Australia
Mega famil for Beyonder winners
Journey Beyond’s Become a Beyonder trade incentive returns after delivering record-breaking success in 2025. Top-performing travel advisors from around the world will compete for a place on Journey Beyond’s mega famil, showcasing some of Australia’s most iconic travel experiences.
New owner, upgrades at QLD ecolodge
Queensland’s boutique Glasshouse Mountains Ecolodge is under new ownership with a goal of becoming a haven for guests to reconnect with nature, family and friends.
Central Queensland marketing role
Tourism marketing specialist and travel writer Zoe Macfarlane has joined Central Highlands Development Corporation (CHDC) as visitor economy coordinator, bringing a traveller’s eye and more than two decades of tourism, marketing, and destination storytelling to the role.
New hotel greeting at Alice Springs
Accor’s greet brand has arrived in Australia with the opening of greet Hotel Alice Springs.
Located close to Todd Mall, the 80-room greet Hotel Alice Springs is an 80-room hotel offering friendly, affordable accommodation, complimentary wifi, tea and coffee-making facilities, free guest parking and an outdoor swimming pool.
Profile lift for WA’s Northern Valleys
Destination Perth has introduced the Northern Valleys as the 10th tourism region across its consumer-facing channels.
Self-drive trail through Adelaide Hills
The Adelaide Hills has a new self-drive trail showcasing the depth and quality of its artisan producers alongside its cool-climate wines.
Darling Harbour hotel reopens after refurb
Adina Sydney Darling Harbour has unveiled a multi-million-dollar refurbishment that repositions the 114 room hotel back to its harbourside roots.
Australian Star to launch 18 September
Murray River Paddlesteamers has announced 18 September 2026, as the launch date of the five-star, overnight river paddlesteamer, Australian Star. Set to debut at the historic Victorian river port of Echuca, PS Australian Star will offer three, four and seven-night cruises year-round along the Murray.
AAT Kings launches 2027-28 season
AAT Kings has unveiled its 2027-28 Australia and New Zealand season with new small group journeys and immersive experiences.
As a launch special, travellers can save up to $2,800 per couple on selected 2027-28 departures when booking before 30 September 2026 for travel from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2028.
GC accessible visitor guide version two
The second edition of the Gold Coast Accessible Visitor Guide is available now.
It includes detailed, independently assessed accessibility information for more than 40 accommodation providers across the city and close to 30 attractions. It features accessible events, transport options, services and facilities.
Reefworld’s new era of overnight stays on GBR
Cruise Whitsundays has reopened Reefworld, its permanently moored pontoon at Hardy Reef on the outer Great Barrier Reef.
October gets HOTA with GC festival
Gold Coast contemporary arts celebration, BLEACH Festival has a programme of close to 50 events from 1 to 11 October 2026.
Coastal drives and island highlights
Six Aussie Specialist agents recently experienced ‘that holiday feeling’ in a seven-night Fraser Coast and Southern Great Barrier Reef famil.
Vintage Rail Journeys 2027 release
Vintage Rail Journeys has launched its 2027 brochure of train journeys, offering heritage rail travel through regional New South Wales. The schedule has three distinct rail tours and special event departures.
Pearler of an experience
Pearl Expeditions has launched Paspaley’s 13-night Ultimate Kimberley Experience, which blends an expedition aboard the Paspaley Pearl with boutique accommodation and signature Paspaley experiences.
Beaches, vineyards and cycle racing
South Australia will be on show when the Santos Tour Down Under returns from 16-24 January 2027.
Moreton Bay boosts profile with NZ trade
New Zealanders are often in Moreton Bay without even knowing it and they are booking tours once they arrive, which means their travel agents are missing out on potential commission, according to the region’s tourism organisation.
New luxury lodge for Uluru-Kata Tjuta
Luxury lodge operator Beckons plans to build a new retreat at Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa.
Plans have been approved following ecological, heritage and sacred sites assessments and consultation with Traditional Custodians.
Humpback Highway picks up speed
Humpback whale season has officially begun along Western Australia’s Coral Coast, with sightings recorded at Coral Bay and Exmouth, Ningaloo.
