With balmy summer temps on the way, it’s the perfect time to find the best places to go on holiday. Why not get off the beaten path this time? From Tasmania’s wilderness to Newcastle’s edgy arts scene and the volcanic sands of Canguu, head to these budget-friendly spots to chill-out, party and finish the year on a holiday high.
Best places to go on holiday: Australia
Kiama, NSW
While everyone descends on Byron Bay or Airlie Beach, you can visit an Aussie coastal town that’s off the general tourist radar. Kiama is a little seaside paradise on the Grand Pacific Drive touring route, on the South Coast of NSW. Life revolves around the ocean, with a dramatic, natural rock blowhole featuring as the star attraction. If you love surfing, kayaking or fishing, you’ll have non-stop adventures here and there’s an annual events calendar of folks, blues and jazz festivals. Shop at markets for fresh produce, crafts and gifts, eat your fill of seafood and have a beer with live entertainment, at the Kiama Inn Hotel. To stay in the heart of town, close to the beach, pubs and cafes, check out great-value rooms at Kiama Shores Motel, where you can hang out at the pool and barbeque area. Kiama is about a two hour drive or bus ride from Sydney.
Find a room at Kiama Shores Motel
Flights to Sydney
Exmouth, WA
Escape the crowds of the Great Barrier Reef for some underwater magic on Ningaloo. Australia’s largest fringing reef combines with the pretty coastal town of Exmouth and the Cape Range National Park, for snorkelling, boating and hiking. In terms of wildlife on and off land, get ready for hundreds of fish species, dolphins, manta rays, kangaroos, wallabies and emus, to name a few. While this is a trip to get, and stay, thoroughly water-logged, the town centre provides some action too, including shops and seafood dining that’ll make your taste buds sing. For self-contained cabins and backpacking dorms, head to RAC Exmouth Cape Holiday Park, just a short walk from the beach. To get to Exmouth, daily flights depart from Perth to Learmonth or you can do a road trip from the city over two days.
Find a room at Cape Holiday Park
Flights to Exmouth
Newcastle, NSW
An exciting buzz surrounds Newcastle, as with all up-coming destinations. For now though, it retains its firmly Aussie local vibe. Get in on the action before the tourist buses catch on, because there’s plenty to be had. The harbour city is surrounded by spectacular surf beaches, art deco ocean baths, maritime history, arts and the wineries of the Hunter Valley, just a short drive away. The hometown of rock band, Silverchair, is a city that also shines at night, with cool bars, world-class theatre, thumping nightclubs, grungy pubs and ‘packed-to-the-rafters’ live music venues. The Newcastle Beach YHA is, you guessed it, right across the road from the sand, in the heart of town. For an added bit of fun, it’s set within a heritage building that used to be a Gentleman’s Club and still has a communal area with a fire place, wooden panelling and leather sofas.
Find a room at YHA
Flights to Newcastle
Tasmania
No matter where you go in Tasmania, you’ll find somewhere to get off the beaten path. Stay in the wilderness if you want peace, or base yourself in Hobart or Launceston for a slice of city life, while exploring natural wonders. Take your pick from incredibly scenic spots, including Cradle Mountain, Freycinet National Park, the Bay of Fires and the Tamar Valley. Given Tasmania’s chilly climate, summer is the only time of year you’ll swim in relative comfort, at beaches like the famous Wineglass Bay. Come December, the annual Falls Festival hits Marion Bay, to add live music to Tasmania’s star-studded line-up of attractions. From Hobart, hiring a car is the easiest way to discover as much as possible on the Apple Isle. For unique accommodation, Montacute Boutique Bunkhouse is a character-filled hostel with a choice of private and shared rooms.
Find a room at Montacute
Flights to Hobart
Moreton Island, QLD
Tourists flock to the dolphin-drenched waters of Moreton Island, but that’s not to say you can’t get off the beaten path. While Tangalooma Resort attracts most of the day-trippers and holiday-makers, explore the natural attractions with your own space, by camping on one of five secluded beach zones. This is rough and rugged living at its best, so you’ll have to hire or take all your equipment, plus a 4WD, on the ferry from Pinkenba in Brisbane. It’ll be worth it to have your own stretch of surf and lush bushland and make as much, or as little, noise as you want. Visit the famous Champagne Pools, try sand-tobogganing, snorkel the wreck on the reef and watch dolphins at dusk, before drinks around the campfire under the starry night sky.
Best places to go on holiday: Overseas
Sihanoukville, Cambodia
When you’re looking for casual parties on the beach, Sihanoukville is the Cambodian version of fun in the sun. Swim in the warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand, snooze on white sands, visit nearby islands, eat seafood under thatched-roofed shacks and drink at the bars on Weather Station Hill. Serendipity Beach is backpacker central, whereby Otres Beach is for those searching for some mellow time. Grab a great-value room at the Coolabah Hotel, right near the beach, bars and restaurants, with modern rooms, a pool, bar and bistro. To get to Sihanoukville, fly domestically or catch a bus or train from Phnom Penh or Siem Reap.
Find a room at Coolabah
Flights to Cambodia
Canguu, Bali
The rice field views and volcanic sands of Canguu are no longer a secret, but the chilled-out Balinese town is far from summer holiday crowds in Kuta, Seminyak and Ubud. It’s home to a popular surf break at Echo Beach, eclectic cafes, bohemian-style restaurants, street art and idyllic, nature-lined roads to cycle or ride your scooter down. Every night, watch the sun sink into the ocean from beachside bars and make new friends from around the globe. The Koa D’Surfer Hotel is a colourful haven in the heart of the paddy fields, with a spectacular rooftop adorned by pink chairs made from barrels, a pool, fairy lights and Bali huts. While Bali is one of the best places to go on holiday, Canggu allows you to escape from the crowds while still enjoying Bali’s world class beaches.
Find a room at Koa D’Surfer
Flights to Bali
Gisborne, New Zealand
How would you like to be among the first people in the world to see the sunrise, on New Year’s Day? This is Gisborne’s claim to fame, along with the award-winning Rhythm and Vines New Year’s Eve Festival. However, there’s plenty more to do, after you recover from the big night. Explore Maori culture, hit the boutique wine trail, hang out on the historical waterfront, climb Kaiti Hill, speed down the rocks at Rere Rockslide and catch a wave at Makorori or Wainui Beach. For motel rooms, cabins, beach shacks and camp sites, check out Waikanae Beach Holiday Park. Gisborne is located on the North Island, so you can fly to Wellington and arrange a domestic flight, bus or car hire from there.
Find a room at Waikanae Beach
Flights to Queenstown
