And fellow Liberal Malcolm Turnbull didn't help this week by showing us that if you need to get from Melbourne to Geelong, you can easily do it by train. In fact for $5000, the same amount as Ms Bishop spent, you can get 300 off-peak return train trips on the route.

But forget Geelong – with $5000 you can do a lot more than travel between Victoria's two largest cities.

Here's five ways Bishop and Turnbull could spend $5000, either together or singularly, and actually do some real travelling.

Singapore fling for two

It's Singapore's 50th birthday so why not indulge in a couples retreat package (separate rooms of course) for Malcolm and Bronwyn. For $1200 they can fly ScootBiz from either Sydney or Melbourne (from November 1) on Scoot's shiny new 787 aircraft. After checking preferences we've reserved them seats on the right-hand side of the plane. We've checked them into a luxurious Sofitel So Suite each for three nights ($3394 for two rooms) and organised dinner at Xperience restaurant ($240) and a few bottles of Miraval Rose ($220).

Total cost: $5054 for two

Just for train geek Malcolm

The good news is we can get them a gold class cabin on the Indian Pacific train from Sydney to Perth within the price range in the off-season. The bad news is they will have to share that cabin. The journey takes four days and three nights. We are sure they'll have lots to talk about. According to the Great Southern Rail website (greatsouthernrail.com.au) they'll enjoy "private cabin accommodation together with all-inclusive dining, beverages and a range of fascinating off train excursions at key stops". The gold class offering is all inclusive.

Total cost: $4558 for two which leaves them just enough money to fly home from Perth – if they can find a really cheap deal.

Go solo at the top of the class

If business class doesn't cut it for this hard-working duo, then why not grab a first class flight on Emirates between Sydney and Kuala Lumpur.

Emirates's first class offers guests a private suite, champagne and an individual cinema experience. We suggest Ms Bishop watch True Lies with Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger (great helicopter scene) and Mr Turnbull might enjoy The Railway Man with our own Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth. Perhaps they might like the wild Iranian caviar as an appetiser during the movie before tucking into the glazed duck breast. Yum. (Read Traveller's review of Emirates' first class suites)

Total cost: $4992 per person.

Still not far enough away?

Award-winning river cruise company APT can get them to the saucy city of Amsterdam. APT offers an eight-day all inclusive royal collection (sorry about the royal part Malcolm) river cruise sailing through the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland. If you book to travel on the April 15, 2016, departure in a category E cabin and you'll pay $4495 a person twin share.They could set sail aboard one of APT's luxurious river cruise ships along the Rhine and Moselle rivers. The trip includes two styles of sightseeing: signature invitations, special once-in-a-lifetime moments crafted for APT's guests, which for this journey include a tour and tasting at the Schlagkamp​ Winery and Wine Museum and the chance to gain an insight into local life as you visit a family for afternoon tea; and freedom of choice where guests can choose their activities in five destinations, for example in Cologne there is a choice of a visit to the Eau de Cologne Fragrance Museum; a tour of Bonn, or the chance to explore the Bonn Botanic Gardens. For further information call APT on 1300 196 420, visit aptouring.com.au or see your local travel agent. (See the 10 most luxurious river cruising suites)

Total cost: $4495 per person.

Up, Up and Away

They might need to use their frequent flyer points to get to London, but once they arrive we will have them on cloud nine. For $3200 we can get them a 30-minute helicopter flight over London (The London Helicopter) with close-up views of The Shard, Canary Wharf, St Paul's Cathedral, The Oval and Hyde Park where no doubt they will linger over the famous Speaker's Corner. The Crowne Plaza London Battersea is right next door to the helipad and at $500 per night they can share a room for a couple of nights leaving them enough money for a visit to the London Transport Museum ($34 each) and to treat themselves to a five-course lunch on board the luxury Belmond British Pullman​ train which includes a bottle of Laurent-Perrier champagne on ($700). The train leaves Victoria Station at 11.15am. Don't be late.

Total cost: $4964 plus frequent flyer flights to London.

How would you spend $5000 for a holiday? Post your comments below.