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The Travel Sales, Deals & News You Need to Know About
Close to home and across the seas, here’s what’s catching our eye in travel right now.
Planning your next escape? From the travel trends shaping 2027 and new destinations earning a place on the map, to new hotel openings, flight updates and tempting getaway deals, we’re keeping tabs on the latest travel news in Australia and beyond. Consider this your edit of what’s worth knowing before you book, whether you’re dreaming up a far-flung holiday or plotting a little time away closer to home.
In This Guide
The Latest Travel News in Australia
Named: Australia’s Best Places for Outdoor Adventure
Dramatic coastlines, winding trails and wild landscapes worth going a little further for. New research from Net World Sports has ranked 88 regions across Australia for outdoor adventure, looking at everything from hiking and mountain biking to rock climbing, access to protected areas and favourable weather to find the country’s best places to get out and explore.
Sydney’s Northern Beaches takes the top spot, followed by Sutherland and North Sydney and Hornsby, giving New South Wales a clean sweep of the podium. All three regions also boast easy access to nature, with every resident living within 10 kilometres of a national park or protected area.
Elsewhere, Hobart leads for outdoor-friendly weather, with around 249 suitable days a year, while Tasmania’s South East is the country’s standout for rock climbing. South Adelaide earns a mention for its mountain biking trails, and regional Australia shines for parkrun access. For travellers keen to take the scenic route, the findings offer a few fresh ideas for an Australian getaway with the great outdoors at its heart.
The Travel Trends Everyone Will Be Booking in 2027
How we travel is getting a rethink in 2027. Expedia Group’s Unpack ‘27 report has revealed the trends set to shape the year ahead, and there are a few fresh perspectives on what makes a trip worth taking.
‘Trip-snacking’ is making a case for shorter stays, with 79% of surveyed travellers planning to book a one-night escape in the next year. Whether it’s a milestone worth celebrating, a concert, show or sporting event, or a quick reset between longer holidays, sometimes one night away is all it takes. For 45%, finding a good deal is part of the appeal.
The coast can wait, too. Nearly 65% of travellers surveyed holidayed somewhere inland over the past 12 months, drawn to local culture, food and art, fewer crowds and more wallet-friendly prices. These heartland hideouts offer a fresh reason to look beyond the usual seaside escape.
For stays with a little more intrigue, Gothic getaways are on the rise. Hotels.com reports that 65% of travellers want to book a Gothic-style hotel, while demand for castles has climbed 20% year-on-year. Think candlelit corridors, richly coloured interiors and old-world romance, with 56% saying they would book a hotel for its atmosphere alone.
Elsewhere, nostalgia is inspiring ‘Un-Adulting’ trips, with 57% likely to book an escape built around carefree fun, while 68% are interested in group getaways centred on a shared hobby. The takeaway? In 2027, it’s less about how far you go and more about finding a reason to get away.
This Getaway Gets Cheaper When You Log Off
We’ve found a clever little incentive to stop doomscrolling: a tiny cabin escape that gets cheaper the less time you spend on your phone. Lovehoney has teamed up with Into The Wild Escapes to reward couples for cutting their screen time, with a 50% reduction earning you a free night’s stay. There’s also a disposable camera, a journal and a $250-plus pleasure kit waiting in your cabin, so you can put your phone to better use by leaving it alone!
Bookings made here and are available across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
Golden Hour Has Been Scored, and Two Aussie Spots Made the List
If there’s one thing Australia does exceptionally well, it’s a sunset. And now, two of our most spectacular landscapes have the scores to back it up. UK travel operator Kuoni has ranked 165 destinations around the world for golden hour, working with meteorologist Jim Dale, founder of British Weather Services, to assess everything from cloud cover and light pollution to rainfall, wind speed and sunset duration.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park claimed joint eighth place with a score of 88.22/100, with its vast sandstone formations famously shifting through deep reds and glowing oranges as the sun slips below the horizon. The Flinders Ranges followed at 14th (86.70/100), putting South Australia’s rugged outback and seemingly endless skies firmly on the global sunset map.
