Detour destinations where you can escape the crowds

The advantages of exploring an “under-the-radar” location may not be obvious at first. After all, classics remain classics for a reason. But going off-piste can reveal hidden gems. “Heading off the tourist path can lead to a more authentic and relaxed experience,” says Kathie Zagas, marketing manager at Maria Rossi Travel Agency in Sydney. “With fewer crowds, you have more space to explore at your own pace and things like food, activities and accommodation tend to be cheaper.” You’re also more likely to meet locals and shape your own individual experience.

Instead of Whistler, head to: Whitehorse, Canada

Steeped in First Nations culture, Whitehorse is the capital of the Yukon. It also boasts 85 kilometres of world-class groomed cross-country ski trails that traverse the scenery of Mount McIntyre. Getting to Whistler from Australia means a flight to Vancouver and a two-hour bus trip. Instead, you could hop on another plane from Vancouver and in less than two and a half hours, step out under the Yukon’s wide open skies.

Janaya Birse, Destination Canada’s director of media relations, recommends skiing the multi-use trail along the fence of the Yukon Wildlife Preserve to “see musk ox, caribou, moose, mountain goats and other northern mammals in their various natural habitats—it’s very special”. For a front-row seat to the aurora borealis, the Northern Lights Resort & Spa offers glass-fronted chalets for sightings.

Insider tip 

Just 15 minutes from Whitehorse, Mount Sima offers “an amazing view of the surrounding mountains”, says Birse. “The Whitehorse and Watson Lake ski hills are relatively free of crowds but if you like skiing in solitude, the back country is waiting.”

Instead of Tokyo, head to: Fukuoka, Japan

An hour by bullet train from Hiroshima, Fukuoka is known for its temples, culture and restaurants, with far fewer tourists. “Whether you’re a foodie or have an appreciation for the arts or history, Fukuoka offers travellers a huge array of unique and distinct experiences that are impossible to find anywhere else,” says Daniel Jacobs from The Lucid Agency, which represents the Japan National Tourism Organization.

Check out Kaigeido gallery, dedicated to the 400-year-old tradition of finely painted Hakata dolls, or Maison Hakoshima’s soft fabric items made using a centuries-old technique. Fine dining—if you can snag a booking—is in order at Sushi Gyoten, a celebrated restaurant where the menu is custom-made for each guest. Best of all: prices in Fukuoka tend to be less expensive than in Tokyo or Osaka.

Insider tip

Up for celebrating? Jacobs recommends attending festivals such as Hakata Gion Yamakasa (a Shinto festival held each July) and Hakata Dontaku, Japan’s largest Golden Week festival, held in May during a time of national holidays. Both events include elaborate parades, performances and a rich culinary scene that serves to highlight the city’s famous street-food stalls, or yatai.

Instead of Auckland, head to: Waiheke Island, New Zealand 

Just a 40-minute ferry trip from New Zealand’s capital city, Waiheke Island is suited to almost every type of traveller. Just under 20 kilometres in length, with 40 kilometres of serene and surf-friendly beaches, it offers beautiful walks and cycle trails, a buzzy Saturday market and two thrilling ziplines, with a postcard-perfect landscape that’s all but guaranteed to slow your heart rate and satisfy families. A visit to the historic Stony Batter tunnels is a great option for curious kids. Afterwards, head to The Heke brewery and distillery, where parents can order a meal with a local brew while the kids play on extensive grounds and scoop up delicious gelato.

Waiheke caters to a wide range of budgets, with premium wineries such as Mudbrick and Tantalus Estate through to food trucks and family-friendly cafés like Akito. “It’s a popular all-season visitor experience for Aucklanders, particularly in the summer,” says Karen Thompson-Smith, head of tourism at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited. “But spring and autumn offer a quieter experience.”

Insider tip

From Waiheke, there are plenty of other islands nearby, says Thompson-Smith. “Rangitoto is easily accessible by ferry from Waiheke Island by changing ferries in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Once there, families can enjoy exploring the lava caves and the spectacular views from the top of Rangitoto Island.”

Instead of Surfers Paradise, head to: Burleigh Heads, Australia 

Less than 30 minutes’ drive south of busy Surfers Paradise in Queensland, Burleigh Heads offers a more leisurely pace with a family-friendly beach, a cool dining hub and a ticket to natural wonders, including Burleigh Heads National Park.

Check out crocodiles, koalas, emus, brolgas, dingoes, dunnarts, kangaroos, bilbies and a platypus named Wally at David Fleay Wildlife Park and then tuck into a Moreton Bay bug roll at the famous Rick Shores, right on the sand at Burleigh Heads beach. Alternatively, you can pop into Haven, a new restaurant and beach club on the third floor of the Mondrian Hotel, which offers an equally world-class view. But if the kids want to take the fun up a notch, there’s always Dreamworld, Seaworld and Movie World, each only about half an hour away.

Insider tip

“The best time for a meal at Rick Shores is lunchtime and the best time of year is mid-winter,” says local travel writer Bek Day. “The sky will (hopefully) be clear, the temperature pleasant and the whales will almost certainly be throwing themselves around with maximum drama.” There’s also usually fewer people. Still, “If you can’t get a booking, this local’s tip is to grab a seat outside on the picnic tables. Order a couple of bug rolls, put your feet in the sand and you’ve got all the ingredients for an iconic Burleigh lunch.”

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Published: 1 October 2025