No jet-lag required: The 10 greatest short-haul holiday destinations

The Age

5 days ago

Australia may seem a little isolated at times, being one of the few nations in the world where a 14-hour flight isn't considered a big deal. We don't share a land border with any other country. We have to fly more than four hours just to get across our own.
But we're not exactly alone down here, and for travellers hoping to stick a little closer to home right now with short-haul travel – an excellent idea, given global instability – we have many excellent options in foreign places. Some of the finest in the world, in fact.
Welcome to Traveller 's 'short haul of fame', an ode to the much-loved and endlessly worthy international destinations that lie within nine hours or less of Australia's major ports. These are the places you could go to for a long weekend, if you really felt like it, though they would be perfect for a week or a fortnight-long holiday.
There's no jet lag to deal with at these places as they're all in the mostly same or similar timezones. There are often no flight connections to worry about, so there's less time wasted hanging around airports and more time having fun. And there is also less expense involved with getting to these places.
These are destinations that are big on attractions and short on hassle. From New Zealand to the Cook Islands, Indonesia to the Philippines, the short haul of fame features the best of our near neighbours.
MALAYSIA
How far: Kuala Lumpur is about 8½ hours direct from Melbourne; nine hours from Sydney.
Why go: Malaysia is an underappreciated destination in many ways, a welcoming country that has all the beaches, islands, cultural diversity, foodie attractions and affordability of its neighbours, without the bulk of the crowds.
Don't miss: If you're chasing the buzz of a large Asian city, Kuala Lumpur has you covered. If it's some of the world's best food you're after, try the street food stalls and restaurants of Penang. If an island paradise is more your thing, Langkawi should be your first stop. And if you want to see orangutans in their natural habitat, head directly to the jungles of Malaysian Borneo.
Make time: While we're speaking of Borneo, there's more to Sabah, Sarawak and the like than just orangutans. The city of Kuching is a prime example, with hiking and boating opportunities, as well as museums, mosques and a unique food scene.
Essentials: December to March is best for Malaysia if you're planning to go to Penang, Langkawi or their like, though any time of year will be warm and humid. AirAsia X and Malaysia Airlines fly direct from Sydney and Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur, with onward connections. See malaysia.travel
How far: Rarotonga is an almost six-hour direct flight from Sydney; about 10 hours from Melbourne with one stop.
Why go: Search 'island paradise' and there's a fair chance you will see a photo of the Cook Islands. Probably Aitutaki, with its incredible white-sand beaches and sparkling aqua lagoon, or maybe Atiu with its rugged limestone caves. The Cooks are quiet, relaxed and achingly beautiful.
Don't miss: Aitutaki is of course a highlight, given its almost implausible beauty, not to mention a selection of appropriately dreamy lagoon-side accommodation options. The capital, Rarotonga, also has its charms, a laid-back place with no traffic lights and no cares. Atiu is home to only 400 people, but draws plenty of visitors with its caves and its birdlife.
Make time: The island of Mitiaro is a 1½-hour flight from Rarotonga, and the only accommodation is basic, friendly homestays, which is why most people don't make it there. However, the limestone caves and freshwater lagoons here – not to mention the locals-only feel – make it a rewarding side trip.
Essentials: Peak season in the Cooks is winter, June to September, though the shoulder seasons are pleasant and less crowded. Jetstar flies direct from Sydney to Rarotonga three times a week, while Air New Zealand has connections from Melbourne. See cookislands.travel
THE PHILIPPINES
How far: Manila is an 8½-hour flight from both Melbourne and Sydney.
Why go: Although this country has long been known for its islands and beaches, the food of the Philippines is also having a bit of a moment – reason enough to visit.
Don't miss: If the natural world is your thing, you're going to want to visit Panglao Island, all white-sand beaches and swaying palms, Camiguin, littered with volcanoes, El Nido, with towering cliffs and clear waters, and Calauit Island, where visitors can swim with dugongs. For foodies, Michelin is about to reveal its first guide to the Philippines, focusing on Manila and Cebu.
Make time: Just south of Cebu, Bohol Island is home to the Chocolate Hills, a series of more than 1200 large, naturally occurring mounds said to resemble chocolate.
Essentials: Dry season is December to May, which is when the country is at its best. Be warned that large parts of the island of Mindanao are rated red, 'do not travel', by Smart Traveller at present. Qantas flies direct from Sydney to Manila, and Cebu Pacific flies from Melbourne. See philippinetourism.co
VANUATU
How far: Vanuatu's capital, Port Vila, is a 3½-hour direct flight from Sydney, and seven hours from Melbourne (with connections in Brisbane or Sydney).
