To get back to topic, the whole purpose was to come up with a list of short-haul destination ideas that are useful for a public holiday long weekend, +1 day of leave, or 1 day of sick leave.
So far my summary trips that could be done within a 3 day weekend from SYD.
- Auckland (take advantage of EK F class on A380 for AKL-SYD)
- Queenstown/Christchurch (good for snow season - award availability is tight during snow season, maybe next year more coverage of night flights, 6:15am->11:15am going, 4:15pm->5:30pm leaving) could have a one full day/two half day in skiing.
- Noumea (tricky flight times, good weather this time of year, cheaper season for travel "low season")
- Lord Howe Island (book 1 year in advance if you are lucky)
- Fiji (3 hour flight +++, large airport taxes for point spend, but the times are pretty good 6:30->12:30 and 6:30pm->9:30pm with Fiji Airways)
- Vanuatu (can't land in Port Vila right now but BNE can fly direct to other airport)
- Hong Kong/Japan (most flights are 9+ hours, so again take advantage of the F class and make this the real "holiday").
- Tasmania
- Adelaide (Barossa/Wine Tasting - could even be done in a 2 day weekend)