Taking out the top spot was Jordan’s Wadi Rum, scoring an impressive 95.92/100, with Namibia’s Sossusvlei and Damaraland rounding out the top three. Of course, even the best conditions can’t promise a technicolour sky. Still, consider this all the more reason to put an outback escape on the itinerary.
Airlie Beach Has Been Crowned Australia’s Top Small Tourism Town
Airlie Beach has officially taken out Gold as Australia’s Top Small Tourism Town for 2026, with the national title announced at Parliament House in Canberra this September. It marks the town’s first national win after also claiming its fifth consecutive Queensland Top Small Tourism Town title, a run that says plenty about how much the destination has changed in recent years.
The gateway-to-the-islands reputation still holds, but Airlie now has far more reason to stay put. Architectural villas are reshaping Funnel Bay, 74 Islands Distillery is making gin and vodka from a rooftop above the Coral Sea, Eastwoods has brought sharp South-East Asian dining to the Esplanade and, around 45 kilometres inland, SOLLOS Estate is growing hundreds of thousands of Blue Weber agaves across former cattle country. Add sailing, reef access, marina-side dining and an increasingly strong stay scene, and the award feels less like a surprise than a marker of where Airlie is heading next.
Andaz Gold Coast Just Dropped Two Very Tempting Offers
Planning a Gold Coast getaway? The soon-to-open Andaz Gold Coast has just dropped a couple of tempting offers ahead of its late-2026 opening. The Opening Offer will get you 20% off room rates plus complimentary breakfast, with rates starting from $359 per night. For a little more indulgence, the Gold Coast Escape package includes a $100 daily dining and drinking credit and complimentary room upgrade for stays of two nights or more, from $449 per night. World of Hyatt members can also enjoy an additional 5% off eligible rates.
Set in the heart of Broadbeach, the hotel is moments from the beach and Pacific Fair, with 202 rooms and suites, three dining and drinking spots and the Andaz Pool Club, designed for long afternoons with a cocktail in hand.
Broadbeach, Gold Coast
Book direct through Andaz
Book now via Booking.com
The Tweed Scores a Spot in the Lonely Planet’s Global Travel Hot List For 2027
Every year, we look forward to Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel drop and this year, our very own, The Tweed, has swooped into the global Top Destinations Hotlist for 2027. Small but mighty, The Tweed is the only Australian destination to score a spot this year, thanks to its charming riverside villages, sweeping landscapes, and plethora of eco adventures. After all, where else can you engage in hinterland hikes, snorkelling trips, village hopping and paddock-to-plate dining all at once? Quiet enough to still be a hidden gem, it’s the perfect time to give this diverse region some love and embark on a trip that will leave you refreshed and renewed — a real holiday.
Jessica Lockhart, Lonely Planet Destination Editor for Oceania, sums up the reasoning for The Tweeds well-deserved win, ““We’ve been watching the Tweed rightfully grow in popularity with domestic tourists. It’s becoming known as a foodie and outdoors destination, especially the opening of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail and the Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk. Now, we think it’s time that we let international tourists in on the secret: The space between the Gold Coast and Byron Bay isn’t one you want to speed through. It’s a destination in its own right – and one that’s worth lingering in.”
Discover our perfect Tweed itinerary.
The Great Barrier Reef’s Most Unique Overnight Experience is Back — and it’s on sale!
Ever fantasised about waking up floating above the glittering waters of the UNESCO World Heritage Site the Great Barrier Reef? Cruise Whitsundays have made our wildest dreams a reality with the grand opening of Reefworld. This incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience involves a snorkel of the pristine Hardy Reef, a seafood feast atop the Coral Sea and a night beneath the stars, tucked up in your very own Reefbed.
To celebrate the newly designed Reefbeds and the reimagined Reefworld experience, Cruise Whitsundays are offering savings of up to $391 per couple. Available until Saturday 31st October, you can find all of the ins and outs of the deal here.
