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(Images by Ben Hall)
Want to escape the winter chill? We asked Joanna Hall, the editor of the Ultimate Travel Magazine – to pick her 5 favourite ‘hot spots’, from Far North Queensland to Hawaii and beyond.
You’ve pulled on your sweats and Ugg boots, and flicked on the heater. Outside the temperature is dropping, and instead of heading out for the night, you’re thinking of hunkering down on the couch to watch a DVD with a glass of wine. Sound familiar?
Although it’s fun to get your winter woollies and boots out of storage each winter, like many people I eventually start to long for the lazy days of summer, when all you have to worry about is relaxing on the beach, and deciding what to throw on the barbie for dinner. The good news, however, is that there’s more than one way to escape the cold, and not do too much damage to your wallet in the process.
Here are five ways to break out your bathers in winter.
1. Far North Queensland
If ever a place on Earth deserves to be called paradise, it’s the reef and rainforest region of far north Queensland.
From the breathtaking colours of the Great Barrier Reef to the verdant splendour of the Daintree, it’s the ultimate showcase of natural beauty, and home to some of the planet’s most stunning beaches. They dot sections of the mainland, and are tucked away on many of the islands stretching out into the Great Barrier Reef.
The tropical north has a distinct winter season, with warm temperatures and low rainfall. Even the water temperature here rarely falls below 23 C, which is just one more reason making the cooler months, from May to October, a perfect time to visit.
Best spots for a budget break? Cairns, the Daintree, Airlie Beach, and Townsville’s Magnetic Island.
2. Bali
This island paradise, one of 17,500 islands across the Indonesian archipelago, has been a popular haven for tourists for many years – and for good reason.
Thanks to its proximity to the equator, it enjoys a tropical climate year-round with an average temperature of 31 C. But the dry season, between May and September, has the lowest humidity, making it a delightful time of year to visit.
Bali has many natural attractions, including kilometres of sandy beaches, rice terraces, a rugged landscape and lush tropical rainforests. It also boasts a rich cultural heritage at every turn; there are more than 20,000 temples and palaces on the island, and colourful festivals take place throughout the year.
Best spots for a budget break? Kuta Beach, Ubud, Jimbaran Bay, Sanur, Nusa Dua, Seminyak and Legian.
3. Fiji
Often called “the crossroads of the Pacific”, Fiji is an idyllic collection of islands large and small, boasting sandy beaches, azure lagoons, coral reef, and year-round glorious weather.
Home to a wealth of natural beauty on land and in the water, it’s a country which possesses an infectious easy-going atmosphere; Fiji is a place where you can do as much or as little as you choose.
The months between March and November are the best time to visit, when the mild tropical climate is drier and less humid, and the temperature hovers between around 26 and 30 C with cool trade winds.
Best spots for a budget break? The Coral Coast and Northern Coast of Viti Levu, the Mamanuca Islands, the Yasawa Group of islands.
4. Hawaii
This may be a bit further away than its South Pacific neighbours, but thanks to the introduction of budget flights, and a more favourable US dollar exchange rate, the “spirit of aloha” has never been more affordable.
Generally, Hawaii’s dry season is April to October, and during the midsummer months of July and August (they’re in the northern hemisphere), the water temperature can reach a bath-like 26 C.
The only drawback is that these months tend to be busy – the North American school holidays – and if you are a surfing fanatic, it’s not the best time to catch a big wave. That said, from the beaches, shopping, sights and great restaurants, there is plenty to keep visitors happily occupied.
Best spots for a budget break? Oahu, The Big Island, Kauai.
5. Take a Pacific Islands cruise
There are many other South Pacific paradises that have plenty of attractions for visitors during the winter months; New Caledonia, Samoa, Vanuatu and the little known Mystery Island being just a few. If you can’t choose between them, and want to escape the cold with as little effort as possible, why not consider a cruise? Local operator P&O Australia has ships sailing regularly from Sydney and Brisbane throughout the winter months, with cruises ranging from 3 to 10 nights duration.
Longer cruises offer a combination of sea days for relaxing, and stops at a variety of South Pacific destinations for sightseeing, hitting the beach, or snorkelling and diving.
Cruising is also a highly affordable vacation today, with accommodation ranging from budget cabins to suites with balconies, and with all meals and entertainment included.
For more information, visit www.pocruises.com.au, or call 13 24 94.
Joanna Hall is the editor of the Ultimate Travel Magazine – Australia’s first online magazine dedicated to the best in luxury travel.