The Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane in the 1920s former Queensland Government Savings Bank has great bones. Solid walls, an atrium with enormous high ceilings and a historic wooden staircase with wrought iron balustrades.

Whenever those concerned that the repurposing of these heritage masterpieces into fine hotels is destroying the utility and heritage voice their fears, they should cast their eyes over the rather delicate and restrained way TFE Hotels have brought this building back to life.

So careful was the restoration completed in 2018 that the Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane is in excellent shape today.

Location

City or river is the age-old question for Brisbane visitors. Well, on the top floors, Adina Brisbane serves up both. The hotel is right on the corner of George and Elizabeth Streets opposite the casino and the Queens Garden Square.

A block from the Queen St Mall and easy access to most of the business towers in the CBD, the hotel is ideal for a city break. The gardens across the road give the George St-facing rooms a welcome and refreshing verdant vista.

The Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane building has great bones.

Style and character

The careful restoration presents the original heavy wooden doors (this was a bank after all) which open to reveal a lobby of elegant beauty.

Gorgeous high ceilings and chequerboard black-white tiles evoke all the glory of the roaring 20s and the enormous wrought iron windows that reach to the lofted ceilings give not just natural light but an additional oversized sense of grandeur for what is in reality not a massive space.

Gorgeous high ceilings and chequerboard black-white tiles evoke all the glory of the roaring 20s.

The highlights of the lobby are the dusty pastel hand-painted de Gournay panoramic wallpaper artworks. These verdant landscapes along with the careful restoration of the ornate ceiling roses, Tiffany duck egg blue walls and duotone geometric tiling lift the lobby ambience to a somewhat magical milieu.

The restoration has revealed a lobby of elegant beauty.

The Art Deco styling is found throughout the public spaces; the carpet is geometric bronze and black and opposite the lifts on all levels are full-length mirrors.

The compact heated pool is enclosed on all sides by the hotel building to give a sense of being confined when in fact it is open to the elements. But look up and enjoy the Joan Miro-esque Oogie Boogie mobile artwork.

Enjoy the Joan Miro-esque Oogie Boogie mobile artwork above the pool.

Facilities

The Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane has a pool, gym, 24-hour front desk and onsite parking with direct access to the hotel.

Rooms

There are 220 rooms, all with a kitchenette. The rooms vary from studios, one- to three-bedroom apartments and suites across three room categories: standard, premier and balcony. The top floors naturally have the best views of the river and South Bank.

The rooms in the original structure (not the top five floors which have been added) benefit from the high ceilings and even the studio’s floor plan is carefully designed to maximise space – a chaise lounge and table and two chairs from which to work or eat are on hand.

The room palette embraces a rich British racing green and turquoise soft furnishing. White subway tiles in the bathroom are contrasted with black floor tiles and Ink & Water toiletries.

The rooms vary from studios, one- to three-bedroom apartments and suites across three room categories: standard, premier and balcony.

Food and drink

There are three outlets within the hotel, each for a different occasion.

The highlight is Donna Chang, tucked into the Elizabeth St side of the lobby. The Cantonese-inspired restaurant has reportedly the best dumplings in the city and a Kung Pao Chicken the envy of some of the best Cantonese eateries in the country.

Donna Chang is a highlight.

For coffee and a quick breakfast, the St Marks Road Co. is set in a small nook on the George St side of the lobby.

And in the basement, the Boom Boom Room is a Japanese bar and restaurant with a plethora of Japanese whisky, sake and beer.

Enjoy Japanese whisky at the Boom Boom Room.

Accessibility

Accessible rooms are available in the studio and one-bedroom apartment categories. The accessible one-bedroom apartments have an interjoining door to a studio next door and therefore can be converted into a two-bedroom apartment for travelling carers or family.

Is Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane family-friendly?

Yep – the Adina brand is synonymous with space, multi-room apartments, kitchenettes and laundries. All are highly appreciated by families on the move.

Details

Best for: Business travellers, long-stay travellers and couples.

Address: 171 George St, Brisbane QLD 4000

Phone: +61 7 3155 1000

Cost: Rates start from $321 per night.

The post You can bank on the Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane appeared first on Australian Traveller.

The first new hotel to open on Hamilton Island since 2007, The Sundays is going to be a hot new thing, particularly amongst families, when it welcomes its first guests in Autumn 2025. Here is your quick guide.

What is The Sundays?

On the site of the original Hamilton Island hotel built in 1990, The Sundays is a 59-room luxury accommodation designed to deliver an elevated holiday experience with families in mind.

The Sundays is the first new hotel on the island since the opening of qualia in 2007 and is a $30m investment on top of the $400m the Oatley Family have already poured into the island they acquired in 2003.

The Sundays is perfect for family holidays.

Where is it?

On the iconic Hamilton Island arc of white sand, at the northern end of Catseye Beach.

The luxury hotel is set on a beautiful white sand beach lapped by turquoise waters.

What makes up The Sundays?

There are three main areas to The Sundays; The pool, restaurant, and bar are all set on the prime, palm-fringed beach-front real estate.

Sip cocktails by the pool.

The accommodation is set slightly up the hill with bird’s eye views of the beach and then out to the open sea.

Enjoy the views overlooking the pristine water.

A substantial earth-moving effort was undertaken to create a walkway linking the accommodation with the pool, restaurant, and bar.

The pool, restaurant, and bar all overlook the beach.

What does “families in mind” mean?

Let’s set the scene first.

Holidaying as a family, particularly with young kids, is a risky endeavour. It has the potential to be such a nightmare that the holiday is not worth the hassle. Parents can return somewhat exhausted and disheartened that this memorable bonding holiday turned into an anxiety-ridden waste of time and money with more housework and challenges than at home. The whole endeavour merely added to the stress, not diminished it.

Spend an idyllic tropical holiday on Hamilton Island.

Meanwhile, the nature of family holidays has evolved. Parents are seeking a holiday where they can create magic moments with their kids and not just drop them off at the kids club for the day and not see them again until dinner, if at all.

They want to connect to their kids, connect to each other and just as importantly create connections to the wonderful Aussie environment.

So expectations are greater than ever.

Capture magnificent views of the entire bay. (Image: Quentin Long)

The Sundays is focused on delivering against these challenges and realities via some practical but thoughtful services and amenities. Its promise is that kids and parents both feel welcome and catered to and not one group at the expense of the other. No one is an afterthought.

Eight months from opening it is understandable that not all the services have been announced as they have not all been researched and tested.

Here is what we know.

Prams, cots, and the whole accoutrements that a family may need are on hand. Forget the kitchen sink? Don’t worry The Sundays team will have one for you.

The in-room microwave makes sure bottles can be sterilised or food reheated. Every room has a rather lovely egg-shaped bath that not only is great for a mummy soak and destress but also for bathing kids. The children’s bed is at the foot of the bed so as to keep kids close, but not too close.

Sunsets on Hamilton Island are nothing short of spectacular.

The deck area that was formed as part of the walkway not only has magnificent views of the entire bay and sea but will also serve as a stage for kids’ activities like movie nights, face painting, and maybe a bit of family morning yoga.

Private cabanas are going to be available poolside with family-sized day beds and amenities.

And then there is what will surely be a crowd favourite – Ice Cream Happy Hours; an alternative to the turn-down service where kids and families are offered a complimentary cone or cup with a scoop or two.

Explore the island on a golf buggy. (Image: Quentin Long)

What are the rooms like?

Well for starters they all have “that view” and are designed to make the most of it. So off to a winning start.

Designer Carrie Williams has made smart use of the existing space and ensured the focus is on the surrounding beauty. A smart sliding window that separates a spacious stylish bathroom from the room can be drawn back to reveal the palms and Catseye Beach.

Soak up stunning water views from your suite.

The children’s bed can also act as a daybed while custom-made furniture is in situ on the balcony.

Enjoy your breakfast on the waterfront balcony.

The interiors boast chic beach vibes with a Whitsundays colour palette; cool aqua and green with sand-toned floor tiles, and blonde timber furniture.

The colour palette channels chic beach vibes.

The Sundays has partnered with young Turk Indigenous artist Tiarna Herczeg from the Kuku Yalanji/Kuku Nyungkul Warra people. While her larger pieces will be found throughout the public areas of The Sundays, the in-room artwork is a focal point.

The Sundays’ interior reflects the tropical surrounds.

The standard room is a double with a single (the day bed) and room for a cot.

Each suite is equipped with a spacious bathroom. (Image: Quentin Long)

There are eight family connecting rooms (so 16 rooms in total) and three accessible rooms.

Luxuriate in the freestanding bath.

What do we know about the food and beverages?

Well… not much. It is all under wraps as “Conversations are well underway”. So yes we expect a heavy-hitting culinary identity to be connected with the onsite restaurant. But don’t forget the island is home to another 20 restaurants.

Order world-class tipples from the bar.

What we do know about The Sundays F&B is the promise that parents will enjoy a great dining experience with a menu and wine list to match. Kids are not only invited but welcome and their menu will be of a similar standard but appropriate to the kids.

In other words, not a chicken nugget to be seen.

Dine in one of the island’s many restaurants.

Is it just a hotel?

The Sundays is a hotel but will act like a resort thanks to the plethora of Hamilton Island activities.

Climb up the Passage Peak near Hamilton Island. (Image: Nick Leary)

So yes, The Sundays guests will still be able to undertake all the marine activities of the Catseye Beach bay; snorkel the fringe reef, toodle around on a SUP, or jump on the Hobie Cats.

Hop on a seaplane to the reef. (Image: Nick Leary)

And then there are the signature experiences like a journey to the reef and Whitehaven or go all out with a helicopter ride to Heart Reef.

Sail your way around the Catseye Beach Bay.

Any other details about The Sundays?

The landscaping has already been planted to ensure that by opening day The Sundays is a lush tropical precinct.

One of the key selling points will undoubtedly be the ease and seamless transfer from home to hotel. From landing in Hamilton Island, you can be in the resort pool in 20 minutes; we could start seeing kids boarding flights to ‘Hamo’ in swimmers from April next year.

The views surrounding The Sundays make it a lush tropical precinct. (Image: Gary Lisbon)

And how much is a night at The Sundays?

Obviously, pricing will be dynamic (so changes hour by hour) after launch but the current preopening special is $839 including breakfast. And if you book four nights or more and stay on a Sunday, your Sunday Stay is free!

A luxe tropical experience awaits. (Image: Quentin Long)

Check out 11 of the best day trips from Hamilton Island.

The post Everything we know so far about The Sundays, Hamilton Island appeared first on Australian Traveller.

Broome and I have history. It started 20 years ago when, after living overseas for five years, I returned to my island home with an English girlfriend. And, in an effort to show her some of this vast country, we headed off for a week at the seminal, iconic and luxury Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa in Broome.

As we came into land over Roebuck Bay, the mesmerising colours of the northwest edge of Australia made such an impression on me that I had an epiphany: “Why the hell haven’t I seen my own country?”

And, as the wheels of the Virgin Blue jet hit the tarmac in Broome, the vision for Australian Traveller was born: a brand that would celebrate what is magnificent and magical about this country. I love Rome, Tuscany, Paris, Newfoundland, Corfu. But in the context of having seen so much of the world, how good is Australia?

