Tired of the long haul? No matter where you live in Australia, there’s an express overseas

escape less than five hours away.by Chris UrANkAr

Supertrees in Singapore’s

Gardens by the Bay.

speedyGetaways

HigHligHts: A celebrity magnet (Mila Kunis holidayed last year), Bali offers serenity and nightlife in equal measure. By day, visit mountain village Ubud for views of terraced rice paddies or go to Tabanan to see majestic Tanah Lot, one of the seven sea temples dotting the island. Come nightfall, hit the cosmopolitan hub, Seminyak.stay: Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran, which opened in May, is a designer stay on the peaceful south-west coast. The 118 rooms and suites blend batik motifs with plush bedding, marble bathrooms and modern art by German artist Markus Reugels.wHile you’re tHere: Snorkel Lembongan Island’s coral reefs and feast on fresh seafood under the stars at Jimbaran’s famous beach restaurants. For nightlife, sip cocktails at the Potato Head Beach Club (Jln. Petitenget, Seminyak, ptthead.com) and dine at hot spot Mejekawi (Jalan Kayu Aya No. 9, kudeta.net).

Singapore

Rooms from approx. $254 per night (incl. taxes); starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien. Virgin Australia flies direct to Denpasar from Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane; virginaustralia.com.

Rooms from approx. $299 per night (incl. taxes); parkroyalhotels.com. Singapore Airlines flies direct to Singapore from Darwin (via SilkAir), Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane; singaporeair.com.

HigHligHts: Singaporeans live and breathe cuisine and the city does hawker and haute equally well. Tuck into Hainanese Chicken Rice at the Maxwell Road Hawker Centre (1 Kadayanallur St) or indulge in European fare at Iggy’s (iggys.com.sg), the city’s first addition to The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Also a must-see is Marina Bay, home to the annual F1 Singapore Grand Prix in September (Rihanna performs this year). Stop by the lotus-flower-like ArtScience Museum and shop your heart out at designer boutiques such as Dior and Saint Laurent. stay: In Chinatown, opposite Hong Lim Park, Parkroyal on Pickering is the city’s latest luxury stay—and one of its greenest. The hotel has earned accolades for its environmentally friendly design; alongside 367 wood-and-stone-finished rooms, it boasts 15,000sqm of manicured greenery, vertical gardens and waterfalls. wHile you’re tHere: Stay on theme with a visit to the 22-metre-high aerial walkway in the Gardens by the Bay (18 Marina Gardens Drive; gardensbythebay.com.sg)—101 hectares of plants, steel Supertrees and evening light displays.

A food-lover’s haven, this constantly evolving metropolis is a melting pot of cultures and a hive of activity.

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BaliMore than 750,000 Australian visitors a year can’t be wrong. And thanks to a host of new must-sees, Bali is more popular than ever.

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A pool with a view at Parkroyal.

Lagoon Access Rooms at Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran.

The eclectic shutter facade of Potato head Beach Club.

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HigHligHts: The remnants of a volcanic eruption more than seven million years ago, Lord Howe has earned a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and a reputation for seclusion, attracting celebrities like Eric Bana. Walk the island’s lush forests or take a two-hour glass- bottom-boat tour (Islander Cruises, $60; 02-6563 2021) and snorkel the crystal-clear lagoon. stay: At the foot of a dramatic rocky alcove, Capella Lodge is the island’s premier luxury stay. With just nine suites, it’s ideal for romantics and those seeking five-star privacy. The lodge also boasts a spa and fine-dining restaurant. On the beachfront, family-friendly Pinetrees Lodge runs specific packages, such as wellness and cookery weeks. wHile you’re tHere: Cycle the island (Wilson’s Bike Hire, $10 per day; 02-6563 2045). At 11km long and 2.8km wide, it’s an easy ride for the less athletically inclined and the reward is an ever-changing view of the striking scenery. —BRITTANY HENDERSON

Lord Howe IslandThis pristine subtropical paradise offers a total escape—and you won’t need your passport! 0 4 5B N e

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Capella Lodge suites from $650 per person per night (incl. breakfast, sunset drinks and canapes, dinner with selected wines and airport transfers); lordhowe.com. Pinetrees Lodge rooms from $395 per person per night (incl. meals and airport transfers); pinetrees.com.au. Qantas flies direct to Lord Howe Island from Brisbane and Sydney; qantas.com.

Lidgbird Pavilion, Capella Lodge.

Lagoon Beach, Lord howe island.

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HigHligHts: Surrounded by the world’s largest lagoon, New Caledonia is a hit with the likes of TV presenter Natalie Gruzlewski. Its beaches are impossibly azure, with the most popular spots, Anse Vata and Baie des Citrons, located in the capital, Nouméa. For a quieter experience, take a water taxi to the white-sand islets surrounding the mainland. On dry land, the iconic Tjibaou Cultural Centre (Rue des Accords de Matignon, Tina; +687 41 45 45) showcases a fascinating collection of art by the local Kanak people. stay: Suites at the Ramada Plaza Noumea in the heart of Anse Vata offer sweeping views of the clear lagoon waters. The 188-room hotel has luxuries such as in-room jacuzzis and also houses an excellent French restaurant, Le 360°. wHile you’re tHere: Indulge your Gallic spirit with a visit to iconic gourmet store Comtesse du Barry (1 Rue Jules Garnier Baie de l’orphelinat; comtessedubarry.com). Also stock up on Parisian designer goods on Rue Georges Clemenceau.

New Caledonia

This heavenly slice of France in the Pacific is also infused with indigenous culture.

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Suites from approx. $189 per night (incl. taxes); ramadaplaza-noumea.co. Aircalin flies direct to Noumea from Sydney and Brisbane; au.aircalin.com.

HigHligHts: A favourite with Anna Kournikova, Guam is also a diver’s paradise, thanks to the island’s warm waters and famous dive sites, including Blue Hole and the Tokai Maru and SMS Cormoran wrecks. Keen golfers are spoilt for choice, too, with more than five courses, while The Chamorro Village Night Market, in the capital Hagåtña, offers an insight into the Chamorro culture with handicrafts, traditional dancing and barbecues.stay: Opt for beachfront bliss at the five-star Hyatt Regency in Tumon Bay; there are 450 ocean-facing rooms and suites, four restaurants, three landscaped pools and a spa. wHile you’re tHere: Guam has an ample selection of designer boutiques so there’s no better place to indulge in luxury labels. The “Pleasure Island” shopping strip of Pale San Vitores Road in central Tumon is the place to pick up Vivienne Westwood, Bottega Veneta, Fendi and Prada.

GuamMicronesia’s largest island (and a US territory) offers a surprising blend of leisure and culture.

Rooms from approx. $244 per night (incl. taxes); guam.regency.hyatt.com. United Airlines flies direct to Guam from Cairns; united.com.

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Tjibaou Cultural Centre in nouméa.

The lush pools at Guam’s

hyatt Regency.

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