While we’re a holiday destination ourselves, we live pretty close to some awesome holiday locations. You have a lot at your fingertips if you have enough money saved up. And the best part? It’s not that expensive to begin with… Here are a few of the best holiday destinations just hours from your Aussie home. Thank me later.

A pretty obvious pick for anyone who is visiting Australia for the first time. Our distant-cousin-of-a-country is just a few hours away and stands alone when it comes to beauty and natural phenomena. If you’re into mountaineering, hikes, treks and snow sports, definitely head to NZ. If the physical demands don’t appeal to you, it’s also bursting with gorgeous scenery and Lord of the Rings tourism. Hit up Rotorua or Lake Taupo for some great walks and sight-seeing, or head south to take in the Remarkables. Trust me, google it.

If the cold climate doesn’t appeal to you, that’s cool, because just north of New Zealand sits a&nbsp; series of island countries that seem to exist solely for the purpose of taking your breath away. Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Fiji are popular getaways for Australians looking to escape the grind – and if you head over there you’ll see why. Crystal clear water, snorkelling, diving, rainforests and beautiful seafood. It’s a no-brainer, really.

You won’t need your passport for this one. Tassy is the Southern-most point of Australia – and yes, if you were wondering, it is part of the country. Don’t let the body of water fool you. A modest tourism scene that treads a fine line between Australian and New Zealand scenery, Tasmania manages to be a holiday destination and a small town at the same time. Take in some beautiful bush-walks, check out the art galleries or relax by some of the bluest beach water Australia has on offer.

A lot of the students who visit Australia and spend their time on the East coast will forget that we’ve got an amazing city on the other side of the country. I was born here and I still forget how big Australia is, but if you take the 5-hour flight across the desert plains, you’ll find yourself in a beautiful Australian city that is totally underestimated for its local Australian flora and fauna. Head out to Rottnest Island and hang out with the Quokkas, hit up the Little Creatures Brewery and other great restaurants in Fremantle, or road trip down to the gorgeous Margaret River for some famed Australian wine.

You don’t have to visit New Zealand to see mountains. Yes, the NZ mountains are definitely incredible and unrivalled by anything in Australia, but the Blue Mountains region has a charm all of its own. Oozing the ancient history of the Aboriginal tribes that once lived there, the Blue Mountains have some amazing walks and natural sites to take in. The best part? It’s just a train ride away from Sydney. If you’re on the East coast, definitely put this on your list.

You probably won’t get to see all of these during your time studying (and if you do, wow, well done), but if you tick one or two off the list, you’ll be all the better for it. In this part of the world we’re very lucky, so why not take advantage?&nbsp;

Here are a few of the best holiday destinations just hours from your Aussie home. Thank me later.

Semester Breaks That Wont Break The Bank

If you happen to be in any of our major cities right now and you’re new to Australia, you’re about to witness your first Aussie heatwave (except for Perth… you guys are so chilled out it’s just annoying). Now, if you happen to be from a country where hot weather is normal, then you’ll probably be fine in terms of the temperature – but there’s something a little more sinister about an Australian summer, and it even creeps up on the locals. Here are a few ways to beat the heat over the next few days, and to get you through what is clearly going to be a scorcher of a summer.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.environment.gov.au/protection/ozone/ozone-science/ozone-layer" target="_blank">ozone layer over Australia</a>&nbsp;is thinned, which means more UV radiation reaching us. We already have an outdoors-y lifestyle, so the thin barrier between us and the sun doesn’t do a whole lot to protect us from it. You might be from a colder climate, or maybe you’re from a tropical climate – whatever you’re used to, you can’t feel the sunburn when it’s happening, but it happens quickly, so be careful.

Yes. I know. Juices taste good and they look great on your insty under the Clarendon filter, but you can’t forget to hydrate. Australian heat waves will do one of two things: send you to the beach, or confine you to an air-conditioned building. Both of which will dehydrate you. Air-con causes low water content in the atmosphere, leading to increased water loss from the lungs and through the skin. An easy way to tell if you’re dehydrated is if you feel yourself starting to get thirsty – by this stage the effects of dehydration have already set in, hence the need to drink water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel very thirsty.