The Best Travel Deals and New Stays in Australia
A Year-Round Snow Resort Is Headed to Sydney
Western Sydney is about to flip from scorching summers to snowy thrills with Winter Sports World. Yes, Australia’s first indoor snow resort is now gearing up with real momentum after securing a major international partner. The $700 million project in Penrith has signed a memorandum of understanding with China’s Bonski Group, one of the biggest names in indoor ski operations, bringing world-class know-how to the planned year-round snow destination.
Slated to open around 2028, the winter wonderland will include an Olympic-scale indoor ski run, snow play areas, a 200-room hotel and plenty of dining and leisure spots which puts lots more snow days on the calendar for Sydney families, tourists and athletes. With planning approvals locked in and construction shovel-ready, developers are pitching it as a new tourism icon for western Sydney, poised to attract millions of visitors annually and inject fresh life into the region’s visitor economy.
2/4 Tench Ave, Jamisontown
Kennel? Please. QT Launch Luxury Stays for Dogs
QT Hotels & Resorts are rolling out the red carpet for four-legged guests with Pup Yeah!, a luxury dog-friendly stay for pampered pooches. Expect memory-foam beds, grooming products, a butler service and in-room dining — yes, steak tartare and bacon ice cream are on the menu. Each stay comes with a curated map of pup-friendly walks and cafés, plus dog walkers at select hotels. Launching across Australia and New Zealand on August 26th, 2025, stays start from an additional $120 for three nights.
Book your stay here.
Airline and Transport News for Australian Travellers
Perth Airport Just Made the Layover Extra Chic
There is something very good about the hour before an international flight, once the suitcase is gone, the passport is back in your bag and the holiday has finally begun to feel real. Perth Airport’s refreshed T1 International has decided that hour deserves better scenery. Fourteen new and revamped openings now run from Australia’s first Heys Luggage store and designer sunglasses to Goldfield & Banks fragrance, Bose headphones, Blacklist coffee and a cold Matso’s beer with the runway beyond. There are WA chocolates for the plane, beauty discoveries for the bathroom shelf back home and, inevitably, one excellent purchase you had no intention of making. Arrive early. This time, you may actually want to.
32 Boud Avenue, Perth Airport
Jetstar Retires the Gate-Side Weigh-In
Anyone who’s stood at a Jetstar gate rearranging their carry-on to shave off a stray kilogram will want to hear this. The airline is scrapping its 7kg weight limit altogether, moving to a size-based system that puts the focus on fit rather than heft. Every fare will include one underseat bag as standard, a backpack, tote or laptop bag up to 40 x 30 x 20cm. Those wanting more room can add Priority Carry-on, which allows a second, larger bag in the overhead locker (up to 56 x 36 x 23cm) priced from $25 one-way depending on the route. The new model applies across Jetstar Airways flights departing from February 2 2027, excluding group bookings of ten or more.
Virgin Australia’s Pets in Cabin Program Just Got Bigger
Your furry travel buddy is officially invited to ride shotgun. Virgin Australia’s Pets in Cabin service has officially touched down in Adelaide, and South Australian pet owners can now bring their small cats and dogs along for the ride on eligible flights.
The Australian-first program launched in October 2025, letting small cats and dogs (under 8kg, carrier included) swap the cargo hold for a comfy spot under their human’s seat. With almost 1,500 pets having travelled onboard since launch, the expansion to Adelaide was always a matter of when, not if.
The service, VA 218 from Adelaide to Melbourne, departed on June 23rd, 2026, with two Chihuahuas, Pickle and Jet, the first pets to fly alongside their owners. Adelaide now joins Melbourne, the Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast in the Pets in Cabin network.
Visit Virgin Australia for information.
The Qantas Flight Changing International Travel Forever
Qantas has finally locked in the details on its long-promised Project Sunrise route, almost a decade after first putting it on the table. From October 2027, a custom-built Airbus A350 will fly from Sydney to London, with no layover in sight. The 22-hour stretch cuts up to four hours off the current journey, a far cry from 1947, when the original Kangaroo Route meant seven stopovers and several days in the air.
