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A trip to Australia needs careful planning as it is a long way from any other continent. Travel times are usually very long (22 hours from Europe and 14 hours from the US.) A great option is to include a stop off on the way or way back from Australia. Alternatively you could stay longer and visit another country in the southern hemisphere.

Unless you are coming here for more than 3 weeks, I'd limit your onward travel and not try to do too much. Australia is huge and you need at least 3 weeks to do it justice. In fact, you'll only be able to see a small part of this amazing country with 3 weeks.

Asia is generally the preferred stop off destination. This is particularly true if you are coming from Europe as most flights stop to refuel here. It means there is usually a very small cost for including a stop over to your flight. Here are some of the best stop off destinations:

Bangkok and Thailand

Many Australians choose this destination for a holiday or a stop off on their way to Europe. There are a few operators flying to Thailand which keeps the prices reasonable. Plus, Thailand is still relatively inexpensive when you arrive.

For Bangkok I'd look to do the following:

1) Visit the Grand Palace.This is where the king used to reside but it is still used for special occasions. You can't go inside but you can admire the beautiful buildings.

2) The Wat Sai Floating Market is a good one to visit and you can get on a barge outside the Grand Palace. It's also good to combine a visit to the Royal Barges Museum. They have some fabulous boats on display that have been used by the King.

3) If shopping is your thing then head to Chatuchak Weekend Market . It's easy to get lost here as the place is so large. It's also a great place to eat as there are lots of restaurants. The market opens at 7am and I suggest you get there early to avoid the crowds and the heat.

4) Segway Tours If you fancy doing something a bit more adventurous and different than a tuk tuk tour then try one of these gadgets. It's a two wheeled electronic device and it's very easy to use. A guide will take you to some of the hidden gems of Bangkok.

5) Enjoy the nightlife. A night in Bangkok is usually good value and we've all heard of the lady boy shows etc. Bars are a plentiful and generally offer a good night out.

If a beach holiday is more your thing then head to Phuket in Thailand. Jet Star flies directly to Phuket from Australia and you can usually find cheap flights if you wait for a sale or book well in advance.

Phuket is not for everyone though. This place is like Ibiza but in Asia. It's big, very touristy and full of pubs, bars and restaurants. If you'd rather have a quieter experience then the areas around Phuket are lovely. Phi Phi Island is a popular day trip from Phuket but you can stay here instead. It is close to where they filmed the movie "The Beach."

There isn't room in this article to explore all the stop off alternatives. Other stop over options include Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Singapore. If you are travelling from the US then Fiji is a good stop off to break up the flight and see another beautiful island getaway.

If you have more time and are planning a longer trip to Australia (months rather than weeks) then I'd recommend combining your trip with New Zealand or even Bali. Flight times from Australia are only a few hours.

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Jennifer Schellington has nearly 5 years of experience in travelling Australia and has recently had a baby. Her site, www.realaustraliatravel.com offers practical information for planning your visit to Australia as well as what to do and where to go. Click here for more details on Stop off destinations and travel from Australia

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