The colours of Broome

And the rest, they say, is history. Well, not quite. There was the year of planning and dreaming. The years of living like a student and selling our houses (both my business partner Nigel Herbert and I had to ‘refinance’ the business in the first six months from the proceeds of selling our only assets).

Looking back now, it seems obvious that Broome and the Kimberley would have this profound effect on me. These are destinations that make you really appreciate just how special and different Australia is to other parts of the world.

Australian Traveller has ties to WA’s Cable Beach in Broome that extend back for about two decades. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

In the intervening years I have felt that profound sense of the exceptional time and time again in many parts of Australia: Wilpena Pound/Ikara, Arnhem Land, Wilsons Promontory (Wamoon), Uluru, Port Stephens on Worimi Country and K’gari are just a few that spring to mind. And that feeling extends to the thrill of being able to share this passion with the readers of Australian Traveller.

Broome, the Kimberley, Australian Traveller and I are deeply connected, but I had not returned until recently. Two decades on, during my second visit, I find more connections that deepen my bond to this antipodean point of Australia from my home in Sydney.

It’s where Quentin Long first became tethered to the idea of starting a magazine that celebrates the nation. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

An evolving journey

The world has changed. But more significantly, I have changed. I return now as a husband and dad, but not particularly wiser. The more I learn, the more I realise how little I know.

My body has also changed. My son has recently started calling me ‘one leg’ on account of my MS-affected gait. I am a living example that Australia is a land that is best enjoyed when all limbs work effortlessly together.

But that is changing. Accessible tourism is now firmly on the agenda for tourism businesses in Australia and one of three content pillars of Australian Traveller. The second is conscious travel; we aim to make sure all our readers understand the impact of the choices they make in their travels.

Enjoy an immersive cultural experience with Oolin Sunday Island Cultural Tours. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

The final pillar that is important for us to support is Indigenous tourism, which leads me to Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, two and half hours north of Broome. It’s here I meet Rosanna Angus, recent recipient of ‘Best Tour Guide in the Country’ at Australia’s Top Tourism Town Awards 2023, and experience her Oolin Sunday Island Cultural Tours.

Guide Rosanna Angus of Oolin Sunday Island Cultural Tours. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Dinner on the balcony of the restaurant at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm reveals the quintessential Kimberley Coast that floored me two decades ago. I feast on prawns, pearl meat and scallops smothered in a mango chilli puree that is just perfect. The meal reminds me that the single biggest change in the last 20 years of travel in Australia has been the improvement in epicurean experiences in the regions.

The white sands and cyan seas on show with Oolin Sunday Island Cultural Tours. (Image: Quentin Long)

Another incredible meal two days later at Zookeepers by Spinifex Brewing Co. in Broome provides further testament to that. The prawn toast is loaded with fresh crustaceans and drizzled with zingy mayonnaise. The pork and barra bao buns are equally magnificent. Back in Cygnet Bay, the glamping tents with luxurious beds and en suite bathrooms are a contrast to the rugged landscape. As the food in regional and remote Australia improved, so too did the accommodation offerings.

Stay in position at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm in a Diver’s Creek Safari Tent.

A cultural exchange

I meet Rosanna at the Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm reception the following morning. One of the Traditional Owners of the Bardi and Jawi people, she is warm with a wicked sense of humour and greets me with a big hug despite us never having met before.

“Our mob were the first stand-up paddleboarders,” she says with a laugh as we admire an old raft that hangs against the outside kitchen wall at Cygnet Bay. How the Jawi would paddle between islands is no mean feat considering the enormous pearl-friendly tides create some monstrous eddies and whirlpools.

As we motor towards Ewuny (Sunday Island) on one of Cygnet Bay’s many high-speed sightseeing boats, Rosanna shares a trove of remarkable pictures that reveal the life of the Jawi people pre- and post-the arrival of the missionaries at the turn of the 20th century.

Visit Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, also in the Dampier Peninsula. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Some of the photos show Elders and chiefs adorned with headdresses and pearl shells. Others show the Bardi and Jawi people dressed in Victorian-era clothing. Rosanna, contrary to my instincts, is not altogether unforgiving of the missionaries, acknowledging the role they played in equipping her Elders with skills that would prove useful in the context of colonial Australia.

“I want people to know my Ancestors were here before the mission and that survival in community was not an issue back then because we knew how to live on Country. But the missionaries also taught us useful things, like how to read and write, and mechanical skills, which enabled the old people to get work and an income and survive in the modern world,” she says.

Take in the rugged beauty of the Dampier Peninsula. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Today, because I can’t make the walk up to the missionaries’ buildings, Rosanna decides to take me to her favourite and most special place on the island; Goodngarngoon (place of running water). ‘Running water’ refers to the pandanus-fringed, spring-fed creek that trickles the length of the small gorge to the sea.

“I love this beach. It’s good liyarn,” Rosanna tells me. I couldn’t agree more. Staring out of the narrow cove through the striated cliffs as eagles soar above, my liyarn, or soul, is certainly soothed.

A sweep of beach in Broome. (Image: Quentin Long)

The place where everything begins

Back in Broome on a half-day town tour with Broome & Around Tours, we pass Minyirr Park, which hugs the western edge of Cable Beach all the way to Gantheaume Point.

The sandstone cliffs of Gantheaume Point, Broome, are hemmed in by the frayed edges of the Indian Ocean. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

“Minyirr means birthplace and is meant to be the place where everything in the Yawaru culture began,” tour guide Dooma Harp reveals. I immediately recognise Gantheaume Point. It was one of our most successful covers. (Former editor Lara Picone has also selected it as her favourite cover). It feels like the very edge of Australia, because it kind of is. Again, it is the colours that amaze me: the contrast of the blue sea and eroded rocks that look like fossilised drops of rusted, molten iron.

I learn from Dooma that green and red are used in most of the houses and structures in Broome because those are the colours of the luggers. When the mother of pearl industry collapsed after the Second World War, the excess paint was used in the town.

The Kimberley and Broome have a profound effect on Australian Traveller co-founder, Quentin Long.

The view from above (again)

Hilary Wilkins was landing in Perth from the UK around the time I arrived in Broome 20 years ago. Today she is my chopper pilot.

Hilary is flying me to Eco Beach to enjoy lunch via the Roebuck Bay coastline. “I just love the colours,” she says, as we gently peel away from the Broome airport tarmac. Rising above Broome, the Crab Creek inlet is a swirl of white, turquoise, aquamarine and milky mint daubs.

Enjoy breathtaking views over Broome with KAS Helicopters. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Hilary points out the small shorebirds picking through the mud and sand flats of the bay. The shorebirds are travellers themselves, arriving in Broome after a lengthy flight from Siberia.

We fly over rivers and rivulets emptying into the bay like paint swirled on a palette. How many shades of green, blue, turquoise, rust, red, yellow and white can there be?

A bird’s-eye view of Broome with KAS Helicopters. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Lunch is served by the pool at Eco Beach Resort. Shaded hammocks are set into the beach for an idyllic afternoon. And the tide is coming back in on the flight back to Broome. The water is alive with action. We spot small reef sharks skimming the water pursuing bait fish. The stingrays are easier to spot; their sandy trail through the water ends on their black, diamond shape.

I spot the dirty green brown of a crocodile sunbaking just under the khaki green water’s surface at the mouth of a creek.

Hilary makes a quick turn to get another look and the croc silently sinks out of sight as we drift closer.

Soak up the Kimberley coast from above. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Stoking the fire

Back at Cable Beach Club, I am preparing for the Sunset Long Table Dinner, the final event of the Shinju Matsuri Festival designed to celebrate Broome’s rich multicultural heritage and pearling history. The resort was built by the visionary Lord Robert McAlpine who put tourism on the map in Broome.

Service with a smile at Cable Beach Club. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

To me, it is no coincidence that it took a foreigner to have the vision for Broome. I would not have appreciated Broome without having lived overseas 20 years ago. And I have to admire McAlpine’s vision. If you were to knock this place down and start again, you would end up building something very similar to what he created. It, like Broome, has stood the test of time.

When I arrived 20 years ago I had a rush of lust for Broome and Australia. The feeling was so powerful I launched a business that has consumed me ever since. I was hesitant to return. I didn’t want to be disappointed and have this place that I had venerated reduced, as it could have rendered a rethinking of the last two decades of toil.

I need not have worried. My passion prevails for this great continent we are lucky enough to call our country and home.

Where you can glamp or camp in the Pearler’s Village. (Image: Jarrad Seng)

A Traveller’s Checklist

Getting there

Qantas flies from Melbourne or Sydney to Broome direct on a seasonal schedule or via Perth year-round.

Staying there

Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa in Broome has a variety of accommodation styles including studios and villas, which have a plunge pool. The resort has four restaurants, plus two pools with food and drink service and the legendary Sunset Bar.

Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm in Cygnet Bay is two and half hours north of Broome on the Dampier Peninsula. It has luxury glamping safari-style tents plus campsites. The Homestead is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can access a host of tours from the farm plus scenic flights over the Kimberley, including Horizontal Falls.

Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, where you can glamp, camp and park your caravan, offers a uniquely Australian experience. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Eating there

Zookeepers by Spinifex Brewing Co. has a great food and cocktail menu of crowd favourites with a Broome twist. Zookeepers would be a local favourite in any town or city in Australia. The prawn toast is a must.

The annual Sunset Long Table Dinner on Cable Beach makes the most of the celebrated sunset in Australia with great food curated by a celebrity chef.

The post Back to Broome: The inspiration behind two decades of seeing Australia appeared first on Australian Traveller.

The Australian appetite for cruising is insatiable. The market has reportedly grown by 15–20 per cent every year for the last six years and then a slimmer five per cent last year.

Australian Traveller has the beginner’s guide to cruise ship companies.

Each one is different and appeals to a different holiday need – hence we are fond of telling anyone who will listen that there is a cruise for everyone.

We have used a hotel star-like rating system for convenience; there are no official ratings, so these are our ratings only.

Further, each ship has several cabin classes which explain the range in star ratings.

We have ordered the cruise lines from least stars to most.

More from ‘Everything you need to know about cruising’:
Cruise vs Resort: the pros and cons of the different holidays
Everything a first-time cruiser needs to know
Every question you ever had about cruising answered
The best way to book your first ever cruise

P&O – 2.5 to 3.5 stars

The entry-level cruise ship liner has had its ups and down in the Australian market. It is an incredibly cheap holiday and suitable for families.

It has three liners in the Australian market full-time, with a range of entertainment on board including a flying fox, rock climbing wall and a walk-the-plank experience.

Pacific Explorer will set sail across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Vanuatu.

The included food is not going to win any gourmet awards however celeb chef Luke Mangan has teamed up with P&O to create the specialty restaurant (so an extra fee to eat there) Salt Grill onboard Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter, as well as a five-course ‘Taste of Salt’ degustation meal paired with matching Australian wines at the Chef’s Table on Pacific Explorer.

Guests gather to witness spectacular sunset views.

Do not confuse P&O Australia with its sister company P&O Cruises UK which has seven ships within the fleet, including Aurora, Azura and Arcadia; the UK operation is more upmarket.

