Take a break at one of these heavenly resorts in New Caledonia

The mesmerising waters of New Caledonia are just a three-hour flight from Australia's eastern seaboard. Here's where to check in.

FOR FAMILIES

Sheraton Deva Spa & Golf Resort: Even the smallest rooms at this absolute-beachfront resort - a 2.5-hour drive from New Caledonia's capital of Noumea - have the option of twin double beds, making them ideal for families. Private balconies, large ensuites and freestanding bathtubs further add to the appeal, and let's not forget all the attractions outside the room - swimming pool, gym, three onsite eateries and a golf course. And that's before you head to the nearby World Heritage-listed lagoons of New Caledonia, where kids can while away entire afternoons, swimming, snorkelling and mingling with colourful marine creatures. Rooms from $300 per night; marriott.com

FOR COUPLES

DoubleTree by Hilton Noumea Ilot Maitre Resort: If overwater bungalows are not the very definition of a romantic break, then we don't know what is. Experience a slice of faraway Maldives just a few hours' flight from Australia at this gorgeous Hilton property, with heavenly guest rooms on stilts, strung together with an equally heavenly winding overwater boardwalk. And if that doesn't seal the deal, here's the clincher: the resort is located a short boat ride from Noumea on a speck of an island, just 700 metres long and 150 metres wide. Rooms from $320 per night; hilton.com

FOR GIRLS TRIP

Chateau Royal Beach Resort & Spa: Go for the world-class Aqua Royal Spa, where rituals range from hydro therapies to indulgent facials. Then make the most of the gourmet restaurants and stylish bars you can swim up to. And the best news? There are no rooms at this retreat, located in the heart of Noumea; just suites, with the two-bedroom options perfect for a small group of friends. Oh, and did we mention direct access to the beach? Rooms from $340 per night; hotelchateauroyal.nc

FOR LUXURY

Le Meridien Ile des Pins: You will have to take another 20-minute flight from Noumea or a two-hour ferry to reach Ile des Pins (or Isle of Pines), where this retreat is located, but the payoff is beachside bungalows you can simply step out of on to creamy beaches with crystal clear waters - and not a soul in sight. Rooms from $520 per night; marriott.com

FOR INFLUENCERS

Les Bulles de Farino: Nothing on this list screams social media quite like the see-though bubble tents with their own bathroom "spheres", complete with a spa, at this retreat about two hours' drive north-west of Noumea. If you want more space, sign up for one of the geodesic domes, with grand four-poster beds and an outdoor deck with day beds. Don't have thousands of followers? A stay here might change that. Tents from $323 per night; lesbullesdefarino.nc

FOR ECO WARRIORS

Kanua Tera: The road to this eco lodge is not particularly enticing - it's dotted with nickel mines. But once you reach Kanua Tera, located two hours east of Noumea on the isolated Port Boise bay, you can take comfort in the knowledge that each of the 18 bungalows has been created with utmost respect for Mother Nature, using natural materials such as wood and straw. Wander through the retreat's tranquil gardens, go for a swim in the bay, and look out for majestic humpback whales that visit these shores between July and September to escape the freezing Antarctic temperatures and give birth in warmer waters. Rooms from $270 per night; kanuatera.nc

FOR CULTURE VULTURES

Hotel du Centre: Want to stay close to the cultural heart of Noumea? You can't look past this apartment hotel a short drive to the best beaches, bars, cafes, restaurants and markets of the city. Spacious lodgings with large windows, kitchens and studies further dial up the convenience factor. Rooms from $173 per night; hotelducentre.nc

Want to stick to Australian shores this winter? The dreamy beaches of the Gold Coast are hard to beat. And here's something to further sweeten the deal. According to the latest insights from Kayak, return domestic economy airfares to the Gold Coast are, on average, costing about $280, making it one of the least expensive destinations to fly to. So what are the best places to stay?

Make a beeline for the Langham, where top-notch luxury meets uninterrupted sea views and Insta-worthy swimming pool. Or check into the achingly cool QT, which has just given its guestrooms and common areas a stylish refresh.

And if you're travelling with the whole brood, you really want to make sure you're close to Cavill Avenue, have spacious rooms and a pool that'll keep the kids entertained for hours. Housed in a gleaming high-rise smack bang on the beach, Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise ticks all those boxes and then some.

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