Travel question: Should I make Australia my next stop after Singapore?

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The city state provides an ideal springboard for further exploration (iStock)

Q I am going to Singapore for a 10-day work stint in November and have the option of staying four extra days in the region. While I have travelled extensively in Asia, I have not yet made it to Australia. I’m not talking about going somewhere as far as Sydney, but I wondered if it was feasible to make a long weekend out of going to somewhere like Perth or Darwin?

Charlotte M

A Given the many wonders closer to Singapore than Australia, I would be inclined to stay a little closer to Singapore – visiting one of the Indonesian islands I have not so far been able to visit. But since you ask, let me outline the possibilities.

The closest significant Australian city (or relatively large town, at least) is Port Hedland – 1,793 miles away. Broome is only a little further (1,818 miles) but more alluring, with a laid-back tropical vibe and some lovely places to stay: ideal for barefoot relaxation.

Unfortunately, there are no longer any direct air links from Singapore. So that leaves the two state capitals: Darwin, Northern Territory (2,075 miles) and Perth, Western Australia (2,421 miles).

While Darwin is an excellent base for exploring the Outback, it is not a compelling city. The weather in November is likely to be very hot and humid. And with only Singapore Airlines’ subsidiary Silk Air flying to the city, fares are high (over £300 return).

Perth is significantly further, a full five hours from Singapore. But a return trip on another Singapore Airlines offshoot, Scoot, should cost less than £200. It will take you to an attractive and historic city with a superb waterside suburb in the shape of Fremantle, from where beautiful Rottnest Island is only an hour away by boat. It is an ideal weekend destination and may inspire a future visit to get to see more than a tiny fragment of Australia.

Every day our travel correspondent Simon Calder tackles a reader’s question. Just email yours to s@hols.tv or tweet @simoncalder