Hidden Aussie town rivals best of Bali
Sure, Byron Bay, Port Douglas and Lorne have their obvious charms. But these are the often-overlooked towns that should be on your radar.
Short Breaks
Aussie city declared Sydney ‘dupe’
Is this city the perfect dupe for Sydney? Interest is soaring with global flight searches having more than doubled this year.
Aussie airline’s bold new $59 flight
The budget carrier is offering travellers new direct flights to two of Australia’s most spectacular tourist destinations for just $59.
Surprising Aussie island No.2 in the world
A secluded island in Australia has taken out the No.2 spot in Lonely Planet’s 2024 must-travel destinations.
Budget airline’s huge sale from Aussie city
Australians dreaming of a holiday in the heart of Southeast Asia now have a new and cheap way to get there.
How man’s bizarre lockdown hobby paid off
He does what? Meet the 23-year-old that has turned his lockdown hobby into a successful business in just two years.
Nine new things to do in Blue Mountains
The modern Blue Mountains is a little different from the place you once visited with your family — here are nine new things you can do.
The Home Alone house is on Airbnb
With Christmas just around the corner, Airbnb is offering an unprecedented holiday for fans of Home Alone to channel their inner child.
Most sought-after Airbnbs in Australia
The demand for quirky, offbeat and distinctive Aussie getaways has never been greater. And these are the ones people want to visit the most.
Places you won’t believe are in Australia
You could be fooled into thinking these photos were taken at a glamorous international location. But these spots are right here in our own backyard.
‘Breathtaking’ mini-road trip on our doorstep
Dust off your passport, because just three hours from most of Australia’s east coast, a stunning two-day road trip will take you from alpine villages to rugged coastline.
Why now is a good time to visit Melbourne
Melbourne has got a lot of bad press lately but this city full of food and culture still has some surprises up its sleeve.
Aussies’ unexpected fave place to stay
Forget hotels, beach shacks, caravans and even tiny houses — this unexpected style of accommodation has surged in popularity this year.
$80 stays you never knew about
Desperate for a local weekend away, but don’t want to blow too much cash? There’s a clever solution you may not have considered.
Hidden treasures of well-known travel spot
Tucked away on the Gold Coast are some hidden treasures waiting to be explored.
Why this needs to be your next weekend away
It’s affordable and boasts first-rate food and wine, breathtaking landscapes and unbeatable shopping. Despite needing a passport, it’s a few hours away.
Swedish island turning tourists ‘feral’
Inside the island of solitude where “creatives” are invited to spend a week alone with their thoughts for free.
Take your girlfriends on a $1m getaway
TV host Shelley Craft loves a girls’ trip away — and she’s encouraging other Aussie women to travel together as these getaways surge in popularity. See how you can win a holiday.
Forget Fiji because this place is better
This stunning laid-back country town is close to scenic drives and your perfect base for exploring the Mitchell River.
$10 menu item you need to try
Paynesville in East Gippsland has everything you could want in a holiday town – including an award-winning restaurant.
The one pub meal worth the day trip
On a narrow sandy peninsula on the shores of the Gippsland Lakes, hides a pub with a dish so delicious you’ll never want to leave.
Top rated beach hidden from view
It’s been rated as one of Australia’s best beaches with white sand and it’s just waiting to be discovered.
How cruising is getting cooler
GLOBAL foodie face, Curtis Stone add the Princess Cruises line to his growing edibles empire as cruise season kicks off in Australia
Best short break destinations for summer
PREPARE for the year of the short escape. Here are the best places to visit if you’re looking to plan a quick summer getaway.
Girls’ trips are good for your health
Pack a bag, grab your mates and get out of town this weekend: it may be the answer to a long and healthy life, according to research.
How I survived 72 hours off the grid
A tech-addicted couple with a baby decided to stay in a tiny house in a remote spot with no electricity and nothing to do. What could go wrong?
How to turn three days off into 10
It’s a simple trick to get the most out of your holidays next year. All it takes is a few strategically booked leave days and you’ll have a pretty substantial holiday.
Couple’s clever solution to check-in woes
SICK of having to check-in your extra bags? This couple reckon they’ve found a solution — and “haven’t been caught yet”.
