Time to visit our backyard alternatives.
With Australia and countries around the world shutting borders due to the unfortunate pandemic that is Covid-19 aka Coronavirus, it is time to reassess holiday plans. Maybe it isn’t the best time to skip the country, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a flavour of the world right in your own backyard.
From transporting yourself to the cosmopolitan chic of Paris to soaking up Hawaii’s famous North Shore vibes, let these Aussie places make you feel like you are lost elsewhere in the world.
Trade Hawaii’s North Shore for:
Prevelly, WA
Consistent waves? Check. Chilled beach vibes? Check. Gorgeous Coastal scenery? Check. Prevelly deserves the surfer’s shaka of approval when it comes to a beach getaway.
This lazy town is a top spot to unwind and catch a break – all the while watching surfers catch theirs! Surfers Point is the premier place for surfers to take on world-class waves and remain consistent all year round.
As Prevelly is located in the wine-producing Margaret River region, it would be rude not to treat yourself after your coastal adventures with a taste of a local drop from one of its many vineyards.
Trade France for:
Albany, WA
There is a touch of French chic to be found in Western Australia’s south-west coastal hub Albany, five-hours’ drive from Perth.
If Albany’s restaurants were placed on a menu, you would be at a loss to decide where to have your Plat de jour with some of its restaurants championing the delightful tastes – both on palate and style – found along the streets of France.
An excursion to France can be had morning, noon and night with outlets readily available for your next forkful of French flavour. Breakfast hotspot Gourmandise & Co will have you feeling like you have teleported to provincial France with homeland antiques and charms on display. Its traditionally prepared in-house patisseries, tarts and baked goods are presented as edible art, with small flowers often used as extra décor on plated dishes.
Or, if dining in saloon splendour is more your thing, head to Liberte, a Parisian-themed lounge restaurant and bar. The award-winning venue is famed for its flavour fresh Vietnamese-fusion menu and creative cocktail list, admired by many in town as crème de la crème.
Related reads: How You Can Still Travel The World In Social Isolation With These Streams
Trade California’s Huntington Beach for:
Gold Coast, QLD
Australia’s surfing and beach capital has a lot going on for it – even despite the party times being over (for now). Here you don’t have to worry about social distancing as the Gold Coast’s white sandy coastline stretches for 57 km. Sunbake on your towel, hop on board – the decision is yours on how to enjoy life by Queensland premier beach in almost isolation.
Trade Iceland for:
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, TAS
Expect to play landscape bingo with the amount of diverse scenery in such close proximately in Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.
The Central Highlands famous mountain area has an adventurer’s nirvana, with one stunning natural beauty seemingly found one after another (just like Iceland!) and of course, home to the iconic Cradle Mountain. Imagine days of traversing rugged landscapes, alpine heaths to find yourself under ancient rainforest canopies in quick succession. Or giving your body the ultimate shock of its life taking a dip in a glacial lake or refreshingly cool cascading mountain stream, all in the presence of towering ancient pines.
The Park is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and home to Australia’s most distinct (and adorable) marsupials; brushtail and ringtail possums, pademelons, wombats, echidnas, eastern quolls, Bennett’s wallabies all residents of the park.
Trade Costa Rica for:
Gold Coast Hinterland, QLD
Zip your way to the Gold Coast’s favourite hinterland rainforest retreat getaway, O’Reilly’s.
Be prepared to overuse the word ‘wow’ when spending time as the jewel of Lamington National Park is a scenic treat. Lush verdant nature and easy-going adventures are in abundance at this isolated hillside retreat which overlooks the expansive McPherson Ranges. Within the hideaway, guests can partake in outdoor activities including flying fox adventures, glow worm tours, native birds of prey shows, wildlife encounters – a perfect way to reconnect with the marvels of nature.
The retreat is also home to Australia’s first Tree Top Walk, consisting of a series of suspension bridges towering 16 metres above ground level to give you the ultimate bird’s eye view of the rainforest. Back on ground level, there are many rainforest bushwalking trails to trot your sneakers along, including hiking to majestic waterfalls, Moran’s and Elabana.
Conveniently, you do not have to travel far to escape to the wilderness as the O’Reilly Rainforest Retreat is only two hours’ drive from Brisbane or a 90-minute’ drive from Gold Coast.
Trade Thailand’s Koh Saumi for:
Coogee Beach, NSW
Live your best beach hotel life with a staycation at the newly renovated Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach-Sydney. The hotel sits opposite the beach, a perfect spot to watch the sunrise and go for a convenient dip.
The hotel’s slickly designed modern rooms are pleasing to the eye and a relief to the body – just as much as its dreamy location.
If wanting to stretch your legs further and explore more of the Sydney coastline, the famous Coogee to Bondi coastal walk kicks off here too, making beach life a breeze.
Please note: be mindful of social distancing in all destinations. Do not travel if you need to be in self-quarantine. Be up to date with the latest COVID-19 news and alerts from the Australian Government Department of Health here.
See more: Travel news
Feature image: Destination Gold Coast
