From ancient rainforests and spectacular waterfalls to tropical islands and extraordinary natural wonders, Northern Australia offers some of the country's most unforgettable travel experiences. Whether you're planning to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, explore the breathtaking landscapes of Kakadu National Park or relax on the white sandy beaches of the Whitsundays, there's something for every type of traveller. Table of Contents In this guide, we explore six incredible place

From boutique accommodation in Sydney to secluded mountain retreats and elegant Hunter Valley estates, discover four distinctive luxury escapes in New South Wales. New South Wales offers an impressive variety of luxury accommodation, from stylish city hotels to peaceful country retreats surrounded by vineyards and native bushland. For travellers seeking something more personal than a traditional hotel stay, Spicers Retreats brings together beautiful locations, thoughtful hosp

From an extraordinary heritage restoration to a seven-day sanctuary, Earnscleugh Castle in Central Otago is entering a remarkable new chapter. A magnificent New Zealand castle featured on Grand Designs NZ has been transformed into an exclusive luxury wellness retreat, complete with a MasterChef-winning chef, a world champion freediver and a yoga instructor who once performed alongside Frank Sinatra and Cher. Located in the spectacular Central Otago region, approximately an ho

Hyams Beach Jervis Bay Summer in Australia is a season of extraordinary contrasts. While people are swimming at Sydney beaches, hiking in the Blue Mountains or watching the sunset over the Indian Ocean in Western Australia, parts of the interior can be experiencing temperatures above 40°C and tropical northern Australia can be in the middle of its wet season. Australian summer officially runs from December through February. These are the warmest three months across most of th

Image credit Marring Country at Bundanon Photo Hayden Griffith A new First Nations-led native nursery at Bundanon will bring together caring for Country, cultural knowledge, horticulture and skills development in the Shoalhaven. Marring Country has been created and will be operated by Marring, in partnership with Bundanon, with support from the NSW Government. The nursery will propagate local native plants for use across Bundanon and the wider region, including plants for rev

Queensland Islands Planning a holiday should be exciting, but it can quickly turn into an exercise in juggling browser tabs. Flights on one website, accommodation on another, airport transfers somewhere else, followed by tours, meals and all the extras that can make a holiday memorable. This is where holiday packages can be worth investigating. Rather than booking every component separately, a package can combine several elements of a trip into one booking. Packages may also

Getting away from the noise of everyday life is one thing. Being able to take your dog along for the adventure can be considerably harder. This spring, Australian fresh dog food company Lyka and off-grid cabin company Unyoked are joining forces to create Lyka Lodge, a limited-time nature escape designed around dogs and the people who love travelling with them. Available for stays from 21 September until 25 October 2026, two Unyoked cabins outside Sydney and Melbourne will be

Looking for something a little different to do with the family over the October long weekend? Horizontal Festival returns to Centennial Vineyards in Bowral from 2–4 October 2026, with a dedicated Family Day on Sunday 4 October bringing art, circus, animals and live music to the vines. The three-day Southern Highlands festival celebrates regional New South Wales through food, wine, music and culture, but Sunday afternoon has been designed with younger festivalgoers firmly in m

Melbourne's love affair with French pastries has earned national recognition, with Almost French Patisserie taking out the Champion Baker title at the 2026 Australian Trades Small Business Champion Awards. Presented at a gala ceremony at Sydney's Sofitel Wentworth, the prestigious award recognises excellence in Australia's small business sector, with winners assessed across business performance, innovation, customer service, sustainability, financial management and community

Sydney’s most iconic landmark now has a brand-new way to experience it, with the official opening of the new BridgeMuseum inside the historic South-East Pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Opening on 27 May 2026, the reimagined attraction transforms the former Pylon Lookout & Museum into an immersive cultural experience that takes visitors deep inside the story of the Harbour Bridge itself. From engineering marvels and historical memorabilia to multimedia displays and interac

Just a couple of hours north of Sydney, the Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s best-known wine regions and an easy gourmet escape from the city. Famous for its Semillon, Shiraz, rolling vineyard landscapes and long lunches, the region is ideal for a day trip whether you’re celebrating with friends, planning a romantic getaway or simply wanting someone else to do the driving. One of the best things about booking a guided Hunter Valley wine tour from Sydney is that you can rel

Image disclaimer: This is the artist's impression and is subject to change Sydney’s luxury events landscape is about to welcome a striking new addition, with Doltone Hospitality Group unveiling plans for Doltone House Harbourside, a next generation waterfront venue opening in Darling Harbour in 2027. Positioned within Mirvac’s major $2 billion Harbourside redevelopment, the expansive new venue promises a sophisticated harbourfront setting designed for weddings, gala celebrati