Best Getaway winners – 2016 People’s Choice Awards

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The winners of the Best Getaways in Australian Traveller’s 2016 People’s Choice Awards 2016 are…

1. Best city for a short break: Melbourne

Why you love it… The ever-present battle between Sydney and Melbourne sees Victoria’s capital pip the harbour city at the post again this year. This urban oasis exudes cosmopolitan charm with a European vibe, charismatic laneways, enviable coffee, a host of cool rooftop bars and restaurants, an energetic cultural calendar… and unpredictable weather.

Our hot tip… Melbourne is the ultimate destination for culinary capers. A must-visit is restaurant and bar, Eau De Vie, which houses 700-plus spirits and boasts the perfect balance of class and grunge. And you can’t leave the city without seeing Hosier Lane, the ‘Holy land’ of street art.

If you love this, your next short break should be… Strathalbyn, SA. The dining in this quaint town echoes Melbourne in a more intimate and cosy way, with Smith Tapas Bar a local favourite.

You also rate… Sydney, NSW / Perth, WA / Brisbane, QLD / Adelaide, SA

2. Best family holiday spot: Gold Coast

Why you love it… The Gold Coast is almost a holiday no-brainer when kids are in tow. With a host of family-friendly accommodation, beautiful beaches, and more hyper-fun entertainment than you can poke a bored kid at, the Gold Coast is also embracing a new confidence and cool that will have you falling in love with it all over again.

Our hot tip… Away from boisterous Surfers Paradise, don’t miss the natural swimming oasis of Currumbin Rock Pool, Tamborine Mountain in the hinterland with its spectacular hikes and quaint village, and Tallebudgera Creek, which hides a secluded beach.

If you love this, your next family holiday should be… Perth, WA. With postcard-worthy beaches, Perth is a fun-in-the-sun family holiday spot. Kids will love Adventure World, while Shoalwater Islands Marine Park has a beautiful reef peppered with shipwrecks. ]

You also rate… Sunshine Coast, Qld / Byron Bay, NSW / Cairns, Qld / Port Douglas, Qld

3. Best beach? Whitehaven Beach, Qld

Why you love it… Whitehaven Beach is the stuff of daydreams. Located on the largest of the salt-kissed Whitsunday islands, this beach’s natural purity is otherworldly, with white silica sand that extends more than seven kilometres.

Our hot tip… Head to the lookout at Tongue Point for the most breathtaking views of Hill Inlet, where the ocean tide manipulates the sand and water into mesmerising patterns and colours.

If you love this, your next beach day should be… Turquoise Bay, WA. As part of Ningaloo Reef, Turquoise Bay boasts some of the best snorkelling in the country and, with its sugar-white sand and (as the name suggests) turquoise water, it’s a serious contender to rival the beauty of Whitehaven.

You also rate… Noosa, Qld / Bondi, NSW / Cable Beach, WA / Hyams Beach, Jervis Bay, NSW

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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4. Most desirable island escape: Hamilton Island

Why you love it… Amid its immaculate beaches and pristine atolls, Hamilton Island is the perfect base to discover the Great Barrier Reef and the stunning Whitsundays. But life on the island is what really sets it apart from others.

With accommodation to suit every budget, great dining spots from cheap and cheerful to world-class, and fun for kids including mini golf, bowling, go-karting and the like, it’s an all-round crowd pleaser.

Our hot tip… Take a voyage to the Hidden Cove, a beach that separates the Coral Sea from the lush backdrop of foliage – ahhh the serenity!

If you love this, your next island escape should be… Rottnest Island, WA. Just as with Hamilton Island, Rottnest Island has everything at your fingertips including accommodation from camping to boutique stays, a host of restaurants, a heap of fun for the kids (Segways, an aqua park, archery and so on), 63 beaches and 20 bays, and – the best bit – an adorable local quokka population.

You also rate… Hayman Island, QLD / Lord Howe Island, NSW / Kangaroo Island, SA / Fraser Island, QLD

5. Cosiest winter destination: Tasmania

Why you love it… No need to go into specifics, you felt that anywhere on the Apple Isle made for a cosy winter escape. Quaint towns, puffing swirls of smoke from chimneys, trails of whisky to discover, rolling hills and woodlands to wander, Tassie offers everything needed to do winter right.