But the bigger shift might be what’s happening on board. Tucked between Premium Economy and Economy, Qantas is introducing the world’s first Wellbeing Zone, a shared reset space built specifically for the realities of an ultra-long-haul flight. Think guided stretch sessions on screen, sculpted handles built into the cabin for moving more freely, and a self-serve refreshment station to keep things hydrated mid-air.
Tickets go on sale in February 2027, with Sydney-to-New York already next on the runway.
The New Budget Airline That Could Shake Up How Australia Flies
File this under things worth keeping on your radar. Founded by the aviation minds behind Jetstar’s launch and a successful European ultra-low-cost carrier, Zinc Airlines is quietly plotting a shake-up of domestic travel — with ambitions to bring genuinely low fares back to some of Australia’s busiest routes.
The proposed airline is positioning itself to launch from Western Sydney International Airport when it opens in late 2026, with a stripped-back model (similar to Ryanair), designed to make flying significantly cheaper.
Think a single aircraft fleet, carefully selected routes and operations out of the new curfew-free airport, avoiding the congestion and slot restrictions. Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are expected to be first on the route map, with Adelaide and the Gold Coast slated to follow.
Jetstar Launch Direct Flights to Sri Lanka
Jetstar is tempting us with a new passport stamp next year, announcing direct low-cost flights from Melbourne to Colombo. In an Aussie airline first, from August 25th, 2026, flights will take off every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, opening up more than 100,000 seats a year to one of South Asia’s most vibrant destinations.
United Airlines To Launch Adelaide to USA Direct Flights
Adelaideans, rejoice! If you’re planning on heading to the United States later this year, say goodbye to timely and costly stopovers in Melbourne or Sydney. United Airlines has flown in to the rescue, announcing they will be introducing flights from Adelaide to San Francisco in December 2025. Their will be three flights per week—Monday, Wednesday and Saturday—meaning you can unlock a world of adventure seamlessly. It also provides travellers from Perth a more convenient stopover, rather than hauling it all the way to the East Coast.
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A New Aussie Airline Is Set to Take Off in 2026
There’s a new contender on the horizon in Australia’s aviation scene. Koala Airlines is preparing for take-off from late 2026, promising a fresh approach to domestic air travel. With major players like Qantas and Virgin still dominating the skies, Koala is keeping things strategic, quiet, and decidedly un-flashy.
Unlike past challengers, Koala isn’t chasing the budget carrier model. Instead, the airline is focusing on long-term sustainability, a point of difference that’s already attracting serious backing. While exact routes and fleet details are still under wraps, the prospect of a new player in the air is giving Aussie travellers something we’re always here for — more choice (and hopefully, better fares). Watch this space.
The Maldives Just Got Way Easier to Reach
Australia is about to make paradise a lot easier to reach! For the first time ever, a nonstop flight will connect Melbourne directly with the Maldives’ capital, Malé, meaning Aussies can skip long stopovers through Singapore, Dubai or Colombo and land in the Indian Ocean in under half the usual travel time.
The seasonal service, launching in May 2026 in partnership with Maldivian Airlines and Luxury Escapes, will run weekly and offers a much smoother way to get straight to beaches, overwater bungalows and turquoise reefs. It’s a game-changer for anyone who’s ever dreamed of ticking the Maldives off their bucket list without marathon airport layovers.
More details here.
FlixBus Launches in Australia With $9.99 Fares and Even More Routes
FlixBus is levelling up East Coast travel this summer, rolling out two huge new coach routes that link Sydney to Brisbane and Brisbane to Cairns, with launch fares starting from a wild $9.99. The European budget icon is teaming up with local operators to offer daily services, dozens of regional stops, comfy onboard perks (think Wi-Fi, power and a generous luggage allowance) and a far greener way to city-hop.
They join the operator’s newly launched Sydney–Canberra–Melbourne corridor, where FlixBus made its Aussie debut with the same eye-catching $9.99 fares. The long-haul service brings all the signature Flix touches like free Wi-Fi, power outlets, roomy baggage limits and a carbon footprint that’s dramatically lower than flying. These ultra-low fares stick will around until June 2026, but after that, prices climb closer to $60 one-way, so now’s the moment to book!
