The Indonesian island beat anything Australia could offer.

FOR Perth couple Stephanie Dodd and Kris Longmore, Bali was a no-brainer. The Indonesian island beat anything Australia could offer.

Relaxing by Legian's popular surf beach yesterday, they could afford to indulge in an extra cocktail and have change left over from what they had saved by not holidaying at home.

"For a start, this package holiday cost $700 each, including flights, accommodation and breakfast," said Mr Longmore, 30, an engineer by training.

On their holiday wish list is Kakadu in the Top End and the Kimberley in the northwest of Western Australia.

"But I would want to have a budget of about $3000 for that," Mr Longmore said.

"To do something in Australia, I'd want to save for it; it's so expensive -- it's a shame."

Armed with a budget of $1000 each for Bali, they have $300 spending money for the week and believe it's plenty for meals and island travel, without scrimping.

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For Ms Dodd, 25, an economist, the ease with which the trip could be arranged sealed the decision. "We said we'd like to go to Bali for a week and spend less than $800. And this is what they did for us."

A similar package in Thailand or Malaysia would have cost about $500 more.

"You can put an upper limit on your spending here but if you try to do that in Australia you feel deprived," said Mr Longmore.

Sydneysider Scott Beattie and his family did their sums but plumped for the convenience of a domestic flight to Port Douglas in north Queensland.

The Beatties and two other families from Sydney and Melbourne meet every year for a week-long break and, with babies and toddlers in tow, didn't want the hassle of international travel.

"We wanted somewhere warm in July so we had to go north, but we wanted somewhere we didn't have to fly too far," said Mr Beattie, who organised the trip. '

The families chose a villa within the Sheraton Mirage complex instead of hotel rooms, a slightly cheaper option with self-catering.

But there were no discounts for the five-bedroom house, costing $1200 a night between them.http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/overseas-jaunt-cheaper-than-in-own-state/story-e6frg6nf-1225899242245