10 dream international destinations you can fly to non-stop from Australia
From Seoul and Dubai to Honolulu, we have the full lowdown.
Many are calling the capital of South Korea the new Tokyo, and airlines such as Asiana, Korean Air and Jetstar are listening, with direct flights from the Australian east coast to the Asian hotspot.
Rich in history and culture, the city is also home to world-class shopping and unique cuisine, making it a versatile choice. visitseoul.net
Vietnamese Airlines flies direct between Melbourne and Hanoi, while VietJet offers non-stop flights between Sydney and Ho Chi Minh City, making this budget-friendly Asian country within easy reach of Australians. Both cities are rich in history and culture, and are home to bustling markets where you can taste local delicacies - from authentic banh mis to impossibly fresh green papaya salads. vietnam.travel
It is one of the furthest direct-flight destinations from Australia's east coast, but if you're ready to put up with the long haul with Emirates or Qantas, big rewards await - from checking out the world's tallest building (Burj Khalifa) to Ain Dubai (the planet's highest observation wheel). visitdubai.com
Westjet, Qantas, Air Canada and Virgin Australia offer direct flights between Vancouver and Australia's east coast, making one of the most beautiful cities in Canada easy to fly to. Set against the backdrop of majestic mountains, Vancouver boasts a stunning harbour, a dramatic skyline and diverse neighbourhoods that range from Chinatown and Little Italy to Punjabi Market. destinationvancouver.com
Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Jetstar, Scoot and even British Airways fly direct from major Australian hubs to the Lion City, making the Asian hotspot an easy choice for Aussie travellers.
Stay in landmark hotels such as Raffles, check out iconic attractions such as Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay, and feast on local favourites like Hainanese chicken rice and chilli crab at legendary hawker markets, such as Maxwell Food Centre. visitsingapore.com
While it's most famous for its ski fields, Queenstown is a year-round destination. Long days and warm weather make it a magical location in summer, while spring is all about hiking and biking adventures through scenic landscapes bursting with fresh blooms. But it's autumn that truly steals the show in Queenstown, when the whole landscape transforms into an artist's canvas, awash with bright yellows, oranges and reds. Lucky for you, Air New Zealand, Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar offer direct flights year-round. queenstownnz.co.nz
Australia's favourite overseas island needs no introduction. Flying there is easy, with an unending array of airlines (including Garuda, China and Turkish) offering non-stop flights from Australia.
Exploring it is even easier, thanks to Explore's up-to-the-minute guides, including the new craft-drinks scene that's shaking things up in style. exploretravel.com.au; indonesia.travel
Now is the perfect opportunity to do Tokyo. Virgin Australia, Japan Airlines, ANA and Qantas all offer direct flights; and the Aussie dollar is currently equal to about 96 yen, making it an affordable overseas destination. Add pocket-friendly restaurants, hotels and shopping, and this could be the trip of a lifetime. www.gotokyo.org
Read more on Explore:
In less than five hours you can fly direct from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane to Nadi with airlines such as Virgin Australia, Qantas and Fiji Airways, and simply flop and drop in one of the most family-friendly, pocket-friendly destinations in the world, complete with year-round tropical weather, palm-fringed white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. fiji.travel
Jetstar offers direct flights from Sydney to Honolulu from as low as $460 one way, and that's just the tip of the mountain that makes this family-friendly destination a firm favourite among Australian travellers.
Go there for Jurassic Park-worthy scenery; stay back for scenic beaches, world-class surfing, heart-racing hikes, lively restaurants and bars, a mind-boggling array of resorts, and historical attractions such as the Pearl Harbour National Memorial. gohawaii.com
Akash is the Deputy Travel Editor for Australian Community Media. He has lived and worked in four cities around the world – Sydney, London, New Delhi and New York – and, at last count, travelled to 42 countries.
My all-time favourite destination is ... New York. You can drop a pin anywhere in Manhattan and start walking in any direction, and the sights and sounds of the city that never stops will begin to stimulate all your senses in an instant.
Next on my bucket list is … Scandinavia - at the peak of summer, when the sun almost never sets.
My top travel tip is … If you’re flying to Sydney from anywhere in the world, pick a window seat far from the wing on the left-hand-side of the aeroplane. If the weather gods and flight path align, you’ll have the most incredible views of the Sydney Harbour and Opera House.
Travel's Top Picks
Travel's Most Viewed
Why you should visit the one place in Canada Australians don't go
I tried Air New Zealand's new economy bunk beds - are they worth the hype ... and $495?
Don't get scammed: the $204 Bali entry trap every Aussie traveller needs to avoid
A broken aircon, a six-hour delay: my $900 domestic Australian flight from hell
Europe's new EES border chaos: why travellers are missing flights and how to avoid it