Why go: You have everything in Vanuatu, from poolside hangs to incredible adventure to deep cultural immersion. This is also a country that can offer five-star luxury, or budget-friendly charm.
Don't miss: Port Vila is the first stop for most visitors to Vanuatu, and it's a family-friendly, culturally rich hub in which you can enjoy water-borne excitement, market visits, kava ceremonies and more. Look a little further, however, and you have two of the world's great adventure experiences: scuba-diving on the wreck of the giant SS President Coolidge, and climbing Mount Yasur, an active volcano on Tanna Island.
Make time: Both Tanna and Espiritu Santo – the base for exploring the SS President Coolidge – are out-islands that provide plenty of adventure. To really get away from it all, however, try Pentecost, famous for Naghol, a land-diving ritual (where men jump from high platforms with vines tied around their ankles) conducted between April and June.
Essentials: Jetstar flies direct from Sydney to Port Vila, while Virgin Australia has connecting flights through Brisbane; both airlines fly connecting flights from Melbourne. Best time to visit is April to September. See vanuatu.travel
VIETNAM
How far: Ho Chi Minh City is an 8½-hour direct flight from Melbourne; eight hours and 45 minutes from Sydney.
Why go: It's incredible to think that in fewer than nine hours you can be in Vietnam, a country so completely different to Australia and so rewarding for travellers, with rich culture, varied landscapes and amazing affordability.
Don't miss: You would go to Vietnam just for the food. In fact, you should. Pho, banh mi, banh xeo, rice paper rolls … these are your new best friends. But then don't forget the buzz of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), the history of Hanoi, the charm of old Hoi An, and the beaches and affordable resorts around Danang. Two weeks will pass in a flash.
Make time: Plenty of people visit the Mekong Delta for a day, to go to a floating market and have a little wander, but this area is worth far more of your time. The delta is littered with towns and villages that offer friendly welcomes, unique culture and barely another tourist to share them with.
Essentials: Vietnam is great year-round, though spring and autumn offer the most reliably pleasant conditions. Jetstar and Vietnam Airlines fly direct from both Melbourne and Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City. See vietnam.travel
SINGAPORE
How far: The city state is about eight hours' direct from both Melbourne and Sydney.
Why go: If you like food, or theme parks, or bold architecture, or traditional architecture, or unique blends of cultures, or beautiful hotels, or all of the above, then this is the destination for you.
Don't miss: Any visit to Singapore should include at least one hawker centre, where street-food vendors peddle incredibly affordable, delicious cuisine. The city-state is also famous for Gardens by the Bay, an urban park, not to mention diverse, ever-fascinating districts such as Chinatown and Little India, and theme parks and beaches on Sentosa Island.
Make time: Pulau Ubin is a rare slice of wilderness and laid-back charm, an island just a short ferry ride from the mainland, though one with no high rises, no hawker centres, no theme parks. Instead, go bird watching, cycling, and eat at some of the traditional, old-school restaurants.
Essentials: Singapore is a year-round destination, though February to April has the lowest rainfall. There are multiple daily direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne with many airlines. See visitsingapore.com
NEW ZEALAND
How far: Three hours from Sydney; 3½ hours from Melbourne.
Why go: Where to start? We have New Zealand's famous natural attractions, its mountains, its lakes, its hot springs, its glaciers. But then you have adrenalin activities, wine country, Maori culture, road-trip perfection, and a burgeoning food scene.
Don't miss: Confine your trip to either the North or South Island – don't try to do it all. In the North, visit Waiheke island near Auckland for walking and wine-sampling, enjoy the natural wonders of Rotorua and Taupo, view art deco architecture in Napier, and eat like a king in Wellington. In the South Island, sip your way through Marlborough, ski in Queenstown or Wanaka, and admire the beauty of Aoraki/Mount Cook.
Make time: For wine-lovers, the region of Waipara, just north of Christchurch, is vastly underrated and well worth a visit. Black Estate, Greystone Wines, Pegasus Bay and the like are doing great things.
Essentials: There are daily flights from Sydney and Melbourne to multiple New Zealand ports. This is a year-round destination, beautiful for outdoor adventure in summer, skiing in winter, and quite often both in the shoulder seasons. See newzealand.com
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
How far: Port Moresby is a four-hour direct flight from Sydney; about eight hours with one connection from Melbourne.
Why go: Our closest neighbour, admittedly, isn't the first country to jump to mind when you think of a short-haul holiday. However, PNG has much to offer adventurous travellers, from incredible cultural diversity to wildlife and scenery, to the feeling of going places few others have.
