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.
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Long weekends like Australia Day, Easter and the King'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 3- or even 4-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.
Save on your luggage with these discounts:
Top overseas trips for the long weekend
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 and Wellington. The shortest direct flight is between Sydney and Queenstown at 3 hours.
Deal
New Zealand flights from $265.31
Available for travel on select dates at Pay Later Travel. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Flights to Queenstown from $525
Available for travel on select dates. T&Cs apply.
Deal
New Zealand flights from $512
Available for travel on select dates. T&Cs apply.
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 3 hours from Sydney and Brisbane.
Deal
Noumea flights from $1,139
Available for travel on select dates at Flight Centre. T&Cs apply.
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 in a little over 6 hours.
Deal
Bali flights from $504.49
Available for travel on select dates at Pay Later Travel. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Flights to Bali from $539
Available for travel on select dates. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Bali flights from $600.85
Available for travel on select dates. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Bali flights from $1,066
Available for travel on select dates. T&Cs apply.
Dili, Timor-Leste
If you’ve seen and done Bali or are looking for a more authentic Indonesian experience, try 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.
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 from Australia’s east coast. Ideal for young families, honeymooning couples and pure relaxation, it’ll take you less than 4 hours to fly from Sydney or Brisbane, making it ideal for a 3- or 4-day holiday.
Vanuatu
Much like Fiji, Vanuatu is a South Pacific Island with a lot to offer families, couples and adventure seekers. Snorkel through coral oceans, unwind in plush cabanas and uncover historical WWI relics over a short trip. You can get here in just over 3 hours from Sydney or under 3 hours from Brisbane.
Deal
Port Vila, Vanuatu flights from $597.09
Available for travel on select dates at Pay Later Travel. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Flights to Vanuatu from $508
Book your flights now to Vanuatu starting from just $508. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Flights to Vanuatu from $1,627
Available for travel on select dates. T&Cs apply.
Solomon Islands
Brisbane is topping the list here for the best destination to start an international holiday that won’t waste your time to get to. On top of Fiji and Vanuatu, Brisbanites also have the option to travel to the Solomon Islands for a paradise-filled adventure that's less than 4 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.
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 3-day holiday, you can drink up views of the bay, scour marketplaces, chow down on local eats, visit museums and play it like a local.
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.
| From | To | Flight time (direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Darwin | Dili, Timor-Leste | 1 hour 20 minutes |
| Darwin | Bali | 2 hours 40 minutes |
| Brisbane | Port Vila, Vanuatu | 2 hours 50 minutes |
| Brisbane | Noumea | 2 hours 10 minutes |
| Sydney | Noumea | 2 hours 50 minutes |
| Sydney | Queenstown | 3 hours |
| Brisbane | Auckland | 3 hours 15 minutes |
| Melbourne | Queenstown | 3 hours 5 minutes |
| Sydney | Port Vila, Vanuatu | 3 hours 30 minutes |
| Brisbane | Port Moresby | 3 hours 10 minutes |
| Brisbane | Honiara, Solomon Islands | 3 hours 20 minutes |
| Brisbane | Christchurch | 3 hours 30 minutes |
| Brisbane | Wellington | 3 hours 35 minutes |
| Melbourne | Christchurch | 3 hours 15 minutes |
| Brisbane | Queenstown | 3 hours 30 minutes |
| Melbourne | Wellington | 3 hours 35 minutes |
| Brisbane | Fiji | 3 hours 40 minutes |
| Hobart | Auckland | 3 hours 30 minutes (no direct flights) |
| Melbourne | Auckland | 3 hours 30 minutes |
| Perth | Bali | 3 hours 45 minutes |
| Sydney | Fiji | 3 hours 55 minutes |
| Sydney | Wellington | 3 hours, 15 minutes |
| Sydney | Auckland | 3 hours |
| Sydney | Christchurch | 3 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 Darwin, you can get up to Singapore in just 4 hours and 45 minutes, and from Sydney, you can now fly direct to Tonga in 4 hours and 35 minutes.
See deals and exclusive codes for the long weekend
Code
exclusive
Up to 10% off adventures with code
Get up to 10% off if you spend over $350 using the code at Adrenaline. Available on select dates for activities like jet boat rides, skydives, park admissions, day tours, and more. T&Cs apply.
Deal
exclusive
5% off select activities with code FDEXOZ300
Available on activities like hot air balloon flights, skydiving, lunch cruises, passes to attractions including Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park, SkyPoint Observation Deck, SEA LIFE Aquarium, Madam Tussauds and more. Minimum spend of $300 is required. T&Cs apply.
Deal
exclusive
10% off activities with code FD300
Available on select dates on destinations including Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth and Hobart. Minimum spend of $300 required. Activities include hot air balloon flights, skydives and high teas. T&Cs apply.
