{"id":17442,"date":"2013-01-02T08:14:24","date_gmt":"2013-01-01T22:14:24","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/?p=17442"},"modified":"2018-05-15T04:09:15","modified_gmt":"2018-05-14T18:09:15","slug":"the-new-holiday-hotspots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/the-new-holiday-hotspots\/","title":{"rendered":"The NEW holiday hotspots!"},"content":{"rendered":"
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We all love a holiday but if you\u2019re sick of going back to the same spot time and time again you\u2019re in luck! Our team of hotel experts spill the inside word on the alternate holiday destinations that might just become your new getaway fave.<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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Karly – Regional NSW Hotels expert<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you like Byron Bay you\u2019d love a trip to Brunswick Heads.
\nWhat makes Brunswick Heads a great holiday destination? <\/strong>
\nIf you love the relaxed vibe of Byron, visiting Brunswick Heads is a game changer, delivering the chilled out feel of Byron and then some. Home to beautiful beaches, shopping gems and a variety of dining options, Brunswick Heads has that unspoilt coastal village vibe that will have you feeling like you\u2019re a world away from the big smoke!
\nTop hotel picks? <\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re saving your sand dollars Brunswick Chalets<\/a> is a great option or if you want something a little more secluded, try The Pockets Rainforest Retreat<\/a>, only a short 12 minute drive from the action.
\nAny hot insider tips? <\/strong>\u2022 Visit the iconic Hotel Brunswick<\/a>: it offers excellent food, cold beers and a leafy, riverfront beer garden! A perfect way to end a hot summers\u2019 day.
\n\u2022 Alfresco dining is the way to go in summer \u2013 make sure you book ahead to nab a spot during the busy periods.<\/p>\n

Tarnya – Regional SA Hotels expert<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you like Barossa Valley you\u2019d love a trip to McLaren Vale!
\nWhat makes this a great holiday destination? <\/strong><\/p>\n

With its idyllic Mediterranean-style climate, proximity to stunning beaches and wealth of food, wine and hospitality experiences, McLaren Vale is the perfect destination for a luxurious weekend stay.
\nTop hotel picks? <\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for an indulgent escape then head to Wine and Roses Bed and Breakfast<\/a>. If a central location with a modern design is high on your wish list, try McLaren Vale Studio Apartments<\/a>, & for the price conscious, McLaren Vale Motel & Apartments<\/a> is a great budget-friendly option.<\/p>\n

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McLaren Vale Studio Apartments<\/p><\/div>\n

Any hot insider tips? <\/strong>
\n\u2022 A hot flat white, the morning\u2019s paper and tasty pastries at Blessed Cheese is a great way to start to the day.
\n\u2022 Pick up a bottle of Church Block from Wirra Wirra \u2013 you may even witness a watermelon being launched from a catapult!
\n\u2022 For fresh seafood & an amazing view – lunch at The Star of Greece is a must!<\/p>\n

Andrew – Sunshine Coast Hotels expert<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you like the relaxed coastal vibe of the Sunshine Coast, you\u2019ll love heading a little further north to the beautiful Rainbow Beach & Fraser Coast.
\nWhat makes this a great holiday destination?<\/strong>
\nThis amazing little beach side town really makes you feel like you are 1000 miles away. The main street has great little local stores, cafes and the Iconic Rainbow Beach Hotel. With patrolled & 4wd Beaches, golf, shopping, dining and Fraser Island just a short day tour away, you can really do as much or as little as you like in this beautiful part of the Queensland coast.
\nTop hotel picks?<\/strong>
\nA few of my favourite options in Rainbow Beach are Plantation Resort at Rainbow<\/a> and Breakfree Rainbow Shores<\/a>. And if you do decide to stay on the magical Fraser Island you cannot go wrong with the iconic King Fisher Bay Resort & village<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Plantation Resort at Rainbow<\/p><\/div>\n

Any hot insider tips? <\/strong>\u2022 You can\u2019t go past a great meal and cold beverage at the Rainbow Beach hotel, this iconic pub has been rebuilt & is a centre piece in the main street.
\n\u2022 Book a one, two or three day Fraser Island escape where you will see the world\u2019s largest sand island in all its glory.
\n\u2022 While on Fraser, a visit to Lake McKenzie is an absolute must.<\/p>\n