Embark on an exhilarating cruise with Pacific Encounter.

P&O Cruises ships you might see in Australia: Pacific Encounter, Pacific Adventure and Pacific Explorer

Carnival Cruise Line Australia – 3 to 4 stars

Carnival Cruise Line is the largest cruise line in the world, with over five million guests travelling every year and 24 ships operating worldwide.

Carnival Luminosa casts its anchor seasonally from Brisbane. (Image: James D Morgan)

Carnival has two ships deployed in Australia: Carnival Splendor is currently home ported year-round in Sydney, while Carnival Luminosa is based in Brisbane.

Kids will enjoy the free fall drop at the thrill-slide. (Image: CCL Australia)

Carnival is firmly geared towards the family market, with kid-friendly additions like water slides and Seuss at Sea – which involves character parades and breakfasts, storytime, arts and crafts and more themed around the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss. However, Carnival doesn’t offer the same extent of family activities as its competitors like Royal Caribbean do.

Even adults will have fun. (Image: Alex Farnum)

Carnival Cruise ships you might see in Australia: Carnival Splendor and Carnival Luminosa

Disney Cruise Lines – 3 to 4 stars

For the first time, Disney Cruise Line is coming to Australia and New Zealand for a limited season, departing from four home ports (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland) between October 2023 and February 2024.

Set sail with the Disney Cruise Line.

The ‘Disney Magic at Sea’ sailings aboard the 11-deck Wonder range from two- to six-nights and feature all our favourite characters across the Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars franchises, from interactive dining experiences to Frozen adventures in the kids’ club.

Meet Captain Minnie aboard the ship.

Although strictly for kids (as well as a few kidults), adults are afforded their own child-free zones including the Quiet Cove pool, but really, what’s the fun if you can’t be a student in the Marvel Super Hero Academy?

Experience Marvel Day at Disney Wonder.

Disney Cruise Line ships you may see in Australia: Disney Wonder

Princess Cruises – 3.5 to 4 stars

Princess is a firm favourite with the couples’ market and has made a name for itself in the traditional cruise market. In reality it is the cruise brand that brought cruise to the whole world via the 1970’s hit show The Love Boat.

Princess has evolved dramatically since then claiming several innovations in the industry including the first to popularise balconies for most cabins and the first adults-only precinct on a ship in 2006.

Onboard the there are theatre shows, crooners, music, dancing and plethora of game and quiz shows.

Navigate the vast seascape aboard the Coral Princess cruise.

And of course, dining. Many Princess lovers (and there are a lot in Australia) will rave about the food with great affection for Crown Grill, the on board specialty steakhouse.

Dine by the seaside balcony.

The launch of Sun Princess in Europe is one of the most anticipated new ship launches of 2024.

Princess Cruise ships you might see in Australia: Discovery Princess, Grand Princess, Royal Princess, Diamond Princess, Crown Princess, Majestic Princess and Coral Princess

Hapag-Lloyd – 3.5 to 4 stars

Not a cruise line that easily comes to mind for most Australians, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has quickly become a leading premium cruise line in German-speaking countries. The cruises are bilingual with all activities carried out in both English and German. Some cruises (such as the sailing between Sydney and Manila, for example) are conducted in German only, although staff are fluent in English.

MS Europa features a pool deck on top.

Serving up two ocean liners and three expedition ships, expect a dedication to theming (everything from golf cruising – a golf pro is on every voyage – to gourmet and music cruises) and a focus on lectures and adventure activities (the fact that you can hire bicycles on board tells you just about everything you need to know).

Kids, too, are welcome. While the ships (smaller in size with 400 – 500 guests maximum) aren’t all about arcades and splash parks, kids’ clubs and programming is provided.

Penguins will greet you from afar. (Image: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Denger 2)

Hapag-Lloyd ships you may see in Australia: MS Europa 2 and MS Europa

Royal Caribbean International – 3 to 4.5 stars

This is the cruise line that brought you rock climbing walls, wave pools, ice skating rinks, dodgem cars, a circus school, roller skating rink and cocktails served by robots.

Royal Caribbean has the widest appeal in the market as there really is something for people of all ages on the menu aboard these mega-ships. The cruise line also sails to over 300 destinations worldwide.

The Ovation of the Seas by Royal Caribbean comes alive at night.

The great all-rounder, Royal Caribbean is a firm favourite for families and couples. Known for its high-energy holidays and activities, first-time cruisers are often surprised at how easy it is to also find some peace and quiet in lounges scattered across the ship.

Royal Caribbean is the largest cruise brand in Australia, with four ships including the biggest ship to sail in Australian waters – Ovation of the Seas.

Quantum of the Seas will be sailing from its new homeport of Brisbane, with Ovation of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas sailing from Sydney. All offer an astounding array of activities that you don’t normally associate with cruising, plus there are the dining options: 18 restaurants, including Jamie Oliver’s Jamie’s Italian are on board one of Australian Traveller‘s favourite ships, Ovation of the Seas.

Come and experience the largest waterpark at sea.

Royal Caribbean ships you might see in Australia: Ovation of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas and  Brilliance of the Seas

Norwegian Cruise Line – 3.5 to 4.5 stars

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) made a splash in 2018 when the refurbished Norwegian Jewel marked the return of NCL to Australian waters.

Norwegian Spirit embarks on a new journey at Sydney Harbour.

NCL positions itself as a more upmarket family experience with products like the Haven – a resort-style sanctuary at the top of the ship whose suites and villas give guests exclusive spa access, a 24-hour butler service, private dining, private pools and relaxation areas.

Chill out at the Norwegian Prima Haven balcony.

But to keep the kids entertained the options are limited compared to the likes of Royal Caribbean and Carnival (until it brings one of its ships equipped with go-kart tracks into Australian waters, perhaps).

NCL can be a great option for both multi-generational groups (stay in the three-bedroom Garden Villa that sleeps eight) and singles (with its tough-to-book-because-they-are-in-high-demand studio staterooms for one).

Pull up a chair and treat yourself to a fine dining experience aboard the Norwegian Spirit.

As you would expect, food and drink are in abundance with 16 dining options, 15 bars and nightclubs.

Where NCL traditionally excels, the entertainment does mean that it can be a firm couple’s favourite.

Soak yourself in luxury at Norwegian Prima.

Norwegian Cruise Line ships you might see in Australia: Norwegian Spirit

Coral Expeditions – 4 to 5 stars

For something a little different, Coral Expeditions is an expert in small-ship cruising in Australia.

The Coral Geographer was added to its fleet in March 2021, a purpose-built vessel created to access some of the most remote corners of the globe.

Coral Geographer proudly sails in the Kimberley region.

The newest ship carries 120 passengers and has been specially designed for extended expedition cruising, with Xplorer expedition tenders ensuring ease of access for shore excursions.

Set sail along the turquoise waters of the Kimberley with Xplorer Expedition Tenders.

Coral Expeditions has built its reputation with expedition cruising to the Great Barrier Reef, the Kimberley, Tasmania, Cape York and Arnhem Land, Papua New Guinea, Spice Islands, Raja Ampat and the South Pacific.

Wander the waters of Coffin bay aboard the Coral Adventurer.

Coral Expedition ships you might see in Australia: Coral Geographer, Coral Adventurer and Coral Discoverer

True North – 4 to 5 stars

An expedition cruise small enough to be able to cater for personal preferences when it comes to shore excursions? Whether you’re interested in collecting oysters, bird watching or photography, the True North team will make it happen.

Marvel across the undulating blues with True North.

Featuring two vessels within the fleet (True North with a maximum capacity of 36 guests and True North II with just 22 guests), True North is all about making each day action-packed with no sea days, and an onboard helicopter to help guests investigate every corner of our finest regions.

Complete your cruise experience with cultural immersion.

Onboard, expect elegant simplicity; there’s a dining salon, sundeck, outdoor bar and sports bar, while fares include all adventure boat excursions and activities, dining and non-alcoholic drinks, fishing and snorkelling equipment, and cylinders and weight belts (on dive trips).

Both vessels will complete a wide range of itineraries around the Kimberley throughout 2023 and 2024, plus a variety of other voyages around our coastline, including Sydney Rocks.

Cross between scenic waterfalls.

True North ships you may see in Australia: True North and True North II

Holland America – 4 to 5 stars

Holland America Line is the traditionalist’s favourite cruise line. Think chesterfields, promenades, chamber music and Broadway musicals with a plethora of restaurants.

MS Noordam is Holland America Line’s Vista Class.

Sailing throughout 2023/2024, Holland America’s Noordam features wonderful art and cooking classes, plus a range of longer itineraries (10 to 25 days) that make the most of New Zealand’s coastline, as well as South Pacific crossings to Honolulu and Vancouver.

Bask in warm sunshine on the pool deck.

And if you’re wondering about the name, Holland America Line dates back to 1873 when the Rotterdam sailed from Holland to New York (then known as New Amsterdam). The cruise line is now based in the US but retains its Dutch connections through its ship names.

Expect MS Noordam to set sail across Australia throughout the year.

Holland America ships you might see in Australia: Noordam

Azamara Club Cruises – 4.5 to 5 stars

Azamara Club Cruises is an up-market boutique cruise line operating four ships with a passenger capacity which averages 690 per vessel. Perhaps the most affordable of the five-star class of ships, Azamara is luxury without ostentation.

Stroll along the panoramic town of Corsica with Azamara Cruises.

The mid-size ships feel like boutique hotels, with a friendly, relaxed service that makes guests feel at home.

This is pitched firmly at couples, who want to take things slow and relaxed with a high level of service and refinement. The onboard entertainment is a cabaret with a little bit of Broadway and opera thrown in.

Take a refreshing dip at the Quest Deck pool.

But the real focus for Azamara Club Cruises is destination immersion as opposed to fly-by, 10-hours-only-in-port visits. The ships will usually stay longer in destinations, so guests can go out late or even stay overnight in port.

Azamara Quest is an impressive luxury cruise.

Azamara ships you might see in Australia: Azamara Journey, Azamara Quest, Azamara Pursuit and Azamara Onward

Cunard – 4.5 to 5+ stars

Whilst the Queens have captured the imagination of Australians for what feels like centuries, the Cunard experience is not necessarily as ‘port out, starboard home’ (legend has it this is the origin of the word posh – on transatlantic sailings you wanted to be on the side least affected by Arctic breezes) as one would expect.

The sophisticated cruise ship is named after Queen Victoria.

This is not a bad thing – it’s just sometimes surprising for the uninitiated. Certainly, in the Grill Class cabins one is treated to the quintessentially British aristocratic service, one would expect in the rarefied air of the upper decks. However, once we descend the decks we find a pleasant and approachable cruise experience.

Hang at the pavilion pool.

Yes, this is traditional cruising, think Titanic sans iceberg, with ballroom dancing and gentleman hosts to accompany any poor dame who happens to have a husband with a bad hip and dicky knee.

Queen Mary 2 is the last British ocean liner still in service.

The scale affords Cunard the luxury of being able to provide a multitude of activities, from inspiring guest speakers, library and card room activities and film screenings to – for the more energetic who still have all their own joints – fencing, dance classes and Queen Elizabeth‘s Games Deck for some jolly good fun outdoors like lawn bowls or croquet.

