Family holidays

Queensland

No theme parks, but Queensland’s other coast is just as great for a family escape

While the Gold Coast is renowned as a family holiday destination, Queensland’s other major holiday coast is also a great option for families – particularly those seeking a more low-key escape.

Craig Platt

It’s very tempting to simply spend all day around the pool.

★★★★
Hotel reviews

Bargain resort has everything you need in a Bali break

The decor might be a bit dated, but there are multiple pools, great food and it’s only $162 a night.

John Borthwick

An artist’s impression of the new Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari resort.

Beach and island holidays

Club Med isn’t what it used to be and Australians are loving it

After being taken over by a Chinese tourism firm in 2015, Club Med began moving away from its more basic roots of kids’ clubs and buffets.

Julietta Jameson

Discovery Parks in Byron Bay, a classic caravan park and campsite about 10 minutes out of town.

Opinion
Australia

I relived my childhood with a simple Aussie beach holiday. Here’s what I found

Life is going to get expensive in Australia over the next year or so. All of a sudden the old-fashioned Aussie coastal holiday is looking really attractive.

Ben Groundwater

The sun rises only briefly during winter in northern Finland.

Opinion
My happy place

A week in near-darkness became my daughter’s last true childhood holiday

It’s below freezing, the sun rises at about 11am and is gone at 1.30pm, but this remains one of my most cherished trips.

Belinda Jackson

Pebbly Beach Escape blends in with the landscape.

★★★★
Hotel reviews

Ideal beach escape three hours from Sydney will suit all types

I’m not sure what Pebbly Beach cabin’s founder would make of the modern comfort, but she’d certainly approve of the set-up.

Kerry van der Jagt

Vending machines outside Osaka Castle, Japan.

Japan

When it comes to convenient food and drink options, Japan is the king

Japan is justifiably regarded as a gourmet delight, but the country is also a world leader in culinary convenience, with the humble vending machine.

Adam Cooper

Several times daily a full-size train make its way through Hanoi’s famous (or infamous) tourist train street.

Travel tips

Seventeen places that became hit tourist attractions by accident

Railway tracks, a convenience store and even a public toilet are some of the places that were never supposed to be on tourists’ radars, but now attract huge crowds.