Beach and island holidays
No crowds or chaos: These three Bali escapes are a step back in time
Overdevelopment is rife on the south-west coast, but these satellite island stays offer a step back to more mellow times.
- Jenny Hewett
- ★★★★
- Hotel reviews
Rescued from decay, motel is now a prime Melbourne beach escape
The Keith accommodates all comers, with a prime location for beach, winery-packed getaways in the Mornington Peninsula.
- Belinda Jackson
How to have a White Lotus experience in Thailand (from under $200 a night)
Koh Samui is bracing for an influx of tourists off the back of season three, but you don’t have to stay at the Four Seasons to get a taste of White Lotus life.
- Kristie Kellahan
See this spectacular destination before the tourist crowds arrive
This remote region will welcome more tourists than ever this year. Here’s why you should beat the rush of visitors (and Donald Trump).
- Ben Ross
- ★★★★
- 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
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
Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/traveller/topic/beach-and-island-holidays-l5j