Top 10 JOMO Travel Destinations on the Australian East Coast

The JOMO (Joy of Missing Out) travel trend is on the rise. If you read my blog post, you will be familiar with what The Joy Of Missing Out looks like and feels like when you are travelling. To recap, JOMO travel, is the joy of missing out on jam-packed itineraries, of waiting in long queues, of being lost in a sea of influencers trying to get the Instagram shot and of feeling exhausted at the end of the day from all the sight-seeing.

Instead, JOMO travel embraces relaxation, switching off, being a little pampered and doing not much of anything.

Australia is the perfect place to head to, if you are after a JOMO travel destination. We are experts on chilling out and doing not much of anything!

I have travelled extensively along the East Coast of Australia. So, this list will focus on the East Coast, with a second list coming in the future that will focus on the West Coast. Here is my list of the top 10 JOMO travel destinations on Australia’s East Coast:

Island Retreats

The Great Barrier Reef in Queensland is dotted with gorgeous Islands. I have chosen 3 islands that have everything you could possibly want in a JOMO holiday destination, all in one place.

1. Orpheus Island

Off the coast of Townsville in North Queensland lays the little-known paradise of Orpheus Island. Isolated, intimate and luxurious, Orpheus Island Lodge is a luxury all-inclusive resort, accommodating a maximum of 28 guests, accessible by helicopter.

The island offers total relaxation with the options to swim, snorkel, fish, hike, learn or be pampered.

Each Villa is spacious, private and well appointed, with its own pergola area.

You will be spoilt when it comes to dining. Each day the chef prepares a curated themed menu. The food is fantastic! Read my blog post on Orpheus Island for more details about our stay.

A few days spent on Orpheus Island, you will be hooked and wonder why you haven’t embraced JOMO travel before.

2. Bedarra Island

Similar to Orpheus Island, Bedarra Island, located off the coast of Queensland, is luxurious and secluded. This private island offers luxury villas nestled amongst rainforest, with absolute beachfront views. Each Villa differs slightly, some with its own plunge pool.

With limited guest numbers you are ensured complete privacy and tranquility. As you would expect at a luxury stay, the food is exceptional and everything you need to simply switch off and relax is at your fingertips.

Bedarra boasts – ‘When you simply do not wish to be found, when you need to escape and unwind, there is no better place to disappear than Bedarra.‘ You can’t get much more JOMO than that!

Here is a link to a number of privately owned accommodation options also available on Bedarra Island.

If you are after something a little extra special for your JOMO travel destination in Australia, I highly recommend either Bedarra or Orpheus Island.

3. Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island is nestled in Queensland’s Whitsundays and is surrounded by crystal-clear waters and lush tropical landscapes. Choose between relaxing on pristine beaches or by a pool ….. a swim-up bar doesn’t hurt either!

The island is quite large, so can cater to every style and generation of traveler. For visitors wanting peace and quiet, there are adult only facilities. Alternatively, for families, there are family activities and kids club to keep the little ankle-biters busy, while parents have some chill time.

There are a variety of accommodation options available for all budgets, from hotels, Bungalows, Villas and complete holiday homes.

If you can drag yourself off your sunbed, you can try some snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef, kayaking, fishing, golf, or perhaps a spa treatment. You can do as little or as much as you like, and it is all in one place. There are no cars on the island, with the mode of transport being golf buggies, so you really get that sense of escape.

Beach Destinations

Most Australians already know this, but for our international visitors, there is one thing you need to know before embarking on any beach holiday in Australia. It is very important, that no matter how good or how confident a swimmer you are, that you only swim on patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags. We are so lucky that most beaches in Australia will have a life-saver patrolled section for swimmers. They are there for a reason, use them!

Australia has some of the best beaches in the world. For a JOMO holiday, choose a beach destination that has enough infrastructure to ensure you have all you need close at hand, but not too much! The ideal beach is not overrun with tourists, one that is not on the top 10 Beach lists, but is still gorgeous. Here are some perfect East Coast beach holiday destinations you probably haven’t heard of.

4. Port Douglas

Located just North of Cairns, in far North Queensland is the luxury beach destination of Port Douglas. You will have a choice of chilled out days on the stunning Four Mile Beach, a day out snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef or head to the nearby Daintree Rainforest for a chance to connect to nature with a walk or perhaps a dinner under the stars with a Flames of the Forest dining experience.

You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to luxury accommodation. We stayed at The Mantra Portsea, which backs onto the stunning Four Mile Beach and has a swim up bar – yes please!

5. Peregian Beach

I have spent many a JOMO holiday in Peregian Beach with my friends. Peregian is a quiet beach just South of the very popular and crowded Noosa Heads, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. You won’t find Instagram influencers here, and that’s just the way we like it! In fact, you may find you have the whole beach to yourself! Of course, when swimming, head to the flags, which will have other bathers, but how wonderful to walk along the beach and the only footprints in the sand are your own?!!

The small main dining and shopping district has everything you need, a pub, restaurants, surf club, bakery, and lovely restaurants and cafes. However, because it is quite small, make sure you book a table at the more popular restaurants, or you may miss out.

Accommodation is predominately Air BnB, with lots of houses available for holiday rental. We are lucky enough to have a friend that owns a house at Peregian Beach, which is how we discovered it and why we frequent it. Of course, there are hotel and resort options, but not a large amount. Here are a few accommodation options in Peregian Beach for you to have a look at.

6. Yamba

Heading a little further South, New South Wales has some amazing beaches, especially the Northern Beaches, with Byron Bay being a very popular one. I love Byron, don’t get me wrong, but it has become very trendy and a place to ‘be seen’. JOMO travel is about getting away from all that.

