work its healing magic.
Don’t miss The best things in life are sometimes the simplest. A float down the burbling Mossman River with Back Country Bliss, lying face-up on a red river lilo watching the rainforest canopy glide by, is both delightful and fun – bordering on a spiritual experience.
Essentials Fly from Sydney to Cairns, before taking a scenic 90-minute drive to Mossman and Silky Oaks Lodge. See tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au; silkyoakslodge.com.au; polestar.com; mossmangorge.com.au; janbalgallery.com.au; backcountrybliss.com.au
FIJI
Good for inter-generational families; nature lovers.
Stay Whether it’s barefoot luxury or a barefoot budget, it’s the bare feet that count on a Fijian getaway. With its turquoise lagoon and crescent of white sand, Plantation Island, 20 kilometres off the main Fijian island of Viti Levu, meets all prerequisites of paradise while remaining an affordable option for families. Meanwhile, at Nanuku Resort (one hour from Suva), an all-Fijian staff and authentic insights into local culture highlight the transformative pleasures of “Fiji time” for relaxation-seeking guests. A recent $12 million renovation has refreshed public spaces, dining areas and luxury villas.
See + Do + Eat Many resorts are pitching in to help restore Fiji’s reefs, with both Nanuku and Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa offering coral planting and mangrove restoration. A Fijian Food Safari at Nanuku takes you to the resort’s organic farm to pick fresh vegetables, then along the river to catch crabs like a local. It’s all put together in a private lovo experience, including a kokoda marinated fish cooking class. Also on Viti Levu, actor Raymond Burr’s private orchid garden, Garden of the Sleeping Giant, makes a refreshing alternative from beach activities – though is there anything better than lazing around in a hammock, doing nothing Fiji-style?
Don’t miss Support a local community’s reef restoration efforts on a guided snorkelling tour at Naidiri Marine Biodiversity Park on the Coral Coast.
Essentials Fiji Airways operates up to two flights daily from Sydney to Nadi, and up to nine flights a week from Melbourne to Nadi. See fijiairways.com; nanukuresort.com; plantationisland.com; fiji.intercontinental.com; naidirimarinebiopark.org
Find great deals for Fiji holidays at myfiji.com
NEW CALEDONIA
Good for island hoppers; Francophiles.
Stay Some of Noumea’s best bars and restaurants lie on the doorstep of the newly renovated Beaurivage Hotel, just 20 metres from the popular Baie des Citrons beach. Anse Vata beach, a majestic bay fringed by a stunning swathe of beach, is footsteps from The Hilton Noumea La Promenade Residences, also recently renovated.
See + Do + Eat Explore the “Paris of the South” in an eco-friendly pink electric Mini Moke, mosey the multicultural morning market and swim or doze in the shade of a coconut tree. Discover New Caledonia’s dreamy lagoons with marine biologist Dr Bastien Preuss aboard a new Nautilus 360 Immersive Lagoon catamaran tour then gather with Noumeans for sundowners at the Promenade. Tropical cocktails and Mediterranean style tapas cap off a day’s exploration on the terrace of the newly renovated Elysium Restaurant.
Don’t miss BYO mask and fins and explore a UNESCO World Heritage listed underwater trail on Duck Island (Ilot Canard), the closest marine reserve to Noumea, (10-minutes by water taxi from Anse Vata) followed by lunch at a traditional fare.
Essentials Aircalin and Qantas offer direct flights to Noumea; less than three hours from Sydney (two hours from Brisbane). While temperatures are stable year-round, the “Caledonian Spring” from September to November is considered the best time to visit. See beaurivage.nc; hilton.com; aircalin.com; qantas.com; newcaledonia.travel
COOK ISLANDS
Good for beach loving families; couples.
Stay Steps from the dreamy Muri Lagoon, the boutique Nautilus Resort Rarotonga offers Polynesian inspired villas, spa, tiered infinity pool and restaurant. Te Vakaroa, also with a stunning beachfront pool, offers six, adults-only one and two-bedroom villas.
See + do + eat Languid turquoise lagoons, friendly locals, swaying palms and glorious year-round weather make these low-key islands ideal for a quick tropical getaway. Snorkel the picturesque Ta’akoka Motu, take a dive to Edna’s Anchor, swim with turtles, hike jungle clad mountains and do a progressive food tour through local homes. Polynesian fusion dishes are on the menu at local favourite Soul Cafe or enjoy fine dining and cocktails at Tamarind House where green rolling lawns roll down to the lagoon. A short flight from Rarotonga, Aitutaki lagoon is recognised as one of the world’s most beautiful.
Essentials Rarotonga is a five-hour, direct overnight flight from Sydney with Jetstar (Brisbane flights launch May 2026). See jetstar.com; nautilusresortrarotonga.com; tevakaroavillas.com; tamarindhouserarotonga.com; cookislands.travel
BALI
Good for food, nature and culture lovers.
Stay Perched atop limestone cliffs at the island’s southernmost tip, stay in a one-bedroom cliff pool villa at Six Senses Uluwatu. Luxury Escapes’ two-night packages offer generous inclusions including dining, nightly free-flow drinks and late checkout from $1999. Tranquil Sanur, long favoured by the Euro crowd, is home to the beachfront Maya Sanur, where you can watch local fisherman from the charming beachfront bar. Tight budget? Australian entrepreneur, Min Siah, has opened the four-room Neon Rose Motel in Bali’s up and coming Pererenan neighbourhood, from $150 per night.
See + do + eat Climb a volcano, meet artisans, dine at world-class restaurants and catch a sunset from Bali’s superlative beach clubs. See Jatiluwih’s UNESCO World Heritage rice fields, weaving downhill through lush valleys, small villages and enjoying a traditional meal with a local family on a Bali by Pedals (push or e-bike) tour.
Don’t miss Learn the secrets to some of chef Will Meyrick’s signature dishes at his Canggu cooking school or join his eye-opening street food tour of Denpasar exploring traditional markets, sampling Balinese delicacies and eating at warungs.
Essentials Virgin, Qantas and Jetstar fly direct from Melbourne and Sydney to Denpasar. See luxuryescapes.com; mayaresorts.com; neonrosemotel.com; balibypedals.com; willmeyrick.com
Contributors: Justine Costigan, Jim Darby, Belinda Jackson, Julie Miller, Jane Reddy, Sheriden Rhodes, Jane Richards, Craig Tansley and Sue Williams.
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