If you’re thinking of going on a short holiday but don’t want to pay more than $1,000, look no further than your own backyard – Australia. No matter which state you choose to have your mini-vacation, Australia has plenty of holiday hotspots, tours and cruises that you can both afford and enjoy.

Here are the top Aussie holidays for under $1,000 by state:

Victoria

Mount Feathertop, near Mount Hotham, Victoria.

• 4.5-star Rendezvous Grand Hotel, Melbourne ($345) – You can stay for 3 nights from $345 per person (twin share). The package also includes a one-day gourmet tour in the Yarra Valley. Don’t forget to visit the sophisticated Lobby Bar at the hotel.
• 4.5-star 215 Mt Buffalo, Porepunkah ($400) – It’s located on 8 hectares and is a great place for a weekend getaway with your partner or friend, where you get to stay in a private garden studio. The deal also includes Brown Brothers wine and chocolates.
• Shamrock Apartments, Mt Hotham ($448) – These apartments are situated near the Big D ski area, so you can go skiing with your family or friends. The package includes a 3-night stay in a 4-share apartment ($448 per adult or $371 a child) and 3-day adult and child passes for lifts, lessons and rentals.
• Shamrock Hotel, Bendigo ($500) – You’ll get 2 nights’ weekend accommodation, daily breakfast, as well as a two-course meal in the hotel’s café on Friday and Saturday evenings.

New South Wales

The lighthouse at Byron Bay, the most easterly point of Australia.

• BreakFree Eco Beach Resort, Byron Bay ($215) – This deal includes a 3-night stay in a studio room from $215 per person (twin share). The Byron Bay lighthouse is a must-see for all visitors, so don’t forget to pay it a visit.
• Middle Rock Holiday Resort, Port Stephens ($290) – Your family (two adults and two children) can stay here for 3 nights in a 4-person cabin for only $290. The resort offers a range of amenities, including a jump pillow, a playground, a water play area, sports facilities and barbecues.
• Peppers Salt Resort & Spa, Kingscliff ($499) – Spend 2 nights at the resort from $499 a couple and you’ll get breakfast, wireless internet connection and free movies. Season Restaurant will also welcome you with a three-course dinner and drinks.
• Pacific Jewel cruise ($349) – Take a round-trip from Sydney on a food and wine cruise for 3 nights. The package includes all main meals, entertainment and presentations. You can also taste wine, make cocktails, learn about cheese and take a barista class.
• Rhapsody of the Seas cruise ($625) – Rhapsody of the Seas will also take you on a round-trip from Sydney. It has a day spa, as well as a fitness centre that holds a variety of classes and has swimming pools, whirlpools and lounges. It’s perfect for a weekend getaway.

Queensland

• QT Hotel, Gold Coast ($239) – Consider booking a 2-night Ultimate Surfing Package at the hotel, which costs $239 per person. You’ll receive a 2-hour surf lesson with Go Ride a Wave who are surf industry leaders, 2 nights’ accommodation and daily breakfast at Bazaar, an interactive marketplace.
• Metro Hotel Tower Mill, Brisbane ($249) – The hotel offers a Shop ‘Til You Drop package that costs $249 a night, including overnight accommodation for two people in an executive double room. You’ll also receive a buffet breakfast, a late noon checkout, a $50 voucher to use in Myer and a voucher for the Mill Restaurant worth $40.
• Kroombit Tourist Park on Lochenbar Station, Biloela ($255) – You get to stay at a farm and learn how to crack a whip or round up cattle. The deal includes a horse trail campout overnight, a campout dinner, barbecue for lunch and breakfast, as well as camping in a swag for one night. Or you can have a 3-night camp out for $385 a person, including all meals.
• Mantra Legends Hotel, Surfers Paradise ($358) – The hotel is only 100m away from patrolled beaches and there are shops and restaurants nearby. You can stay at the hotel for 3 nights in a twin hinterland room, from $358 a couple.
• Noosa Apartments, Noosa ($390) – Bring your family to Noosa for a fun weekend getaway, where kids get to stay at the apartments for free. You can stay in a 2-bedroom apartment and receive bonus credit to use in the games room, a $20 meal voucher from the Noosa Heads Surf Club and a 2-for-1 voucher for Sea Life Underwater World.
• Moreton Island, Moreton Bay ($395) – If you want some time catching up with your girlfriends, book a 3-day Dirty Girls 4×4 Weekend package for $395 per person (quad share). The package includes a guided 4WD tour, glamping accommodation and meals. You can also take part in island activities and enjoy live entertainment. This offer is only valid for women.
• 4.5-star Seahaven Resort, Noosa ($398) – Enjoy a 2-night stay at this beachfront resort in a suite on Hastings Street. A room costs $398 (twin share). When you arrive, you’ll receive wine, and a free internet connection, and they even offer a late noon checkout.
• 5-star Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa, Gold Coast ($405) – The package includes 4 nights’ accommodation from $405 per person (twin share) and return airport transfers.
• Oaks Oasis, Caloundra ($405) – This is a family-friendly resort on the Sunshine Coast, where you can spend 3 nights in a revamped family room, which costs $405 for the whole family. You’ll also get a bonus late noon checkout and receive access to the water play park at the resort.
• Spicers Hidden Vale, Lockyer Valley ($449) – You can rest and relax here on the weekend for $449 a couple per night. You’ll get to spend a night in a room with a view of the valley and receive a gourmet breakfast in the morning. Cotton’s Restaurant will also provide you and your partner or friend with a three-course dinner.
• 4-star Hibiscus Resort & Spa, Port Douglas ($824) – You can enjoy the tropical north of Queensland in a studio room at the resort for 4 nights.
• Pacific Dawn cruise ($449) – The Pacific Dawn will cruise from Brisbane to Airlie Beach for up to 4 nights. The deal includes meals, entertainment and facilities such as swimming pools, a fitness centre, bars, pubs and clubs.
• Cairns to Brisbane road trip ($499) – This is a great option for backpackers. You’ll receive a  Spaceships van to travel in, which comes with linen, a kitchen kit, a DVD player, a fridge and two different ways to sleep. It can sleep two people and seat four. Also, with nil excess and unlimited kilometres, you can spend a whole week driving down along the east coast of Queensland, while spotting whales and making pit stops at Townsville, Mackay, Hervey Bay, and anywhere else that takes your fancy.

