Australia
New Sunshine Coast product in spotlight
With less than a month until Jetstar’s year-round AKL-OOL service starting, Visit Sunshine Coast is ramping up its presence in the Kiwi market.
Journey Beyond’s first 2026 release on sale
Journey Beyond has launched its 2026 season of overnight and all-inclusive experiences.
Fly free deal on Outback Spirit
Outback Spirit has a Fly Free and Save deal for clients who book by 20 December 2024 to travel on one of Outback Spirit’s 2025 flagship tours.
What drives Aussie’s appeal for Kiwis?
An insight into Australia’s pulling power for New Zealand consumers was amongst information shared at the recent Tourism Australia (TA) industry update in Auckland.
New Signature Walk for NT
Tasmanian Walking Company is launching a five-day fully guided walk inside the grounds of the World-Heritage listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
Crowne Plaza Fiji CC opening
The grand opening of Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa’s new ballroom and event space will take place on 1 March.
Kiwis in the mix at key event to boost QLD’s and Aussie’s inbound tourism industry
This week’s Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) Meeting Place being held in the Gold Coast has a strong New Zealand contingent amongst the 600 suppliers and buyers in attendance.
‘Sell-out’ status of Aussie events shows destination still crucial in trade’s mix
Having three of the four Australia on Tour events scheduled for late November already fully subscribed is testimony to how much the trade still values being educated and hearing about new and different ideas when it comes to selling the destination, says Chris Allison, regional general manager Americas and New Zealand for Tourism Australia.
MCY campaign ahead of new flights
Visit Sunshine Coast has launched a new promotional campaign inviting Kiwis to fly direct and experience Sunshine Moments across the Tasman.
TNQ showcased to NZ agents
New Zealand’s top Expedia Travel Agent Affiliate Programme agents were rewarded with an eight-day famil of Tropical North Queensland ahead of an increase of direct flights to Cairns.
Bluey campaign a green light for Kiwi travel trade
Tourism and Events Queensland is expecting the family and fun aspects of its latest campaign – Bluey’s World, for real life – to resonate with New Zealand agents and their clients.
Two new Cultural Attractions
Cultural Attractions of Australia, a collective of 17 cultural, historic and sporting attractions, has two new experiences offered by two of its members.
SGBR's new offerings
Southern Great Barrier Reef had a record number of exhibitors at this year’s Australian Tourism Exchange, reflecting the breadth of new product being added to existing offerings.
Star struck in NSW
Do you believe in aliens? What is your favourite constellation? Are you worried about pollution in space?
Illuminating attraction at K’gari
A light show known as Illumina – Return to Sky will turn on twice a night at Kingfisher Bay Resort, K’gari from 30 September.
Barossa updates trade tools
Barossa Australia has given its trade website an extensive update in the lead up to last week’s Australian Tourism Exchange in Melbourne.
Indigenous storytelling on Story Bridge
Story Bridge Adventure Climb is offering two new indigenous experiences from August.
New for Luxury Lodges of Australia
Bullo River Station, with 12 guestrooms, has joined Luxury Lodges of Australia (LLoA).
Art tour uncovers new secrets
Hidden Secrets of Melbourne is launching a new Art in the Street tour designed to see the ‘quieter corners’ of the city.
New tours at top of the NT
Northern Territory has two new high-end day-trip experiences out of Darwin, both particularly suited to clients short on time.
Walking Port Stephens' coast
A new 27-kilometre hike in Port Stephens provides new motivation to visit the area during winter.
Record turnout at ATE as Tourism Australia puts focus on distribution trends
Some 16 Kiwi product managers and wholesalers as well as six New Zealand based inbound agents are part of a record attendance at this year’s Australian Tourism Exchange.
Whitsundays family cruising
Explore Group has added a dedicated family cruise departure to its Whitsunday Islands small ship cruise experiences.
Tassie campaign, NZ restart
Tourism Tasmania will launch its latest Come Down For Air campaign in New Zealand later this month.
Learn and win with WA
Tourism WA has an online training programme available for travel consultants to upskill on holiday destinations and holiday experiences in Western Australia.
Sunshine Coast shares tips and news to give trade a sales advantage
Travel agents are a key part of Visit Sunshine Coast’s strategy in getting New Zealanders to look beyond the beach when they visit the destination, says the organisation’s trade manager, Emily Zinowki.
Food, fashion tours in ADL
Flamboyance Tours in Adelaide is adding new specialised tours.
