LORD HOWE ISLAND, Australia

GOOD FOR: A peaceful escape

Quiet is the word that springs to mind. Just 400 visitors at a time are allowed on tiny Lord Howe Island, which sits 600km off the east coast of Australia and measures just 10km long by as little as 300m wide. That makes its rainforest-cloaked peaks, twinkling lagoons and dazzling coral reefs (the world’s southernmost) seem all the more precious. It also more than doubles the island’s population – just 350 people live here. Needless to say, the pace is rather laid-back, with walking and swimming the main ways to fill the day.

Around three-quarters of Lord Howe lies within a protected park preserve. Highlights include hiking up island high-point Mount Gower (875m) for the finest views, and visiting Malabar Hill, where the dramatic cliffs are home to the world’s largest nesting ground for red-tailed tropicbirds.

But perhaps even better lies offshore. Lord Howe sits within a protected marine park, and pristine reefs stretch along the island’s west coast, sustained by the warm currents from eastern Australia. Around 500 fish species and 90 types of coral can be found in the clear, calm waters, making the diving and snorkelling spectacular.

GETTING THERE: Qantas (qantas.com) runs year-round scheduled flights to Lord Howe from Sydney (almost daily) and Brisbane (weekends). Flight time from Sydney is around two hours.