If you’re planning to travel with your significant other or boo-thang this year it might not be as expensive as you think. Fast Cover has found some cheap overseas holidays that will make your money stretch further than you might expect.
Indonesia is a favourite backpackers’ destination with beach huts, a rich culture and adventurous activities all available at low prices.
- Ningaloo Reef
With long empty beaches, astonishing marine life and a strong cultural heritage, Ningaloo Reef has been elevated to the top of many discerning travellers’ wishlists. This remote and wildly beautiful coral reef and coastline is also home to important rookeries for loggerhead, hawksbill and green turtles.
It is one of the longest fringing reef systems in the world and supports a high diversity of coral, reef fish and mollusc species. The Ningaloo Coast is an ecological hotspot and was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2011.
Eco retreat Sal Salis is a beach-side oasis that puts the ‘glamp’ in glamping, with handcrafted jarrah beds and a well-stocked mini bar. Its location on the Ningaloo Reef means the waters are warm all year round.
- Hamilton Island
Hamilton Island is the largest settled of the Whitsunday Islands and right in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Featuring pristine beaches and a kaleidoscope of coral and marine life, it’s the stuff that island dreams are made of.
Easily accessible by air, Hamilton has its own commercial airport servicing daily flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane via Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia. It also boasts a range of hotels, resorts and self-contained suites.
One of the most popular things to do on Hamilton Island is enjoying a stunning sunset over the neighbouring Whitsunday Islands at the lookout of Passage Peak. Be sure to bring a picnic and enjoy your favourite tipple while the sun goes down over this tropical paradise.
- Sky Diving
Sky diving is a fun activity that can be enjoyed by even the most novice of skydivers. It involves jumping out of a plane at high altitudes, freefalling for up to 40 to 90 seconds and then deploying a parachute to slow down the fall. There are a number of different disciplines within skydiving such as CRW (building formations with other jumpers) and Base Jumping.
It’s said that people come to skydiving for the rush, but stay because of the people. The community of skydivers are some of the happiest, most generous beings in the world. Skydiving also allows you to experience stress within a controlled risk-management framework, which is invaluable for keeping your brain supple and flexible.
- Whale Sharks
The largest fish in the sea, Whale Sharks are a major draw for tourists and generate income for local communities. However, they are also important for biodiversity as they disperse nutrients and plankton throughout the oceans, so their presence can indicate a healthy marine ecosystem.
Despite this, irresponsible tourism such as feeding whale sharks to attract them to boats in Oslob is not good for the sharks or the environment. Fortunately, responsible tour operators who meet the Friend of the Sea Sustainable Whale Shark Watching Standard can offer a better experience.
These trips can include conservation volunteering such as tagging whale sharks and helping researchers with their data. They can also involve snorkelling, scuba diving or free diving alongside these gentle giants.
- Sydney Opera House
One of the most famous landmarks in Australia, Sydney Opera House is a must see for any visitor to the city. It features a series of roofs designed to look like billowing sails or shells, and it blends beautifully with its waterfront location.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is widely considered to be a masterpiece of 20th century architecture. It was built to “help mould a more enlightened community,” according to its designer, Danish architect Jorn Utzon.
Take a guided tour of the venue and learn about its history and design. Be sure to book a ticket for a show when you visit.