Tasmania

Historic houses at the edge of the jetty in Hobart, Tasmania

• 43 Degrees Eco Apartments, Adventure Bay, Bruny Island ($190) – Bruny Island is located off the southeast coast of Tasmania. You’ll get to stay in a studio spa beachside room from $190 per night and also receive breakfast. Or you can stay at a waterfront apartment for only $240.
• Two Four Two Serviced Apartments, Launceston ($220) – These apartments are a terrific blend of historic and contemporary design. You can pay $220 a night for a studio or terrace apartment or $250 a night if you upgrade to The Bakehouse. You can sleep on a king bed, rummage through a DVD-CD library, use the coffee machine and enjoy a gourmet breakfast.
• Henry Jones Art Hotel, Hobart ($305) – Take your partner or friend along with you to Hobart and stay at the Henry Jones Art Hotel for $305 a room per night. It has a waterfront view and stands between old sandstone warehouses. The scenery and hotel itself is a perfect blend of the past and present.

Northern Territory

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory

• Gagudju Lodge, Cooinda ($429) – You can stay at the lodge for 4 nights with a bonus night free and receive a daily buffet breakfast. It has an amazing view of Kakadu National Park, where you can go on a bushwalk or cruise, or even fish for barramundi. The package costs $429 a person (twin share).
• 5-star Sails in the Desert, The Red Centre ($934) – Book a 3-day Red Centre Sights and Sounds package for $934 per person (twin share). It includes 2 nights’ accommodation at the Sails in the Desert, dinner under the outback night sky at Sounds of Silence, a Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) tour and a Walpa Gorge visit. You can also enjoy views of Uluru as the sun sets, climb Uluru as the sun rises, and take a base tour of Uluru or a guided cultural walk.

South Australia

The Blue Lake at Mount Gambier, South Australia

• 4-star Quality Inn Presidential, Mt Gambier ($398) – You can enjoy a weekend stay in a spa suite, which will cost $398 for two adults. When you arrive, you’ll receive a wine bottle and cheese platter. You’ll also get an egg and bacon breakfast delivered to your room and an 11.30am late checkout.
• 5-star Rendezvous Grand Hotel, Adelaide ($454) – With the $454 package, you’ll receive 2 nights’ accommodation in a deluxe room that has Foxtel and a marble bathroom, as well as a gourmet buffet breakfast and valet car parking.

Western Australia

White sand in Broome, Western Australia

• 4.5-star Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa, Broome ($378) – The resort overlooks Cable Beach, where you can spend a weekend away with your loved one or friend in a studio with a garden view for only $378. The deal also includes airport transfers, free Wi-Fi and two Sunset Bar & Grill drink vouchers.
• Pinctada Cable Beach Resort & Spa, Broome ($444) – Book a weekend package at the resort for 2 nights, from Friday-Saturday or Saturday-Sunday. It will cost $444 a couple, which includes accommodation in a Shinju studio room, daily breakfast, welcome drinks and return airport transfers.

State-to-state travel

Hire a campervan and drive interstate

• Hobart to Melbourne road trip ($5 a day) – You can hire a 2 to 6-berth motorhome from Imoova, and pay only $5 a day to relocate the van to Melbourne. You’ll also get $350 for flights, fuel and ferries. You can take up to 4 days to travel, with 2 additional days being available for purchase.
• Dawn Princess cruise from Melbourne to Sydney ($299) – For 2 nights, you can sail from Melbourne to Sydney on the Dawn Princess cruise ship. There are many entertainment and activities to enjoy, including karaoke, watching films under the stars and taking Zumba classes.
• Murray Princess cruise from Mannum to the Murray River spanning SA, VIC and NSW ($674) – Take a round-trip from Mannum in South Australia or you can transfer to Adelaide before embarking on your journey to the Murray during Christmas in July. For 3 nights, you can eat mince pies, puddings and Christmas treats and also drink wine whilst relaxing on comfy lounges.
• Celebrity Century cruise from Sydney to Hobart ($848) – Celebrity Century will sail from Sydney and make port stops at Melbourne, Burnie and then Hobart before going back to Sydney. The trip will take 7 nights, in which you can enjoy the ship’s many restaurants and bars, such as Martini Bar & Crush, Canyon Ranch SpaClub and Fortunes Casino.
• Athena cruise from Perth to Adelaide ($945) – Go on a cruise for 5 nights from Perth to Adelaide via Esperance on Athena, which can carry 550 passengers. The deal costs $945 per person (twin share) and includes meals and entertainment.
• Rhapsody of the Seas cruise from Sydney to Cairns ($999) – Cruise tropical Queensland in an inside cabin aboard Rhapsody of the Seas for 11 nights, valued at only $999 a person. The cruise ship will depart from Sydney and visit the ports of Newcastle, Brisbane, Airlie Beach and then Cairns (you get to stay overnight here). It’ll also sail past Willis Island. The package includes all meals, entertainment and accommodation.

If you’re short on cash at the moment but are really ready for your dream vacation or just in dire need of a short break these Aussie escapes are perfect. SRG Finance offers cash loans of $1,000. To make a booking for any of the places, tours or cruises mentioned above, see your travel agent or contact the hotel or cruise company direct.