Australia
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.
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.
QLD kicks off four-city road-show as figures show state’s prove ongoing appeal for Kiwi
More than half a million New Zealanders chose Queensland for their holiday in the year ending December 2025, according to new data that reinforces the state’s enduring appeal with Kiwi travellers continues to deepen. A total of 508,000 Kiwis visited Queensland during the period, up 4.5% year on year, spending $990.4 million on overnight stays, an increase of 18.1%.
New ways to go wild in Australia
Australian Wildlife Journeys, one of the Signature Experiences of Australia, has a number of new tours and activities that will appeal to the New Zealand market, according to executive officer John Daw.
Cyrstalbrook connects with NZ trade – new hotels on the way
A trend towards shorter haul travel (already amplified by global events), an effort to connect frequently with trade here, and new developments open this year and next are combining to increase interest in Cyrstalbrook’s Australian hotels out of New Zealand.
Write a caption – new hotel resonates with New Zealanders
A hotel that introduced a new lifestyle brand to Australia late last year is already seeing a strong pick-up from the New Zealand market – including through the travel trade.
Accessibility, events, extra profile ensure big numbers at NT’s three-city roadshow
A number of factors, including improved access and a calendar of world-class events, are combining to put the Northern Territory on the radar for more Kiwi travellers – something reflected in the strong turnout at a three-city roadshow this week, says Melanie Mutch, trade marketing manager at Tourism & Events NT.
Refurbishment, changes at Reefworld
Journey Beyond is undertaking a major refurbishment of Cruise Whitsunday’s Reefworld, the pontoon permanently moored on the Outer Great Barrier at Hardy Reef.
Lodge walk added to Red Centre mix
Tasmanian Walking Company has introduced a second way to experience the Red Centre – a four-day, 35km highlights journey that complements its five-day, 54km Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk.
Walking solo in Tasmania
Tasmanian Walking Company (TWC) has made it more affordable for solo adventurers to take to the trail this year, cutting the single supplement fee on two of its popular long weekend walks. This is in response to a growing demand from travellers who prefer not to share a room.
New at Southern Great Barrier Reef
Operating from Yeppoon, Yeppoon Jet Ski Tours has introduced a guided, high-energy way to explore the Keppel coastline and surrounding islands.
E-bike tour combines Flinders, Clare Valley
A new bike tour is available through Flinders Ranges and the Clare Valley.
Early-release for APT’s 2027 Australia touring
APT has previewed its 2027 Australia programme, with an early release on a select range of tours including Kimberley and Tasmania expedition cruising, small group 4WD outback tours and land tours.
TNQ’s record international visitor spend
Tropical North Queensland has achieved record international spend and visitation generated by campaign activity delivered through the $15 million Federal Government Tourism Recovery Program.
Intrepid Travel acquires Wild Bush Luxury
Intrepid Travel has acquired Experience Co’s Wild Bush Luxury business, with a range of guided walking and premium accommodation products, including two Great Walks of Australia and two Luxury Lodges of Australia.
Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia joins Journey Beyond
The Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) has entered into an agreement with Journey Beyond for the sale of the operational assets of its subsidiary, Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia.
QLD is Calling to visit four centres, including DUD as state looks at Kiwi records
Queensland destinations are anticipating a stellar year out of the New Zealand market, building on strong performances in 2025 and capitalising on new inventory and major events.
Outback Spirit launches 2027 pre-release
Outback Spirit has made an early release of its most popular 2027 flagship tours.
Sailaway Port Douglas to join Journey Beyon
Journey Beyond is acquiring Sailaway Port Douglas, an operator of reef adventures in Tropical North Queensland.
Tassie retreat highlights local whiskey
Picnic Island Tasmania, a private island retreat located 800 metres offshore from Coles Bay, has a new whisky cask partnership with Waubs Harbour Distillery.
New life coming for Lindeman Island
La Vie Hotels & Resorts, an Asia-Pacific hotel management company, has secured the management rights for the Lindeman Island Hotel project in Queensland’s Whitsundays.
New Murray River tour
A new day tour from Explore Australia focuses on Victoria’s scenic Campaspe region, two and a half hours’ drive from Melbourne / Narrm.
