Beach and island holidays
Smashed by COVID and cyclones, Pacific paradise now back with a vengeance
Vanuatu’s old experiences been given a flirty facelift and there are plenty of new ones. Here are the highlights.
- by Christine Retschlag
Fiji’s remote former ‘Cannibal Isles’ are now a snorkelling paradise
This expedition cruise ventures through islands that were the setting for movies like Cast Away and The Blue Lagoon.
- by John Borthwick
★★★★
Hotel reviews
Thailand meets Bali: This resort offers the best of both worlds
It may be in Thailand, but there’s a distinctly Balinese vibe to the Movenpick Asara Resort & Spa Hua Hin.
- by Craig Platt
The one bargain you must buy when you visit paradise
A precious memento of paradise in Tahiti doesn’t have to cost the earth.
- by Julie Miller
The spectacular unknown side of Queensland’s most accessible island
The traditional Fraser Island holiday has changed. For starters, Fraser Island doesn’t even exist anymore.
- by Craig Tansley
Try not to scream: Doing a sauna, Finnish-style
Discover the joys of sauna going, a revered Finnish pastime that involves both Zen-like relaxation and something akin to an adrenaline sport.
- by Brian Johnston
Twenty things that will surprise first-time visitors to Byron Bay
Cut through the Hemsworth hype, and you may be shocked by what you still don’t know about Australia’s most talked-about beach town.
- by Angela Saurine
Beloved Kauai resort unveils update in time for milestone anniversary
There’s a reason why people keep returning to this low-key Hawaiian getaway.
- by Julietta Jameson
No crowds, no cliches: Europe’s 23 most underrated wonders
While there’s nothing wrong with the big-name sights, the Continent has less obvious treasures that can prove just as satisfying.
- by Brian Johnston
You don’t need to be a diver to explore Australia’s incredible ship graveyard
One of Queensland’s best snorkelling sites is nowhere near the Great Barrier Reef – it’s just a short ferry ride from Brisbane.
- by Andrew Bain