Our hot tip… Hire a car and wind your way from Hobart up to the Huon Valley dotted with cider houses, wineries, orchards and sweet little towns.

If you love this, your next winter destination should be… Bowral, NSW. Bowral is home to old vineyards, antique merchants, eclectic dining destinations, boutique art galleries and the iconic Bradman Centre, where visitors can revel in the glory of this iconic Australian.

You also rate… Blue Mountains, NSW / Cradle Mountain, Tas / Thredbo, NSW / Dinner Plain, VIC

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6. Best regional escape: Barossa Valley

Why you love it… You could say the presence of more than 150 wineries explains the appeal of this region, but that would be a bit too simplistic. The Barossa is also loved for its beautiful produce, passionate people and rich Silesian and Prussian history.

Our hot tip… Be sure to head to the Barossa Farmers Market and fill your basket with mettwurst, fresh cream, preserves and breads. If you’re a kitchen novice and keen to try out a cooking class, try Casa Carboni.

If you like this, your next regional escape should be… Berrima, NSW. Dating back to 1830 this petite village in NSW’s Southern Highlands has an array of dining choices, but for something simple (and simply delicious), the Berrima cafes are known to cook up a mean pie.

You also rate… Hunter Valley, NSW / Orange, NSW / Daylesford, VIC / Blue Mountains, NSW

7. Best outback destination: Uluru

Why you love it… The 500-million-year-old sandstone monolith at the core of Australia’s rusty-red outback is a spectacle of immense proportions and with it comes stories swathed in the magic that is the aboriginal Dreamtime.
Our hot tip… Stargazing at Uluru – it really doesn’t get much better than that. Located far away from the light pollution of towns and cities, you can marvel under the vast southern sky decorated with the constellations.

If you love this, your next outback destination should be… Karijini National Park, WA. Presiding in Western Australia’s vibrant Pilbara region, Karijini National Park is a wild wonderland of plunging creeks, weaving gorges and brilliant rockscapes.

You also rate… Kimberley, WA / Alice Springs, NT / Kakadu, NT / Flinders Ranges, SA

With so many worthy finalists nominated by our very own AT readers, don’t miss out on finding out where all these amazing places are!

•Best Accommodation Finalists

•Best Experiences Finalists

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Exploring an icon: inside the massive upgrade to Broome’s famous Cable Beach

(Credit: Tourism WA)

    Lucy Cousins Lucy Cousins
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    With unhurried mornings, long, sun-filled afternoons, evenings shaped around sunset, this iconic beach offers an all-day experience (and it’s about to get even better).

    As the sun slowly rises over the languid waves and fine sand of Broome’s Cable Beach, the morning colours shift from rich apricot to pale gold and frosty pearl. Remnants of life reveal themselves in the subtle shadows – crab claw marks, towel impressions, footprints. Life here is unhurried, but don’t be fooled. This town is continually shifting like the desert dunes that surround it.

    And with a $75 million upgrade – offering easier and more inclusive access for people of all abilities – it’s getting even better.

    Cable Beach upgrade foreshore redevelopment stage 1
    Discover the Cable Beach redevelopment.

    The addition of comfortable and welcoming spaces has begun (and will continue). This means visitors will be able to spend longer enjoying this beautiful environment, while knowing that the upgrade will create a more environmentally protected setting that preserves the natural character visitors come for. Come sunset, soak it in all the better thanks to the already improved foreshore areas, made for lingering while the light changes. And for the kids, a new splash park and accessible dry playground will make it easy to while away the hours.

    Think you know what a day at this beach is like? Think again.

    Morning colours

    car on cable beach at sunrise
    Cable Beach comes alive after sunrise. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    As the sun colours the sky, Cable Beach shows signs of life (and not just the aquatic kind). Locals and visitors alike float in the cool water as it laps the shore, landlubbers explore the coast on foot, runners pace and beachside yoga classes bring quiet movement to the day.

    When the sky is blue and the sun is firmly in position, head down to the well-known Cable Beach House for a long, slow breakfast overlooking the ocean. Think fresh tropical fruit, eggs cooked your way and strong coffee in the warm morning breeze.