There are also the ubiquitous theatrical productions and pub entertainment.

There are plenty of activities to keep you entertained.

Cunard ships you might see in Australia: Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria

Virgin Voyages – 4.5 to 5 stars

New kid on the block, Virgin Voyages, is set to redefine cruising as we know it, its four 2770-passenger, adults-only ships balancing the luxury of a yacht with the diverse features and attractions of a large ship. Doing away with buffets and pre-set dining times, guests can expect made-to-order food from over 20 unique eateries, enjoy innovative creative productions and chill out in uber-cool spaces (including suites featuring terrace hammocks).

Curl up with a drink in hand at the Aquatic Club Bar.

Expect a younger crowd intent on making the most out of revenge travel and fares which include all meals, gratuities, wi-fi, “essential” drinks, group workouts and entertainment.

Pull up a chair and grab a drink.

Resilient Lady will arrive in Australian waters by December 2023 with Melbourne (and Auckland) serving as the homeports.

Scarlet Lady by Virgin Voyages ushers in modern sea travel.

Virgin Voyages ships you may see in Australia: Resilient Lady

Swan Hellenic – 5 stars

More than 70 years after its pioneering cruise, this Scandinavian expedition company is back to cruising to the most remote reaches of our planet – a hero of smaller and lesser-known ports of cultural, geographical or wildlife interest.

Elegant suites open up to relaxing ocean views.

While the focus is on cultural programming, citizen science and unforgettable excursions, this is as far from basic expedition as you can get. Fares include return regional airfares to the port of embarkation and/or disembarkation, one-night pre-cruise accommodation, all meals and beverages (some alcoholic), all gratuities, one shore excursion per port of call and more.

Soothe your muscles in the jacuzzi.

Combining the latest in polar ice technology with sophisticated interiors (think Scandi-luxe boutique hotel with a focus on offering guests unobstructed views), Swan Hellenic has three vessels within its fleet, the SH Minerva centering primarily on the Pacific with a swathe of Kimberley voyages slated for the upcoming season.

SH Minerva is built to pass through remote polar regions.

Swan Hellenic ships you may see in Australia: SH Minerva

Celebrity Cruises – 5 stars

Celebrity Solstice has had eight seasons in the Aussie sun and is a favourite with many cruisers for its upmarket elegance yet laid-back vibes. Many first-time cruisers fall in love with cruising when they sail with Celebrity. It’s a slick island resort with an engine.

Celebrity has plenty of special surprises on board, including the Canyon Ranch SpaClub – one of the biggest spas afloat, and the Lawn Club, which boasts real grass with new luxury alcoves. It’s just perfect to sit on while watching the world slide by or indulging in a sunset drink and game of bocce. Nothing beats slipping the shoes off and feeling luscious soft turf under your toes.

Calm your senses inside the ever colourful Rainfall Water Therapy Room.

The Lawn also now has an outdoor screen for open-air movies under the stars and perhaps one of the quirkiest attractions at sea – the Corning Museum of Glass conducts strangely mesmerising glass-blowing demonstrations and classes at sea.

Oenophiles (if you don’t understand that, don’t worry you aren’t one) will love the wine-blending masterclass on board with Blendtique and a super-indulgent-wine-snob extravaganza of Riedel crystal glass comparison experience. But if gin or whiskey or even a Bundy is more your thing, a mixology class may be for you. Booze is well and truly an experience on Celebrity.

Dine sumptuous meals at the Celebrity Edge Eden Restaurant.

While this all sounds very adult and Celebrity is a favourite for couples, there is a significant amount of energy put into family activities too. Camp at Sea, as Celebrity calls its youth program, is divided into four categories: Art, Recreation, Culinary and S.T.E.M (Science Technology Engineering, and Math). Celebrity is the only cruise line we have heard of where a number of shore excursions are specifically designed for families.

Stay fit and active during the cruise.

From December, Celebrity Edge kicks off its inaugural four-month season in Australia with itineraries to New Zealand, Tasmania, Fiji and the Great Barrier Reef.

Celebrity Edge brings nature closer to the sea.

Celebrity Cruises ships you might see in Australia: Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Eclipse and Celebrity Edge

Windstar Cruises – 5 stars

Exclusivity is the name of the games with Windstar Cruises, a fleet of six yachts (both power yacht and sailing yacht), which each carry only 148 to 342 guests to more than 150 ports around the world. Not only does this mean no lines or waiting, but the relatively small size of these yachts also mean you can sail right into the tiniest of hidden coves, up to the heart of Old World villages and into little-known harbours off limits to larger ships.

Windstar Cruises feature two unique yacht styles.

Focused on offering guests relaxed luxury (no formal dress and no cover charge for specialty dining), each fare includes open dining, all non-alcoholic beverages, L’Occitane bathroom amenities, beautifully appointed ocean-view staterooms and suites, fresh flowers and fruit in all staterooms and suites, use of watersports equipment and more. You can even opt for private shore excursions and design your own unique tour.

Guests can try watersports like paddle boarding.

Star Breeze arrived in Australian waters at the end of 2022 and will spend the next year offering itineraries around the region embarking from Melbourne or Cairns.

Sail at sunset aboard the Star Breeze.

Windstar Cruises ships you may see in Australia: Star Breeze

Viking – 5+ stars

It’s a confident cruise line that leads with what it doesn’t offer, eschewing the commonplace urge to be all things to all people. In this case? Expect a firm ‘no kids under 18, no casinos, no umbrella drinks, no pushy photography’ atmosphere. In its place, an elegant mostly inclusive experience for an educated, predominantly older crowd keen to revenge travel the bejesus out of the globe now that the kids have left home. It’s no coincidence that they’ve coined themselves the ‘Thinking person’s cruise’.

Lounge by the main pool promenade.

Featuring nine 930-passenger ocean liners with a focus on extended stays in port (the cruise line has a heavy presence in Scandinavia and the Mediterranean in particular), a Viking cruise is all cultural enrichment, with onboard lectures, experts and guided tours in every port included within the fare.

The infinity pool extends to the sea.

While the focus tends to be on the destinations, the ships themselves aren’t without their own brand of refined magic. Featuring a serene Scandinavian aesthetic – a nod to their Norwegian heritage, each stateroom features a balcony and a wealth of dining experiences which ranges from cooking classes to a wine-paired multi-course tasting at The Chef’s Table.

There are plenty of pools to choose from.

Viking ships you may see in Australia: Viking Mars and Viking Orion

PONANT – 5+ stars

This French company has been kicking goals by going against the trend of building bigger ships and focusing instead on small-ship expeditions in the luxury sphere. It is a sensory overload of French hospitality and refinement with a sense of expedition adventure as you hop in and out of Zodiacs and retire to luxury in the evening.

Le Lapérouse swanned into Sydney Harbour in all her glory in February 2019. This ship is the second of what will be six Explorer Class vessels, carrying a maximum of 184 passengers in 92 pretty swanky staterooms and suites. The Owner’s Cabin even has its own Jacuzzi.

Le Lapérouse is a sleek luxury vessel sailing across the Kimberley region.

With such small numbers, the focus is on doing less, brilliantly – hence there being only two restaurants and three bars. Not a problem when there is a lot of adventure to be had off the ship on Zodiacs.

One of the highlights of the ship is the Blue Eye lounge, located under the waves with an eye-shaped window that allows guests to see the marine life passing by – a huge plus when on Kimberley cruises.

Le Lapérouse boasts an underwater multi-sensory lounge called Blue Eye.

The lounge also has a hydrophone (a water-based microphone) so you can hear the goings-on of the whales, dolphins and other marine animals (they could pipe it into the spa for relaxation). It is so high tech that you can hear whales from five kilometres away. Other beautiful spaces are the spa and the sauna, along with the Panorama Lounge.

Le Lapérouse will be cruising in our region for two years, including Kimberley, New Zealand, the Pacific and Antarctica.

Join Le Ponant in its journey across Kimberley. (Image: Nathalie Michel)

Ponant ships you might see in Australia: Le Laperouse and Le Ponant

Silversea – 5+ stars

Silversea has long been at the forefront of ultra-luxury cruising. Silversea hangs its shingle on a butler for each suite and, as if on an Oprah show, everyone gets a suite.

The luxury cruise is enjoying unprecedented growth, adding six new vessels to the fleet between 2021 and 2024.

The Silversea Muse elegantly navigates the buzzing waters of Sydney.

On Silversea Muse, which returns to Australian shores in February 2024, there are eight specialty restaurants on board, some of which have a surcharge, including the only Relais and Chateaux-branded restaurants at sea, the French-inspired La Dame, traditional Italian restaurant La Terrazza, Asian fusion Indochine, Japanese restaurant Kabuki, and Hot Rocks, where guests can cook their own selection of meat, fish and vegetables at their table, on top of 400-°C lava stone.

Dine contemporary meals at the Asian-themed Indochine restaurant.

The Zagara Spa offers exquisite pampering at sea, and the all-inclusive cruise options ensure the final bill won’t give you a heart attack.

The Silver Explorer will serve up one-way Kimberley itineraries from Darwin to Broome mid-year, followed by an expedition to Cairns that sails around Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

Pamper yourself at the outdoor jacuzzi.

Silversea ships you might see in Australia: Silver Muse, Silver Whisper, Silver Explorer and Silver Shadow

Seabourn – 5+ stars

Another member of the endless Carnival family, this is the super ultra-luxury premium brand similar to the Silversea experience.

Both will have the highest level of passenger-to-staff ratios, include wine with dinner and maybe even lunch and be the equivalent of a luxury lodge on the sea – small passenger numbers, intimate, private and exclusive.

The Seabourn Odyssey pool has an expansive sun deck with cabanas and chaise lounges.

Seabourn ships are spacious and pretty spiffily designed; they are probably the closest to the private club feel that most 4.5 stars and above small ships are going for. To be fair they are all darned good at creating a feeling of intimacy and exclusivity. If Seabourn is operating at 99 per cent, the others range from 90–98 per cent.

Seabourn Odyssey will journey from Auckland to Sydney.

Seabourn throws in the whole kitchen sink with complimentary (or inclusive) spirits, wine, beer and welcome Champagne. Its celeb chef of choice is probably the most globally celebrated chef sticking his name to a diner at sea: Thomas Keller of Per Se, Bouchon and French Laundry fame. You are encouraged to make a reservation before sailing to ‘avoid disappointment’ and even more intriguingly, only one reservation per stateroom per sailing is permitted.

Seabourn itineraries are typically marquee cities in Europe and more than 170 UNESCO World Heritage sites worldwide, combined with lesser-known ports and hideaways.

Stop by the beachside for a quick dip. (Image: Scott Martin & Aly Whitman)

Seabourn ships you might see in Australia: Seabourn Odyssey and Seabourn Sojourn

More from our ‘Everything you need to know about cruising’

Cruise vs Resort; the pros and cons of the different types of holidays

27 things a first-time cruiser should know

All the questions you ever wanted to ask about cruising answered

How to book your first-ever cruise

The post Which cruise line? The dummy’s guide to choosing a cruise appeared first on Australian Traveller.

Asking an Australian to pick their favourite beach is a bit like asking an Italian to choose their favourite pasta dish – they will name their regional classic but in reality, they love them all, and almost equally.

