Beach and island holidays
Get to this idyllic but overlooked South Pacific island before the crowds do
It’s as much a slice of paradise as the most beautiful of its neighbours.
- Craig Tansley
Latest
- ★★★★
- Hotel reviews
Iconic ’90s resort’s new must-see island spectacle
This is a tranquil, eco-friendly base to explore the beauty, landscapes and wildlife of the biggest sand island in the world.
- Kerry van der Jagt
A short(ish) flight away, this place is like stepping into a postcard
There’s plenty to do when visiting the Cook Islands, or you can choose to do nothing at all.
- Tatyana Leonov
- Opinion
- Queensland
No running water, no escape, but this trip became my idea of paradise
I still can’t believe we did this – camping on a remote coral cay. We cooked our own meals, slept in basic tents, spent days conducting “science” experiments. Now I realise it was brilliant.
- Ben Groundwater
Go west: 16 highlights of the other great ocean on our coast
The Indian Ocean stretches from WA to the east coast of Africa and offers a wealth of islands, many with white-sand beaches ringed by coconut palms and aquamarine water.
- Lee Cobaj and Craig Tansley
When my fiance broke up with me, he said my moods were to blame
Swinging alone in a hammock designed for two at an exotic beach resort I began to feel hopeless. Until I saw him.
- Kathy Lette
This affordable retro surf hotel has a five-star Mexico location
On a stretch of coast where bland luxury mega-resorts dominate, this secluded (and relatively budget-friendly) stay is a beacon of ’90s nostalgia and charm.
- Katherine Scott
I found the Bali of my dreams (and it was only $45 a night)
You won’t see multi-storey hotels, corporate logos lining streets or Lycra-clad influencers in this quiet village.
- Julia D'Orazio
How to do Queensland’s dreamiest islands without breaking the budget
Let Airlie Beach be the launchpad for your affordable island-hopping escape. Here’s where to eat, stay and play without spending a fortune.
- Riley Wilson
No more roughing it: Aussie holiday parks aren’t what they used to be
Everything from swanky cabins to retro Airstream trailers and full-blown resort facilities are on offer, and budget-conscious travellers are flocking in droves.
- Sheriden Rhodes
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/topic/beach-and-island-holidays-l5j