    Afternoon adventures

    camel train on cable beach in broome at sunset
    Join a camel train at sunset. (Credit: C J Maddock)

    When you’re ready to explore, carve a path along the Minyirr Park Trail – a gentle 1.5-2km track through coastal bushland with spectacular views of the dunes. Refuel at the nearby Spinifex Brewery for lunch with its low-key, outdoor beer garden. There’s even an outdoor playground if you’re travelling with young humans.

    Walk off your lazy lunch by watching (or joining) one of the beach soccer or volleyball games, or even try Silent Beats Broome – a silent walking disco through the dunes. Or book a spot on the famous camel trains, watching the sun drop below the horizon along the way. They’re a constant reminder of the fascinating history, landscape and cultural mix in this part of the country.

    Evening degustation

    server at Cable Beach Club
    Stop into the Cable Beach Club. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    As the day closes, watch the world-famous Cable Beach sunset from the appropriately named Sunset Grill at Cable Beach Club. This open-air terraced dining spot overlooking the beach is the kind of place where the view takes centre stage.

    While you sip on a lychee, lime & lemonade mocktail or a local beer, enjoy the bustle of life and nature outside as the day comes to an end.

    For dinner, nab a table at the Bali Hai Cafe, where they offer pan-fried crispy barramundi, Abrolhos Island scallops and deep-sea snow crab. When you’re ready for bed, check in to Pinctada Hotel Broome – a lush, tropical resort with palm-dotted gardens and a large, lagoon-style pool to cool off in.

    Beyond the beach

    Beyond the wide, open beach and never-ending sky of Cable Beach, there are many more reasons to visit North West Australia. These are just a few.

    Unmatched experiences

    Shinju Matsuri Festival's popular Long Table Dinner on cable beach
    Join Shinju Matsuri Festival’s popular Long Table Dinner. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    Engage with the history of the land and its people on an Indigenous cultural tour exploring everything from the local wildlife to the tastes of bush tucker. To understand the importance of pearling to this town, take a tour of Chinatown, or head outside of town to the live pearl harvests at Willie Creek or Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, one of Australia’s oldest pearl farms.

    Learn why Japanese pearlers were central to Broome’s pearling success and visit the largest Japanese cemetery in Australia, where 900 Japanese pearlers were buried – a testament to the risks and rewards of this dangerous profession.

    And book ahead every spring for when communal tables, freshly cooked local fare and festoon lighting fill the beach for the extremely popular Long Table Dinner on Cable Beach. It’s a highlight of the Shinju Matsuri Festival, along with the Floating Lanterns Matsuri, where you can personalise a lantern and gently release it into the sea to honour those you love.

    Dining discoveries

    Matso’s Broome Brewery
    Settle in for Matso’s famous ginger or mango beer. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    Further your culinary adventure at the laid-back Sunday Sesh at Matso’s Broome Brewery. Chow down on smoked crocodile or Aussie barramundi while kicking back to a local DJ as the heat of the day fades.

    For more tunes, the beautiful outdoor Bay Club at the Mangrove Hotel is a great choice for dinner with live music, DJs or an event that stretches on into the early hours. Still hungry? Pop by Johnny Sausage for Italian-influenced meals paired with impeccable wines.

    Natural beauties

    Gantheaume Point cabnle beach broome
    Experience the striking colours of Gantheaume Point. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    Avoid the crowds and head to Town Beach for a quieter vantage point to see the phenomenal Staircase to the Moon – a natural illusion where the rising full moon is reflected on the tidal flats, creating a shimmering ‘staircase’ stretching up to the sky.

    Just south of Cable Beach are the deep red cliffs and dramatic ocean views of Gantheaume Point, where 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints can be seen, revealed at low tide. Or head to Roebuck Bay to visit the internationally significant wetlands, where vast tidal flats are home to shorebirds and coastal fauna.

    Between October and March, watch turtles nesting and hatchlings emerge from the sand. You’ll be holding your breath as they make their way down to the shoreline, ready to start their life in one of Australia’s most beautiful landscapes.

    For more on Cable Beach and Australia’s North West, visit australiasnorthwest.com.