Packing mistake you’re making on a flight
It’s one of the busiest times of the year for travel in Australia but if you want to keep it stress-free you’ll want to follow this airline’s advice.
How to turn seven days off into 17
ARE you running low on annual leave days? Find out how you can still score a proper holiday in 2017 — without upsetting the boss.
Get 56 days off with just 20 days of leave
WANT to get the most out of your holidays next year? Here are the days you need to book to get the most out of your annual leave in 2017.
‘I make it clear I won’t sleep with them’
DON’T even think of asking her to dinner. This lingerie and bikini model travels at the expense of older men, and it makes her “feel like a princess”.
Let’s face it, Aussies are boring
WHEN was the last time you did something spontaneous? No, picking up a bottle of wine on the way home doesn’t count.
Make even more money through Airbnb
EIGHT years ago, Airbnb started a property revolution. Now they’re offering locally-guided tours, starting with 500 experiences in 12 cities.
Stop complaining, you have way more time off than you realise
THE maths is simple: four weeks of annual leave, 10 public holidays, and 105 weekend days. Here’s how to make the most of them.
Paradise with a hair-raising twist
GREECE is known for sun, sand and exquisite seafood, but on this island — you’ll have to hang on to your hat.
Does Halcyon House live up to the hype?
THE holiday hotspot has awards, accolades, word-of-mouth praise and is an Instagrammer’s heaven, but does Halcyon House live up to the hype?
Aussies keen for a quickie getaway
AUSTRALIAN adventurers are putting weekends to good use, with three-day getaways the hottest thing in travel trends.
The small restaurant turning heads
FLEET Restaurant is getting rave reviews from the most revered food critics and considering it seats less than 20 peeps, that’s mega praise.
Eight reasons to not hate Melbourne
WHEN it comes to rivalry, the Melbourne V Sydney debate lingers, but hey, there’s lots to love about Melbourne.
How to end your relationship rut
WITH Valentine’s Day around the corner, it’s only natural to take stock of your relationship. Here are six things you can do if you’re in a rut.
Bye Bali, we’re going here instead
OVER the sleaziness found in many holiday spots? This is the place you should visit, before the bogans ruin it.
The surreal place of sex and mystery
HOME to 18 million people, this place has struggled to seduce tourists. But those who do venture inside may be stunned by what they find.
Inside the secret Party Room in Tokyo
FROM bizarre restaurants to outrageous party hot spots, here’s how to spend a fast and furious 24 hours in one of the most exciting cities in the world.
One city tourists are missing
IT’S often outshined by LA and New York, but next time you’re in the United States, make sure you add Santa Barbara to your “must-see” list.
Four days at the blokiest place in Australia
I’M STANDING on the edge of the wharf at Keppel Bay Marina, staring at a bright yellow boat with “The Schooner” emblazoned on the side. Why am I doing this?
Where you should spend your next girl’s weekend
THERE’S nothing better than a long weekend away with the girls, and no better place to spend it than in this affordable spot.
Stay and Play the perfect excuse for a getaway
FOR time-poor couples or Mums and Dads who want to get away for a night, a “staycation” is the perfect excuse for a mini-break that’s not too far from home.
Bali bogans to be spruced up?
BALI plans to tutor bogans as a crew of Bondi bar barons spice up the isle’s eating and night life.
Taste of Hunter Valley high life
ECLECTIC cuisine, wine and spa treatments make for a luxurious weekend for Chanel Parratt ahead of the area’s major culinary festival in June.
Why you need a holiday before baby
IF A honeymoon is what you take right after your wedding, then a babymoon comes just before the bub arrives. News.com.au’s newest mum-to-be road tests three of the best.
Sleep at the base of an icon
THE Sebel Pier One is the only over-the-water hotel perched over Sydney Harbour.
A fine time to explore the Sydney water
YOU hardly need an excuse to visit Sydney but in October Sydney’s harbour will be more spectacular than ever, says Brian Johnston.
Outback opera in The Kimberley
SOME of Australia’s best singers will head to WA for the annual Opera Under the Stars.
