The festive season can be a busy, stressful time, leaving you feeling exhausted. This year, why not buy yourself the gift of a getaway that you’ll remember forever?
Words: Charmaine Yabsley
If you’re like the team at Get It magazine, by the time Christmas rolls around you’re desperately looking forward to some time off over the break. However, this ‘time off’ tends to involve frantic present buying, hosting parties and overseeing kids on their school holidays. So, we’ve compiled a list of places where everyone can rest, recuperate and rejoice in the holidays? Whether you’re a solo traveler, coupled up, or looking for a family break, we’ve got you covered. Because everyone deserves a gift at Christmas.
For solo travelers
Take the long way
If you’ve ever wanted to embrace slow travel or just take it easy whilst sightseeing, then a train adventure might be the perfect holiday for you. The Great Southern departs Brisbane on Christmas Day, transporting guests through to Adelaide on a three-night, four-day all-inclusive train adventure. It’s not just food, beverages, and accommodation that’s included, it’s also Off Train Experiences along the way, with stops in Coffs Harbour, Port Stephens, and Melbourne and surrounds before pulling in to Adelaide. Or if you’d like a longer escape, the Indian Pacific train journey departs Sydney on 24 December bound for Perth on an epic transcontinental crossing that’s also all-inclusive. Both train journeys are ideal for people travelling solo – as the trains are super social; for couples or friends; or even for multi-generational travel.
https://www.journeybeyondrail.com.au/great-southern/
Romantic retreats
Byron bliss
Where better to escape the real world than a rainforest that sits cheek-by-jowl to one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia? Nestled in 45-acres of magical subtropical rainforest, Crystalbrook Byron is the ideal place to reconnect with nature, while relaxing in quiet luxury. Spend quality time with your favourite person in one of the resort’s 92 guest suites, each with its verandahs or enjoy the sunshine and cocktails beside the infinity pool. A short walk through the rainforest takes you to the deserted Byron beach, ideal for romantic strolls. If you’re feeling energetic, hit the tennis courts or start the day slowly with some morning yoga, followed by time in the Eléme Day Spa. A perfect end to a perfect day can be found in the Forest restaurant, where over 80 per cent of the menu’s ingredients come from within a three-hour drive of the restaurant. The Relax and Retreat package is ideal for those travelling with a partner, with accommodation, spa treatments, breakfast and yoga sessions, amongst other treats included.
Find out more at www.crystalbrookcollection.com.
Fall in love with Lancemore
Sometimes you can’t escape family commitments, but you can choose where you’ll stay. If you have family in Melbourne, or would like to plan a romantic getaway as the perfect Christmas gift, then the Lancemore Milawa, in Victoria’s high country, is ideal. Leaning into local artisanship as well as relaxed international influences, particularly the sun-kissed palette made famous by the Moors, the newly redesigned and refurbished hotel strikes a balance between regional sophistication and world-class luxury. Rooms and suites now greet guests with polished concrete floors, sumptuous bouclé daybeds or linen-covered sofas, custom timber joinery and commissioned artworks. Hammocks, poolside cabanas and sunbeds lend a Mediterranean vibe, while the hotel’s position among Australia’s most celebrated wineries (Brown Brothers estate is just across the road) evokes a sense of Northern Italy. Bella!
Family fun
A wonderful wander
Get the kids off their devices and log out from your responsibilities at Wander’s luxurious and sustainable eco pods located in two enviable locations in the Scenic Rim and Kangaroo Island. The Scenic Rim pods are in the heart of The Overflow 1985, where you can explore the surrounding rural beauty, which boasts a new world winery and a handcrafted homestead built in 1899 set on Lake Wyaralong. Or choose to visit Kangaroo Island, a magical island, home to breathtaking diversity and striking coastal rock formations, perfect for blowing away the cobwebs and releasing the year’s stress. You’ll have time to rediscover real connections –with each other and with our beautiful country. The only problem you’ll face is which location to choose.
Surf’s Up
Situated opposite Yamba’s iconic Main Beach, The Surf Yamba is the first twelve-room boutique hotel with an Australian coastal vibe, offering visitors an unforgettable visit to this sleepy surfside town. Designed by Sydney’s Design King company, the hotel has a rooftop along with a plunge pool offering unique 360-degree unrestricted views of the ocean. Beautifully designed, the bespoke and handmade furniture, as well as limited edition works by Australian artists and Leif amenities throughout compete only with the unforgettable views. Relax, overlooking the ocean while enjoy local cuisine delivered in breakfast hampers and charcuterie platters from local cafe Gather, and remember your own childhood beach holidays. It’s truly the perfect spot to begin your own traditions.
www.thesurfyamba.com.au
Set sail
Embrace the high seas on the perfect grown-up’s getaway on the Norwegian Spirit, returning to local waters on 23 December to commence her second local season starting with a 12-day Christmas and New Year cruise. The ship will visit ten ports between Melbourne and Auckland. Following her bow-to-stern renovation, the Norwegian Spirit now offers re-imagined staterooms, new venues and adult-centric spaces, such as the adults-only Spice H2O pool area and bar and the Mandara Spa – the perfect position to enjoy a massage while floating over the high seas.
Amazing Antarctica
If you really want to push the boat out this Christmas, then this Antarctic-bound odyssey may be perfect for those on Santa’s ‘Nice’ list. The 15-day cruise, departs from Argentina, on the 14th of December, and will guarantee you a white Christmas, as you spot your first iceberg whilst breathing in some of the freshest, crispest air you’ve ever experienced.
Expeditions explore the South Shetland Islands, discovering spectacular ice cliffs whilst watching out for whales, seals, and penguins. Conditions permitting, you will cross the Antarctic Circle, an imaginary line located at the Antarctic Circle.
For more information and inclusions visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au.
Win! The trip of a lifetime worth $55K!
Have you ever dreamed of exploring the unforgettable Arctic? Sailing the fjords, perhaps spotting a polar bear, counting the variations of blue in icebergs or imagining yourself an explorer? Aurora Expeditions is giving some lucky person the opportunity to win* a place for two on board one of its purpose-built intimate ships, the Greg Mortimer and recently launched Sylvia Earle in its Life-Changing Arctic Competition to the value of $55,390. (Running from May 18 to July 19, 2023 the competition is open to anyone globally over the age of 18 years.) The winner can choose between three incredible departures: Iceland Circumnavigation, Jewels of the Arctic or Svalbard Odyssey, each departing in 2024. To win they just share their dream Arctic voyage with Aurora Expeditions and why in 25 words or less and they could be the lucky winner. The prize package* includes the selected voyage in a Balcony C Stateroom and money toward their airfare.
For more information and to enter, visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au.
Photo credit: Scott Portelli