When Australians passionately argue about the exact location of our best beaches, we somewhat smugly know that of the nearly 12,000 beaches in Australia, 6,000 would be tourism icons in any other country – such is our luck.

Australian Traveller’s Quentin Long has compiled his ultimate list of the “three best beaches” per state – plus one for the NT – to reignite Australia’s best beaches debate.

NSW’s best beaches

1. Parsley Bay Beach, Sydney

The magnificent beaches of Sydney Harbour are often overshadowed by the bigger names of Bondi and Manly (although lifeguards at Bondi probably wish a few more backpackers would take to the calm waters of the harbour).

Vaucluse’s Parsley Bay Beach is spoken about in hushed tones by those in the know; a vain attempt to stop the word from getting out. The park, bushwalk and small protected beach are a hit with families. The cherry on top? The picturesque pedestrian suspension bridge, built in 1910, that connects both sides of the narrow inlet.

This hidden gem is one of our favourite beaches. (Image: 24hourslayover.com)

2. Seven Mile Beach, Gerroa

Seven Mile beach is everything most of us want from a beach. At the northern end, under the dozey watch of Gerroa, you will find long languid gentle waves, the mouth of the Crooked River and a flat stretch of squeaky sand. For something different, grab a lilo and mosey down the river to the gentle beach break.

As you head south towards Shoalhaven Heads 12 kilometres away, the waves increase in size and the bush pushes all signs of humans into the hinterland.

Seven Mile also has some history. Sir Kingsford Smith’s record-breaking trans-Tasman flight in 1933. The long relatively flat beach gave Smith’s heavily laden Southern Cross enough runway to lift off.

3. Zenith Beach, Port Stephens

The beaches of Port Stephens are probably the single biggest victims of our embarrassment of riches. In any other country, Port Stephens would be the eighth Wonder of the World.

So it is fitting the pick of them is called Zenith… stroll with a coffee bought from the Shoal Bay cafes in hand through a short stretch of Aussie bush to be greeted by a gently curving crescent beach protected by two peaks standing guard at either end of the beach. Tomaree Headland, great for a stroll and magnificent views, at the northern tip and Stephens Peak at the southern end create a sense of sheltered oasis. Just remember this is an unpatrolled beach so only experienced strong beach swimmers should have a dip.

Zenith Beach is one of the many incredible beaches in Port Stephens. (Image: Destination NSW)

Vic’s best beaches

4. Smiths Beach, Phillip Island

It’s Southern Ocean facing sure, but the variety of waves on this idyllic slice of the penguin-peppered island is deceiving (we have our own guide to just the beaches of Phillip Island). Salted surfers and green novices all find a great wave while the non-board riders can frolic on the shoreline or in rock holes.

To sum it all up, Phillip Island is a sublime slice of Victoria filled with sweet holiday homes and luxury villas, emerging producers and foodie outlets and of course those penguins (and a surprising military museum).

Smiths Beach is perfect for all types of beachgoers.

5. Fairhaven Beach, Aireys Inlet, Great Ocean Road

Between Anglesea and Lorne on the Great Ocean Road, Fairhaven is known for having the best waves on the Great Ocean Road after Bells Beach. Don’t think this is a wax head zone only – Fairhaven is six kilometres long and the best waves are on the eastern end.

The other drawcard is at the height of summer, Fairhaven remains relatively crowd-free.

Fairhaven is known for having some of the best waves on the Great Ocean Road.

6. Norman Bay Beach / Tidal River, Wilsons Promontory

Ask any Victorian for the best beaches in the state and Norman’s would be mentioned first or second for a reason – when anyone says how beautiful Wilsons Prom is they visualise Norman Bay, its beach and the mouth of Tidal River.

The shallow aquamarine water with gentle waves, and the meandering flow of the Tidal River all based on endless stretches of fine sand make for the perfect family beach. Kids will spend hours and days snorkelling, beach cricket, body surfing, and building sand castles in what is the magic pudding of beaches; every time someone lays down a towel, an identical-sized stretch of beach seems to appear making it impossible to crowd.

Norman bay Beach is next level.

Qld’s best beaches

7. Noosa Main Beach, Noosa

Noosa Main beach is a magnificent spot for both aquatic sandy leisure and people-watching.

The soundtrack of the rhythmic lapping of gentle waves on Queensland‘s only northerly facing beach is rather soothing for the exhausted elites who are drawn to this beachside destination that delivers probably the single greatest holiday mix of sun, surf, food, wine and all-round “counting your blessings” relaxation.

Sure the Noosa Main Beach boardwalk is rammed with more activewear than Lorna Jane’s attic and there is a steady stream of the influencer class (as you bob in the water you can see their felt hats bob along Hastings St). But that is part of the allure of the destination.

The perfect Noosa day is to combine a run, walk or stroll through Noosa Headland National Park with a swim, snorkel or paddle board on the beach followed by a lunch and shop on Hasting St, snooze swim and dinner back on Hastings St or Noosaville or Sunshine Beach if one can be inspired to leave the indulgent milieu.

You won’t regret a trip to Noosa Main Beach. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

8. Lake Mackenzie, K’gari (Fraser Island)

Surprise! A beach that is not on the coast.

A perched lake (so it sits above sea level on the sands of K’gari) it is fed only by rainwater. Lake Mackenzie is pinch-yourself beautiful. Not even the millions of over-saturated Instagram shots do it justice.

Ringed by talcum-soft white sand, you dive right into cool iridescent green water that becomes coffee stained as you move deeper.

And for an extra touch, at the shoreline rub your valuables in the wet white silica for a free jewellery clean.

Lake Mackenzie is pinch-yourself beautiful. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

9. Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays, Qld

It is no wonder that any self-respecting list of the best Australian beaches must have Whitehaven on it. It is a non-negotiable for a reason.

In the dictionary under perfect beach, just stick in a photo of Whitehaven: turquoise water and blinding white fine sand that stretches for more than six kilometres. The sand is in fact 98 per cent silica giving its pure whiteness. And forget the hot sand jig, the pure white colour reflects the heat so it never gets too hot for your feet.

And as if that was not enough, Whitehaven is protected by the Whitsundays Islands National Park making it not just an incredible wilderness area, but one of the cleanest beaches in Queensland (for example smoking is banned to avoid stray butts ending in the sand or water).

Whitehaven is the ultimate non-negotiable. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Tassie’s best beaches

10. Wineglass Bay, Freycinet Peninsula

Tasmania’s most famous beach makes global lists of top 10s with such regularity that we can become a little blasé about its beauty and let’s be honest, perfection. Until of course, you walk to the top of The Hazards, the spectacular mountain range that climbs steeply from the water to form the northern edge of Wineglass Bay, to peer down on this ridiculously exquisite beach.

If the relatively easy walk to the lookout is not floating your boat, then join a cruise to explore the entire remarkable Freycinet Peninsula.

And, hate to break it to you, but the name Wineglass Bay comes from the water being stained by whale blood at the beginning of the 19^th century when it was a major whale processing beach.

Wineglass Bay is Tassie’s most famous beach. (Image: Lauren Bath)

11. Boat Harbour Beach

Ask locals (particularly if they are from the northern section of Tasmania) their favourite beach and without hesitation, they will respond Boat Harbour Beach.

The north-easterly facing beach is protected from the wind by rocky headlands on both edges of the beach. A gentle slope and north facing provide a gentle wave. And some serious rock-hole exploring is an option in the remarkable geology of the headland.

Boat Harbour Beach is protected from the wind by rocky headlands. (Image: S. Group)

12. Cosy Corner, Bay of Fires

Picking the best Bay of Fires beach is the greatest exercise in futility, no one usually tries. When international lists of best beaches in the world are released they don’t even bother and collectively name Bay of Fires which in fact covers more than 15 different beaches.

Collectively the beaches of the Bay of Fires have the mandatory remarkable white sand and aquamarine water but these Tassie gems like to up the ante with a big dollop of dazzling orange thanks to the lichen that is found over the boulders in the area.

We went with Cosy Corner as the top pick for purely pragmatic reasons; it is the stunning selection of beaches (like a Babushka doll, even Cosy Corner has three different sections) most accessible from the Binnalong Bay township.

The Bay of Fires covers 15 beaches and Cosy Corner is our fave. (Image: Kathryn Leahy)

SA’s best beaches

13. Long Beach, Robe

Such is the fabulousness of Robe’s Long Beach that it should be a national icon. There are several ramps to drive your car onto the beach and the surf break from the third ramp onwards is most loved by those with waxy hair.

The beach itself is very deep from the shoreline to land and, stretching for more than 14 kilometres, it is always easy to find a slice for yourself and to renew old rivalries in the annual family beach cricket grudge match.

Make the most of it, take the 4WD (although some 2WD handle it perfectly fine) and set up camp for a day. The fishing is pretty good as well so you can even catch a lunch of whiting and perhaps flathead or snapper.

Long Beach should be a national icon. (Image: Mark Fitzpatrick)

14. Stokes Bay Beach, Kangaroo Island

Stokes Bay beach is confusing to the uninitiated. Arriving at the car park you will be very let down; the shoreline is a craggy mix of rocks and pebbles. Follow the signs through a few rocks and caves and, like the wardrobe in the Lion the Witch and Wardrobe, you merge into a hidden paradise.

The north-facing beach is all the prerequisite white sand and turquoise water. Being northerly facing it avoids any of the big waves from the Southern Ocean and the rockpools are a winner for exploring with the kids. For more Kangaroo Island beaches – check out our guide.

Stokes Bay Beach is so worth finding its hidden location. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

15. Maslin Beach, Fleurieu Peninsula

The first time you sight Maslins is a wondrous thing. It happens as you crest a hill headed for McLaren Vale and then this magnificent beach and the burnt-red striated cliffs of Blanche Point appear.

The southern end of Maslins (as locals call it) towards the cliffs is Australia’s first legal “clothed optional beach”, handy for the many wine buffs who depart Adelaide without swimmers expecting a full day of tasting who are then seduced by the beauty of the beach and emboldened by the tasting to have their first ever birthday suit dip.

Maslin Beach is a breathtaking sight. (Image: Kristy Billing)

WA’s best beaches

16. Cable Beach, Broome

Ok ok ok, this is a legend and deservedly so. The remarkable beach stretches in all directions as far as the eye can see – it is 22 kilometres long and at low tide, as the water recedes, it feels that wide.

Add the famous pindan red cliffs, camel rides and the sunset that is unrivalled around the world and you have an experience that has such an intense sense of place it is the beach equivalent of standing in front of the Eiffel Tower.

The huge expanse of the beach has plenty of space for everyone to swim, surf, fish or just loll around. Being so remote, you may not have brought all your beach accoutrements, they can be hired from the Broome Beach Hut.

Cable Beach is nothing short of iconic.

17. Little Salmon Bay, Rottnest Island

Oh Rotto, you had me at quokka. Sure we all love a selfie with the misnamed ‘rodents’ but it is the incredible beaches of Rotto that really take the cake.

