Hotel.com.au/PortDouglas
If its natural wonders you're after Port Douglas is your town. It's the closest port to the Great Barrier Reef and over 100 tours to the reef originate here daily. Port Douglas is also a popular base for exploring the world heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation.
 Bay Villas Resort from AU$130 per night for a Studio apartment
Hotel.com.au/Darwin Situated on a magnificent harbour, Darwin is the closest capital city to Asia. A tropical monsoonal climate, an outdoor lifestyle, lush vegetation, fascinating (and frightening!) wildlife, fantastic fishing, diving adventures, the pristine Litchfield National Park and Tiwi Islands, and an exciting mix of Indigenous and Asian influences make this city a truly memorable place to visit.
How central can you get? Darwin Central Hotel from $137 per night
Hotel.com.au/Nature&EcoToursCairns Ok so this is not quite hotel but on these tours someone else sets up the tent, you get to enjoy spectacular views of the Great Barrier Reef by air, swim under waterfalls, visit a true blue Aussie cattle station, travel through world heritage-listed rainforest and indulge in the occasional champagne brekky. The remote wilderness of tropical north QLD is your resort!
Experience a 7 day Cape York fly/drive camping safari from AU$1895 per person
Hotel.com.au/Bali The biggest, brashest beach resort in Bali, the Kuta-Legian-Seminyak conurbation, is packed with hundreds of hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs and shops. But Bali has more to offer than a cheap beachside holiday. There are over 20,000 temples and palaces on the island, the most famous being the Hindu Besakih Temple (or "Mother Temple") on the slopes of Mount Agung. There are also other unique sights such as the active volcano at Lake Batur, the monkey forest near Sangeh, and the artisan town of Ubud.
Stay on Kuta Beach at the Kuta Seaview Cottages from just AU$69 per night!
Hotel.com.au/Rarotonga Rarotonga is the largest of the 15 Cook Islands and home to the capital, Avarua. The Polynesians are gentle, charismatic people and the vibe here is friendly and relaxed. Even if you're not religious, you'll be uplifted by a Sunday service at the Cook Island Christian Church where hymns are sung in the native tongue. Swim and snorkel at Muri Lagoon. Test your coconut husking skills at the Cook Islands Cultural Village. And don't forget to head to the local markets on Saturday mornings.
Relax at the beachfront Edgewater Resort from NZ$218 per night
Hotel.com.au/Honolulu Imagine the beautiful Pacific ocean against a backdrop of dramatic cliffs and extinct volcanoes. So what? This type of scenery is found in plenty of places. What attracts most visitors to Honolulu, and especially Waikiki, is the sheer hedonism of shopping, eating and hanging out in the sun. Downtown Honolulu is a manageable size and a lot quieter than its glamorous image might suggest. It also has an excellent public transport system which allows easy exploration of the whole island.
Spoil yourself at the Hilton Hawaiian Village from US$269 per night
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