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Beach and island holidays

Maria Island, and the isthmus that separates its two parts.

Hiking a wondrous, isolated Aussie island where dreams lived and died

Dark-eyed Diego Bernacchi is the doomed optimist consumed by a fantastical vision to transform this forsaken place of exile into an empire on the east coast of Tasmania.

  • Anabel Dean
Pura Ulun Danu Bratan temple, with its multi-tiered shrine, and Lake Bratan, is famed Balinese landmark.

The fabulous side of Bali still waiting to be discovered

Bali offers untold depth for the thinking traveller. But how many of us go deeper? These six experts live on the island and reckon we could do a lot better.

  • Sue Williams
Turquoise shores at Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas.

Why this tiny town on the edge of Australia has our hearts

We said we’d stop going when we ran out of things to do. We never have.

  • Lindy Alexander
Lord Howe Island has a surprisingly large number of hiking trails.

This tiny island is home to some of Australia’s most beautiful hikes

It’s just 11 kilometres long, but this volcanic remnant somehow packs in a wealth of trails. None are long, some are tough, all are beautiful.

  • Andrew Bain
Bermuda has attracted celebrities and the well-to-do since the 1930s.

Despite not visiting for 50 years, I still find this island is my favourite place

A new job took my grandfather to paradise. Joining him there was the highlight of my childhood.

  • Mark Chipperfield
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Kokomo Private Island. The name has nothing to do with the Beach Boys.

A mythical island paradise didn’t exist, so an Australian created it

It might (incorrectly) be associated with a famous Beach Boys song, but this private island resort has plenty of other reasons to sing its praises.

  • Craig Platt
A beach in Chumphon: Not a lounge chair, umbrella or backpacker in sight.

My beach paradise is somewhere most tourists ignore as they pass through

I didn’t intend to come to this Thai town, but I missed my ferry. I discovered an incredible place most tourists never experience.

  • Paul Marshall
The ultra-exclusive Lizard Island Resort is one of Queensland’s, if not Australia’s, most luxurious stays.

The best places to stay in Cairns

Long known as a backpacker town, Cairns’ cool factor has skyrocketed in recent years thanks to a $600 million accommodation investment.

  • Angela Saurine
Getting to gorgeous areas of Indonesia, such as Gili Lawa Darat in East Nusa Tenggara, is becoming easier.

Forget Bali. Indonesia has 17,000 islands – here are 10 of the best

For decades, many Australian travellers have treated Indonesia as though it begins and ends with Bali. It’s time to move on.

  • Nina Karnikowski
The secluded cove of Little Bay Beach in Arakoon National Park.

This beach town feels like a throwback to a simpler time

It is the holiday spot we always promise to visit “one day”. We finally take the turn-off to find a town where time slows down.

  • Angela Saurine