Top Australian Destinations, Road Trips and Travel Trends
Adelaide Named Best Place to Travel in 2026
Adelaide is officially having a moment. The South Australian capital has just been crowned the #1 Best Place to Travel in 2026 by Yahoo! Creators, topping global heavyweights like Kyoto, the Dolomites, and Sacramento. The reason? Major global connections, bold new developments, and world-class food and wine — United Airlines is launching its first direct flight from the USA this December, the Adelaide Central Market is getting a $400 million makeover, and fine-dining newcomer Restaurant Aptos is set to turn heads. Add buzzing laneways, a thriving arts scene, and world-class wine regions just a short drive away, and it’s easy to see why Adelaide is on everyone’s radar.
This is Australia’s Most Dog-Friendly Road Trip
New research ranking 22 of Australia’s most iconic routes for pet-friendliness has done the shortlisting for you — and the top ten reads like a pretty convincing travel wishlist.
Margaret River’s Cape to Cape came out on top. Off-leash beaches, good stays, autumn temperatures that behave. The Grand Pacific Drive along the NSW South Coast followed — dramatic coastline, and more dog-friendly cafes per kilometre than anywhere else in the country. For the longer haul, the Legendary Pacific Coast runs Sydney to Brisbane via the coast and leads the lot for vet access — you know, just in case.
Great Ocean Road, Great Barrier Reef Drive, South West Edge, the Epicurean Way, Great Alpine Road, Pacific Highway, and Queensland’s Great Beach Drive round out the ten.
See the full rankings here.
Two Aussie Rail Icons Named Among the World’s Best
Australia’s rail journeys are earning global attention, with not one but two iconic routes landing a spot on the world’s most scenic train journeys list. For a country with relatively small rail tourism compared to Europe, Australia was a surprise addition to the rankings by travel insurance experts InsureandGo. The lush, waterfall-draped Kuranda Scenic Railway was named 12th, while the legendary outback crossing The Ghan came in at 15th. The results, based on eye-tracking research measuring just how captivating each landscape is, highlight the sheer contrast of Australia’s rail beauty — from tropical rainforest in Far North Queensland to the vast red expanse of the Northern Territory and South Australia.
The Return Trip Is Having a Moment
The pressure to make every passport stamp count somewhere new may finally be easing. New research commissioned by travel insurer Insure&Go found that 85 per cent of Australians either mostly return to familiar international destinations or mix trusted favourites with new places.
Ease plays a major role, with 47 per cent drawn back by knowing how the destination works, while 43 per cent return to revisit a great experience or explore a different region or season. For younger travellers, value matters more: 35 per cent of under-35s said favourable prices and exchange rates helped inspire the repeat booking.
The most compelling finding, however, is that familiarity does not necessarily dull the experience. More than half of respondents who had returned to a destination said the second visit was better than the first. With less time spent decoding transport, neighbourhoods and etiquette, travellers can move beyond the greatest hits and settle into a place with far more freedom.
There is still risk in retracing your steps: almost one in four respondents said the return visit was no better or proved disappointing. But for many Australians, going back is no longer the unimaginative choice. It is a chance to travel with sharper instincts, fewer logistics and unfinished business.
Australia’s Most Instagrammable Foodie Road Trips Revealed
Around 60% of Australian travellers now turn to social media to plan their trips, including where to eat along the way. New research from ROLLiN’ has revealed the legendary Pacific Coast as Australia’s most Instagrammable foodie road trip, amassing over 116,000 posts thanks to hotspots like Broadbeach Tavern and The Star Gold Coast. Close behind are Cairns to Cape York and the Great Barrier Reef Drive, where Salt House and Nu Nu Restaurant steal the spotlight with ocean views and camera-ready plates. In short, these road trips serve food — and serious feed envy.
