Holiday guide
Quick getaways: The best destinations for a short break
Do you really need two weeks on a beach to feel like you’ve had a holiday? Recent research suggests not, with shorter getaways proving just as restorative and, let’s face it, easier to fit into real life. Traveller’s special annual report is once again bursting with short-break inspiration at home and overseas. So, break up your work-life routine with multiple short breaks rather than putting all your holiday hopes into one big annual getaway. You can thank us later.
14 stories
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Can only get two days away? Here are the best spots for a short break
Two days can seem like a lot more if you escape to a wellness retreat, or combine good food and wine with time in nature.
- September 14, 2025
The best destinations for a three-night short holiday
Having a long weekend or a few nights away mid-week? Three nights is long enough to get to our best regions for wine-tasting, sky-gazing or cycling.
- September 14, 2025
The best destinations for a four-night getaway
From the Gold Coast to Tasmania, the Northern Rivers to Echuca, head to the far reaches of your state, or further beyond, if you have four nights to spare.
- September 14, 2025
The seven top destinations for a five-night holiday
Five nights lets you have a decent break with one of our near neighbours – Fiji, New Zealand or the Cook Islands. Or escape to the warmth of Australia’s north.
- September 14, 2025
Where hotel owners take their short holidays
Seven prominent hotel owners reveal where they like to go for a short escape.
- September 14, 2025
- Sue Williams
No jet-lag required: The 10 greatest short-haul holiday destinations
These 10 countries offer a great holiday without having to take a long, exhausting flight. You’ll barely even need to change time zones.
- July 18, 2025
- Ben Groundwater
How to snare the ultimate short-break deal
If there’s one thing better than an enjoyable escape, it’s knowing you’ve paid less for it than you might have done without a little strategic thinking.
- September 18, 2024
- Brian Johnston
Kuala Lumpur
This greatly underrated foodie heaven provides a quintessential South-East Asian city experience at a bargain price.
- April 18, 2024
- Julie Miller
Singapore
Still consider this city a place in which to merely pause on the way to somewhere else (or somewhere more interesting)? It’s time to catch up.
- April 18, 2024
- Anthony Dennis
Suva, Fiji
This overlooked gem is home to a third of Fiji’s population, is one of the most cosmopolitan centres in the South Pacific and has a great nightlife.
- April 18, 2024
- Craig Tansley
Port Vila, Vanuatu
Tiny Port Vila, with a population just over 61,000, has come of age. The capital of Vanuatu is home to chic restaurants, bars and gourmet produce outlets.
- April 18, 2024
- Craig Tansley
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Vietnam’s frenetic and underrated financial centre offers a rich history and one of the most exciting – and bargainous – food scenes in South-East Asia.
- April 18, 2024
- Katherine Scott
Auckland, New Zealand
New Zealand’s biggest city has been utterly transformed by the dramatic redevelopment of its once no-go waterfront as well as a quality food scene.
- April 18, 2024
- Anthony Dennis
Christchurch, New Zealand
With a spectacular natural playground on its doorstep, this big small-city has undergone a revitalisation of unimaginable scale since the 2011 earthquake.
- April 18, 2024
- Katherine Scott
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