Great Little Stays - Mana Island, Fiji

When people think of "Fiji"  they automatically assume white sands and crystal blue waters everywhere.  Im sure many who arrive to Fiji and park up at Denarau Island must be hugely unimpressed.  Unfortunately, the truth is if you want that crystal blue water experience you must get off the mainland otherwise you might find yourself sitting on a beach likened to Mission Bay in Auckland.

I did a swoop through the Mananuca Islands in Fiji at the end of last year to a range of properties and the one that stood out was the fantastic Mana Island 30km west of Nadi.

Tropical North Queensland

Australia has long been a firm favorite with the New Zealand travel market however destinations like Sydney, Gold Coast, Melbourne and Brisbane have become dull and unexciting.  Emerging from your typical  is Tropical North Queensland which boasts an assortment of experiences.

With Cairns as its hub city, passengers can disembark and head north, south or just stay put in Cairns.  Cairns itself, contrary to belief, has no beach which is swimmable.  However, alongside the fantastic boardwalk which stretches the length of the Esplanade is the newly built lagoon pool and is a welcome and FREE escape from the heat.