Self-induced Long Weekend Getaway (Short-haul International)

[alexy23]

I'm looking for some inspiration for a weekend getaway. My thoughts are call in sick on a Friday/Monday and then be able to escape for a self-induced long weekend.

Looking at August/Early Sep. Departing from SYD.

Using award seats on Virgin/Qantas, my current thoughts are:

Queenstown for Weekend Snowboarding Session
- SYD-ZQN: (Thursday or Friday) 8:30 am Air New Zealand gets me there at 1:30pm. Enough time to pickup a car and drive up to coronets or remarkables (whether dependant).
- ZQN-SYD: (Sunday or Monday) 4pm. A little disappointing as I thought I could fit a dinner in at least. Seems not many flights leave queenstown after around 4/5.
- Seems like I'd only have a half-day session on Friday, full day Sat, and a half-day Sunday (paid at full day prices).

Fiji:
- Taxes owed on award seats usually offsets a 2 night trip and makes the points redemption quite expensive.
- Similar to above, no late night flights leaving Fiji on Sunday/Monday. Good inbound on Thursday/Friday.

The ideal situation for me would be somewhere that allowed me to head to airport around 7/8pm on a Thursday/Friday (straight after work). And get back before 10pm on a Sunday/Monday (ready for work the next day). I could at most arrive at 6am +1, visit lounge, shower change and drive straight to work.

Any ideas or places we can visit would be greatly appreciated.

 

[RooFlyer]

Don't know about Award availability, and I've never done it, but how about Lord Howe Island? (Not international, I know, but ...)

Vanuatu is good. Worth more than a weekend, but pretty accessible.

 

[alexy23]

how about Lord Howe Island?.

Apparently one of the most cost effective award redemptions - but one of the hardest to get. Monopoly route.

I'm feeling like an int'l redemption for a long weekend doesn't really fare well with economics. Fiji would need at least 5 days to really get the best value.

 

[Steady]

There are award seats in that date range SYD-NOU-SYD

 

[alexy23]

There are award seats in that date range SYD-NOU-SYD

Cheers. Any recommendations on where to stay? Noumea or head to the islands?

 

[Boca68]

Not international again, but have you thought about Tasmania?

Well worth a visit to Hobart and surrounds. Granted, no snowboarding nor balmly weather. But great food, wine etc..

 

[Steady]

Cheers. Any recommendations on where to stay? Noumea or head to the islands?

I don't have any recent experience but for a short trip I would probably just stay around Noumea - maybe Ans Vata or Bai d Citron for French Cusuine, night life and beaches (of sorts)

 

[Mattg]

I did a long weekend in Queenstown last year and absolutely loved it. I'd definitely recommend that if it's an option.

It is a little annoying that there are no evening departures from ZQN, I'd agree. I think you'll find that there are no flights in or out during the night as the airport is surrounded by mountains. I did hear a rumour that night flights might start soon, but not sure whether this is the case yet.

What I would personally do is fly to Queenstown on Friday morning and stay until Sunday/Monday afternoon. On Sunday/Monday afternoon, fly to another NZ city (Christchurch, Wellington or Auckland) and have dinner there. You could then take one of the early morning flights from WLG, CHC or AKL back to SYD on the Monday/Tuesday and arrive in time to go to work. For example, QF140 AKL-SYD arrives in Sydney at 07:40.

 

[alexy23]

Just read about it - Jetstar is running ZQN-MEL 8:20-9:50pm. But still useless as you can't get back to SYD at that time of night - damn curfew!

Jetstar is not an ideal in winter weather - they simply won't fly where air New Zealand seem better equiped for winter weather. Add in night flight and they'll be even stricter.

 

[RooFlyer]

Speaking of ZQN .. I've never forgotten this video. Even during the daytime it would give me the willies (2:40 especially!!)

 

[UP4014]

It is possible to have a weekend in Japan or Hong Kong, leave Thursday night and back overnight Sunday.

 

[kermatu]

It is possible to have a weekend in Japan or Hong Kong, leave Thursday night and back overnight Sunday.

Not done it myself, but several colleagues and friends regularly have long weekends in Singapore, Hong Kong or KL. Worth considering.

Personally I wouldn't risk an o/s trip on a sickie.

 

[kpc]

Personally I wouldn't risk an o/s trip on a sickie.

Agree 100%

 

[alexy23]

Personally I wouldn't risk an o/s trip on a sickie.

Now you got me thinking twice about this.

 

[kermatu]

Whatever you choose you'll enjoy the trip more if you have a clear conscience!

Leaving the moral judgment aside - too much can go wrong with an International trip, and to some extent domestic flights too. The further away the higher the risk and difficulty explaining away if you get stuck.

 

[alexy23]

I'm self employed and its mrs Alex who needs to chuck a sickie, she's in education and school holidays suck for award availability plus you end up having less hotel availability when we go to leisure places. I have all these points but can't find a way to spend them!

Guess I've gotta start planing 350 days in advance

 

[defurax]

Cheers. Any recommendations on where to stay? Noumea or head to the islands?

Le Meridien Noumea is one of the best hotel in Noumea, good food, direct access to the beach and the hotel has been completely renovated in the past 2 years. Off season prices can be very good.

 

[defurax]

I'm self employed and its mrs Alex who needs to chuck a sickie, she's in education and school holidays suck for award availability plus you end up having less hotel availability when we go to leisure places. I have all these points but can't find a way to spend them!

Guess I've gotta start planing 350 days in advance

I think Auckland is the easiest destination to maximise a weekend overseas, you can leave SYD after 6PM on a Friday and fly back Sunday evening. Award availability in J is rarely a problem.

 

[alexy23]

What's F like on the A380 SYD-AKL with EK? Seems like a pretty short flight value for points.

 

[kermatu]

What's F like on the A380 SYD-AKL with EK? Seems like a pretty short flight value for points.

Better in the other direction given time of departure and length of flight. I haven't flown this flight - but there's plenty of posts and threads covering the trans-Tasman experiences for QF and EK.