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Overseas trips you can make over a long weekend (that you probably didn’t know you could)

We're not as remote as you might think we are.

Stephanie Yip
Stephanie Yip

Updated

Fact checked
Harbour at Noumea in New Calendonia.

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Long weekends like Australia Day, Easter and the Queen's birthday are the perfect excuse to get away on a spontaneous trip. While exploring your own backyard on your days off is always a good idea, you might be surprised to know you can actually travel internationally for a decent three or even four day holiday from most capital cities in Australia.

And no, we're not just suggesting you pay our Kiwi friends a visit for the weekend… although there is that option.

To bring you the best destinations to jet set to, we sought out flights with a travel time of 4 hours or less, because you shouldn't spend all your time flying when you should be maxing out your holiday hours.

NewZealandF

New Zealand

We’re going to get this one over and done with early. Located southeast of Australia, New Zealand makes for the perfect long weekend break due to its proximity to Australia as well as the frequency of direct flights between major cities.

Flights from eastern Australia are between 3-4 hours to major New Zealand cities such as Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, Wellington and Dunedin. The shortest direct flight is between Sydney and Queenstown at 3 hours.

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Noumea

The French Polynesian territory of New Caledonia might seem a world away culturally, but it’s only a short flight from Australia’s eastern cities. Renowned for its beaches marine life and island culture, you can get to it for under four hours from Melbourne or under three hours from Sydney and Brisbane.

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BaliWedding

Bali

Australia’s love affair with Bali isn’t without reason. From its powder soft beaches to its affordable budget flights, it’s best flown for a short trip from Perth or Darwin. If you’ve got a few more days to spare, you can get up to Bali from Sydney or Brisbane for a little over 6 hours.

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Dili, Timor-Leste

If you’ve seen and done Bali or are looking for a more authentic Indonesian experience, East Timor’s capital Dili. Located on the north coast of the country, Dili features pristine views of the bay and Atauro island. Darwin is the only Australian capital that offers short, direct flights to it, with a travel time of 1 hour and 20 minutes.

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FijiF

Fiji

Featuring over 300 islands and a tropical landscape of sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and rugged mountains, Fiji is a relaxing outpost not far off from Australia’s east coast. Ideal for young families, honeymooning couples and pure relaxation, it’ll take you less than four hours to fly to from Sydney or Brisbane making it ideal for a three or four day holiday.

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Vanuatu.Shutterstock

Vanuatu

Much like Fiji, Vanuatu is a South Pacific Island with much to offer for families and couples and adventure seekers. Snorkel through coral oceans, rewind in plush cabanas and uncover historical WWI relics over a short trip. You can get here in just over three hours from Sydney or under three hours from Brisbane.

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Solomon Islands

Brisbane is topping the list here for the best destination to start at for an international holiday that won’t waste your time to get to. On top of Fiji and Vanuatu, Brisbanites also have the option to travelling to the Solomon Islands for a paradise-filled adventure that's less than four hours away. Dreamy, laid-back, historical and landscape rich, spend your days stretching out on the beach, swimming in lagoons or wandering volcanic rims. The choice is yours.

Search for flights to Solomon Islands

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Port Moresby

Papua New Guinea’s largest city is accessed easiest from Brisbane and is a grittier more city-based experience. With a flight time of just over 3 hours, over the course of your three day holiday you can drink up views of the bay, scour marketplaces, chow down on local eats. visit museums and see play it like a local.

Flights to Port Moresby

International flights you can take under 4 hours from Australia’s capital cities

Find out where you can go. Note, unfortunately there are no direct, international flights from Adelaide.

FromToFlight time (direct)
DarwinDili, Timor-Leste1 hour 20 minutes
DarwinBali2 hours 40 minutes
BrisbanePort Vila, Vanuatu2 hours 45 minutes
BrisbaneLuganville, Vanuatu2 hours 45 minutes
NoumeaNoumea2 hours 5 minutes
SydneyNoumea2 hours 50 minutes
SydneyQueenstown3 hours
BrisbaneAuckland3 hours 10 minutes
MelbourneQueenstown3 hours 15 minutes
SydneyPort Vila, Vanuatu3 hours 15 minutes
BrisbanePort Moresby3 hours 15 minutes
BrisbaneHoniara, Solomon Islands3 hours 20 minutes
BrisbaneChristchurch3 hours 25 minutes
BrisbaneWellington3 hours 25 minutes
MelbourneChristchurch3 hours 25 minutes
BrisbaneQueenstown3 hours 30 minutes
MelbourneWellington3 hours 30 minutes
MelbourneNoumea3 hours 30 minutes
BrisbaneFiji3 hours 30 minutes
HobartAuckland3 hours 30 minutes (no direct flights)
MelbourneAuckland3 hours 35 minutes
BrisbaneDunedin3 hours 40 minutes
PerthBali3 hours 40 minutes
SydneyFiji3 hours 55 minutes
SydneyWellington3 hours, 10 minutes
SydneyAuckland3 hours, 5 minutes
SydneyChristchurch3 hours, 5 minutes

Four-day weekend?

If you can stretch your holiday even further and push that flight time just a smidgen, it’s possible to make it even further north than Bali. From Perth you can get up to Jakarta in 4 hours, 45 minutes and from Darwin, you can reach Singapore in just 4 hours 35 minutes.

Top long weekend travel deals

Otel.comOtel.com

Extra 9% off hotel bookings

Valid on select hotel stays worldwide like Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Thailand, USA, Europe and more on all dates, including over holidays like Easter, Christmas and New Year's Eve. Some restrictions apply.

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Luxury EscapesLuxury Escapes

Up to 61% off domestic holiday packages

Available on select dates until December 2021, including over Christmas and New Year's Eve. Destinations include Adelaide, Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Sydney, Cairns, Canberra, Hunter Valley and more. T&Cs apply.

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KlookKlook

Up to 60% off activities, experiences and things to do

Valid on select dates including holidays like Christmas, New Year's and more depending on the destination. Destinations include Hong Kong, Singapore, Osaka, Taipei, Dubai, Sydney, Melbourne, London, Paris, New York and more. T&Cs apply.

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Otel.comOtel.com

Extra 8% off hotel bookings

Valid on hotel stays worldwide on all dates, including over holidays like Easter, Christmas and New Year's Eve.

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ViatorViator

Berlin Christmas Market tours from $33

Available on select 2020 dates. Sample price is for a walking tour. T&Cs apply.

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KlookKlook

7% off Bali tours and attractions

Save on snorkelling tours, Waterbom entry, whitewater rafting, Mount Batur hiking tours especially on holidays like Christmas, New Year's and more. Sample discount is for a day tour in Bali. T&Cs apply.

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