Brett – Regional Victoria Hotels expert<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you like Mornington Peninsula fave Sorrento then you\u2019ll love popping over to the other side of the Peninsula and visiting Flinders!
\nWhat makes this a great holiday destination? <\/strong><\/p>\n

If you are looking for a peaceful, relaxing and untouched corner of the Mornington Peninsula, then Flinders is for you. Located only moments away from all that the Peninsula has to offer, Flinders is a great little coastal town to base yourself when exploring the Peninsula\u2019s sandy beaches, stunning wineries, pristine golf courses and who can forget the Peninsula Hot Springs \u2013 all within a short drive of your hotel door!
\nTop hotel picks? <\/strong><\/p>\n

The newly opened Quarters at Flinders Hotel<\/a> is located right in the heart of town and provides an excellent, modern hotel with amazing service. Looking to stay just out of town? Only minutes up the road and offering great rates and packages for both members and non-members, the RACV Cape Schanck Resort<\/a> is definitely a winner!
\nAny hot insider tips? <\/strong>
\n\u2022 The Mornington Peninsula is your playground! Jump in the car and explore. From hot springs to horse riding and coastal sightseeing to art galleries, there is more to keep you occupied than you will be able to poke a stick at.
\n\u2022 If you are travelling between November and April definitely check out Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm.
\n\u2022 For an amazing meal look no further than the Deck and Terminus Restaurants,
\n\u2022 Don\u2019t forget to pop into Mornington Peninsula Chocolates on Cook Street for a sweet treat!<\/p>\n

Sharon – Regional New South Wales Hotels expert<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you like Hunter Valley you\u2019d love a trip to Mudgee.
\nWhat makes Mudgee a great holiday destination? <\/strong><\/p>\n

A 3.5 hour drive from Sydney, the Mudgee region is a popular destination for wine enthusiasts, offering an abundance of cellar doors & it\u2019s very own brewery. Local markets, delicious restaurants, museums, history & the pretty surrounds make this the perfect place for a relaxing escape.
\nTop hotel picks? <\/strong><\/p>\n

With accommodation options ranging from motels to luxury bed & breakfasts there is something to suit everyone! AJ\u2019s Mudgee Guesthouse<\/a> offers five star luxury, just 2.5km\u2019s north of the Mudgee township and close to all the vineyards & wineries while Owl Head Lodge<\/a> features motel style units and unique self-contained cottages, with a rural outlook.<\/p>\n

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AJ\u2019s Mudgee Guesthouse<\/p><\/div>\n

Any hot insider tips? <\/strong>
\n\u2022 The Logan Tasting Room at Logan Wines won the Best Cellar Door Experience category of the Australian Gourmet Traveller magazine awards in 2012!
\n\u2022 Mudgee Fine Foods Farmers Market is held on the third Saturday of each month. Browse the stalls, while listening to local musicians & sampling delicious food \u2013 it\u2019s the perfect way to spend a morning!<\/p>\n

Alex – Western Australia Hotels expert<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you like Margaret River you\u2019d love a trip to Swan Valley.
\nWhat makes Swan Valley a great holiday destination?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Swan Valley is Western Australia\u2019s oldest wine growing region just half an hour from Perth. It is a smaller, more boutique alternative to Margaret River, and much closer to Perth if you only have a few days to explore. The picturesque vineyards create the perfect backdrop for wine tasting, and with over 40 cellar doors in the region you will be spoilt for choice. If you prefer the amber ale, there are a number of local boutique breweries that have been emerging in the region and becoming very popular.
\nTop hotel pick? <\/strong><\/p>\n

Novotel Swan Valley Vines Resort<\/a> offers a relaxed atmosphere with an award winning golf course and restaurant and bar onsite.<\/p>\n

Any hot insider tips?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 If you don\u2019t want to drive, you can winery hop in a horse drawn wagon or chauffeured classic car.
\n\u2022 For a real wine experience you can create your own blend of wine at Sandalford Winery.
\n\u2022 Make sure you visit historic Guildford and stroll the antique strip, browse the boutiques and art galleries or enjoy an afternoon of live music in the beer gardens.
\n\u2022 The Feral Brewing Company is a popular spot in Guildford to sample award winning beer or wines and enjoy some delicious seasonal fare.<\/p>\n