And Little Salmon Bay is by far the greatest beach on Rotto. The relatively small beach is so picturesque, your lizard brain sees the quintessential paradise causing you to be almost teary at the sheer beauty of the place. Being a small beach at the end of a long narrow bay, the snorkelling area is next level big. This also explains why it never feels crowded.

Little Salmon Bay is by far the greatest beach on Rotto. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

18. Eagle Bay, Margaret River Region

Low-key luxury homes meet that incredible luminescent WA turquoise water and fine white sand.

Almost at the tip of Cape Naturaliste, the beach in fact faces northeast and is well protected from the Indian Ocean swells, add the long gentle sandy beach and you have an oversized sea pool.

The beach is interspersed with the occasional rock outcrop that gives kids endless entertainment.

Eagle Bay mustn’t be missed. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

NT’s best beaches

19. Mindil Beach, Darwin

Let’s be honest, the NT is full of incredible beaches that are torturous to us Aussies – so seductive yet unsafe to swim; how can they tempt us so?

Mindil is an icon of Darwin for its outrageously beautiful sunsets and of course the eclectic Mindil Beach markets. Clothing, nik naks and whip stalls mingle with food outlets serving up cuisine from more than 20 different countries to create a must-do of the NT.

Nothing beats a Mindil Beach sunset.

The post Australia’s best beaches? Here are our top 19 picks appeared first on Australian Traveller.

Bells at Killcare boutique hotel on the NSW Bouddi Peninsula is a world-class retreat with dreamy rooms, a day spa, bakery, vibrant restaurant and acres of tranquil gardens. Owned by husband-and-wife team Karina and Brian Barry, who bought the stylish retreat from Australian entrepreneur John Singleton in 2016, Bells at Killcare offers all the charm and sophistication you want from a five-star coastal break.

The location

The Central Coast, just an hour’s drive north of Sydney, has evolved to become an incredibly accessible and beautiful seaside destination where some seriously sophisticated retreats and luxury places to stay have sprung up over the years.

The Bouddi Peninsula is located at the southern tip of the Central Coast, across from Sydney’s northernmost suburb, Palm Beach and is dotted with high-end holiday destinations such as McMasters Beach, Pretty Beach, Patonga and Killcare.

The Central Coast has evolved to become an incredibly accessible and beautiful seaside destination.

This is the spiritual heart of the Central Coast – Bouddi means heart in the local Aboriginal language – and there is evidence of rock carvings and middens found in numerous locations around the area’s idyllic national parks.

Pack walking shoes and swimmers as, all up, there are seven pristine beaches and many spectacular walking trails that wind around the coastal headland at Killcare. You can also take the scenic route and visit the sleepy, picturesque seaside villages of Pretty Beach, Hardy’s Bay and Killcare itself, where Bells isn’t. (It’s located up the hill at Killcare Heights.)

The accommodation

Bells’ at Killcare boutique hotel recently refurbished 10 of its most popular rooms to include heated flooring in the marble bathrooms, beautiful brass and copper claw-foot freestanding baths and elegant English tapware.

All up, Bells at Killcare boutique hotel comprises a series of 25 cottages and villas with a main lodge that houses the bar, restaurant, library and event space.

The underlying aesthetic, according to the Bells at Killcare branding, is ‘East Coast Hamptons’, the relaxed, luxurious beach retreat for New York’s well-to-do set.

The exterior of the Garden Villa at Bells at Killcare.

The food

The pool bar

Bells at Killcare has a new garden bar and poolside service so that you can enjoy a cocktail and oysters al fresco as well as an honesty bar tucked into a dinky 1950s caravan where guests can pour their own drinks.

It’s the perfect place for The World’s Most Beautiful Wife and I to relax before visiting family further north. The relaxed pool area, tucked into a private corner of the property, also follows the Hamptons theme, with blue-and-white umbrellas and lounges.

The pool bar is an ‘honesty’ bar tucked into a dinky 1950s caravan, where guests can pour their own drinks.

Onsite bakery

There’s also a beautiful bakery and larder onsite, which turns out freshly baked pastries and artisan sourdough and offers both guests and locals the chance to pick up picnic goodies to take away or back to their cottage.

Bells Bakery churns out freshly baked pastries and artisan sourdough on the daily. (Image: Dom Cherry)

The Wild Flower Bar & Dining

The onsite restaurant, The Wild Flower Bar & Dining, has been shaped by celebrated executive chef Sean Connolly and is inspired by the theme: Bouddi by the Sea.

The restaurant’s recent redesign includes specially commissioned Kate Swinton wallpaper and cushions and framed etchings of native flora. The light fittings that feature so prominently in the dining room are also woven from local Killcare grasses by local artist Lee Cavendar.

The Wild Flower Bar & Dining has been shaped by celebrated executive chef Sean Connolly and is inspired by the theme: Bouddi by the Sea. (Image: Dom Cherry)

We skip the bakery treats to save some room for dinner and instead start our epicurean experience in the bar with a Bellini and olives. The main dining room here is on the balcony, which overlooks the beautiful, manicured grounds and, thanks to floor-to-ceiling louvres, has an al fresco feel. Connolly’s Mediterranean-inspired food is hard to beat, with lots of local prawns, crayfish and lobster.

The Mediterranean-inspired food features lots of fresh, local seafood. (Image: Dom Cherry)

The wine list is also extensive with a globe-trotting mix of international – particularly Italian – and local wines. TWMBW tucks into the salt-crusted snapper, and spaghetti vongole and both are unfussy and excellent. My scallops crudo with local finger lime is the right balance of flavours and technique.

When Bells opened in 2007 there was much hype about the kitchen garden, and the garden’s harvest is evident in their dishes with about 20 per cent of the just-plucked produce informing the ingredient-led menu.

The manicured garden entrance to The Wild Flower Bar & Dining Restaurant. (Image: Nikki To)

There are also chickens that supply the eggs and beehives that supply the honey within the ever-expanding farm located at the Bells at Killcare boutique hotel. There’s also Lupo, the Italian sheepdog, who protects the chickens and loves visits from the guests.

As with all great destination diners, the accommodation at Bells at Killcare boutique hotel matches the food – casual, relaxed yet totally indulgent and Connolly and his team have brought a bit of theatre into the restaurant, wheeling trolleys to the table in order to toss salads and pasta and exchange a bit of banter with guests.

Bells at Killcare boutique hotel matches the food – casual, relaxed yet totally indulgent. (Image: Dom Cherry)

The room

Our King Suite has a bath as well as a shower. Every room has a fireplace and it’s a lovely touch during a winter escape to curl up beside the fire with a book from the library. The plantation shutters on the windows also accentuate the relaxed feel of the suite and the signature blue-and-white-striped awnings stand the test of time.

TWMBW loves a snooze in front of the TV, and the Smart TVs have on-demand movies that are complimentary, along with the wi-fi. The snooze made stellar due to homespun blankets and oodles of pillows on the massive bed.

Breakfast is served a la carte in the dining room and includes options such as homemade granola, eggs from the resident chickens and thick-cut bacon with tomatoes from the gardens and mushrooms.

The rooms and villas have a Hamptons-inspired touch. (Image: Dom Cherry)

The day spa

Another drawcard at Bells at Killcare is Bells Day Spa, a stylish sanctuary that is anchored to the garden and thoughtfully designed with warmth and intimacy in mind.

The day spa is hugely popular for its botanical iKOU products, which are used in treatments such as the Mindful Wellness Ritual, which involves both a massage and a facial.

Its bespoke beauty and bathroom products are hand-made exclusively for Bells at Killcare and include a beautiful high-end signature candle (in collaboration with Lumira), Botanical Shampoo & Conditioner, hand wash and hand lotion, which are all available for purchase.

The beach is not far away, and there’s magnificent hiking around the Bouddi National Park. But that’s for the next visit – this trip was to relax and recharge.

The Bells Day Spa, a stylish sanctuary thoughtfully designed with warmth and intimacy in mind. (Image: Anson Smart)

The review

What’s the Gossip?

Here’s what other reviewers have said:

“The boutique hotel is a pocket paradise… It feels more like Lake Como than the Central Coast.” The Sydney Morning Herald Traveller

“Bells could be the closest approximation of a European country-house hotel you could reasonably find in an Australian coastal setting.” The Weekend Australian

THE AT Verdict

Quentin Long, who paid his own way and visited anonymously, says:
A magnificent couples’ retreat where the accommodation matches the superb dining.

The Details

A little piece of paradise on the Central Coast. (Image: Anson Smart)

Where:  107 The Scenic Road, Killcare Heights.

Notes:  We booked the Relax Package; from $1062 for one night’s accommodation in a King Suite, including a three-course dinner, two massages, happy hour drinks nightly and a welcome hamper and daily breakfast. There are loads of packages on the website. Standard rates for a King Suite start at $527 per night midweek.

Contact:  (02) 4349 7000; bellsatkillcare.com.au

The post Bells at Killcare: everything you want from a 5-star coastal break appeared first on Australian Traveller.

Let’s be honest. Launching a new airline in Australia right now sounds just a little crazy. So when we awoke on the 12th October to the news that a new airline was coming, we were just a little surprised. Yet statistically, a business launched in the middle of a crisis is more likely to survive. (Everything is cheaper and there are more willing workers is the theory).

So now the hype has settled we grilled CEO and Founder Tim Jordan to get the real details on what travellers can expect from Bonza Airline. Here is everything we know so far, plus a few educated guesses from us.

When will Bonza flights take off?

Bonza is currently jumping through the relevant regulatory hurdles to be granted a licence to operate and Jordan expects the airline to take off in the second quarter of 2022.

What kind of aircraft will Bonza Airline fly?

At launch, Bonza will fly three new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, the first carrier to do so on domestic routes in Australia. The key take out is that they are new – so will be lower on the maintenance demands and more importantly, more efficient on the running costs. Lower maintenance and fuel bills mean they can operate at a lower cost.

Where will Bonza Airline fly to?

It is easier to say where Bonza probably won’t fly. In short, don’t expect to fly between capital cities on a Bonza flight. The airline’s stated strategy is to be a leisure regional airline. Bonza will fly 17 routes to 27 new destinations, 17 of them previously unserviced between the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne. 

By being exclusively leisure focused Jordan says they don’t have to be dogmatic about daily flights. This translates to three or four times a week services to regional airports. We expect them to be mostly Eastern Seaboard regional centres based on what we know so far. This infrequent schedule gives Bonza a more flexible cost base. And by ignoring the business market they avoid the need for a loyalty scheme that has expensive built-in start-up costs.

Exclusively regional means they will have very little competition.

“We are committed to the forgotten third of Australia that makes up regional Australia. If you are currently in one of the major regional centres you can fly to a capital city but to get anywhere else you need to fly from A to B to then get to C. We are going to connect regional centres from A directly to C,” Jordan says.

Jordan also dropped a few more hints on locations in our conversation.

“The sweet spot for LCCs (Low Cost Carriers) is two and half maybe three hours flying time maximum.”

So extrapolating that, two to three-hour flights from SE Qld (see below on where Bonza HQ will most likely be) would be most of the NSW coast and inland perhaps to Wagga and as far north as Cairns but would not reach Darwin. Although they could reach Darwin from Cairns if they were to operate multi-leg flight routes.

How much will Bonza flights cost?