New Data Crowns Great Ocean Road Australia’s Ultimate Coastal Road Trip
New research from iSelect has crowned Victoria’s Great Ocean Road one of Australia’s most impressive road trips, ranking it first for families, first for couples and second for solo travellers. The study analysed 22 popular routes across metrics like mobile coverage, hospital access, rest-stop density, attractions and social sentiment. The Great Ocean Road stood out for its full phone coverage, high hospital density, mild weather and iconic coastal scenery.
The Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive and the Legendary Pacific Coast also scored strongly across all traveller types, proving that choosing the right route is about more than views – it’s about safety, comfort and ease.
Why the Gold Coast Is the Stay to Book Now
At a time when the world feels noisy and overseas travel comes with more variables than glamour, the Gold Coast is having a distinctly alluring moment. Close enough for a spontaneous reset, yet rich in the pleasures people usually seek further afield, it moves from ocean swims and flaky pastries to bathhouse circuits at Ground Currumbin and Lan Bathhouse, rainforest walks through Springbrook, and long lunches that stretch towards dinner at Rick Shores, Etsu and Palette. Check into Mondrian Gold Coast, Tiny Wild Houses or Verandah House Country Estate, and a few nights away starts to feel less like a compromise and more like exactly the escape everyone is craving.
If your next break needs to be restored, seduced, and feel worth every dollar, this is the trip to book.
Plan a trip at Get Up & Gold Coast
International Travel News and Booking Tips for Australians
Motel Mexicola Opens a Third Instalment in Uluwatu
A Bali institution, Motel Mexicola has opened its third venue in Uluwatu—the biggest and boldest venture to date. It’s got that classic Mexicola energy: fun, vibrant and endlessly colourful, with new things to discover at every turn. Heavily inspired by Baja California, there are nods to tradition everywhere, from the art to the tables and chairs to the cocktail menu. The menu boasts bright and coastal flavours, serving up some of the best and freshest seafood we’ve ever eaten. It’s one of those venues you find yourself returning to time and time again, discovering a new cocktail every time…
Jl. Pantai Bingin, No.08, Uluwatu, Bali
A New Wellness-Led Escape Has Opened in Ubud
There’s nothing like going on holiday and leaving feeling like you’ve had a true reset. With interiors designed by Sydney studio YSG Studio, Hotel Moon Gang is a new design-led hotel in Ubud with a unique approach to wellness. Combining traditional Balinese traditions and rituals with Japanese-inspired architecture, the hotel was envisaged as a sanctuary that embraces the spirit of Indonesia. Comprising five suites, a pool club and various wellness spaces, it’s an intimate, restorative escape in one of Bali’s most sought-after destinations.
Jl. Subak Sok Wayah Jl. Raya Ubud, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali
The Mediterranean Island Hollywood Can’t Stop Filming In
Malta is having a serious screen moment. The tiny Mediterranean archipelago has become one of Europe’s busiest filming destinations, with Gladiator II and Jurassic World Rebirth among the major productions recently making use of its ancient streets, fortifications and extraordinary coastline.
The appeal becomes fairly obvious once you arrive. There’s honey-gold Valletta rising above the Grand Harbour, prehistoric temples older than the pyramids, limestone coves filled with startlingly blue water and Gozo’s dry-stone walls, tiny villages and winding country roads. Add long seafood lunches, native Maltese wines and evenings spent swimming beneath the cliffs, and the real-life version makes an even better case for booking the flight.
The One Travel Hack That Makes Landing Overseas Infinitely Easier
There are plenty of things worth romanticising about overseas travel. Airport Wi-Fi is not one of them. Neither is arriving in a new city and immediately rationing your mobile data, chasing a SIM card kiosk, or praying your roaming plan hasn’t started charging by the minute.
That is where Holafly earns its place on the modern packing list. The travel eSIM lets you organise your overseas data before you fly, install it digitally and switch it on when you land, so your phone is ready for maps, ride-shares, WhatsApp, translation apps, bookings and every tiny logistical save that makes a trip feel smoother from the first step out of arrivals.