Tori – Gold Coast Hotels expert<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you like the beaches of Surfers Paradise, you\u2019ll love visiting Broadbeach instead.
\nWhat makes this a great holiday destination? <\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for a quieter alternative to the hustle and bustle of Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach has everything and more. Known for its great shopping, nightlife, dining and world class beaches, Broadbeach has come a long way in recent years, with the addition of Peppers Broadbeach and its surrounding cafes and boutiques.
\nTop hotel picks? <\/strong><\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re looking for a romantic couples escape or a girl\u2019s getaway, Broadbeach has it all. The Iconic Jupiters Hotel & Casino Gold Coast<\/a> is an absolute must if you like all your creature comforts on your doorstop or BreakFree Neptune<\/a> is centrally located and a great choice for extended stays. Don\u2019t forget to check out the secret hotels in Broadbeach<\/a> as you will definitely not be disappointed!
\nAny hot insider tips? <\/strong>\u2022 Have a delicious smoothie or coffee from Manolas Brothers Deli.
\n\u2022 Join the locals and have a great pub lunch at Kurrawa Surf Club.
\n\u2022 If shopping is more your thing then visit the boutiques around Peppers Broadbeach.
\n\u2022 If you happen to be in town on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month, you will be able to catch the Broadbeach craft markets.
\n\u2022 And of course you cannot visit Broadbeach without a stroll to the beach and some great people watching!<\/p>\n

Neal – Melbourne Hotels expert<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you like the Melbourne CBD you\u2019d love a trip to South Yarra instead.
\nWhat makes this a great holiday destination? <\/strong>
\nIn two words… Chapel Street! If you\u2019re looking for an alternative to the bars, restaurants and shopping in the CBD, most locals would urge you to jump on a tram from the CBD and head to South Yarra instead.
\nTop hotel picks? <\/strong>
\nFor luxury head to The Lyall<\/a> or for something funky Art Series – The Cullen<\/a> is for you
\nAny hot insider tips? <\/strong>
\n\u2022 Jam Factory is one of the main focal points of South Yarra. An actual jam factory at one time, it\u2019s now a fashion and culture hub with cinemas, bars… and is also home to Australia\u2019s very first Top Shop\/Top Man!<\/p>\n

Kate – Tasmania Hotels expert<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you like small European town feel and the foodie scene you\u2019d love a trip to Hobart.
\nWhat makes this a great holiday destination?<\/strong>
\nIt is impossible to compare Hobart with any other Australian city. It has a European feel with the beautiful heritage buildings (somewhat like areas of Melbourne but without the big city feel and crowds). Hobart has a contemporary culture, stunning natural surroundings of Mt Wellington and the harbour and of course the gourmet experiences.<\/p>\n

Lonely Planet\u2019s annual list of the hottest destinations to visit next year has named Hobart as number 7 of the top 10 best cities in the world! They say that \u201cnow is the time to discover what\u2019s going on down there before the rest of the world catches on\u201d. Who am I to argue with Lonely Planet? \ud83d\ude42
\nTop hotel picks? <\/strong>
\nFor exclusive luxury the Mona Pavilions<\/a> are just incredible, and the Islington<\/a> offers a boutique option that blends regency architecture with modern luxuries. For a good central location on the harbour the Hotel Grand Chancellor <\/a>has options for most budgets.<\/p>\n

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Islington<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Any hot insider tips? <\/strong><\/h2>\n
    \n
  • When in Hobart, the world famous MONA museum is a must visit.<\/li>\n
  • Hobart has a blossoming food scene with an array of cafes and restaurants offering modern fresh cuisine. The region produces elegant wines and boutique brews with lots of funky little bars to experience them.<\/li>\n
  • The Salamanca markets are held every Saturday and are the ultimate for foodies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    We all love a holiday but if you\u2019re sick of going back to the same spot time and time again..<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":39482,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[2672,2673,33,2674,2675,2501,2676,2677,76,523,422,78,2678,2679,2503,2680,2681,2682,42,271,794,17,2683,863,2684,2685,698,2686,26,2687,1465,1512,38,988,235,1221,2688,2689,2690,1381,2691,1301,224,2692],"acf":{"credits":[{"name":"","label":"","full_url":""}],"enable_review_score":false},"posts_api_cpm_point":{"name":"","description":"","thumbnail":"","address":"Brunswick Heads NSW 2483, Australia","latitude":"-28.5557919","longitude":"153.54363939999996","icon":"\/images\/icons\/marker.png"},"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17442"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17442"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17442\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44425,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17442\/revisions\/44425"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39482"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17442"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17442"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17442"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}