Australia
Eating and drinking with Noosa
The annual Noosa Eat and Drink Festival was a prime topic when the region hosted New Zealand-based product managers and media to lunch at a newly opened private dining room in Auckland’s Gilt Restaurant last week.
More inclusions in Dampier Peninsular tour
Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures, operated by Journey Beyond, says its Dampier Peninsular full-day tour now encompasses Beagle Bay Aboriginal Community and the Mother of Pearl Church.
New airport, cliff walk boost Blue Mountains
The opening of New Western Sydney International Airport late next year is expected to be a boon for the Blue Mountains region.
Enhanced tours on Coral Coast, WA
A new outback experience along the Coral Coast in Western Australia is provided by Proudback’s enhanced Adventurer and Explorer tours; now including the Kennedy Range National Park loop track.
Barossa's simple pleasures
South Australia’s Barossa region is promoting a ‘simple pleasures’ message to New Zealand travellers and trade.
Anangu artists in residence at Longitude 131°
Luxury outback camp Longitude 131° at Uluru-Kata Tjuta has announced the remainder of its 2025 dates for its artists-in-residence programme in partnership with the First Nations Anangu artists at Ernabella Arts in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands.
Qantas flights a ‘big win’ for WA
Qantas’ launch of new flights from Perth to Auckland and Johannesburg, both to start in December 2025, have been hailed as another major win for Western Australia’s visitor industry by the state’s Tourism Minister Reece Whitby.
New Tassie tours from Pennicott
Pennicott Wilderness Journeys in Tasmania promoted two new commissionable products at ATE 2025.
Free e-bike upgrade for QLD’s rail trails
Australian Cycle Tours has announced a limited-time free e-bike upgrade (valued at up to A$350), across a selection of its most popular Queensland rail trail journeys.
New Gold Coast hotel eyes Kiwis
Australia’s first Mondrian hotel is viewing New Zealand as a key market in the lead up to its opening in June.
Luxury Lodges collective turns 15
Luxury Lodges of Australia is marking 15 years of collaboration and partnership in 2025.
Trade efforts pay off as Northern Territory sees rise from New Zealand market
Roadshows and other marketing activities with the New Zealand trade helped drive a 40% increase (albeit off a relatively low base) in Kiwi visitation to the Northern Territory last year.
TEQ: Focus on what advisors don’t know about
Developing new and niche trade friendly product, emphasising indigenous, nature based and agritourism offerings in the already strongly visited destinations of Queensland, as well as the not so familiar Southern Great Barrier Reef, Mackay, Queensland Country and the Outback are all key ingredients of Tourism and Events Queensland’s messaging to the New Zealand travel trade.
Rottnest Island lodge progresses
The redevelopment of The Lodge Wadjemup on Rottnest Island, Western Australia is well underway with the property’s Laskeside Rooms and Courtyard Rooms (63 in total) now open. Stage two is expected to be complete soon, adding 46 Pool House Rooms.
Learn, catch and cook
A tour that focuses on a remote living culture and that is based around living off the land is increasingly attracting adventurous travellers, including familes, in the far north of Western Australia.
More Bluey – attraction to run for extended time
Bluey’s World in Brisbane will now run through to February 2026, a few months later than originally planned.
Brisbane deputy mayor Fiona Cunningham released the news at the Australian Tourism Exchange yesterday – the day that the attraction welcomed its 200,000 visitor since opening in September last year.
‘This means we’ll have Bluey’s World for another summer,’ adds Cunnigham.
She says the family experience has proven to be a major boost for the city’s economy. ‘International visitors play at Bluey’s World but then they explore Southbank, enjoy the river, walk our paths, visit our nature reserves and dine at our restaurants.’
Hopping on and off in Brisbane
A new hop-on, hop-off service has been launched in Brisbane this week.
Noosa: More than Hastings Street
New ways to experience Noosa, Sunshine Coast are being highlighted at the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE2025) in Brisbane this week.
Sydney-plus: On the road again
Getting visitors on the road and to discover the state beyond Sydney is a continuing goal of Destination New South Wales.
TA’s personalised approach, bespoke famils and trade training to reflect trends
Kiwi travel agents can expect an increasingly personalised and bespoke approach to training from Tourism Australia this year with three or four famils currently being planned. While details are still to be released the trips will aim to give participants a broader and deeper understanding of destinations that are visited.