Baz Luhrmann Just Dropped the Ultimate Train Experience
Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin have unveiled Celia, a lavish new private dining aboard the British Pullman, and it’s pure cinematic escapism. Inspired by West End glamour and the dreamlike world of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the carriage truly feels like it’s been plucked from a Luhrmann film. Every single detail, no matter how big or small, has been expertly chosen, from the stunning marquetry walls to the plush velvet sofa and floral motifs.
As for where she’ll go, Celia joins the British Pullman’s Cygnus carriage, (designed by filmmaker Wes Anderson) on the restored 1920s and 1930s train that roams through the British Isles. Just imagine those windows framing the English countryside as it whizzes through? We’re utterly in love.
Designed for long lunches, celebrations and intimate gatherings of up to twelve guests, Celia brings old-school rail romance into the present (and we can only dream of hopping aboard one day). For anyone planning a northern-hemisphere adventure, this is one detour worth building an itinerary around.
Expedia Spills Top Travel Secrets
Your next getaway just got smarter. Expedia’s 2026 Air Hacks Report spills the secrets: Fridays are officially the cheapest day to fly (up to 12% off), February is the steal-of-the-year month, and Tuesday mornings? Quiet as a ghost town.
Want the full pro move? Book 4 – 6 weeks ahead, pack light (carry-on only, duh, and layer up to dodge those pesky baggage fees. Aussies are even swapping seats mid-flight just to snag the perfect spot.
Where are Aussies actually going? Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane top the domestic charts, while Bali, Tokyo, and Bangkok are flying high internationally — perfect inspiration for your next weekend escape or big holiday plan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travel in Australia
The best places to travel in Australia depend on the kind of trip you want. Rankings point to Airlie Beach, named Australia’s Top Small Tourism Town for 2026, for reef access and sailing, and The Tweed, the only Australian destination on Lonely Planet’s 2027 Top Destinations Hotlist, for hinterland hikes and paddock-to-plate dining. Adelaide was named Best Place to Travel in 2026 by Yahoo! Creators, and the Gold Coast suits shorter breaks. For sunsets, Uluru-Kata Tjuta and the Flinders Ranges both made Kuoni’s global golden hour ranking.
Net World Sports ranked 88 regions across Australia for outdoor adventure, looking at hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, access to protected areas and weather. Sydney’s Northern Beaches took the top spot, with Sutherland and North Sydney and Hornsby completing a New South Wales sweep of the podium. Every resident in those three regions lives within 10 kilometres of a national park or protected area. Hobart led for outdoor-friendly weather with around 249 suitable days a year, Tasmania’s South East stood out for rock climbing, and South Adelaide was noted for mountain biking.
iSelect analysed 22 popular Australian road trips across mobile coverage, hospital access, rest-stop density, attractions and social sentiment, and ranked Victoria’s Great Ocean Road among the country’s best. It placed first for families, first for couples and second for solo travellers, standing out for full phone coverage, high hospital density, mild weather and coastal scenery. The Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive and the Legendary Pacific Coast also scored strongly across all traveller types. The right route depends on who you’re travelling with and how much time you have.
Two Australian rail routes appeared on a global ranking of the world’s most scenic train journeys by travel insurer InsureandGo. The Kuranda Scenic Railway in Far North Queensland placed 12th, winding through lush, waterfall-draped rainforest. The Ghan, the outback crossing through the Northern Territory and South Australia, placed 15th, with its vast red landscape. The ranking was based on eye-tracking research measuring how captivating each route’s scenery is. Both suit travellers who want the journey itself to be the highlight of the trip, rather than simply a way to get between destinations.
Yes, on selected flights. Virgin Australia’s Pets in Cabin service lets small cats and dogs travel under the seat in a carrier instead of in the cargo hold, with a combined limit of 8kg including the carrier. The program launched in October 2025 and now operates from Melbourne, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Adelaide. Only eligible flights are covered, so check your route before you book, and confirm current requirements directly with Virgin Australia, as pet travel conditions can change.
*Our Sitchu editors work hard to deliver you the best products, events and venues that we hope you will love, and each one is selected independently. Sitchu may receive an affiliate commission when you follow some links.
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