Hi all, I am going to have an unexpected short (5 days including weekend) break at the end of April or beginning of May.
Can anyone recommend what can be done for a short getaway somewhere with warm water, relaxed atmosphere and good prices?
Things get further complicated by the fact that I want to go with a friend who lives in Melbourne, while I'm in Brisbane.
I'm thinking Bali is the cheapest overseas option, even though I missed all the great sales.
Any other ideas? Should we just stay in Aus and drive up the coast?
Have you been to Whitsundays? Not as cheap as Bali but the flights will be way cheaper and it's warm (mid to high 20s) and relaxed. Stunning azure water and white beaches, but make sure you actually get out among the islands don't just stay at Airlie Beach. Plus May is the start of the dry season in North QLD so you should get nice weather and the water is still 25 Celsius.
Fly to either Mackay, Whitsunday Coast (Proserpine) or Hamilton Island.
I would recommend doing a sailing trip for two nights. I booked one with these guys:
http://www.sailing-whitsundays.com/
The sail trip seems to be cheaper than accommodation on the islands.
Looks like return flights from BNE on Virgin are $168?
https://www.google.com/flights/#search;f=BNE;t=PPP,HTI,MKY;d…
Or even $138 return to Mackay from MEL on Tiger?
https://www.google.com/flights/#search;f=MEL;t=PPP,HTI,MKY;d…
You can get a transfer shuttle to Airlie Beach.
Edit: Looks like those prices I got are in USD so it's more like $200 return from BNE/MEL.