It’s cold at the moment — damn cold, in some parts of the country — and after a lukewarm summer, we feel ripped off. If, like us, you’ve been blankly staring at the image of a tropical vista on your desktop wallpaper and you’re dreaming of a winter getaway, here are a few warm hotspots worth checking out to escape the big freeze!
Nadi, Fiji
If you’re looking for an inexpensive, luxurious holiday, then Fiji has to be on your holiday bucket list. Located around four hours from Sydney or Brisbane, Aussies have been lapping up the warm climates and the warm hospitality of the Fijian people, making it an ideal holiday spot for a cheeky family vacay.
Many of the 50 resorts and hotels that are spread over the 320 plus islands include excellent child minding facilities (the Fijians LOVE kids), and the costs of nannies and babysitters are around a quarter of what you’d expect to pay in Australia. There are also plenty of resort areas for those who don’t have kids and want a little peace and quiet.
There are plenty of package deals on offer from as little as $1,200 per person that include flights, five-star accommodation, food, spa treatments and free meals for kids. With a little research, you’ll end up with a deliciously relaxing, warm winter getaway, and some spare change in your back pocket.
Port Douglas, Queensland
Port Douglas is just one hour’s drive north of Cairns and shares the same latitude as Tahiti, so it’s possible to be lazing poolside with a Piña Colada in hand within hours of leaving the cold.
With it’s award winning restaurants, sidewalk cafes and the Great Barrier Reef on your doorstep, it’s no wonder Port Douglas is gaining a reputation as one of the country’s top holiday spots and the vacation playground of the rich and famous.
Various islands, Thailand
Always a popular spot for Aussies, Thailand offers a multitude of sights and sounds from beautiful blue seas and unspoilt white sandy beaches through to bustling cities, shopping and ancient temples.
Phuket and Koh Samui rate amongst the top places to base yourself before heading off on an adventure, which might include going to the place where Leonardo Di Caprio filmed The Beach!
Or, you might just want to simply plant yourself poolside and drink cocktails while sampling some amazing cuisine, or get pampered with a massage or facial. Thailand offers something for the majority of holiday tastes.
Broome, WA
Flying into the isolated township of Broome is an experience in itself, with the vast Western Australian coastline being one of the most picturesque you’ll ever have the privilege of seeing.
Broome itself is steeped in cultural history, as it was a big pearling town in the 1800s and was the site of four separate attacks during World War I. Today, its main focus is tourism with Broome acting as the gateway to the stunning Kimberley region.
There’s a range of resorts that cater for the discerning five-star guest through to backpackers looking for a cheap and cheerful holiday spot. One thing that you have to do is visit the Sun Pictures outdoor cinema, a staple of the Broome community since 1913 and the world’s oldest picture gardens.
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