These include the Adelaide Central Market Tour – a short intro to discover the artisanal and indigenous products from South Australian regions; plus a two hour Slow Fashion experience where clients visit three locations to uncover hidden sustainable fashion gems to add to their wardrobe. Both are available now.
NT busting tourism myths
Shoulder and wet seasons are a great time for clients to visit the Northern Territory and the destination is not just about visiting once to see ‘bucket list’ attractions.
New luxury in QLD Outback
The introduction of new luxury camps, farmstays and retreats in the last three or four years gives travel agents a new category to sell in the Queensland Outback as well as another reason get Kiwis to disperse beyond the coast when they visit the state.
On the rails in Queensland's outback
Outback Aussie Tours will be operating its second season of rail journeys starting in April.
Kiwi spend up, numbers on track as QLD visits NZ in force
A desire for more indepth experiences and a trend towards higher-end accommodation are driving a big increase in expenditure from Kiwi travellers in Queensland, according to Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) chief executive office Patricia O’Callaghan.
The amount spent by trans Tasman visitors in 2024 is considerably above expenditure in 2019. This is despite the number of New Zealanders visiting the state being 84% of pre-pandemic levels.
Reef & rubber in Rocky
Kiwi agents with clients who are enthusiasts of cars, bikes and motor sport should be organising a trip to the Southern Great Barrier Reef for them, says Zac Garven, tourism and events manager at Explore Rockhampton.
Aboriginal tourism to fore at event for NZ travel trade
New Zealand has solidified its position as the third-largest inbound market for Western Australia (73,000 visitors) to year ended September 2023, with the rising popularity of Aboriginal experiences capturing the interest of 31% of Kiwi holiday makers.
New cat for Kimberleys
Australian superyacht specialist, YOTSPACE will debut a luxury catamaran to cruise in the Kimberley this year.
Great Walks now number 13
Great Walks of Australia has added a new experience to its collection of multi-day guided hikes – Flinders Island Walking Adventure In Comfort on Flinders Island in Tasmania, operated by Tasmanian Expeditions.
NT events to AKL and CHC
Northern Territory will build on increased interest from New Zealand agents when it holds a two city ‘mini-roadshow’ in March.
SA eco-resort's first stage
The first stage of luxury eco-resort Rumi Reveal on Louth Island, South Australia is complete.
Once a sheep farm established in 1802, Louth Island is situated 10 minutes off the coast from Port Lincoln.
WA’s Wooleen Station expands
Wooleen Station has relocated a historic shearing shed kitchen to the entry of the property to provide a focal point for visitors with its curved, domed tin roofline.
New off-train options
The Great Southern returns on 1 December 2023 for the 2023-24 summer season, marking the rail journey’s fifth season exploring the east coast of Australia by train.
AAT Kings new indigenous tour
AAT Kings has launched its new Aboriginal Culture & Australia Highlights tour, as part of the group’s new 2024/2025 touring season.
The limited season guided holiday features destinations from city to outback across Melbourne, Uluru, Sydney and Cairns over 13 days, with a focus on local connection, cultural immersion, sustainable footprints and wildlife and nature.
More Kiwi presence for Journey Beyond
Journey Beyond has flagged its intention to appoint a business development manager in New Zealand next year, probably around March.
The news came at trade events held by the company in Christchurch and Auckland last week to reconnect with a market that is showing considerable growth for the Australian-based operator.
Travelmarvel's 2024 Aus tours
Travelmarvel has released its Australian holidays for 2024.
Its Kimberley cruise programme leads a diverse range of tours which also feature land, rail and remote 4WD adventures across the country.
Journey Beyond's Gold Premium
Journey Beyond has introduced Gold Premium, now available to book on The Ghan and Great Southern for 2024.
Sitting between Gold and Platinum, Gold Premium includes a twin cabin with a lounge seat to convert to a sleeper each evening; premium amenities in the en-suite bathroom and extra features.
Underground at White Cliffs
Out of the Ordinary Outback is offering a three-day package including town tours and subterranean accommodation in the opal mining town of White Cliffs.
Until the end of September, guests at the White Cliffs Underground Motel can experience the daily campfire at sunset, overlooking the plains of far west NSW, with complimentary snacks available.
New website to book Aus Open
Sports Travel & Hospitality (STH) NZ has launched a website and division dedicated to the Australian Open.