Don't miss: In the nation's south-east, Alotau has amazing scuba-diving, plus unique cultural festivals. In the north-east, Rabaul is historic and fascinating, while the Kokoda Track, north of Port Moresby, is perennially popular among Australian adventurers looking for a challenge.
Make time: Though it's still a long way off the beaten path (or in fact any path), the island of Bougainville is slowly opening up to tourism, and offers a raw experience like no other. The culture here, and the natural beauty, are truly remarkable.
Essentials: The dry season in PNG runs from May to October, which is the best time to visit. The country is now rated yellow, 'exercise a high degree of caution', by Smart Traveller, though the Highlands is rated 'reconsider your need to travel'. Air Niugini flies direct from Sydney to Port Moresby. See papuanewguinea.travel
FIJI
How far: Nadi, Fiji's main airport, is a four-hour direct flight from Sydney; under five hours from Melbourne.
Why go: Fiji is a no-brainer for many Australian travellers, particularly those with kids. This nation is famously family-friendly, and rightly so, with a laid-back atmosphere and some of the best childcare facilities on the planet.
Don't miss: You might be here for beachside relaxation, but there are also plenty of active adventures to be had in Fiji. Go snorkelling or scuba-diving, surf world-renowned breaks, go on a fishing charter, hike through the jungle, or go whitewater rafting on the Upper Navua River on the main island of Viti Levu. There are plenty of cultural attractions here too.
Make time: It's not too difficult to get off the beaten track in Fiji, even on Viti Levu, where homestay experiences are a particular highlight. Alternatively, head to outer islands such as Vanua Balavu, with its reefs, sea caves and volcanic rock formations.
Essentials: Fiji is at its best in winter, though spring and autumn can also be pleasant, and more affordable. Jetstar, Fiji Airways and Qantas all fly to Nadi, with onward connections throughout the islands. See fiji.travel
INDONESIA
How far: It takes just six hours to fly from Melbourne to Denpasar, Bali; 6½ hours from Sydney.
Why go: Indonesia isn't just Bali, though that island remains a huge attraction for Australians, with its luxurious though affordable hotels, resorts and villas, its beaches and mountains, excellent food and culture.
Don't miss: The strip of coastal towns running north-west of Kuta – Legian, Seminyak, Berawa, Canggu and onwards – are justifiably popular, offering tourist-friendly facilities and easy access from Denpasar. Ubud is also attractive. However, please don't forget the rest of Indonesia: Lombok has beaches and jungle, Java is rich with culture, Kalimantan has the wildlife, and Borneo is another world.
Make time: Let's talk about Raja Ampat. This island group off the coast of West Papua is truly one of the most beautiful places on Earth, with rocky outcrops, jungle-covered islands, and some of the best snorkelling and scuba-diving you will ever find.
Essentials: May to September is the peak season in Indonesia, though April and October can also be pleasant and less crowded. Jetstar and Virgin Australia fly direct from Melbourne and Sydney to Denpasar. See indonesia.travel
FIVE SHORT HAULS A LITTLE FURTHER AFIELD
Japan
Consider this the magical land of no jet lag: you fly 10 or 11 hours, usually overnight where you can get some sleep, and you arrive in the morning in a country that has barely any time difference with Australia, and you're all set to dive straight in. What a place to do it, too: the Land of the Rising Sun, a favourite among Australian travellers for its rich culture, its snow sports, and of course what is probably the greatest drinking and dining scene on the planet. See japan.travel
Hawaii
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This might be too far for a long-weekend getaway – though, not that much too far. Hawaii is a little under 10 hours away, making this an accessible slice of tropical American paradise. This archipelago of 137 islands is a place of bright shirts and big waves, where cultures from the US, Polynesia, Japan, Korea and more can be found co-existing in palm-fringed harmony. See gohawaii.com
South Korea
A trip to Seoul is the obvious alternative to tourist-heavy Tokyo, and at just over 10 hours away, with little time difference, it offers similar ease for those without a long time to spend. South Korea has much to attract visitors too, from ancient history to modern-day K-Pop and fashion. The food scene here is also exciting and accessible. High-speed rail links Seoul with cities such as Gyeongju and Busan. See visitkorea.or.kr
Hong Kong
Though treated by many as a stopover on the way to Europe, Hong Kong is a thriving destination in its own right, with a particularly vibrant hospitality scene: the city's fine-dining restaurants are being recognised around the world, and Hong Kong will this year host the World's 50 Best Bars awards. In between all that eating, meanwhile, you can shop till you drop, or check out the views from Victoria Peak. See discoverhongkong.com
Thailand