If you’re anything like me, you’re keeping your eyes (and your smartphone) firmly fixed on the awesome offering of half-price flights for fabulous destinations around Oz. Of course you are – wot’s not to love about all the seriously epic holiday hot spots on offer?! No matter which destination you’re keen to hit, there’s something awesome to do and see. So, here’s my quick guide to every single half-price destination. You’re welcome!
1. Cairns, QLD
Wot we love about it: Well, wot do you know? A Wotif favourite has snuck into the offerings! This tropical paradise took out the title of 2021’s Aussie Town of the Year and there are plenty of reasons why.
See: The lush landscapes of the Daintree, an ancient Gondwana rainforest full of wildlife and wonderful flora can be explored by foot or on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.
Do: Journey out to Fitzroy Island, where the reef and the beach are like a postcard.
Stay: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort has it all – an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and some great on-site eateries.
2. Launceston, TAS
Wot we love about it: Sat alongside the lovely Tamar River, Launceston is one of Tassie’s prettiest towns.
See: The adorable Grindelwald Swiss village, just 15 minutes from town. You’ll think you’ve been transported to Europe (no, truly!)
Do: Grab a car and take the Tamar Valley Wine Route, which begins just half an hour from Launceston. There are more than 30 vineyards in the area and you’ll be spoilt for choice with Holm Oak Vineyards, Moores Hill and Joseph Chromy Wines all must-visits – make sure you book in for lunch at the latter, you won’t regret it.
Stay: Housed in an old grain silo building, Peppers Silo Hotel has been refurbed into the coolest place to stay in Launceston.
3. Kangaroo Island, SA
Wot we love about it: After devastating bushfires, this tiny but mighty island deserves a bit of time in the spotlight. There may be a lack of reliable phone reception on KI but that’s just the way nature (which is the real highlight here) intended it.
See: Remarkable by name, remarkable by nature. The island’s Remarkable Rocks are a truly awesome sight to behold and shouldn’t be missed.
Do: Stop into Kangaroo Island Spirits, the island’s only distillery, where you can sample everything from award-winning gins to vodka gently flavoured with local botanicals.
Stay: Those Kangaroo Island views are legendary – and Sea Dragon Lodge and Villas has them in abundance.
4. Broome
Wot we love about it: If you’re a sucker for remote beauty, pop the seaside town of Broome on your list. The beaches are wild and so are the surrounds – it’s the perfect place for an outdoor adventure.
See: Gaze at the vibrant colours of Gantheaume Point, where ochre-red rocks meet dazzling blue sea.
Do: Don’t miss a trip to Nagula Jarndu, an amazing art and resource centre led by local Yawuru women.
Stay: Mangrove Hotel has a lovely beachy feel (and two outdoor pools!) – the perfect compliment to your seaside break.
5. Alice Springs, NT
Wot we love about it: If you’re been um-ing and ah-ing about heading into the heart of Australia, now’s your chance.
See: The wild landscapes of the West MacDonnell Ranges, a serene place sacred to the Western Arrernte people.
Do: Admiring the Red Centre is best done by a hot air balloon, don’t you think? Those outback colours are at their most vivid on a dawn departure.
Stay: You may be in the outback but you don’t have to rough it – DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs has two on-site restaurants, two pools, a fitness centre and outdoor tennis courts.
6. Townsville, QLD
Wot we love about it: With a couple of cool museums and a stellar location near the Great Barrier Reef, Townsville makes a great base for adventure time in Tropical North Queensland.
See: A stroll through The Strand foreshore park is a great way to get your bearings in this seaside city.
Do: Take the opportunity to explore the surrounding beauty, Magnetic Island is just a short 25-minute ferry ride away!
Stay: Sleek and chic with some great on-site eateries, The Ville Resort-Casino is the coolest place to stay in Townsville.
7. Hobart, TAS
Wot we love about it: Hear that? That’s the buzz of Hobart, the very cool Tassie capital that’s full of trendy eateries and quirky art types.
See: The Salamanca Markets on a Saturday are a Hobart institution but have you heard of Farm Gate Market? Held on Sundays, it’s the stuff of foodie dreams. A bowl of warming congee from Rough Rice or a classic bacon and egg roll are musts. (There’s nothing wrong with having both 😉
Do: No visit to Hobart is complete without a trip to the universe of Mona, Australia’s most unique art gallery.
Stay: The Salamanca Wharf Hotel is right at the heart of the wharf-side scene (and the on-site restaurant does a mean brekkie).
8. Avalon, VIC
Wot we love about it: No matter which way you turn, you’re onto a winner – you’ll be smack bang in the middle of Melbourne and the beginning of the Great Ocean Road after landing in Avalon.
See: Need to do some bucket-list ticking? You’ll hit the famous Great Ocean Road in less than an hour south of the airport.
Do: Dip into the dining scene of Geelong (pictured above) – local faves IGNI, Alma and The Arborist are some of the best in the state.
Stay: Novotel Geelong has spacious rooms… and ocean views!
9. Darwin, NT
Wot we love about it: You’ll have access to the best of the Top End in sunny Darwin!
See: Locals love to linger at the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets to taste dishes cooked up with local specialities like barramundi, crocodile and kangaroo.
Do: Take the ferry over to the glorious Tiwi Islands to explore the wonderful First Nations art scene (don’t forget to apply for a permit!).
Stay: DoubleTree by Hilton Darwin Esplanade overlooks Crocosaurus Cove and has a lovely outdoor pool for when Darwin weather decides to dial it up.
10. Merimbula, NSW
Wot we love about it: The Far South Coast of NSW is known for its deliciously fresh seafood and great beaches – Merimbula is in the thick of it all.