Air Adventure’s luxury golf in Tassie
Air Adventure Golf has launched an all-inclusive luxury golf journey connecting five of Tasmania’s coastal links courses into a five-day journey by private plane, setting off from Melbourne.
Sunshine and stars in QLD hinterland
The Sunshine Coast Hinterland has been confirmed as Queensland’s first Dark Sky Reserve, and is one of the most accessible places in Australia to stargaze.
Gyuto Monks programme in NSW
Four monks from the Gyuto Tantric University, a revered institutions in Tibetan Buddhism, are in residence at Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens now through to 30 August.
Great Walks develop as demand to ‘disconnect and reset’ increases
Travellers are increasingly looking to incorporate the outdoors into their well-being routines, with nature hikes and eco-retreats among the fastest-growing travel categories worldwide.
Sailing and lifestyle combine at event
Hamilton Island Race Week, presented by American Express, has opened ticket sales and published its 2026 social programme, with the fleet already topping 170 entries for the sailing regatta.
Reef Unlimited 2026 whale tours start soon
Reef Unlimited in North Queensland has launched its 2026 whale watching tour season. Commencing on 15 July and operating until 6 September, the tours offer guests the chance to witness the migration of the humpback whales off the coast of Cairns.
Agents experience Aboriginal tourism in NT
Seven top-performing travel advisors from Australia and New Zealand recently explored Darwin and East Arnhem Land as part of the Aboriginal Tourism Product Awareness Program (ATPAP) Famil, ending last week.
Getting crabby west of Western Australia
Small Australian territories north-west of the mainland are reporting interest from New Zealand on top of what is mainly a domestic market.
Post ATE famil: Adelaide to Perth via the Indian Pacific
Travelling from Adelaide to Perth on the Indian Pacific was a highlight for a group of Kiwi buyers after ATE. The group was hosted by Journey Beyond, South Australia Tourism Commission and Tourism Western Australia.
Salute to Southbank
The Emporium Hotel opened as a new build in Brisbane’s Southbank in 2017 and since then its success has been an important part of the district’s revitalisation, says business development manager Katie Button.
Vivid memories from SYD/CBR famil
Experiencing Vivid Sydney was one of the highlights for seven Aussie Specialist agents who recently returned from a famil hosted by Destination New South Wales and VisitCanberra, in partnership with Tourism Australia. Air New Zealand supported the trip as airline partner.
Cottages in the forest
Having complete privacy is a major selling point for Misty View Cottages, a boutique property in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
Gascoyne Food Festival returns
Following a sold-out 2025 festival, Western Australia’s Gascoyne Food Festival returns this August with a programme of immersive food, travel and storytelling experiences set across one of Australia’s most remote and extraordinary regions.
Tying Melbourne’s food and migrant past
While Melbourne based Foodie Trails (as the name suggests) focuses on the diverse culinary delights of the city, the walking tours also delve into history with an emphasis on arrivals from many lands.
Belmo to manage new Hunter Valley hotel
Bespoke hotel management specialist Belmo Group has expanded its portfolio to the Hunter Valley having been appointed by HVL Hotels to manage Laval, a luxury hotel and spa.
Islands plus: QLD’s luxury well spread, says TEQ CEO
While Queensland’s islands often gain the limelight when it comes to luxury options in the state, new inventory is also lifting the mainland coastal and inland offering in the sector – making it increasingly viable for agents to sell combinations to high-end clients, says Craig Davidson, chief executive officer of Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ).
Regional representatives drive DNSW’s Sydney Plus message
Encouraging Kiwis to explore coastal, hinterland and country regions within an hour’s drive or even less from Sydney was an objective for a number of exhibitors at this year’s ATE.
AAT Kings’ top performers to visit NT, WA
AAT Kings has unveiled the destination for its 2026 A-Listers on Location Top Achievers Tour, with leading trade partners set to be rewarded with a journey across two of Australia’s most sought-after regions.
Envoyage unveils NT famil for members
Envoyage is providing more education and connection opportunities for its network, launching the latest in its exclusive famil experiences. The Northern Territory famil is designed to give members a first-hand experience of one of
Cairns charter vessel goes international
A Cairns family-owned Great Barrier Reef operator launched a private luxury charter vessel to the international market at the 2026 Australian Tourism Exchange in Adelaide this week.
