It’s not the length but what you do with it when it comes to a great holiday. Some research even suggests frequent short breaks are better than the occasional extended holiday. That said, we’ve handpicked some short domestic and overseas trips that stand out for being fab – and fuss-free.
Good for food and wine devotees. Stay You’ll want for nothing at The Byng St Boutique Hotel, a five-star, 21-room hotel housed in a handsome historic property in the heart of Orange’s heritage area. Larger groups will relish the space on offer at the Horned Cow where five bedrooms sleep 10 in the village of Lucknow.
Offering elevated bucolic vistas over neighbouring farms, the luxe self-contained house has an outdoor fire pit and lavish entertaining spaces for enjoying the region’s incredible bounty. Nearby, sample award-winning gin and whisky at the Jones and Smith Distillery . See + do + eat Perch at the bar at the intimate Hey Rosey for local vinos and small plates.
Over at the new Lucetta, chef and owner Francesco Zarrella and his attentive team guide diners through a menu of authentic Italian dishes paired with exceptional wines. Don’t miss Take a deep dive into Orange’s cool-climate wines at Ross Hill, Australia’s first certified carbon-neutral winery, and the newly relocated Macquariedale Organic Wines atop Mount Canobolas. At 1100-metre above sea level, it’s one of Australia’s highest vineyards.
Angullong, housed in historic stone stables, and Tamburlaine offer tastings at welcoming cellar doors in the village of Millthorpe. Essentials Orange is a 3.5-hour drive from Sydney or 50-minute flight.
Link Airways flies direct from Melbourne to Orange four times weekly. Car hire after midday on weekends is tricky. The Horned Cow is priced from $700 a night, minimum two-night stay.
See byngstreethotel.com.au ; orange360.
com.au ; visitcentralnsw.com.
au ; thehornedcow.com Good for languid travel lovers. Stay Be lulled to sleep by the clickety-clack of railcars aboard the legendary Ghan.
Choose from three classes– Gold, Gold Premium and Platinum. Two single bunks convert into a lounge by day along with private ensuite bathroom in Gold class. The new(ish) Gold Premium offers elevated amenities with a twin cabin that includes an ensuite.
Blow the budget? Bollinger, soft linens, satin eye masks, private transfers and world-class food and wine is yours for the taking in Platinum. See + do + eat It’s all about the journey, one of the world’s truly great train journeys. Named after the pioneering Afghan cameleers who blazed a trail through Australia’s arid centre more than 150 years ago and tracing the route of the overland telegraph line, the 2979-kilometre journey connects passengers with Indigenous culture, history and the awe-inspiring landscapes of Australia’s outback.
Inspired off-train excursions at Alice Springs and Katherine give you the option of cruising Nitmiluk Gorge, taking a cultural walk at Standley Chasm and wending your way by e-bike along the famously dry Todd River. Don’t miss A nightcap around a bonfire beneath a blanket of stars on a clear desert night at Manguri (southbound route only). Essentials From $2755 a person for a two-night, three-day journey from Darwin to Adelaide.
See journeybeyond.com Good for Indigenous culture, stargazing. Stay Choose from camping to five-star luxury at Voyages Ayers Rock Resort.
The sprawling resort offers complimentary Indigenous guest activities such as interactive cultural dance performances, bush yarns and astronomy sessions as well as a hop on, hop off shuttle to Uluru from $330 a night. See + do + eat Dine under the Milky Way at Tali Wiru, a five-star bush tucker experience, immerse yourself in Bruce Munro’s Field of Light , join a dot painting workshop or simply marvel at the magnificent monolith Uluru and the cluster of massive rocks known as Kata Tjutu (the Olgas). Don’t miss Sunrise Journeys , Uluru’s all-new early morning cultural and sensory immersion, transforms the desert into a canvas.
Essentials Fly direct from Sydney and Melbourne to Uluru Airport. Virgin Australia recently launched new direct services between Melbourne, Brisbane and Uluru. See ayersrockresort.
com.au ; redcentre.com.
au Good for Rugby and yachting fans. Stay A new club lounge, rooftop bar and celebrity chef Gareth Stewart’s inhouse restaurant make the swish new InterContinental Auckland the city’s hottest stay right now. Sport enthusiasts meanwhile, should consider Soho Auckland.
The four-star deco-inspired hotel offers easy access to Eden Park (the All Black’s spiritual home) while an expansive day spa will open by year’s end. See + do + eat Book way in advance for Gilt, the city’s most anticipated new restaurant by world renowned chef and restaurateur Josh Emett. Night owls will love the inspired cocktails and artful noodle dishes served up at Nightcar.
Postcard pretty Waiheke Island has secluded beaches, outstanding wineries and vineyard restaurants and is just a ferry ride away. Don’t miss Diehard rugby fans will love the All Blacks Experience; salties can crew on an America’s Cup yacht. Essentials Fly direct from Sydney and Melbourne with airlines including Qantas, Air New Zealand and LATAM.
See auckland.intercontinental.com ; soholuxuryhotels.
com ; newzealand.com Good for Divers, adventurers. Stay Boutique resort The Moso on the main island of Efate has unveiled a swish new Hilltop Residence while Australian-owned and run M Resort and Spa opened earlier this year on the island’s north-western side in a UNESCO marine protected area.
Sustainable, pared back luxury curated by Australian artist Miranda Hodge is on offer at the Havannah Boat House (HBH) sleeping nine in the residence and up to three in a self-contained boat house complete with its own jetty and soon-to-open plunge pool. See + do + eat Dive world-class wrecks, discover Melanesian culture, trek through jungle and swim in water the colour of sapphires. At Mele Cascades outside Port Vila you can shower beneath a gushing waterfall or send a postcard from the world’s only underwater post office off Hideaway Island.
On Pentecost Island witness the extreme ritual of land diving (known as Nagol or N’gol). Don’t miss Climb to the top of an extinct volcano on Nguna Island for sunrise with guided meditation and a private picnic breakfast catered by K2 Kitchen. Essentials Solomon Airlines, Virgin Australia and Qantas (three times weekly from September 10) offer direct Brisbane to Port Vila flights.
Jetstar launches direct flights from Sydney four times weekly from December 12. The Moso is priced from $336 a night, M Resort and Spa from $350 a night and the Havannah Boat House from $2000 a night (minimum three-night stay). See vanuatu.
travel ; mresortvanuatu.com ; havannahboathouse.com.
