Thanks to our fresh flavours, vibrant restaurant scenes, and agricultural abundance, Australia is awash with world-class culinary destinations. 

While our buzzing capital cities may grab the immediate attention of foodies across the country, our impressive gastronomic offering runs deep within our states and territories. 

With only a handful of long weekends donning the annual calendar, it’s the perfect reason to make them really count. Whether you’ve been longing for a restful escape to recharge, a luxurious retreat to indulge in, or a hidden gem to explore, consider this October long weekend your chance to book a stay that is worthy of your bucket list. 

As a city steeped in history while brimming with contemporary culture, Hobart is a true travellers delight. The Tasmanian capital really does have it all — a thriving culinary offering, vibrant art scene and natural beauty that would rival any destination across the globe. 
Whether your idea of the ideal urban escape is to reserve a table at the top eateries, sip on local natural wines or be wowed by world-class art, the promise of a good time in Hobart is guaranteed.

When you imagine an escape to sunny Queensland, you would be forgiven for instantly envisaging long, sun-filled days spent on the golden sandy beaches of the Gold Coast; wandering the charming boutique-lined streets of Noosa; or perhaps strolling under towering palm trees in the balmy air of Far North Queensland. But now, a trip to the sunshine state isn’t complete without a stopover in the once overlooked capital city of Brisbane.

Any discerned traveller who has revelled in the delights of the Southern Highlands will know that there’s a lotto love about the historic NSW region.

From its charming display of heritage architecture, postcard-worthy landscapes, city-like culinary scene, exquisite boutiques and collection of world-class wineries, the Southern Highlands has been charming its visitors for decades now and it’s a charm that gets better with age.

To say that travel plans these days look a little different to our usual globetrotting ways in years gone by would be one of the many great understatements of 2020. For now, we’ve said goodbye to international jaunts and are looking to our own beautiful backyard for memorable travel experiences, waves of wanderlust and new destinations to discover.

If you’re anything like us, your post-Covid-19 bucket list is brimming with new destinations to visit, favourite places to re-visit and hotels to check into. Lucky for all of us, there are some wish list-worthy hotels both here and in New Zealand that very much belong on each and every one of those bucket lists. From a Mexico-meets-Miami-style hotspot in Brisbane to a historic hotel stay in Hobart, and an architecturally-design tiny house in Wellington, this list of top Australian and New Zealand hotel hotspot are guaranteed to make up for the travel experiences we have missed while in self-isolation. Our top travel tip? Once the travel ban lifts, get booking and enjoy some of your memorable check-ins to date. Happy hotel hopping!

If you’re anything like us, you’ll be planning to #HolidayHereThisYear in a bid to not only support our bushfire impacted communities and towns that rely on tourism to thrive, but to experience the true beauty on our very own doorstep.

While we’re in the midst of social distancing — and for some, self-isolation — what better way to spend your free time dreaming, planning and booking weekend escape.

We’ve curated a list of the country’s most beautiful Airbnb’s so you can relish in a Pinterest-worthy home while immersing yourself in a new Aussie town as if it were your own. There’s never been a better time to start ticking off your local travel bucket list.

While a reservation at a romantic restaurant on Valentine’s Day might seem cliché, it’s also one of the greatest excuses to book yourself and someone you love in to enjoy some of the country’s finest dining experiences. Because what’s better than sharing a delightful drop and a delectable menu with your significant other, best friend or your favourite family member? If you ask us, not much. We’ve rounded up a selection of the country’s most romantic restaurants to make a reservation at this Valentine’s Day. And to make it even more memorable, each of these dining hotspots have an accommodation offering too, so if you fancy, you can turn your special night into a special stay. And the fact that the international day of love falls on a Friday this year is the cherry on top. Lovers of love, here’s where to book.

A new year marks the time for a little TLC for the mind, body and soul, and there’s no better time — or excuse — to book yourself into the wellness retreat that you’ve been forever dreaming of ticking off your bucket list. And thanks to Australia’s exceptional offering of wellness retreats, you don’t even have to leave home soil. Daily meditation, sunrise yoga, organic food and spa treatments in some of the country’s most tranquil settings? Yes, please. We’ve found the best resorts across Australia that are completely dedicated to making you feel like your best self. Ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation is just a resort booking away.

In case you hadn’t heard, there’s a new It-drink in town and its ready to turn your summer into one of the best summers of your life. If you’re not yet acquainted with or a fan of Grey Goose, that is about to change.

