If your skin is thirsty for sun, salt and sand, Fiji should be at the top of your list. Webjet predicts this tropical location will be the most affordable international flight until January, and no matter what your perfect holiday looks like, chances are Fiji has got you sorted. Thrillseekers will love water rafting, explorers will be beckoned by lush rainforests and beachgoers will find their place where the alabaster sands are kissed by warm water.

New Zealand’s ingredients of pure air, clear water and fertile soil combine to create some of the world’s most impressive food and beverages – and for one of the thriftiest flights this spring, you can experience it firsthand. There are more than 100 wineries in Auckland, and the superlative tipples are matched only by their stunning surrounds. If you get time to get out of town, visit Rotorua, a place deeply significant in Māori culture, where geysers spout and mud spas bubble.

Located on the South Island, Christchurch boasts scenic landscapes that make the area a golf-lover’s haven. Back in the city, urbanites will love dawdling through laneways and discovering murals and graffiti from up-and-coming street artists. To soak up the alpine scenery from a bird’s-eye view, the gondola ride comes highly recommended.

The great thing about having New Zealand on our doorstep is that you can duck over for a long weekend or book a bumper getaway. Queenstown is the perfect base to explore the area’s natural attractions, like Milford Sound for an unforgettable hiking experience and Lake Wānaka for the world’s highest waterfall cable climb. To see the sights from another angle (ie, upside down), strap in for one of Queenstown’s famous bungee jumps.

Bali is a long-loved Australian go-to, and Denpasar is the capital that caters for romantic escapes, family trips or solo expeditions. Time slows if you indulge in a villa and laze by the pool, but day trips are a must, too. A car ride to Ubud takes less than an hour and will deliver you to the verdant rice terraces. Or, head to Seminyak to be spoiled with culinary hotspots like the iconic Motel Mexicola and moody Mama San.

According to Booking.com, Singapore is one of Australians’ most-searched destinations, and it’s easy to see why. Eat like a local at one of the many hawker centres and pile your plate with satay chicken, lip-tingling chilli crab and roti prata. Marina Bay Sands is often considered the jewel of the city, and while its sky-high bar serves elegant cocktails, we’d recommend adventuring to the likes of Little India for the best value bites. Our top tip? Avoid the city when the Grand Prix kicks off to sidestep inflated prices and booked-out accommodation.

Ho Chi Minh has a pulse you can feel the moment you touch down. The city is a clash of electric nightlife, tumultuous history, buzzing business and gastronomic delights. To escape the hubbub, make for one of the city’s rooftop bars, where you’ll be rewarded with 360-degree views and libations like sugarcane juice and ice-cold beers. Visit the War Remnants Museum or crawl through the labyrinthine Củ Chi tunnels for an eye-opening look at the history that shaped the city.

Phuket is known for its mesmeric beaches, but to avoid the crowds, skip the Phi Phi Islands and head to lesser-known gems like Laem Singh Beach. If you want to come back with more than just a tan, book cooking classes and master Thai favourites like fragrant fish cakes and green curry. On the sightseeing front, check out the Big Buddha. The 45-metre-high, marble-clad statue is a spectacle in itself; the panoramic island views are the cherry on top.

KL is a city of dichotomies, from dizzying skyscrapers (the tallest twin towers in the world, to be exact) to ancient caves, striking mosques and sprawling shopping centres. Adrenaline junkies will have trouble choosing between adventure parks, which specialise in everything from water slides and rock climbing to virtual reality experiences. And if meeting orangutans in their rainforest habitat is on your bucket list, Borneo is just a short flight away.

Vanuatu is known for its turquoise seas, but it’s what lies beneath them that sets this island paradise apart from the rest. Snorkellers will be wowed by the crystal waters, but it’s scuba divers who will have all the fun, exploring sea beds scattered with shipwrecks and colourful corals. Standing 361 metres above sea level is Mount Yasur. This active volcano has all the beauty of New Year’s fireworks but none of the next-day regret.