Journey Beyond to acquire Croc Hotel
Journey Beyond has entered into an agreement to acquire the Crocodile Hotel operations in Northern Territory with the transaction expected to be finalised in early June.
Townsville sees growing interest out of NZ
Townsville is seeing strong growth in visitation from New Zealand in the last 12 to 24 months, albeit from a small base, and is working to lift its profile with both travel trade and consumers in this market.
Amphibious Magnetic Island
Sailing boat operator Pilgrim Magnetic Island is adding a Smuggler amphibian vehicle to its fleet, making beach access more accessible to people with mobility issues.
Aussie: Intrepid’s no.1 for first time – Kiwis part of story
Australia is now Intrepid’s number one destination globally, the first time the country has achieved that distinction, says the company’s managing director ANZ, Brett Mitchell.
Best of land and sea at Broome
There’s plenty of history, culture and beauty in Broome but your clients won’t find it if they just land at the airport or get off at the cruise terminal with nothing organised.
Driving Dundee
Kakadu operators are expecting a boost in global profile this year as the movie Crocodile Dundee marks its 40th anniversary.
Eventful Perth
Visit Perth is highlighting the city’s year-round events calendar to give New Zealand agents and extra ‘hook’ to get clients to the Western Australia capital.
Four-stop Australia on Tour dates set for NZ trade as Kiwi numbers continue to rise
Tourism Australia has set the dates for this year’s Australia on Tour roadshow, which will be held in conjunction with State and Territory partners.
APT launches Australia 2027, new itineraries available
APT Luxury Travel has released its Australia programme for 2027, as the company prepares to mark 100 years of Australian touring.
It features new and returning journeys spanning 4WD and land tours, rail journeys,
expedition cruising and river cruising.
Murray and surrounds– accessible, flowing and starlit
The New Zealand travel trade is being urged to reassure clients that there is plenty of water in the Murray River, it’s constantly flowing and it’s not in flood.
That’s the message from a South Australia operator that specialises in small group tours mainly around the Murray River, Adelaide Hills, Barossa and Langhorne Creek.
Sunshine Coast: Growing Kiwi market a top priority
Attracting more New Zealanders to the Sunshine Coast remains a top priority for the region and alerting the trade to the myriad of opportunities there is a key part of the strategy, says Matt Stoeckel, CEO at Visit Sunshine Coast.
Big NZ contingent converges on Adelaide for ATE as Kiwi market looks closer to home
New Zealand has its largest contingent of buyers yet at the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) in Adelaide and buyers say the big turnout reflects what is happening in the market right now.
Vision Walks Eco-Tours joins wildlife collective
Vision Walks Eco-Tours has officially joined Australian Wildlife Journeys, marking a milestone for the Byron Bay-based company.
Chocolate Experience in Hobart
Glenorchy City Council has approved the $150 million Chocolate Experience at Cadbury, expected to attract thousands of additional visitors per year to Tasmania.
New hotel set for Noosa resort
A 69-room hotel is planned for Noosa Springs Golf & Spa Resort, driven by increased demand from the business events and incentive markets as well as a need to extend capacity for high-end leisure stays.
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Muppets and more at Brisbane art gallery
The Queensland Art Gallery / Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) is gearing up for one of its biggest special exhibitions yet – Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of the Jim Henson Company later this year.
Urban resort a Bespoke sign of BNE’s evolution
Brisbane exhibitors at Bespoke Queensland last week had a succinct message for New Zealand luxury travel organisers – ‘there’s a lot here that Kiwis don’t know about.’
Roaming in Roma, Queensland outback
Boobook Explore is encouraging New Zealand agents and their clients to consider one of the state’s lesser visited but spectacular outback regions.
Food for thought: Brisbane’s F&B tours potential for trade
Cuisine focused tours are an ideal way to introduce clients to places in Brisbane they would have trouble finding on their own, while also giving trade added revenue opportunities, according to operators at last week’s Bespoke Brisbane.