As many of us plan to flock to our glorious coastlines this summer to soak up the best of the sun, sand and sea, the hardest decision we face is choosing which one. But why choose just one when you can enjoy a collection of them thanks to a good old fashioned road trip. Australia is home to some of the most picturesque road trip routes in the world and they are unquestionably the best way to experience and admire this beautiful country of ours. If you’re ditching the daily grind for longer than a few days this summer, it’s time to pick your coastline and hit the open road. The best part about a road trip? The journey becomes just as memorable as the destination. Here are Australia’s most scenic summer road trips.

Tokyo is undoubtedly one of the world’s most dynamic cities thanks to its diverse collection of lively neighbourhoods, its mix of ultramodern and the traditional — from neon-lit skyscrapers to historic temples and energetic culture.

While it’s one of most densely populated cities on the planet, it’s surprisingly one of the easiest cities to visit and experience. Its uber-efficient subway, exceptionally clean (and safe!) streets and welcoming locals — qualities which are no mean feat for a city with an estimated population of 14 million — makes it a metropolis for every type of traveller.

More than half a million Australian tourists visited Japan in 2018, and even more are predicted to visit next year thanks to the highly-anticipated Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games making the island nation in the Pacific Ocean — and its vibrant capital of Tokyo — one of the most popular travel destinations for Aussies. In light of this, we’ve curated a list of the best places to stay, dine, drink and do for the lucky holidaymakers who have a ticket booked to the dazzling city of Tokyo. 

Noosa is undoubtedly Australia’s quintessential holiday destination. With golden sandy beaches, a fringe of lush national parks, balmy year-round climate and world-class culinary options that take advantage of every post card-like view in town — it’s no surprise that hundreds of thousands of local and international tourists flock to the Sunshine Coast hotspot every year. The popular seaside town is brimming top-notch bistros, bars and boutiques so while you’re guaranteed to have a memorable escape no matter your travel itinerary, we’ve curated a list of must-do’s that will ensure it’s one of your most memorable escapes to date. Don’t forget to pack your summer wardrobe, your thirst and your appetite.    

If you’re anything like us, your travel bucket list grows as at an exceptionally rapid rate. Much faster than our “places we’ve been” list, sadly. Whether it’s a postcard-like travel image you scroll past on your Instagram feed, a wanderlust-inducing travel story in your favourite glossy, or simply a happy snap from a family member on vacation, our travel wish-lists are always on the rise. But what desirable destinations are on everyone else’s travel wish lists? We asked some of the country’s most admired tastemakers to share their travel bucket lists for yet another good dose of travel inspiration. Warning: Your bucket list is guaranteed to grow once again.

Crackling wood fires, brisk morning walks, lush countryside settings and cosy, texture-filled interiors — what’s not to love about winter escapes? Very little, we think. In fact, some would argue that a memorable weekend away that includes a stay in a boutique hotel that brings the best of winter’s little luxuries makes it a season to embrace, not wish away. With only a couple of weeks of winter remaining, we recommend making the most of the last of the cooler days by booking a stay at one of Australia’s cosiest hotels. 

When it comes to winter escapes, there aren’t many destinations in the world that rival Queenstown. The photogenic town in New Zealand sits on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu against the dramatic Southern Alps and has been a go-to destination for discerned travellers for decades — and for very good reason. As a favourite amongst adventure lovers, keen skiers, foodies, and wine enthusiasts alike, Queenstown’s diverse offering means there a little something for everyone, no matter your travel style. Here the best places to stay, drink and dine in NZ’s southern hotspot.

While it’s impossible to deny the blinding beauty, rich history and vibrant energies of Europe’s most desirable hotspots such as Paris, Rome, Berlin and Amsterdam, to name but a few, the continent is also home to just as many lesser-known locations that rival the attraction of their touristy neighbours. While their unfamiliar names might not sound as shiny, we promise their offering is just as shiny — if not shiner. Here are the little-known gems that are just as bucket list-worthy as the better-known gems. It’s time to get off the beaten track.

Like most Italian cities, Venice is synonymous with immense beauty and historical significance, but it’s unique geographical makeup of tiny islands makes it a destination unlike any other in the country.

The romantic city of Venice — which Lonely Planet perfectly describes as “a floating masterpiece” — is the capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region and is built on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. It has no roads, just canals – including the famous Grand Canal thoroughfare that is fringed with striking Renaissance and Gothic palaces. 

A trip to Africa graces the top of many travel-lovers bucket lists — and for good reason. While its best known for being the world’s greatest safari destination, its all-around diversity is next to none. Africa boasts exceptionally diverse and scenic landscapes — think rugged coastlines and tropical rainforests to dramatic mountain ranges and crimson sand desert; its winelands are famed for both its fine wine and stellar culinary reputation; and its boutique accommodation offering is one of the best in the world.