Yes, we are all very keen to know this and Jordan cannot confirm anything however he did let slip one indication of pricing in our conversation.

“Two-hundred-dollar flights are just out of reach for most families and tradies in regional centres who have to fly via a capital city to reach their holiday destination. But at $75 direct to the destination, that’s a different proposition.” Jordan said.

Other media have been quoted as saying 30-40 per cent below current pricing but that seems like complete pie in the sky number generation when we don’t even have the routes.

Will I have to buy food, drinks and entertainment on a Bonza Airline flight?

True to the LCC model, yes. Find entertainment on the Bonza app, with radio, music and podcasts available. 

How expensive is food and drinks on Bonza Airline?

Well, Jordan’s pitch is “LCC’s get a bad rap and in many cases deservedly so for their charging for services. Bonza is dedicated to charging fair and reasonable prices for all services.”

Snacks start at $2.50, with prices then ranging from $5 to $10 for food and drinks.

How about baggage on Bonza flights?

Again, true to the LCC business model, anything other than a seat and carry-on luggage will incur a fee. Jordan is at pains to assure travellers Bonza will be reasonable with its charges. “If we need to burn extra fuel for the weight of your baggage then you can expect a fair charge.”

Carry-on baggage can include one large item and one small item, such as a small suitcase and a backpack, which cannot exceed eight kilograms in total. For check-in luggage, there are four weight options: 15, 23, 28 and 32 kilograms per piece.

Bonza Airline’s founder and CEO wants to assure travellers they will be reasonable with their charges.

Can I take a surfboard or gold clubs on a Bonza flight?

An oversized item is is classified as having one or more dimension/s exceeding 100cm. The maximum length for any one item is 300cm and no single item can exceed 32 kilograms under any circumstances.

If your item exceeds one metre in any dimension, your oversize baggage options for purchase are: Bonza XL (any one item up to 23 kilograms) or Bonza XXL (any one item up to 32 kilograms).

Can I sit with my partner and family?

Bonza will operate assigned seating so as long as there are seats available in the format required to accommodate all passengers on a booking, then yes. If at the time of check-in that is not possible then you may not be able to sit together. This is no different to any airline operating in Australia today.

Can I choose my seats?

Yes, for a fee… just like most airlines operating in Australia today.

Will Bonza sell more than just flights?

Like any LCC we expect there will be affiliate revenue shares with accommodation and hire car providers as a minimum. However, the bigger play Jordan hinted at will be packaged holidays.

“This is not new. Jet2 in Europe and Allegiant Airlines in North America have been very successful by offering holiday packages to customers.”

Can we expect Bonza to operate reliably?

Jordan is adamant that low cost does not translate to low quality or unreliable, despite Australian travellers experience with the now-defunct Tiger Airways who were always hindered by a reputation for unreliability. This was a millstone around their neck long after they became close to the most reliable airline in Australia.

Jordan has valid reasons to be confident about his claims, citing his time at FlyArystan, the LCC subsidiary of Kazakhstans’ Air Astana. Jordan launched the airline in May 2019 which is now carrying three million passengers per annum.

“We operated at 91 per cent on time in a country where it was minus 20 degrees four months of the year.”

Can I offset my flights?

Currently no but Jordan wants to reassure us that they will be operating as sustainably as possible.

“The 737-8’s are the most fuel-efficient and low emission aircraft carrying less than 200 passengers in Australia,” he says.

And just to make the point, he claims, “You would need to drive three passengers in a hybrid vehicle the same distance to travel at a lower emission outcome than flying with Bonza.”

Great claim and glad to see the emissions will be lower however the above claim seems to assume a full flight, or 100 per cent capacity, which seems unlikely. So not quite an apples with apples comparison, it would be ideal for Bonza to find an offset solution.

Can Bonza succeed where others have failed?

Well, Jordan has a few statistics he thinks are critical. According to Jordan, Australia is ranked 8th in the world for aviation by the number of passenger movements. Yet we only have one LCC (Jetstar) which, being owned by Qantas, makes it not truly independent. In most markets around the world of similar size, they have three or four independent LCCs according to Jordan.

Meanwhile, by avoiding the capital city hub and focussing on direct region to region flights, Bonza claims they can directly appeal to the one-third of Australians who live in regional Australia. In reality, their market will be less than a third owing to the fact they will not be in every regional centre.

However, Bonza claims the vast majority of launch routes are not currently being operated by any airline. They then have the advantage of no competitor on the bulk of their routes avoiding the potential of a costly price war.

What will be the critical factors for Bonza to succeed?

According to Jordan, the two major success factors are regional airport support and customer satisfaction.

“Our largest cost centre is not fuel or staff but airport charges. These will be 25 per cent of our costs,” he says.

Courting these regional centres with the promise of increased visitors from markets not currently directly serviced is an enticing carrot to most local governments. So there are plenty of reasons for the airports and local councils to come to the party by offering very competitive airport charges.

And Jordan is confident that they will see the benefits. “We sent letters to 45 regional airports asking if they would like to partner with us and grow the regional tourism pie for everyone. Thirty have replied positively already.”

However, some aviation experts have questioned exactly how many regional airports will be able to accommodate the 737-8s as they will require more runway space than currently available at most regional airports. Whether the interested airports can accommodate the 737-8s we are not privy to at this point in time.

Jordan swots this criticism away saying “many, many regional airports can already take the 737. We don’t want anyone spending money to accommodate us as eventually that cost passes to the airline and from the airline to the customer. Bonza is about utilising existing infrastructure in locations.”

As for customer satisfaction, it is self-evident in the smaller population base of regional Australia that you cannot afford to disappoint many people.

“A lot of people in regional Australia have not experienced or been exposed to LCC travel. We have to make sure the experience is a good one as the longevity of the business relies on it. If they have a good experience and they share it with friends and family then we will succeed.”

So customer service staff are critical. “If you are being served by a crew that visibly wants to be there and deliver a quality service then that translates into customer satisfaction.”

And with the current number of aviation staff looking to put their experience to work in the industry due to Covid, Jordan is confident it won’t be too hard to find great staff.

Where will Bonza Airlines be based?

There are three regional centres on the shortlist to be the home of Australia’s newest airline. Being firmly dedicated to regional centres it makes sense that the airline will be based in one. Jordan has admitted the leading candidates are Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and the Ballina/Byron Shire. But he has not ruled our Coffs Harbour or Toowoomba.

The Sunshine Coast is one of several destinations on the shortlist to be the home of Australia’s newest airline. 

Who owns Bonza Airline?

The backers (suppliers of much of the money) of Bonza Airline is a company called 777 Capital. The USS $6 billion investment company are a major shareholder in another LCC – Flair Air in Canada.

But most importantly for Bonza Airline, amongst 777’s 50 companies, they happened to have an airline leasing company. Which is handy for anyone launching an airline.

Where does the name Bonza Airline come from?

Well, Jordan has a story for that as well. The airline was dreamt up over a table on the mid-coast of NSW where Jordan and his Aussie wife live (he is a Brit by birth and now an Aussie citizen).

“We wanted a name that was quintessentially and proudly Australian but also said we are different. Urban dictionary defines Bonza as great and well-executed. So that was it,” he says.

He trademarked the name in 2016 and watched as Virgin entered receivership in 2020 making the business case from his perspective even more compelling.

Our take

It is a compelling story and we recognise and want to support the potential growth for regional centres both as recipients of much-needed visitors and as a great service for the regional travellers themselves.

However, Aviation is a tricky business and there are many hurdles yet to come. Bonza will draw the attention of QANTAS and Jetstar specifically who may attempt to hobble potential competition before they can become real competition.

We certainly hope not for the sake of regional tourism operators and travellers alike.

The post Exclusive Q&A: everything we know about Australia’s new Bonza Airline appeared first on Australian Traveller.

We commend your brave commitment to the pledge made by every parent when they first hear of bub’s imminent arrival – the pledge to continue living life as you always have, just with a small, sometimes shouty third wheel in tow.

The ultimate guide to your first family trip.

While the thought of travelling with a baby can induce heart palpitations in even the most zen parents, if done right, it can be endlessly rewarding and there is, in fact, no good reason why you shouldn’t do it.

All it takes is a little preparation, a bit of research and a few positive mantras (just in case). Of course, there may still be the odd meltdown – it’ll just take place in a far more thrilling location.

Here is your ultimate need-to-know, nitty-gritty guide to your first family holiday.

1. Choose the best destination for a baby holiday

2. Find the best place to stay with a baby

3. How to prepare for a holiday with a baby

4. How to pack for a holiday with a baby

5. Survival tips

Hamilton Island has stunning, baby-friendly beaches and reef access for the whole family to enjoy.

Step one: choose the best destination for a baby holiday

A successful first family holiday often comes down to your choice of destination. If you’ve never flown or taken a long drive with your new bub before, it’s sage advice to pick a holiday within Australia that can be accessed in no more than a few hours.

There’s no point to arriving a frazzled mess, questioning your life choices, when a little planning can side-step travel trauma.

Remember, holidays are different now. You won’t be stumbling out of bars at 3am, trekking the wilderness or lounging by a pool from sunrise to sunset, so look for destinations that offer something the whole family can enjoy together.

Gone are the days of intimate late night feasts, a baby friendly restaurant on holidays is your new best friend. (Image Hamilton Island)

Generally, that means cities don’t make the cut. Trundling around a concrete jungle in a stroller is probably not your child’s idea of a good time either.

To get you started, here are our top-five picks:

1. Hamilton Island: We love Hamilton Island, not only because it’s easily accessible, has stunning, baby-friendly beaches and reef access, but because it caters specifically to new parents. The resort island offers child-minding services, a 24-hour on-call doctor and even child seats for those super-fun golf buggies.

2. Noosa: Thanks to beautiful, stroller-accessible walks, gentle bays and plenty of activities, Noosa is a hot spot for families. If you’re feeling up for the challenge, camping here is also a safe and easy option.

3. Tasmania: While road trips are generally not a great idea for baby’s first holiday, Tassie’s smaller size makes them entirely achievable. Just be sure to drive for no more than an hour at a time before stopping to take in the stunning scenery and to let toddlers stretch those chubby legs.

4. Lord Howe Island: Gentle bays, activities and incredible wildlife make Lord Howe an unforgettable destination. Hop on a bike and explore or let baby splash in the shallows while you take in the view.

5. Byron Bay: Byron is a good middle ground for parents who still want a taste of their old life. There’s a cosmopolitan vibe going on, but also beautiful beaches and plenty of farm and rainforest excursions that are baby friendly.

Bridestowe Lavender Estate is one of the most spectacular vistas during flowering in December & January. (Image: Cultivate Productions)

Step two: find the best place to stay with a baby

Before you book your usual accommodation, complete with glass coffee table and un-fenced plunge pool, stop and assess your needs travelling with a potentially powerpoint-poking mini-me.

Often, serviced apartments are a great option, as a kitchenette makes meal prep and milk-heating easy. Usually baby’s breakfast and dinner will take place back at your accommodation, so a stovetop and bar fridge will be a lifesaver.

However, there are upsides to resorts and hotels, too. Firstly, they will usually have a cot and stroller available, as with Hamilton Island, so that’s one less thing to lug with you.

