Winter is coming but these new airline routes offer plenty of warm-weather options.
Crystal-clear waters, untouched beaches, dense green forests and roaring waterfalls. There was never a dearth of reasons to head to the South Pacific island nation of Samoa for a holiday. But the launch of direct Virgin Australia flights from Sydney and Brisbane has just made planning a vacation in this tropical escape easier.
The journey - about five hours from Sydney and four hours from Brisbane - takes travellers to Apia. Immerse yourself in the culture and colour of the capital city, or travel a bit further to the island's tranquil west coast, where you can switch off at an ocean-front hideaway such as Le Vasa Resort.
There's good news for people living on the eastern seaboard of Australia and keen to head west, too, with Qantas soon offering direct flights between Melbourne and Exmouth. Launching on April 30, the twice-weekly flights will be about five hours long, taking visitors into the heart of the Ningaloo region, renowned for unparalleled natural beauty, luxury resorts and experiences such as swimming with whale sharks. virginaustralia.com, qantas.com