I have chosen a sleepy little beachside town called Yamba, located South of Byron Bay. There are not many beachside towns on Australia’s East Coast that you can still call sleepy. Yamba, like the rest has grown in popularity, but it still retains its small-town vibe.

Located at the mouth of the Clarence River, Yamba has everything you need for a JOMO holiday…. blissful beaches, fantastic surfing, a marine park full of dolphins, turtles and migrating whales, and is surrounded by National Parks and wilderness reserves. Yamba even has its own ocean pool.

Walk, swim, snorkel, dine or just relax and chill.

There are a number of accommodation options available to suit your style and budget.

Vineyards

Some people don’t like the sand between their toes…. I don’t know who these people are, but I know they exist! 😂 Here are a selection of my other favourite JOMO travel destinations – vineyards! Staying on, or near a vineyard, is not all about the wine. It’s about relaxation in style with scenic vistas, gourmet food and fresh produce, and good wine…. Ok, it’s a little bit about the wine.

7. Hunter Valley

New South Wales premier wine region is the Hunter Valley. When trying to decide where to stay in the Hunter Valley, we were having difficulty as there are so many wonderful options. Initially, what drew me to choose The Convent, was purely its name! Love the name!

When I looked a little closer, I realized I recognized the main building. The Convent is where they film the Australian dating show ‘Farmer wants a Wife’. Regardless of its TV fame, the hotel is gorgeous. On sprawling grounds, the hotel is a short walk down the road to 2 fine dining restaurants and a cellar door. Nearby, you will find everything to make this a perfect JOMO travel destination, a day spa, vineyards, Hunter Valley Cheese Company (did someone say wine and cheese?!?), and Hot Air Balloon rides over the Valley.

8. Stanthorpe

Located inland on the QLD/NSW border is a favourite JOMO destination of mine, beautiful Stanthorpe. Time your visit to either experience the Apple and Grape festival, which occurs annually around February/March to celebrate harvest season (visitor numbers skyrocket at this time) or my favourite, Brass Monkey Season in June/July. There is something wonderful about getting cozy under a rug and sipping a wine next to a roaring fire, especially in Queensland – we don’t often get to experience it!

Our favourite place to stay in Stanthorpe is just out of the main town a little bit on a vineyard. Ridgemill Estate offers a number of self-contained units, each with fireplace and your own little deck with vineyard and mountain views. The Estate also has a cellar door for a wee little bit of wine tasting. Nearby, you are spoilt for choice with vineyards, cellar doors, fruit orchards, farms and Stanthorpe cheese.

9. Coal River Valley, Tasmania

There are a number of wonderful wine regions in Australia’s southern-most state of Tasmania. I have chosen to focus on the Coal River Wine region near Hobart as it is very easy to get to, due to its close proximity to Hobart and the airport. It is also the area that I most frequent.

Stay anywhere in Hobart or surrounds, but I do recommend hiring a car. That way you can base yourself off the beaten track a bit and truly get into the JOMO vibe. I am going to highlight one of my favourite JOMO places to stay…. off the beaten track a bit.

Ratho Farm is a very special place, located in the gorgeous little town of Bothwell in the central highlands of Tasmania. Ratho is a working farm, but also Australia’s oldest golf course. Stay in beautifully renovated, convict-built cottages, that overlook the lazy Clyde River. There is a gorgeous homestead, and they even have highland cows! Enjoy a hearty meal in the Atrium with fellow guests and listen to your host read entries from an original diary belonging to Ratho’s first owners. I just love this place, in fact we will be staying there again this Christmas break!

Oh, I was supposed to be talking about vineyards! On your way to Ratho, you will pass through the Coal River wine region, with cellar doors and vineyards gallore! Some of my favourites include Puddleduck Vineyard, Home Hill Winery and Pooley Wines. There are also cheese and chocolate companies in the area if you want to stock up on a few little extra supplies before heading to your cute cottage. Sit on the verandah, pour a glass, listen to the gentle flow of water, the distant call of peacocks and highland cows and just relax. Magic!

If interested, you can read my post on other things to see and do around Hobart, before you make your way to Ratho.

Camping

Personally, I am more of a glamper. I love the idea of camping, but not the setting everything up part. My idea of a camping JOMO vacation involves self-contained cabins of some sort, with my own bathroom and a comfy bed😁. Luckily, the Big 4 holiday parks, located all around Australia, offer a range of accommodation options.

10. Big 4 Holiday Parks, various locations

I loved staying at the Big 4 Breeze Holiday Park during our getaway to Carnarvon Gorge in central Queensland. I have also stayed in their park on the Gold Coast. Choose your style of accommodation from tent sites, caravan sites, onsite tents, cabins or the brand-new luxury cabins (Carnarvon Gorge).

Camping…. or let’s face it, glamping …. is the perfect way to switch off, get back to nature, breathe in the fresh air and truly relax. Choose to do a bit of hiking to negate the effects of consuming a few beverages by the campfire the night before, or, read a book under the shade of an overhanging tree. Do a little wildlife spotting, star gazing or just simply do nothing.

The best bit of staying in one of their cabins is you don’t have the stress of packing up tents at the end of your stay, just when you were starting to relax!

For more details about Carnarvon Gorge, you can read my post about it here.

Is JOMO travel for you?

There you have it! My list of 10 destinations for you to think about if you crave a little ‘missing out’. What do you think? Is JOMO travel something you feel you could embrace? It’s a big YES from me!

I understand if you are coming all the way from the other side of the world, you will want to see as much of Australia as you can. That’s like us when we travel to the Northern hemisphere. A JOMO destination is something that you might be able to fit in as a small part of your Australian itinerary, a chance to recharge your batteries between seeing everything our amazing country has to offer.