There’s no need to hibernate at home this winter with nearby destinations now open for Australian tourists. While rain and cold winds swirl around southern Australia, it’s the perfect time to jet off to a warmer climate.

Feel the sand between your toes, spend sun-soaked days by the pool and indulge in sweet tropical fruits and a cheeky cocktail or two. Sounds appealing, doesn’t it? These stunning, sunny destinations will inspire your great winter escape.

1. Fiji

White sand, adventure and welcoming locals

Lounge around the pool sipping cocktails or enjoy water-based adventures like surfing, snorkelling and river rafting.

Tourists looking to get off the beaten track can hike through Fiji’s Suncoast on the island of Viti Levu. This area is well-known for its dramatic peaks, pristine waterfalls and rainforests.

Hiking tours take visitors through cloud-covered forests to Fiji’s highest peak, Mount Tomanivi. Travellers can also venture through remote villages and take a refreshing swim near the impressive Nabalesere waterfall.

If you’re looking for a more relaxing experience, take a cruise and visit the many islands that make up Fiji. Plunge into lagoons, laze on the beach and dive or snorkel in the ocean as you sail around this picturesque destination.

The warmth of the weather and people truly make Fiji a soul-stirring paradise.

2. Hawaii

Say aloha to gnarly waves and sunshine

There’s a reason you can only find Hawaiian shirts and not jumpers. Day-time temperatures on this Pacific archipelago range from 25 to 31 degrees Celsius during warmer seasons, so you won’t need a jumper when you land on this tropical oasis.

Hawaii is made up of eight islands, seven of which are inhabited. On each of the islands, natural beauty abounds, but they all feature their own characteristics, from relaxing sanctuaries and tropical forests to lava deserts and craggy ocean cliffs.

Oahu is famous for its surfing, with the North Shore providing towering glassy waves that attract surfers from around the world.

If the swell is big enough, you might even witness The Eddie Big Wave Invitational – a renowned surf competition that was first held in 1984.

Waikiki, on the other side of the island, offers gentler waves for beginners. Film buffs will want to visit Kualoa to see where Jurassic Park was filmed.

Adventurous travellers won’t want to miss the Big Island – a land mass formed by six volcanoes. The island is home to adrenaline-filled activities like zip-lining over waterfalls and snorkelling with manta rays.

Tourists wanting to keep their feet on the ground can visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Due to the 2018 eruption, which destabilised the area, the Jaggar Museum has been closed indefinitely, but you can still walk to the Kilauea Iki Crater – one of the most popular hikes on the Big Island.

The day hike will see you descend through lush rainforest to the crater floor. Here, you can peer into the vent that erupted to a height of 579m during the 1959 eruption.

3. The Maldives

A romantic getaway

Located 750km from the Asian mainland in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is a far-flung island nation that offers tourists a secluded getaway.

While the Maldives is a revered honeymoon destination known for crystal-clear waters and luxurious villa-style accommodation, Australia’s winter is the best time to travel here if you’re looking for a cheaper price.

Renowned for its over-water private villas with large rooms, plunge pools and lounging decks, the Maldives truly is the perfect oasis for a romantic getaway.

The only noise you’ll hear while relaxing is the ocean and rustling of the breeze. While holidays are an opportunity to unwind, the Maldives also offers some underwater excitement with its spectacular snorkelling and diving locations.

Within moments of entering the water, you’ll be welcomed by an array of colourful fish and marine life.

4. Thailand

The land of sun and smiles

From island-hopping along the turquoise coastline to the hustle and bustle of Bangkok’s streets, Thailand will steal the heart of tourists who want to chill by the beach and those looking for an urban escape.

The island province of Phuket is a popular tourist destination well-known for its white sandy beaches and blue waters.

While popular beaches like Patong are typically crowded, the northern side of the island offers more tranquil swimming spots.

While it might be tempting to lounge around on the beach for your entire trip, island-hopping is the best way to discover the stunning seascape surrounding Phuket.

Board a speedboat for a thrilling day-tour of Phang Nga Bay, where you’ll pass hundreds of limestone islands before stopping at ‘James Bond’ Island and the secluded lagoons of Koh Talu Island.

Those looking for a more culturally immersive experience can explore Old Phuket Town’s preserved shophouses, Sino-Portuguese mansions, temples and shrines, or hike to Karon Viewpoint for a picturesque view of the coastline.

In the nation’s capital, indulge in Bangkok’s world-famous street food. It won’t disappoint.

Watch vendors make roti paratha, drink freshly squeezed pomegranate juice, eat mango and sticky rice, and devour a variety of noodle and curry dishes.

5. Singapore

More than a stopover

While Singapore is a great place for a stopover when visiting Europe or other parts of Asia, it has a charm of its own. Spending more than 24 hours will really allow travellers to soak in the Lion City.

One of the best ways to learn about a location is through its food, and Singapore is no different.

Due to its multi-ethnic culture and heritage, you’ll find a variety of cuisines here. In the morning, enjoy kaya toast – grilled slices of bread topped with cold butter and a generous spread of kaya (a traditional jam made from coconut and eggs).

It’s often served with two runny soft-boiled eggs and a dash of soy sauce and white pepper. Dip your kaya toast in the eggs to get a salty and sweet hit.

At lunch, join the crowds at one of Singapore’s many hawker centres. You’ll be spoiled for choice at the Chinatown Market where there are more than 700 stalls, or visit Tekka Centre – a three-storey complex on Serrangoon Rd which acts as a gateway to Little India.

Here you’ll find an overwhelming array of generous curries and biryanis.

Your dinner options are countless. Try Singapore’s famous chilli crab – messy but delicious – or enjoy fried char kway teow noodles. If Malay is more to your taste, try nasi lemak – coconut rice served with sambal, fried crispy anchovies, toasted peanuts, and cucumber to cool your palate.

After eating your weight in food, burn off all that extra energy on Sentosa Island – a short cable-car ride from the heart of Singapore.

Visit one of the island’s three beaches, spend the afternoon at HydroDash – a floating aquapark – or explore nature trails and lush rainforests. Sentosa is also home to several hotels, a Madam Tussauds wax museum and an aquarium.