Hamilton Island also offers child-minding options and dedicated programs for kids, giving you a brief respite to holiday like you used to.

Baby minding services enable parents to have some time for a break. (Image Hamilton Island)

Wherever you end up, it’s good practice to do a quick baby-proofing as soon as you’ve dropped your bags, such as moving any breakable items out of reach, blocking access to electrical cords and removing any furniture that could be pulled down onto their tiny selves.

Step three: how to prepare for a holiday with a baby

Alright, you know where you’re going and where you’re staying, but what on earth do you do with an out-of-routine bub once you’re there? You can still follow your regular schedule, but try to allow for a bit of flexibility – you’re on holidays, after all.

You don’t want to have to race back from the beach for nap time. Instead, try getting your baby used to falling asleep in a stroller before you go.

Holidays with toddlers and baby’s can be great fun for everyone., if you have done your homework.

Putting them into a sleep bag and giving them their comforter will help to signal it’s time for a nap, but be prepared for them to resist the urge to sleep if they’re having too much fun.

If your little one is already walking, then before you go, make sure you know the location of a nearby playground and dedicate some time for your toddler to play and interact with other littlies each day.

Some dedicated time for running around means they’ll be more willing to spend a bit more time on the things you enjoy, too.

Having a bag packed with essentials and snacks can help to stretch out the time to an impending meltdown. You’d be surprised how long a packet of sultanas or a toys like the Tangerine Studio toys will buy you.

As a parent, you already know that babies come with more accessories than Barbie, so it’s about finding the best and lightest versions of the necessities.

Step four: how to pack for a holiday with baby

Of course, packing light is the goal. But as a parent, you already know that babies come with more accessories than Barbie, so it’s about finding the best and lightest versions of the necessities.

For example, according to mamonlineshop, there are only a couple of travel strollers compact enough to be allowed in the overhead bins on a plane. These may not be cheap, but if you plan to travel regularly over the next few years, they are worth the money.

It also pays to research the lightest travel cots. Some touted as travel cots are strangely heavy and cumbersome, so look around.

It’s worth remembering, however, that most airlines will allow you to take a certain number of bulky baby items free of charge. Prioritise what you really need to take, and the rest you can hire. It’s usually not worth taking a baby car seat, and high chairs are often available at your accommodation.

Once the big items are sorted, it’s just a matter of making sure you have the essentials. Bottles, formula, painkillers (should a tooth erupt mid-holiday), bedding, swim nappies, and, for the love of peace, do not forget their favourite soft toy or bunny rug! There’s also plenty of baby shops in cairns that you can check out if you’re looking to buy a new stroller or other baby products that you might need on your holiday.

The more you prepare for flying with a baby, the more likely it is going to be less stressful.

Survival tips for a holiday with a baby

Even the most meticulous planning can go awry, so check out these tried-and-tested tips:
1. If flying, be sure to breast- or bottle-feed your baby on the ascent and descent to help their ears little equalise. Or try sugar-free lollipops for toddlers.
2. Buy a new ‘emergency’ toy and keep it hidden. Reveal only in crisis meltdown mode.
3. If driving, do a few longer car trips in the lead up to your holiday.
4. Make a pack list and check it, twice.

And finally… relax. In years to come you’ll only remember the good parts.

The post How to holiday with a baby; your ultimate 4-step guide appeared first on Australian Traveller.

But before you can do any of that, you need a bag. And let’s be honest, with so many different options on the market, finding the right bag for your adventure can be a little daunting.

Before you start shopping, we recommend you write down details of the adventure you’re planning, the expected weather and if it might impact your journey, and the items you need to carry. This will help you determine the type of bag you’re after.

Mountain Design travel pack. Image courtesy Mountain Designs

When choosing a bag, there are a few other things you should also consider, starting with the brand.

Choose a good-quality brand with a superior reputation for bag manufacturing.

Mountain Designs has been around since the 1970s and has continually improved on the quality and functionality of its products, including bags.

Now we have the quality sorted, other things to look for include:

• water resistance – imperative if you’re heading out in the rain or snow;
• different compartments – the more pockets you have, the easier it will be to store and find everything you need;
• size – you might only want something as small as 20L for a simple trip, or you could be looking at 120L for longer journeys;
• padding – if you’re spending a lot of time wearing a backpack, or you’re planning a hike or climb with a bag on your back, you want to make sure it’s comfortable; and
• durability – depending on the activity, you may need a bag that can withstand any inclement weather and the constant scratching and scraping against nature.

Which bag is best?

There are many bag types available and the bag you choose really depends on why you want it, and what you need to put into it.

Bags for short day trips

If you’re planning short day trips, you might prefer to use a bag that is small and lightweight.

Mountain Design travel pack. Image courtesy Mountain Design

Day packs (20L to 40L) and hiking bags (45L to 75L) are ideal for day trips, or if you’re simply heading out on a hike, paddle or bike ride, you might go even smaller with a hydration pack – inclusive of a reservoir.

These are great for catering to your thirst, no matter where you’re headed, and generally also include extra pockets where you can hide your keys and wallet.

Bags for big adventures

Travel packs will protect your gear while also providing you plenty of storage space when you’re off on a big adventure or you need to bulk up your bag with snow gear.

The right bag makes travel that much easier and more enjoyable. Image courtesy Mountain Design.

They’re available in a range of sizes, up to 80L, and can come with an added daypack attached for convenience.

Casual bags

Backpacking around the world or hiking the mountains might not be on your to-do list at the moment, but if you’re in need of a casual bag for an overnight hotel stay, or something to fill with your sports gear, duffle bags are a great casual use option.

From a compact 30L, right up to 120L, they’re highly durable and can often even be converted into a backpack.

Storage bags

Whether you’re travelling for a day or a year, if you want to keep your gear safe, storage bags are the way to go.

From packing cells that have dual compartments so you can keep your underwear and socks separate; to toiletry bags and dry bags – storage bags are designed to protect all your important belongings from getting wet.

It doesn’t matter what level of adventure you’re planning, finding the right bag is easy with the right advice. Mountain Designs offers a full range of bags and packs, so you’re sure to find something to suit every occasion.

The post Guide to choosing the best bag for your next adventure appeared first on Australian Traveller.

If you’re having trouble deciding what to do, or you have an idea of where you want to go, and you’re after a holiday with a difference, a cruise is a perfect option.

With an itinerary that’s already set, cruises offer a stress-free holiday option that provide excellent value for money.

Carnival Cruise Line offers everything from simple three-day getaway cruises that are ideal for first-time cruisers or those with limited time, through to 10-day adventures that will take you into open East Coast waters and north to the Great Barrier Reef.

Cruises depart from Sydney or Brisbane, and allow you the freedom to do as much as you want, or as little as possible, while you’re on a break from reality.

Where to go and for how long

Departing from both capitals, three-day cruises take you out to explore local waters, into the open ocean and back, as you enjoy the onboard facilities.

These getaways give you a great taste of life onboard – and they’re an ideal way to escape the pressures of life and technology, too.

If you have an extra day, why not take a cruise from Brisbane up to Airlie Beach and jump on a shore excursion to see the Whitsunday Islands?

Onboard a short cruise from Brisbane take an extra day to explore the Whitsundays from Airlie Beach. Image courtesy Carnival Corp.

You’ll sail past secret beaches teeming with white sands, admire the view of the Great Barrier Reef from the deck, and you’ll have a full day to explore the beauty of Airlie Beach itself, including the lagoon, boardwalk, and local shops and markets (if you’re there on a Saturday).

Explore Airlie Beach’s lagoon during a Carnival Cruise of the East Coast. Image courtesy Carnival Corp.

From Sydney, a four-day cruise will take you up to Tangalooma Resort on Moreton Island, where you’ll have a full day off-ship to explore the beautiful beaches near Tangalooma Island Resort.

Snorkelling the Tangalooma Wrecks, Moreton Island, QLD. Image courtesy Carnival Corp

Book in a Sea Scooter Safari to get up close to the famous Tangalooma Shipwrecks, which were deliberately sunk in the 1960s to create a break wall for small boats. In that time, they have become home and a haven to abundant coral and marine life.

The Tangalooma Wrecks were sunk in the ’60’s off, Moreton Island, QLD to create a reef for snorkelling. Image courtesy Carnival Corp.

Further itineraries departing Sydney will take you past Victoria and across into Tasmanian waters, where you’ll cruise through to the Tasman Peninsula, stopping off at the historic Port Arthur site on five-day cruises.

This World Heritage-listed site is one of the best-preserved convict sites in Australia and is a former penal colony steeped in history.

Enjoy a day exploring here, before setting sail for the capital Hobart*, where you can explore the convict-era architecture, Salamanca Market, museums, shopping, parks, and much more. (*Port orders vary).

The best of the ocean

If you’re planning a cruise, you likely already have a love of the ocean, and without a doubt, one of the most popular destinations in Australia is the Great Barrier Reef.

A sea turtle swims over the Great Barrier Reef, QLD. Image courtesy Carnival Corp.

With Carnival Cruise Line, you can set sail to this impressive World Heritage playground, departing Brisbane for seven days and Sydney for 10 days.

Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, QLD. Image Courtesy Carnival Corp.

Explore the world’s largest and longest coral reef system, stretching more than 2,300 kilometres in length – with more than 2,900 reefs and 900 islands.

Cruise along the Coral Sea with dolphins alongside and, if you depart between June and October, you might even share the waters with majestic humpback whales, as they make their annual migration.

An aerial view of the Great Barrier Reef, QLD. Image courtesy Carnival Corp.

The Great Barrier Reef is so magnificent it can be seen from outer space, and it is home to more than 1,500 fish species, 134 species of sharks and rays, six species of marine turtle and more than 30 species of marine mammals.

If you’ve never been, a Great Barrier Reef cruise is a must-have on your bucket list.

Why choose an Aussie cruise?

Aside from the views and exploration experience, a domestic cruise also offers much more.

To start with, departing and cruising locally means you don’t have to worry about passports and visas.

With flights now back in action between most capital cities and relaxation on quarantine rules for most states, you can easily book a flight to get to Sydney or Brisbane for departure. This saves you any stress in the preparation.

With Carnival, all you need to do is choose your cruise, pack your bags and arrive at the cruise terminal. Carnival handles the rest.

If you’re on limited holiday leave, you won’t waste any time waiting around in airport lounges or trying to find your hotels. Instead, you’ll have one room for the entire journey, and all you need to do is wake up each day, make your way to the dining room or the pool, and start enjoying the view.

There are days where you will have the choice to leave the ship and explore the mainland, while other days the toughest decision you’ll have is whether you want 24/7 pizza or a la carte dining.

There’s plenty on board to keep the entire family happy, including waterslides, swimming pools, karaoke, an international food plaza, piano bar, seaside movies, spa and even the adults-only Carnival Serenity Retreat. But by far the best thing about a cruise is that everything is done for you.

Once you’re onboard and have your room settled, all you need to worry about is what you’re going to do next. Your meals are all prepared for you, your room is attended to by friendly cabin stewards, and you have your own “driver” taking you to some of Australia’s most intriguing destinations.

What more could you want?

The post Cruises along the East Coast of Australia appeared first on Australian Traveller.