TA’s personalised approach, bespoke famils and trade training to reflect trends
Kiwi travel agents can expect an increasingly personalised and bespoke approach to training from Tourism Australia this year with three or four famils currently being planned. While details are still to be released the trips will aim to give participants a broader and deeper understanding of destinations that are visited.
Long Kiwi stays boost South Australia
While New Zealand arrivals into South Australia were up 4% in the 12 months to December 2024, room nights have increased by a whopping 54%, reports Stacey Kerr, regional manager New Zealand with the South Australian Tourism Commission.
Long Kiwi stays boost South Australia
While New Zealand arrivals into South Australia were up 4% in the 12 months to December 2024, room nights have increased by a whopping 54%, reports Stacey Kerr, regional manager New Zealand with the South Australian Tourism Commission.
Murray River Paddlesteamers’ vessel to connect Mildura-Adelaide with overnight cruises
Murray River will have new addition to its cruise options in 2027 with the announcement of a luxurious, overnight paddlesteamer – Australian Sky – to be built by Murray River Paddlesteamers, with the support of the Victorian Government and luxury tour operator APT.
Mary Valley Rattler sees Kiwi potential
Gympie’s Mary Valley Rattler believes that with direct air services from Auckland to Sunshine Coast Airport that it can tap into Kiwis’ passion for rail, especially heritage rail services.
Gallery’s big focus on Aussie artists
Australian artists take centre stage at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in 2025 with a programme featuring a major First Nations winter exhibition that offers a deep exploration of the celebrated artists of Yirrkala.
Journey Beyond launches 2026 Australia by Train, reports growth out of NZ
The launch of its 2026 Australia by Train programme, promotion of the Monarto Safari Resort (and the ability to combine it with rail packages), as well reinforcing the importance of the New Zealand market and the trade relationships here, were among the prime objectives of a Journey Beyond function at VYC Auckland this week.
Journey Beyond’s stay wild package
Journey Beyond has a new city stay package extension for guests beginning or ending their train travel in Adelaide when travelling on The Ghan, Indian Pacific and Great Southern.
Another Oaks, key appt for Minor Hotels
Minor Hotels has announced its fifth franchised hotel in Australia, Oaks Redcliffe Mon Komo Suites, as well as the appointment of Russell Cool as its new director of franchising to spearhead its expansion plans in the region.
Discover Aboriginal Experiences has new assets for trade
A collective of Aboriginal-guided tourism offerings, Discover Aboriginal Experiences (DAE) has new assets for trade.
Event reinforces GC’s appeal in HLZ, DUD
Experience Gold Coast hosted a successful roadshow event last week that brought together 12 tourism businesses and airport staff, and attracted over 100 travel industry professionals.
Queensland can be sold with confidence and certainty, Kiwi trade hears at roadshow
By Megan Singleton
This year’s Queensland is Calling was a timely opportunity to update the New Zealand trade on the whole state’s readiness to welcome Kiwi visitors, as well as emphasising strong connections and accessibility to the destination.
Vivid Sydney releases details – event on sale
Australia’s largest event will again transform the Harbour City in 2025, from Friday, 23 May to Saturday, 14 June with the theme of Vivid Sydney, Dream.
First whale sharks of season at Ningaloo
The 2025 whale shark season has started with the first sightings of the gentle giants at Ningaloo Reef.
WA’s to do list in NZ: Expand awareness, promote access
Western Australia is ideally positioned to capitalise on current trends in travel from international markets, including New Zealanders who increasingly look to connect with culture and nature and experience something completely different without travelling too far from home, says Anneke Brown, managing director of Tourism WA.
Fremantle’s Convict Quarter takes shape
Fremantle is steadily developing what will become known as The Convict Quarter – taking in the UNESCO listed Fremantle Prison and its surrounds.
Pearler of an idea in Perth
A Harvest Your Own Pearl experience is an unusual ‘add-on’ for high end clients visiting Perth.
Culinary safari at Bamurru Plains
Multi-hatted Australian chef and restaurateur James Viles, known for his commitment to sustainability, will return to Bamurru Plains to host a Wild Tastes of the Top End culinary safari from 16-19 June 2025.