See: The Goodenia Rainforest Walking Track leads you through a temperate rainforest past lush gullies and under fern canopies.
Do: Sample the town’s excellent seafood, especially the oysters – Wheeler’s Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar is one of the best places to slurp them.
Stay: Coast Resort Merimbula is great for families – every spacious room has kitchen facilities for in-room dining, which is a lifesaver!
11. Proserpine, QLD
Wot we love about it: Being so close to the Whitsundays, the world is your oyster in Proserpine.
See: The Whitsundays, here you come! Here, you can start your journey to some of the country’s most pristine islands: Hamilton, Hayman and Daydream (pictured above) are but a jump away.
Do: Whatever your holiday heart desires – swim with turtles off Catseye Beach or simply float away in beachside bliss on one of the 74 pristine islands 🌴
Stay: Go full luxury (you deserve it). Resorts like Elysian Retreat and the kid-friendly InterContinental Hayman Island Resort cater for the most relaxing of Whitsundays holidays – think spa treatments, wonderful pools and spacious rooms.
12. Adelaide, SA
Wot we love about it: A thriving food and wine scene sets this quiet South Australian city apart… and now’s your chance to see what the fuss is all about.
See: The beautiful beaches of the Fleurieu Peninsula – they’re backed by rolling green hills and are often all but deserted.
Do: Eat your way around the city – local favourite Peel St is tasty and reliable, Africola always packs a punch and the cool Osteria Oggi serves up crazy good pasta.
Stay: I can never resist a rooftop pool. Can you? Didn’t think so. Crowne Plaza Adelaide has quite the beauty 😍
13. Hamilton Island, QLD
Wot we love about it: Who doesn’t need a little island vacay in their lives?!
See: Any view on Hamilton is one for the ‘gram but Catseye and Coral Cove are unmissable – those famously white sands and sparkling waters? This is where you’ll find them.
Do: As little as possible, I say. This is one of those special places that’s practically made for relaxation so – go ahead! Take a load off!
Stay: Infinity pools and free brekkie – need I say more? That’s only the beginning at Beach Club, where an on-site sauna, day spa and soaking tubs await.
14. Maroochydore, QLD
Wot we love about it: Smack bang in the middle of the sunny Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore is on the, well, doorstep of everything this part of QLD has to offer!
See: It just wouldn’t be a trip to the Sunshine Coast without a little beach time. Maroochydore Beach is lovely and always popular but nearby Cotton Tree Beach has smaller waves, perfect for families.
Do: Take a drive up to Noosa, where you can dig your toes into sand or strap on some hiking boots for a wander into the hinterland.
Stay: Thanks to in-room kitchens and a huge outdoor pool, you don’t really have to leave The Sebel Maroochydore unless you have to!
15. Gold Coast, QLD
Wot we love about it: Ahhh, the beloved Goldie. From theme parks to glittering casinos and some long stretches of beaches, the Gold Coast is really what you make of it.
See: The Gold Coast Hinterland feels a world away from the busy streets of the Gold Coast. Springbrook National Park is full of waterfalls and glowworms, and it’s one of Australia World Heritage Gondwana rainforests.
Do: Treat yourself to the fine dining scene. Surfers Paradise has a true Japanese gem in Yamagen and Broadbeach’s Social Eating House is practically an institution. (My tip? Don’t skip dessert!)
Stay: Do the Goldie thing and stay in a high rise. Voco Gold Coast, an IHG Hotel is fresh and fun, with little extras like bathrobes and luxe toiletries.
16. Burnie, TAS
Wot we love about it: If you’re looking for a quiet, laidback family break, Burnie in Tassie’s north could be just the spot.
See: Fern Glade Reserve, a peaceful park with shady trees near the city centre, is great for wildlife spotting – visitors have been known to see a platypus or two!
Do: Kids (and adults alike) will love The Little Penguin Observatory Centre. From September through March, you can watch these adorable creatures waddle past in all their furry glory.
Stay: Balconies at the Beachfront Voyager Motor Inn have a lovely view of the sea and location-wise, you’re just a few minutes stroll from the boardwalk.
17. Devonport, TAS
Wot we love about it: Chilled-out Devonport has a lovely riverside aspect and is perfectly located for further exploration around Tassie.
See: The Tamar Valley, an hour away by car, has some of the Apple Isle’s best wines. Make sure you stop into a cellar door (or three!) on your way through.
Do: Take a car out to Cradle Mountain National Park, a two-hour drive south from Devonport. This beautiful national park is full of stunning hiking trails and wonderful scenery.
Stay: Amaré Beachside Luxury guesthouse has it all – outdoor showers, in-room fireplaces, brekkie included and, best of all, a location just steps from Turners Beach, ten minutes east of the city.
18. Lasseter, NT
Wot we love about it: Who hasn’t got Uluru on their travel to-do list? Now’s the time to finally see the beauty of this sandstone wonder up close.
See: No surprises here – your first port of call should be Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, where the ancient Uluru looms over the red dirt like a rising sun.
Do: See the rock in all its colourful glory with a sunset tour, complete with sparkling wine and nibbles.
Stay: Skip the swag and stay at Longitude 131, where ‘tents’ come with free, pre-stocked mini bars and espresso makers.
So, once you’ve got those flights, it’s time to get your nights. Wot do you know? We’ve got a heap of deals to help you do just that.
Heads up! Due to COVID-19, government restrictions are in constant review and travel guidelines may change. We strongly recommend that all travellers seek further information about destinations and attractions before scheduling trips or making bookings, take extra care and follow all rules.