Rail and opera combine for package
Journey Beyond has a new eight-day Opera Australia on Sydney Harbour package that that pairs the Indian Pacific rail journey with the allure of opera.
NT and KI additions to Great Walks
Great Walks of Australia has expanded its collection to 15 guided walks nationwide with the addition of the Uluṟu–Kata Tjuṯa Signature Walk and the Kangaroo Island Signature Walk, both operated by the Tasmanian Walking Company.
HLO celebrates top stores with a weekend in South Australia
Helloworld Travel treated its top-performing stores to a weekend of indulgence and connection in South Australia recently.
International recovery boosts First Nations tourism businesses
First Nations tourism operators are gaining increased business as international tourism numbers return to Tropical North Queensland, with some reporting record figures at this week’s TNQ Indigenous Experiences Cluster Group meeting.
Exclusive use in Noosa
Having established a strong domestic client base, DOMIC in Noosa is looking to expand its reach to the trade in New Zealand and other international markets.
Beach Houses open at Mondrian Gold Coas
Mondrian Gold Coast has opened reservations for its two Beach Houses on the Burleigh Heads beachfront.
APT ‘s releases 2027 Kimberley cruising
APT has unveiled its 2027 Kimberley Cruising programme aboard Seabourn Pursuit, launching in what will be the company’s 100th year.
Drifter hotel opens in Byron Bay
Drifter has launched its first Australian property, Drifter Byron Bay. It is the first Drifter brand opening since the launch of Drifter Christchurch in June last year.
Tassie Great Walk set for the summer
Tasmania’s four-day, three-night Maria Island Walk, operated by Wild Bush Luxury, re-opens on 1 October for the 2025-2026 summer season, this year with a renewed spotlight on the island’s culinary story.
Party bikes get Cheekie in Darwin
Cheekies Party Bike recently launched in Darwin / Garramilla.
New lodge at Victorian vineyard
Clients can now stay on-site at one of Victoria’s most popular vineyards, Clyde Park.
New floating wharf for Broome
A new floating wharf - the Kimberley Marine Support Base (KMSB) has opened in Broome.
Vintage Rail Journeys 2026 release on sale
Vintage Rail Journeys has officially launched its 2026 season of train journeys through regional New South Wales.
Seeking out birds in Byron Bay
Elements of Byron has lauched a self-guided bird trail.
Red Centre, Monarto, Ghan all part of Journey Beyond’s mega famil for Become a Beyonder
Journey Beyond has announced the return of the popular ‘Become a Beyonder’ and is offering positions on an agents’ mega-famil as part of the campaign.
Darwin set to host Kiwi agents at key trade event
Tourism Australia’s global Aussie Specialist showcase event, G’day Australia 2026 will take place in Darwin / Garramilla, Northern Territory, in October 2026.
Sampling ‘reimagined GC’ via direct JQ flights
Twenty New Zealand travel consultants were recently hosted by Experience Gold Coast for a famil aligning with the introduction of Jetstar’s non-stop services from Hamilton and Dunedin to the Gold Coast.
Wildlife encounters in South Australia
Baird Bay Experience is promoting interactive tours (with a marine mammal focus), safari adventures and seaside villa retreats to the New Zealand market.
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Biking the Gold Coast hinterland
Gold Coast’s Better by Bike is promoting Northern Rivers Rail Trail, a 24km adventure through rainforests, hinterland, glow worm tunnels and country villages.
Western Australia visitors prompt interest
A five-day cruise through the Abrolhos Islands was one of the products attracting attention at the Join the Dream Western Australia Roadshow in Auckland last week.
Emphasis on new trade ready product resonates at WA event for NZ trade
A strong emphasis on trade ready product and suppliers that are new to this market generated plenty of interest from New Zealand travel agents at the Join the Dream Western Australia Roadshow in Auckland last night.
New tour on remote Western Australia station
A newly launched tour by Matters of Taste’s Anthony and Tracey Cotterell in Western Australia’s Pilbara takes clients to a rugged region of WA, and caters to both adventurous food-lovers and curious travellers.