Head of premium experiences, New Zealand for STH, Philippa Beams says AO Travel is the official travel agent here for the 2024 event and the new online platform gives the trade here an opportunity to book clients and earn commission at the click of a button.
Journey Beyond's train-cruise
Journey Beyond has launched a package that combines two iconic rail journeys – The Ghan and the Indian Pacific – with a cruise provided by Silversea Cruises.
The Ultimate West by Land and Sea package is an 28-day journey that laps half of Australia, with only one departure for 2024.
Marine package at K’gari, QLD
Kingfisher Bay Resort has launched a new package focusing on the marine-based experiences available to guests staying on K’gari (formerly Fraser Island).
Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Cruise K’gari Your Way package coincides with the beginning of whale season and aligns with Fraser Coast Tourism’s Marine Mecca, an initiative to recognise the water-based activities available in the region.
Top reasons to visit WA in winter
Tourism WA has released the top reasons for clients to visit the state in winter.
These include swimming with the largest fish on the planet at Ningaloo Reef (Nyinggulu) where, from March to August, the reef becomes a natural habitat the whale shark.
Aus famil ‘tops’ for Kiwi agents
Five Aussie Specialists recently travelled to the Northern Territory’s Top End on a special six-night famil hosted by Tourism Australia and Tourism Northern Territory. The trip was supported by Qantas with the group travelling from different ports around New Zealand to Darwin via Sydney.
Super slant to GC famil
A Kiwi travel trade group has been experiencing some of the best on the Gold Coast this month.
Experiences have ranged from a Treetop High Ropes Adventure in Currumbin to meeting super heroes at Movie World, bubbles and power shopping at Harbour Town and taking a walk through Burleigh Headland.
KI launches winter event
Gutsy Kangaroo Island is a new food and drink event which celebrates, and pays tribute to, the island’s producers. It is set to take place from 8-12 June 2023 with 19 events scheduled over five days.
The extra-long weekend will start with Mulled at The Shy Wren, an evening of live music, fire and feasting, and cooking with ancestral charcoal techniques.
Signature Experiences
Now is the right time to be spiking the curiosity of the New Zealand market and providing premium options for clients seeking something different, says Karen Fitzgerald, Tourism Australia’s general manager experiences.
‘We speak to the curious. People may have looked further afield in the past but one thing Covid has done is made many of us look differently at our backyards. They realise there are many experiences they hadn’t considered in the past and now they are keen to discover them.’
2024 rail packages
Following the early pre-release of several popular rail packages for 2024, Journey Beyond has announced the full 2024 season for bookings across all rail journeys.
Packages pair the trains and Journey Beyond’s sister brand Outback Spirit touring. New rail and rail offerings, along with Opera on the Harbour with Opera Australia, helicopter flights, and a host of wineries are available.
DCG / TAAP famil
Kiwi travel agents have just returned from a Destination Gold Coast / Expedia TAAP famil.
Kate Fulton, of Destination Gold Coast says the purpose of the famil was to not only rewards the top selling Gold Coast TAAP agents following on from a November incentive, but also to showcase a range of new hotels, tours and experiences on offer.
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QLD outback's luxury camping
Rangelands Outback Camp, 10 kilometres from Winton, Queensland is targeting the New Zealand market with trade ready product.
The canvas hideaways in the adults-only retreat are placed to deliver uninterrupted views and maximum privacy. Full guest capacity is 12 in six tents.The retreat includes an expansive sunset deck, guest lounge, dining room, cocktail bar and more.
New kayak offerings in NSW
Region X in Batemans Bay, South Coast New South Wales, has launched a new website for its range of nature-based experience products.
Director Josh Watersson says this coincides with the release of two new experiences which fill a gap for adventure products but also recognise travellers’ desire to get away from crowds.
South Australia famil signals new phase of Australian activity in NZ
A famil undertaken recently by seven Aussie Specialist Agents out of New Zealand held extra significance in being the first trade famil hosted by South Australia since the Covid pandemic began.
The South Australia itinerary was designed to showcase the state as a one stop destnation for world-class wine, gourmet food and produce, natural scenery and wildlife.
Tiny houses at SA's pink lake
The Pink Lake Tiny House in South Australia’s Clare Valley offers eco-friendly ‘tiny houses on wheels’ accommodation in Lochiel, opposite the pink salt lake – Lake Bumbunga.
The self-contained tiny houses are a 95-minute drive north from Adelaide.
