Do you love a good destination dupe? For every great Aussie destination or experience, there’s another lesser-explored twin that’s equally enjoyable.
Here are our favourites.
If you love Byron Bay… try Narooma
Byron Bay and its surrounding towns are perennial favourites — especially for Sydneysiders embarking on their exoduses for the holidays. We also love the cool allure of the NSW South Coast, particularly Narooma, a gorgeous spot on the shores of the Wagonga Inlet. The aquamarine waters of its estuary were made for aerial drone photography.
Nine kilometres out to sea Barunguba Montague Island has fur seals, a little penguin colony and a picturesque lighthouse. For scenic drives head to Bar Rock lookout or to the foothills of Gulaga (Mount Dromedary) and quaint villages in the historic Tilba region.
If you love Cairns… Try the Southern Great Barrier Reef & Bundaberg
Cairns is in the national psyche as the starting point for visits to pontoons on the Great Barrier Reef and Fitzroy Island, but Bundaberg — some 1300km south — can get you to great places that are a fantastic destination dupe for the far north Queensland city.
Experience the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef on a day trip to Lady Musgrave Island or stay overnight on Lady Elliot Island. Whereas, on the mainland, you can watch turtles hatch and take their first steps at Mon Repos Conservation Park, or visit the Mon Repos Turtle Centre, the famous rum distillery and cruise the Burnett River. Bargara, 13km from the city centre, is fast becoming the city’s hip coastal suburb.
More at bundabergregion.org
If you love the Barossa and Hunter Valleys… Try the Granite Belt
It sounds like a haven for stonemasons but don’t be fooled. The Granite Belt near Stanthorpe in Queensland’s Southern Downs is the new magnet for wine aficionados. It’s around 1000m above sea level which makes it one of Australia’s highest wine regions. This makes it suited to producing the crisp, light styles that many prefer these days. Making it a great destination dupe for some of Australia’s better-known wine regions.
The Granite Belt also boasts plenty of apple orchards and cideries too. Applethorpe and the obligatory big thing to photograph, The Big Apple, are just up the road. Furthermore, there are some stunning national parks and waterfalls in the vicinity too.
Look for the Granite Belt Wine Trail on queensland.com
If you love Vivid Sydney… Try Illuminate Adelaide
The Weekly loves a good lights festival and when we were treated to a private viewing of Illuminate Adelaide 2024. Fire Gardens at the Adelaide Botanic Garden featured thousands of handcrafted firepots and candlelit archways by famed French kinetic sculptors Compagnie Carabosse. Adelaide Zoo was transformed into a psychedelic Jurassic Park as Universal Kingdom: Prehistoric Nights showcased the evolution of the first creatures to roam the planet, including luminescent giant carnivores. Throughout the town, City Lights will transform the many cultural institutions and heritage buildings into works of art. The 2025 version is set to shine bright.
Jewel of the West Coast
Perth was featured in Expedia Group’s 10 best “destination dupes” worldwide for 2024. “Our dupes are places that are a little unexpected, sometimes more affordable and every bit as delightful as the tried-and-true destinations travellers love,” Expedia Group’s Sarah King says. “Perth is a great dupe for Sydney as it offers many of the experiences that visitors are seeking: A vibrant cultural scene, world-class dining and beautiful beaches.”
The Art Gallery of Western Australia doubles nicely for the Art Gallery of NSW. Plus, a day trip to the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park is a mini-dupe for Sydney’s Blue Mountains.