New cottages near Toowoomba
CONSIDER a stay at two charming cottages near Toowoomba in Queensland.
Scootin’ in vines of the Hunter
THE CMC Rocks the Hunter festival is a great way to combine country music and the many delights of this NSW wine region.
Vision of conviviality in Southern Queensland
ANGELA Saurine discovers beautiful countryside, fresh local produce and lovely people on a tour of Queensland’s Scenic Rim.
Gastro Park serves wizardry on a plate
FEW of us travel just to dine, but Brian Johnston would make an exception for Gastro Park, which he reckons is the perfect excuse to visit Sydney.
Creative buzz in the streets of Perth
PERTH ups the ante on its cityscape and cultural scene as it plays host to a collection of masterpieces from New York’s MoMA, writes Fleur Bainger.
Soak up the sun in Sydney’s secret gardens
PREVIEWING the inaugural Australian Garden Show in September, Brian Johnston sets out to find Sydney’s most overlooked gardens and green spaces.
Savour the top location of Aussie bake off
THE show might be all about bread, biscuits, cakes and pies, but the real star of The Great Australian Bake Off is its location.
Travel Challenge Hong Kong
Each week we invite three competing companies to give us their best deals for a particular holiday. The result is great offers for our readers.
New apartment stays in Melbourne
OAKS on William has opened in Melbourne offering a range of apartment-style accommodation in the heart of the city.
Bigger than any mirage in the desert
SIZE matters when it comes to majestic Dubai and there are no plans to scale down the jewel of the Persian Gulf, writes Angela Saurine.
Get to Woody Bay before it’s too late
IF YOU’RE travelling the NSW north coast, stop for a while in Bundjalung National Park – and enjoy it while you can, says Brian Johnston.
All hail to Clare Valley’s good times
TAKE to a bike to burn off the wonderful food and drink you’ll encounter on a journey through the delightful Clare Valley, writes Scott Podmore.
Stay in Melbourne from $49 per night
VISITORS to Melbourne will be able to enjoy accommodation from $49 per night when Tune Hotels opens in the Victorian capital.
Steaks are high, but a safe bet
BRIAN Johnston received a special invitation from a billionaire to indulge in Wagyu beef and wine, while admiring some impeccable thoroughbreds.
Swanky new Bondi hotel to open
CHECK out the new Adina Apartment Bondi Beach hotel opening in Sydney this month
Luxury weekend at Wolgan Valley
World-class musicians and a luxurious rural retreat combine to make a great weekend of entertainment
Rub shoulders with celebs at Brisbane’s restyled Sofitel
BRISBANE’s restyled Sofitel offers shameless luxury and the chance to glimpse some famous faces.
Quirky life-sized mazes in Tasmazia
LOSE yourself – and maybe the kids – in life-sized puzzles where humour and quirkiness abound, writes Leanne Edmistone.
Feast on Port Douglas’s tropical delights
IN PORT Douglas, the food is fine and the setting spectacular, writes Alison Cotes.
Get ready to Rumba in Caloundra
THERE’S no better place to kick back than Caloundra, complete with bikinis and five-star luxury, of course.
Where there’s wool there’s a way in the Highlands
WITH so much to do and see in the Southern Highlands, you’ll need to stretch out your trip to squeeze in some time to relax, writes Mercedes Maguire.
Pilgrimage to chocoholics’ Promised Land
DISCOVER the sweet side of a favourite foodie destination, writes Ian Gilbert.
Revealed: How to score a bargain room
WITH hotel occupancy rates across Australia soaring, it has never been more important to find a good deal. We’ve asked the experts to find out their secret tips on how to get the best hotel price.
Review: High-tech Parkroyal Darling Harbour
FIRST there were metal keys, then there were key cards you inserted to open the door of your hotel room.
The cool capital of Wellington
ON the back of its Lonely Planet "cool city" accolade, the New Zealand destination has more impressive and funky joints to explore than ever before, writes Jess Leo.
Tasty Voyage of discovery
GAIL Williams tries shiraz at a Margaret River winery founded by an eccentric, wealthy iron-ore heir who was a teetotaller.
Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-ideas/short-breaks