I have some time off coming up between jobs.
Finishing current role this Friday 24 May and starting new one earliest June 11th.
Any ideas for finding a cheap getaway? Flights, accommodation, etc.
I'm in Melbourne, anywhere in Aus works or even somewhere close overseas.
Haven't thought it through so don't have a budget but up for ideas. Thanks!
@brendanm - do you agree with this?
I'd personally stay the hell away from Cavill ave, but to each their own 😂
for those of us not in with the kewl kids, whats the issue with that place?
@pharkurnell: i think everyone has their likes and dislikes - Cavill Ave is a bit of a cesspit during schoolies and school holdiays because it's cheap and popular but we just returned from there and found it perfectly fine at this time of year when neither of those things are happening and there is loads to do without needing a car.
@pharkurnell: Full of bogans, bikies, eshays, morons who think they are king shit. It's the place to avoid on the gold coast
@pharkurnell: For what it's worth I don't hate on Surfers Paradise. There's lots of great accommodation, two supermarkets, a myriad of dining options and plenty of patrolled beach to select from. So far I've stayed in 43 different hotels & apartments on the Goldy, half of them in Surfers.
@sumyungguy: totally agree, my partner and i are in our 50's and went back reluctantly last year only to be pleasantly surprised. We didn't come accross any unpleasant characters whilst there and there are some fantastic hotels, apartments, restaurant and entertainment options available for all tastes. I've heard it's still pretty busy and I'm sure you get some unpleasantness around during school holidays and schoolies but if you can travel outside of those times we have now been back twice and would still return again.
@Strabo: I've been there during Schoolies when cheap rates can be had at non-Schoolies properties. The streets and beaches are deserted during the day but some restaurants close as Schoolies don't dine out, they survive on frozen meals, fast food and pizza by the slice. As long as you avoid check-in day it's all good.
Nice one will have a look, cheers!
Literally go anywhere on the GC that isn't surfers paradise.
k
Would tend to agree, but Burleigh is a bit of a mess right now, the esplanade is being upgraded so there’s only a few beach access points and the GC hwy from south of Broadbeach to Burleigh has night roadworks that can be pretty loud depending on the particular night. There’s definitely some gross aspect to Surfers but there are some very nice hotels and some good restaurants. For the next few weeks I reckon Surfers might actually trump some other spots.
Do you have a passport?
I do!
Nice 😎
That's it? You were just curious?
@soan papdi: Just wanted everyone to know if he had one or not before they start researching cheap overseas holidays. Someone else should probably ask if he has a wife or something that wants to go with him and if they have a passport too.
We need some more details on your interests when travelling, e.g. food, architecture, art, natural wonders, theme parks, outdoor pursuits, performing arts, sporting events, hookers, gambling?
Not much. Just good weather, beach, maybe a little nightlife.
If you really want cheap that may exclude international. You'll find beach and nightlife at the Goldy with sea temperature still above 23º. Head further north in Queensland for warmer beaches but less nightlife. Townsville and Cairns both have casinos so there's some life after hours. Broome is beachy but has no nightlife. Hawaii may tick your boxes but definitely isn't cheap.
I guess cheap is relative. Would be a waste of time to go anywhere further than Asia for a week or two though, otherwise I'd probably just go to Europe and stay with family. Yeah, Queensland, maybe Perth or Darwin for better weather. Will consider options over the next few days. Thanks for the ideas.
@theory: Some caveats… Perth is the same latitude as Sydney so not that warm; Darwin is only tolerable for a short stay unless you're fully bogan.
@sumyungguy: Darwin isn’t amazing, true, but you can go to Litchfield National park and Kakadu or even take a cheap flight over to Bali from there. One week in Bali, One week in the NT wouldn’t be horrible. Darwin also has some delicious Asian and Indian food.
@theory Set your travel time and see how it will cost.
https://iwantthatflight.com.au/world.aspx?oc=MEL
Vietnam? About $450 return from melbourne (use skyscanner for some flights) to HCMC. Decent (non backpacker) hotels from $40 inc breakfast, amazing cheap street food from $1-$2, nice weather, plenty of activities to keep you entertained.
Thank you, will check it out!
Great suggestion
Vietnam is a good place for a one or two week trip.
Danang/ Hoian for some beach time, weather wise.
depart Sat, May 25 11:10 PM – 10:10 PM+1
AirAsia X, AirAsia
25 hr
MEL–MNL
1 stop for 12 hr 20 min in KL - get a taxi and head in to town visit the mid valley mega mall, then check out the museum of muslim architecture. and then back to the airport
Mon, Jun 10 9:00 PM – 9:35 AM+2
XiamenAir 34 hr 35 min
MNL–MEL
1 stop in Xiamen Gaoqi China for 22 hr 50 min
(get a China 72-Hour/144-Hour Visa-Free Transfer](https://www.xiamenair.com/brandnew_EN/passenger-service/tran…) and head in to town for a day of shopping/sight seeing.
Awesome stuff, thanks for the suggestion!
Ha, an adventure for some, but a nightmare for those who don't like long flights and transits. As for Manila, I hope it's safer now, I was worried about being kidnapped or robbed by (so called) taxi drivers
Ghaaaaaan…
NFI its about 500% too expensive
Yeah it can ghan get f…
@theory: https://www.journeybeyondrail.com.au/packages/arnhem-land-ad…
Go Gold Single for $20,000 LMAO!!!!!!!!!!
@pharkurnell: when I retire next year then Marjory and I will book that. we'll be the envy of everyone at the RSL. the kids will hate us for burning through their inheritance.
/boomer thoughts
Bonnie Doon
What's the serenity like?
Anywhere in south east Asia as others have mentioned, Bali is a popular spot for us Aussies. Virgin return for $659 with stopover in Brisbane is quite long though..
I'd go for the Vietnam trip suggested above by slknv $450 for direct flights with Jetstar would be perfect
Sweet, never been to Asia because it's not really my vibe and I have food intolerances which will be hard to cater for. Need to look into it a bit more.
Things I’ve loved
Road trip from Broome to Perth with a drive up to Cape Leveque first
Whitsundays, you can go on overnight cruises on a catamaran that go out to the reef as well Airlie beach has a reasonable night life too
Central Australia if you like hiking and biking Uluru, katajuta, kings canyon east MacDonald ranges, rainbow valley
Kangaroo Island
Cambodia - Siem Reap
Singapore/Malaysia combo, Penang, Georgetown, check out some of the islands.
I live on the Goldy and like it but it’s pretty much just beaches unless you like theme parks. I’d rate a road trip from Sydney to Bris stopping in places like Seal Rocks, Forster, south west rocks, Coffs Harbour, Byron, GC if you like beaches. I’ve done various variations of this over 15 times and still enjoy it, but I love swimming and beaches.
If you’re interested in driving holidays take a look at imoova and transfer car that have deals to rent cars for $1/day and some that will provide petrol.
Awesome mate, thanks for the list. I'll do some googling.
surfers international is pretty cheap if you aren't looking for 4 or 5*. Right on the beachfront and a block and a half from cavill avenue, it's pretty reasonable ($570 for 5 Nights). flights to Gold Coast are usually cheap too.