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I recently tricked the internet into thinking I was in Greece when, in reality, I'd only travelled 35 minutes down the road from where I live on the east coast of Australia.

As soon as I posted a video of the rooftop pool overlooking crystal blue water, the messages started rolling in…

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"Are you in Greece?" one friend asked.

Someone with the username 'luv_italy' even commented, " Santorini!"

What started as a spontaneous staycation turned into a quiet revelation. I don't need to travel to the other side of the world for a taste of Euro summer, the next best thing is just around the corner!

Here are three spots I've visited recently in Australia that feel like a European holiday — minus the jetlag and hefty price tag.

1. Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel - Sunshine Coast, QLD.

The moment I stepped onto the rooftop at the new Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel, I thought I'd been transported to the Greek Islands.

It was like the domes on the neighbouring rooftop had been put there specifically to trick my Instagram followers into thinking I was in Greece and not just on the Sunshine Coast.

I couldn't blame them! It's such an amazing place and has the most wonderful view. Image: Supplied.

This is a brand-new hotel, which means the rooms also feel modern and fresh and not like a million other people had slept in the bed before me.

If you want to stick with the Euro summer theme, for dinner I recommend checking out Prawn Star Mooloolaba, a seafood restaurant and bar on a restored fishing trawler in the marina.

I mean, is this really the Sunshine Coast's version of Greece that saved me thousands? Yes! Image: Supplied.

In the morning you can take a trip to France via Flo's Crêperie, my go-to place for the most delicious crêpes on the Sunshine Coast.

The best bit? Unlike an actual trip to Europe, this mini holiday cost me well under $600 for the room, breakfast, dinner and secure parking.

I don't know about you, but $30 for parking is a whole lot easier to swallow than $3,000 for air fares.

2. Intercontinental Coogee Beach – Sydney, NSW.

If you want to feel like you're having an international holiday without leaving Sydney, check out the new Intercontinental Coogee Beach, which reopened earlier this year after a multi-million dollar renovation.

Walking out onto my own private balcony overlooking the ocean felt like being transported to a resort on the other side of the world.

I'm living for this kind of view! Image: Supplied.

I was almost mistaken for thinking I was in Cornwall when I spotted the new Rick Stein restaurant on the lower ground floor.

From the pool bar to a world-class spa, Intercontinental Sydney Coogee Beach hotel has everything you need to unwind.

Intercontinental Sydney Coogee Beach Hotel. Heaven! Image: Supplied.

If you really want to feel like you're holidaying in Europe, pick up a selection of local food from Maloney's Grocer and walk ten minutes from the hotel to Gordon's Bay.

Instead of sand and surf, you'll find a little Mediterranean-style oasis. It's the perfect setting for an Italian-inspired beach picnic in Sydney!

Walk ten minutes from the hotel to Gordon's Bay. Image: Supplied.

3. Raes on Wategos – Byron Bay, NSW.

What is one of the best parts of a European summer holiday? Drinking margaritas until you almost fall off your sun lounger.

If you want to feel like you are sipping cocktails in the Mediterranean, I highly recommend checking out Raes on Wategos in Byron Bay.

Image: Supplied.

While a room at Raes starts from an eye-watering $1,000 per night, the cost of dining on the premises is far more digestible, and they do make a delicious margarita.

I enjoyed a very long lunch here for my birthday and ate my weight in oysters, tuna carpaccio and fresh sourdough with whipped ricotta.

We started in the dining room and ended up on the sun-drenched terrace, and while my birthday wish to jet off to Europe didn't come true, by the time I'd finished my last margarita I couldn't really tell the difference.

Feature Image: Supplied.