There are a lot of beach essentials to purchase this summer, but make the first purchase a decent bottle of sunscreen. I kid you not, a low-quality bottle of sunscreen will do just about nothing to protect you, and it will come straight off in the water.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.choice.com.au/spf" target="_blank">Choice tested 6 SPF 50+ sunscreens</a>&nbsp;to see which ones were the real deal. The two that came out on top were&nbsp;Cancer Council Classic 50+&nbsp;and&nbsp;Nivea Sun Kids SPF50+. These bottles retail at around $14.95, so there’s no excuse not to slap some on when you’re at the beach.

It’s very easy to become dehydrated and not notice. In fact, 80% of Australians suffer from the symptoms of dehydration without recognising them. It’s super important to know the signs as they happen so you can avoid heat stroke. If you’re spending a lot of time at the beach, or just working out in the sun this summer, be on the look out for:

There are a lot of things that people will tell you about the amount of water you should drink, or different ways to avoid sun burn or heat stroke, but if you’re following these simple steps you’ll be fine. Just pay attention to yourself when you’re out and about this summer. If there is a heatwave, like the one happening right now, just be smart and stay sun safe – that’s all there is to it.

Here are a few ways to beat the heat over the next few days, and to get you through what is clearly going to be a scorcher of a summer.

Sun's Out: How To Survive The Aussie Summer

Making the decision to pursue your studies abroad is an exciting, brave and at the same time overwhelming path to take. However, it is definitely a decision that is worthwhile. The things you experience, the people you meet and the places you go will give you a brand-new perspective, not just on the world but also on yourself.&nbsp;

First, take a moment to applaud yourself for taking the first step and pushing yourself to try something new and for many, something outside of your comfort zone. Then, pick yourself up and get ready to step into a new beginning.

Now that you’ve finally made your way abroad, here’s a few pieces of advice that can help you make the most of the time you have while studying abroad.&nbsp;

Your experience abroad is once in a lifetime. We are fortunate to live in the digital age where documenting these experiences has never been easier. As great as it is to live in the moment and put away your camera, don’t forget to capture the moments that you want to remember forever.&nbsp;

Sometimes just a little photo of the view from your dorm room window can bring back a thousand different memories. And little videos of your time with friends or walking down your favourite street can bring a smile to your face even years down the line.&nbsp;

These little captured moments are a great way to reflect on your life and see how your experiences abroad have shaped the future you now have.&nbsp;

Being in a completely new place is probably overwhelming, and it will take some getting used to. But the more you put yourself out there, the easier it will be to adapt, and you will learn that you are capable of doing so much more then you realise!&nbsp;

Take a chance and join clubs, agree to go on a group hike or even organise a fun outing with some of your classmates/dorm mates. Even if it’s something you wouldn’t usually do, it’s good to at least give it an attempt. If the experience turns out to be unenjoyable, you might still learn something about yourself. There’s a silver lining to all new experiences that will help make you a better, stronger and more well-rounded individual.

Be okay with doing things on your own&nbsp;

There’s so much to see, so much to do and so many places to go when you are living abroad. And there will be many times when you might not have friends that want to do the same things as you, and that’s okay.&nbsp;

There’s a special kind of feeling you get when you experience things on your own. Whether it’s a trip to the local museum, a morning at a pretty café or the makers’ market that’s open for just one weekend – these are all things that can help you learn to enjoy your own company.&nbsp;

If you keep waiting for someone else to do things with you, the opportunity could quickly pass by. If you want to do something, just go for it!&nbsp;

While doing things on your own is great, you want to have a balance and take the chance to mingle and meet new people. This is a great opportunity to learn about different cultures and lived experiences of the people you come across.&nbsp;

Even a conversation with the owner of your local convenience store can be eye-opening or even life changing. You’re in a part of the world that you’ve never experienced before, so take this opportunity to make your mark and build connections that are sure to last a lifetime.&nbsp;

Start your adventure abroad with Campus Living Villages&nbsp;

At <a href="https://campuslivingvillages.com/">Campus Living Villages</a>, we have many individuals from all across the world that have decided to take that leap of faith and experience the wonders of studying abroad. If you would like to live with a like-minded community of inspiring individuals, check out our <a href="https://campuslivingvillages.com/clv-life">accommodation options</a> today!

Thinking of studying abroad? Here’s a few pieces of advice that can help you make the most of the time you have while studying abroad. 

How to Make the Most of Your Time Studying Abroad

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Semester Breaks That Wont Break The Bank

Sun's Out: How To Survive The Aussie Summer

How to Make the Most of Your Time Studying Abroad

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