Code
exclusive
Get 5% off activities with code
Available when you spend a minimum of $250 on activities such as hot air balloon flights, rally driving, skydives, high teas and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Hobart. T&Cs apply.
Deal
10% off select hotels around the world
Get 10% off select hotels and free cancellation on selected hotels with Mate's Rates. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to 57% off international tours
Available for travel on select dates. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Greece, Japan, and more. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to 83% off Lux Exclusive hotel offers
Book luxury hotel stays and enjoy up to 83% discount at Luxury Escapes. Limited time offer. Available on select dates. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to $59 off Gold Coast theme park passes
Available for travel on select dates. Other attractions include Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World and Wet'n'Wild. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to 34% off Australia holiday packages
Available on select dates when you book your hotel and flights together. Destinations include Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Gold Coast. T&Cs apply.
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Broome Holidays from $1,103
Available on select travel dates when you book your flights or car and hotel together. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to 60% off last-minute escapes
Available on stays within the next 14 days. Destinations include Sydney, Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and Canberra. T&Cs apply.
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Up to 60% off last-minute escapes
Available on stays within the next 14 days. Destinations include Sydney, Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and Canberra. T&Cs apply.
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Up to 26% off Gold Coast hotels
Available on stays until December 2024. Destinations include Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and more. T&Cs apply.
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Gold Coast car hires from $51
Available on select rental dates in 2023 with Avis, Budget, Sixt, Europcar and more. Destinations include Brisbane, Toowoomba, Lamington National Park and more.
Deal
exclusive
10% off activities with code FD300
Available on select dates on destinations including Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth and Hobart. Minimum spend of $300 required. Activities include hot air balloon flights, skydives and high teas. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to 10% off Melbourne stays
Available on select stay dates until December 2024, including Christmas and New Year's Eve. Destinations include Northern Suburbs, Southbank and more.
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Up to 19% off Brisbane Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary holidays
Available on select travel dates when you book hotel and flights together. T&Cs apply.
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Cairns car hires from $62
Available on select rental dates in 2023 with Avis, Budget, Sixt, Europcar and more. Destinations close from Cairns include Palm Island, Mareeba and more.
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Up to $120 off hotel stays
Available on select travel dates and select properties across Australia when you spend a minimum of $168. T&Cs apply.
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Editor's pick
Up to 15% off Sydney getaways
Available on select travel dates until December 2024. Destinations include Coogee, Bondi Beach, Surry Hills and more.
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Adelaide car hires from $45
Available on select rental dates in 2023 with Europcar, Thrifty, Hertz and more.
Deal
Up to 5% off hotels
Available on select travel dates and select properties across Australia. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Melbourne car hires from $50
Available on select rental dates in 2023 with Europcar, Sixt, Hertz, Avis, Budget, DriveNow and more.
Deal
Up to 41% off domestic stays + free cancellations
Available until December 2024. Destinations include Broome, Mackay, Launceston, Darwin, Perth, Cairns, Sydney and Gold Coast. T&Cs apply.
Code
Get 10% off Broome activities with code
Available on select travel dates when you spend a minimum of $300. Activities include getaways, sightseeing tours, high teas, helicopter flights and more.
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Up to 10% off Hobart activities with code
Available on select dates when you spend a minimum of $300. Activities include winery tours, getaways, high teas, spas, sightseeing cruises and helicopter flights. T&Cs apply.
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Up to 60% off Australia getaways
Available on select stay dates with Express Deals. Destinations include Sydney, Adelaide, Byron Bay, Thredbo Village, Sunshine Coast, Jindabyne, Perth, the Gold Coast and more.
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Up to 10% off Sydney helicopter flight experiences
Available on select travel dates when you spend a minimum of $300. T&Cs apply.
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Hobart car hires from $80
Available on select rental dates with Avis, Budget, SIXT, Europcar and more. Destinations close from Hobart include Port Arthur, Tasmania and more.
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Extra 10% off Northern Territory activities with code
Available on select dates and activities, including sightseeing tours, zoo and wildlife experience, spas, sailings, hot air balloon flights and scenic flights. Minimum spend of $300 required. T&Cs apply.
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Things to do in Canberra from $15 + an extra 5% off with code
Available on select dates when you buy 2 or more vouchers. Activities include tandem skydives, dinning experiences, getaways, spas, wine tastings and more. T&Cs apply.
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Up to 10% off Adelaide activities with code
Available on select dates when you spend a minimum of $300. Activities include winery tours in Adelaide Hills and tandem skydives. Sample price is for the River Torrens sightseeing cruise. T&Cs apply.
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Up to 60% off express deals
Available on select dates in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and more. T&Cs apply
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Up to 30% off Australia tours
Available on select travel dates in 2023 to Brisbane, Cairns, Adelaide, Uluru, Darwin, Hobart and more.
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Falls Creek stays from $130 per night
Available on select stay dates. Sample stay is at Mount Beauty, Victoria. T&Cs apply.
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