Sunshine Coast checks in with HoT agents
Visit Sunshine Coast (VSC) has been in New Zealand visiting House of Travel agents ahead of the peak booking period for Kiwis locking in flights for the upcoming winter season.
Walks plus, plus in Perth provide trade potential
Activated laneways (often leading to a bar), artwork tucked away in places you won’t find unless you know where to look, plus shops and bars at the bottom of stairs that run inconspicuously from the street are all helping to highlight the advantages of a guided walking tour in Perth.
Horizontal Falls stay now all-inclusive
Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures, operated by Journey Beyond, advises its Horizontal Falls luxury overnight stay ‘Jetwave Pearl’ is now an all-inclusive Kimberley experience.
New First Nations-guided Larapinta Trail
Intrepid Travel has partnered with Indigenous-owned operator 100% Finke River Culture & Adventure to launch its first Larapinta Trail trip guided by First Nations leaders.
ANZCRO’s new Tropical North QLD sales tool
ANZCRO has launched its first dedicated trade sales tool for Tropical North Queensland, designed to equip Kiwi travel agents with the knowledge and confidence to sell more of Queensland.
Queensland islands latest Luxury Lodges of Australia
Luxury Lodges of Australia has added Orpheus Island Lodge and the ultra-luxury Pelorus Private Island to its collection.
Move to promote Wild Bush Luxury to trade
Experience Co. has appointed The Unique Tourism Collection (UTC), to help build the company’s Wild Bush Luxury brands working with the travel industry network throughout New Zealand and Australia.
Agents can win TNQ holiday with ANZCRO
New Zealand travel agents have the chance to win a five-day luxury Tropical North Queensland holiday for two valued at up to $6,000.
Vintage rail and super cars combo
Vintage Rail Journeys has Bathurst Race’N Rail packages are now on sale. The Supercars Repco Bathurst 1000 returns to Mount Panorama on 9 to 12 October 2025.
New owners for Sunshine Coast operator
Jamie Marshall and Carly Wilkinson are the new owners of Sunshine Coast’s Creative Tours. With a strong background in tourism, they are eager to build on the business’s success and continue offering guests an authentic taste of the region.
A&K to develop luxury lodge in WA's Purnululu National Park.
Luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent has been selected by Billingjul Aboriginal Corporation (BAC) to develop an environmentally sensitive, high-end eco-lodge in Purnululu National Park.
Helicopter hopping in SA’s vineyards
A just released commissionable luxury tour in South Australia offers a new experience in the world of wineries – with a helicopter pilot standing in as the designated driver.
Journey Beyond to manage new safari resort near Adelaide
Monarto Safari Resort in South Australia will join the Journey Beyond portfolio of luxury accommodation and lodges in Australia.
Field of Light revamp and extension
Uluṟu’s Field of Light art installation by British-Australian artist, Bruce Munro has undergone a major refurbishment and been extended until at least April 2027.
New suites for Journey Beyond trains
Journey Beyond will introduce two new luxury suites – the Australis and Aurora suites – with first departures scheduled to join The Ghan, Indian Pacific and the Great Southern trains from April 2026.
Indian Pacific Perth-Sydney: New itinerary and experiences
The Indian Pacific is operating it eastbound itinerary extended to a five-day journey.
More...
NSW, QLD visitation up for 2024
Destination New South Wales (NSW) reports that the state received a total of 100.5 million domestic and international visitors in the year ending September 2024. They spent A$52.9 billion, up 5.8% compared to the year ending September 2023.
A week of Aussie updates: Set-jetting, roadies, glass art and more as tour starts
Easy road trips from Melbourne, new travel opportunities in the Top End, New South Wales regions that are gaining popularity with Kiwis and a new exhibition in Adelaide are just some of the myriad of developments and updates being focused on at Australia on Tour this week.
Kiwi incentives spread out in Australia
New Zealand based organisers of incentive travel and other business events are considering more options in Australia than they have tended to do in the past, says Kelly Maynard, general manager Business Events Australia.
Queensland calls again – TEQ updates trade on key initiatives coming in 2025
Tourism and Events Queensland’s (TEQ’s) highly successful Queensland is Calling roadshow will return from 17 to 20 March 2025, visiting Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington.
