Alternatives to Bali: Nine other close overseas spots for a short break

New Caledonia

New Caledonia is only a two-and-a-half hour flight from Australia, but when you disembark at this French outpost in the South Pacific, you won’t have a clue where you are. It’s home to the world’s longest continuous barrier reef, making it one of the best places on Earth for chartering a yacht, and for safe diving and snorkelling. Many travellers might know about Noumea – the country’s vibrant and cosmopolitan capital, where you’ll find the best French restaurants and Parisian boutiques in the Pacific – but that’s just the start of what you’ll find here. Take a short plane or boat journey to escape to islands few have heard of where local Kanak culture still rules the way of life. Cruise ships may have discovered the charms of New Caledonia’s Loyalty Island group, but there’s so much on these islands still to be discovered. See newcaledonia.travel

The Solomon Islands

The Solomons are one of our closest neighbours – you can fly there direct in less than three hours – yet they’re one of the South Pacific’s least visited island groups. This is what the Pacific Islands used to look like – adventure tourists will love its world-class diving, the hundreds of WW2 shipwrecks and planes lying often in shallow water, its perfect, uncrowded waves and mixing with locals who still live traditional lifestyles. But luxury travellers can also stay in high-end eco-resorts, often on their own private islands, set beside some of the world’s largest lagoons. Home to almost a thousand islands, the easiest option for travellers is to fly to the Western Province, an hour’s flight from the capital, Honiara, where most of the country’s tourism industry is centred. There’s everything here from surf resorts to dive operators to home-stays and five-star private island retreats. See visitsolomons.com.sb

Fiji

Especially if you’ve been to Fiji before – don’t forget: Fiji isn’t one island, it’s 333. Located just four hours direct flying time from Australia’s east coast, Fiji became Australia’s number-one international destination as soon as our COVID-19 border closure ended. There’s everything here, for every type of traveller – from high-end families to budget-conscious travellers. Most travellers won’t leave Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu, home to tourist hot-spots like the Coral Coast and Denarau Island. But go a little further afield by boat to the Mamanuca Islands, or to the 20 islands of the Yasawa Group, just beyond. Or take a small plane to Fiji’s second-largest island, Vanua Levu, and Taveuni to sample some of the Pacific’s best diving and surfing among islands covered in native forest. More adventurous travellers might also consider the far-flung Lau Islands on cruises, or an eco-adventure in the Kadavu Group of Islands. See fiji.travel

Papua New Guinea

Regarded as the world’s Last Frontier, the reputation of its capital, Port Moresby, has kept travellers at bay. But don’t be put off; this is one of the world’s most pristine destinations, and you can fly there direct from Brisbane, Cairns and Darwin. While the main island is an adventure seeker’s dream – with live volcanoes and forests full of tribes still living an ancient lifestyle – it’s easy to escape to stunning islands off PNG’s east coast. Small-passenger cruise ships ply these waters for a few months per year while tour companies offer a variety of group itineraries. There’s everything from luxury to budget resorts and lodges along PNG’s east coast and on its offshore islands. You won’t find better visibility and a larger variety of marine species for diving, while surfers can access some of the least crowded waves on Earth, on surf charter boats or in surf camps. See papuanewguinea.travel

New Zealand

Who wouldn’t want to be located right next door to New Zealand? One of the world’s most idolised island groups is only three hours away. The best thing about New Zealand compared to Australia is its size: you can practically visit the whole country in two weeks. From the adrenalin capital of the world (Queenstown) in the south, to the city of sails (Auckland) in the north and beyond it to Northland, the country’s winterless north full of sailing and swimming options, New Zealand is jam-packed with some of the planet’s best scenery and some of the tallest mountains in the southern hemisphere. Its two islands (North and South) are completely different – offering travellers a diverse experience. Where its South Island is largely dry and mountainous, its North Island is largely covered with forest. Visit stunning wine regions, go skiing across both the North and South Islands, and try unique, NZ-invented activities, like bungy-jumping and jet-boating. See newzealand.com

Lombok, Indonesia

It’s the island right next to Bali (four hours by ferry or 20 minutes by plane) and it has everything Bali has, without the crowds.

For 20 years, Lombok has threatened to become South-East Asia’s hot new thing, but aside from tourist hot-spot, Senggigi, and backpacker’s party mecca, Gili Trawangan, it remains as peaceful as it ever was. First made famous for its surf offerings, its south coast is a magnet for hungry wave seekers from all over the globe.

Adventurers can hike the country’s second-highest volcano, Gunung Rinjani, which dominates the landscape, and there’s an island for every kind of traveller at the Gili Islands, an archipelago of three islands to Lombok’s north that rank among Asia’s prettiest. See indonesia.travel