THE sky's the limit when it comes to a short good time on the Gold Coast, writes Sean Sennett.

AT any time of year, WA's Rottnest Island seems to deliver the goods, whether it's on a day trip, a weekend escape or a longer beach holiday.

THE inner-city convenience is the attraction of the Hotel Causeway in the heart of the Melbourne's CBD action.

MIKE O'Connor uncovers the best of Queensland's tropical north on a short break to Cairns, Australia's northernmost tourism bastion.

SYDNEY'S Biennale festival may be in full swing, but look closely and you'll see that inner Sydney is an artistic treasure trove at any time.

IT'S a long way from coffee-mad Istanbul and you won't find a Turkish bath here, but it's surprising what you'll learn trailing through the "coffee capital of Australia".

PERISHER Blue and Thredbo have both clocked a season first with more than half a metre of snow ? but Victoria is not far behind.

BIGGER is certainly better in the Gulf state, says an awestruck Evonne Barry after a visit to glittering Dubai.

EXPLORE Shanghai, China's coolest metropolis, with Lonely Planet's Shanghai Encounter author, Damian Harper.

THERE'S nothing fun about flying long-haul with children but these tips should help you survive the ordeal, writes Julia Carlisle.

AS Moscow shrugs off the cobwebs of its communist past, adventurous tourists are turning their travel radar towards the Russian powerhouse.

AT any time of year, WA's Rottnest Island seems to deliver the goods, whether it's on a day trip, a weekend escape or a longer beach holiday.

AS Moscow shrugs off the cobwebs of its communist past, adventurous tourists are turning their travel radar towards the Russian powerhouse.

AT any time of year, WA's Rottnest Island seems to deliver the goods, whether it's on a day trip, a weekend escape or a longer beach holiday.

YOU can easily beat the blues this winter with a wonderful weekend away, writes Christina Pfeiffer

WANT to discover the real romance of France's capital city? Then avoid the hotel breakfast and hit the streets, writes Neil Dowling.